Theatre Practitioner - Ophthalmology

Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust; Norwich; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading NHS trust in the UK seeks an experienced Theatre Practitioner to join its Ophthalmic Theatres team. The ideal candidate will provide high-quality perioperative care, support surgical teams, and ensure patient safety. Applicants should have excellent communication skills and a strong commitment to delivering compassionate care. This role offers opportunities for professional development within a supportive environment.

Benefits

Flexible working hours

Discounted gym memberships

Excellent pension scheme

On-site nursery

Support in career development

Qualifications

• Motivated and skilled Theatre Practitioner.
• Experience in perioperative care for ophthalmic procedures.
• Ability to work in a multidisciplinary team.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert scrub and/or circulating support during surgeries.
• Ensure high-quality, safe perioperative care to patients.
• Conduct pre-operative checks and document accurately.

Skills

Excellent communication skills

Attention to detail

Compassionate care

Team collaboration

Education

Current UK professional registration

Job description

Overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a motivated and skilled Theatre Practitioner to join our dedicated Ophthalmic Theatres team. Working within a dynamic and specialised environment, you will play a key role in delivering safe, high-quality perioperative care to patients undergoing a range of ophthalmic surgical procedures. This role offers the opportunity to develop and enhance your ophthalmic skills within a supportive and forward-thinking team. We are seeking an enthusiastic practitioner with excellent communication skills, attention to detail, and a commitment to delivering outstanding patient outcomes in a busy and rewarding surgical setting.

Responsibilities

• As a valued member of the multidisciplinary team, you will be responsible for providing expert scrub and/or circulating support during surgery, ensuring that all patients receive compassionate, efficient, and evidence-based care. You will work closely with surgeons, anaesthetists, and nursing colleagues to maintain the smooth running of theatre lists and uphold the highest standards of clinical practice.
• Provide high-quality, safe, and effective perioperative care to patients undergoing ophthalmic surgical procedures.
• Undertake scrub and/or circulating duties, ensuring correct preparation, handling, and use of surgical instruments, equipment, and materials.
• Work collaboratively with surgeons, anaesthetists, nurses, and other members of the multidisciplinary team to ensure efficient and safe theatre practice.
• Contribute to the smooth running of theatre lists, anticipating the needs of the surgical team and supporting patient flow.
• Adhere to infection prevention and control standards and maintain a clean, safe working environment.
• Participate in pre-operative checks, surgical counts, and accurate documentation in line with local and national policies.
• Support new or junior staff and students through mentorship, supervision, and role modelling of best practice.
• Assist in the maintenance and safe use of specialist ophthalmic equipment, reporting faults and ensuring timely maintenance.
• Engage in ongoing professional development and participate in clinical governance activities, audits, and service improvements.
• Ensure all care is delivered with compassion, dignity, and respect, promoting a positive experience for patients and their families.

Visa and immigration

If you are wishing to apply for this role and would require (this includes if you are already in a sponsored post and looking to change employer), you can determine the likelihood of obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship for this post by assessing your circumstances against criteria specified on the gov.uk website https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa/your-job.

Travelling to work

Staff parking is available onsite; however, this is limited during core working hours. We have more capacity in the evening and at weekends and can usually provide spaces during those hours. We look to allocate these spaces fairly. Our Travel Office have a set of criteria that staff must meet in order to qualify. If you qualify for a space, you may be placed on a waiting list if we are at full capacity. The NNUH is served by a number of public buses, and we offer generously discounted monthly passes with First Bus & Konect. The Costessey Park and Ride runs regularly each day from 06:30 (from P&R) to 20:45 (from NNUH) and this service is free for NHS staff. There is a regular Thickthorn P&R service as well which is free. Applications to the Travel Office are required for this service. We also have a discounted service from the airport P&R if you purchase a bundle. Please see Konect website for further details. The NNUH host multiple bicycle racks and a salary sacrifice scheme. We also benefit from a Beryl station onsite. If you work at another Trust site, please discuss travel and parking arrangements at interview.

DBS

If this post involves working with children or adults the application form will ask for information regarding previous convictions as you will be required to undertake a Criminal Record and Barring Check known as a DBS check. If you are a new employee or registering with the Staff Bank you will need to meet the cost of this unless your salary is less than point 9 of Afc.

Professional requirements

Should you be appointed to the post we will need to establish any previous NHS service via the ESR IAT and we will accept the submission of your application as your agreement to this. You will need to have current UK professional registration where this is a requirement of the role.

Application

Following candidate feedback and to reduce our dependency on paper, all our communication with you regarding your application will be by email so could you please check your e-mails (and Spam) regularly. We value equality in our team and recruit from all sections of the community. We recognise there is a wealth of talent among people who have a disability and if you meet the minimum criteria detailed in the person specification and have a disability, you may wish to be considered under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme by indicating this in the relevant section on your application. We look forward to receiving your application and if you do not hear within the next four weeks this will usually mean that you have not been short-listed. However, if you wish to confirm this please contact the person indicated on the advert.

Flexibility

Whilst every effort will be made to recruit to the post as it is advertised, there may be occasions where we consider alternative working patterns, such as part time working, or contract types, such as secondments, depending on circumstances. Should you wish to work in a different working pattern to that stated in our advertisement, please indicate this in the supporting statement to your application.

Values

• People-focused: We look after the needs of our patients, carers and colleagues, to provide a safe and caring experience for all.
• Respect: We act with care, compassion and kindness and value others' diverse needs.
• Integrity: We take an honest, open and ethical approach to everything we do.
• Dedication: We work as one team and support each other to maintain the highest professional standards.
• Excellence: We continuously learn and improve to achieve the best outcomes for our patients and our hospital.

Benefits

• Flexible working hours
• Fast Track Staff Physiotherapy Service
• Multi Faith prayer room at NNUH Colney Lane site
• Discounted gym memberships
• Excellent pension scheme and annual leave entitlement
• Wagestream - access up to 40% of your pay as you earn it
• Free Park & Ride service direct to NNUH Colney Lane site
• Free 24-hours confidential counselling support
• On-site Nursery at NNUH Colney Lane
• On-site cafes offering staff discounts at NNUH Colney Lane
• Support in career development
• Flexible staff bank
• Salary Sacrifice schemes including lease cars, Cycle to Work scheme and home electronics