Theatre Recovery Practitioner

University Hospitals Sussex; Chichester; Remote; GBP 32,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust is recruiting for a Band 5 Recovery Nurse in the Main Theatres, SRH, based in Chichester. The post is full time, permanent, 37.5 hours per week with weekend and on-call shifts.

You will provide high standards of patient care in the operating theatre recovery suites and work within a multidisciplinary team. Applicants should be registered with the NMC and hold a Nursing Diploma or be an ODP; experience is valuable but training and professional

Qualifications

• Registered nurse or ODP with UK professional registration.
• Nursing Diploma/ODP and relevant post-qualification experience may be required.
• Ability to work in a multi-disciplinary team and deliver high-quality patient care.

Responsibilities

• Assess, plan, implement and evaluate care for patients in theatre recovery.
• Work as part of Main Theatres Recovery/CTC Recovery team to deliver care to a high standard.
• Promote learning, assist in teaching learners, and contribute to quality standards.

Skills

Excellent communication

Teamwork

Adapt quickly

Organisational skills

Education

NMC registration / UK professional registration

Nursing Diploma / ODP

Job description

Main area RN Grade Band 5 Contract Permanent Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week (shift pattern weekends and on call shifts) Job ref 279-8236586-OCT26

Employer University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site SRH Main Theatre Town Chichester Salary £32,073 - £39,043 per annum Salary period Yearly Closing 05/11/2026 23:59

At UHSussex we’re proud to be at the heart of the NHS. As one of the UK’s largest acute trusts, we’re a leading example of the excellence, the ambition and the values that have embodied the NHS for over 70 years.

Our hard-working, talented and dedicated people work together towards a common goal – to deliver Excellent Care Everywhere for our patients, our people and our communities. Whatever your role here at UHSussex you will play a part in driving us forwards and in improving the lives of patients across Sussex.

At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us deliver Excellent Care Everywhere. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of staff networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 3) and a Veteran Aware Trust.

We value compassion, inclusion and respect as our core values . We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We’re here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our wellbeing programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work life balance - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.

As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research , we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.

We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.

Job overview

We are a friendly, dynamic recovery team that has v acancies for trained nurses or ODP’s.

If you are committed to provide a high standard of patient care. Theat re recovery can give you an opportunity to develop your critical care and high dependency skills within a friendly and supportive environment. You will need to demonstrate the ability to manage acutely ill patients; skills include airway management, pain management and care of unconscious post-operative patients. The unit provides post-operative care for a wide range of specialties including: orthopaedics , urology, gynaecology , general and sub-specialty surgery, emergency and trauma. We are looking for registered Nurse/Operating Department Practitioners with excellent communication skills and the ability to adapt quickly in a demanding environment. You are a person who uses their own initiative but also works effectively within a multi-disciplinary team and who will provide high quality patient care. Previous experience is an advantage, but support is avai lable from the line managers, variety of training s and professional development team to further your skills and knowledge.

Main duties of the job

To work as part of the Main theatres Recovery/CTC Recovery team and carry out patient care to the highest possible standard. The new posts have been created with Operational project of Vanguard Theatres recently approved as an extension to the Main Theatres in SRH.
To be responsible for assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating the care of patients in the operating theatre recovery suites.

The organisation and supervision within a designated area of the department. To participate in promoting an environment conducive to learning and to assist senior staff with the teaching of learners as required . To participate in the setting and monitoring of quality standards in relation to clinical practice

Working for our organisation

Working for our organisation

At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always deliver Excellent Care Everywhere, as shown in our Outstanding for Caring CQC rating. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of staff networks to help break down barriers, and can offer abuddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 3) and a Veteran Aware Trust.

Flexible Working: If you would like to explore potential options regarding flexible working please speak with the appropriate recruiting/line manager.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Professional:

Maintain personal and professional knowledge and competence and practice within the Nursing and Midwifery Council Codes of Conduct & Health Professionals Council Standards of Proficiency.

Provide evidence based individualised patient care to a high standard and in accordance with the Trust’s policies, procedures and guidelines.

Establish and maintain effective communication skills to support high quality patient care.

Be aware of Health and Safety requirements and to assist in promoting the safety and well-being of other staff and patients. It is the responsibility of every employee to take care of their own health and safety and the safety of anyone who may be affected by what they do.

Responsibilities:

Deliver skilled care for all patients and participate in the monitoring of the planning, delivery and evaluation of individualised patient care.

Participate in setting and maintaining agreed standards of patient care.

Ensure all records and documentation are compiled and maintained accurately and in accordance with the NMC Standards for Record Keeping.

Use resources effectively and economically.

Report accidents, complaints and incidents in a timely manner using the Datix system.

Theatre Matron/ Service manager Band 7

Theatre/Recovery Practitioner Senior Theatre/Recovery Practitioner (Band 6)

Theatre/Recovery Practitioner (Band 5) THIS ROLE

Theatre/Recovery Health Care Assistants

Demonstrate a professional attitude at all times and comply with the Trusts Uniform

This role is eligible for visa sponsorship under the UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker route. Sponsorship can only be provided where applicants meet the specific requirements set by UKVI, including the relevant skill and salary thresholds, and any role-specific criteria. For example, applicants for the Senior HCA role must be able to evidence a minimum of 2 years’ experience in the same role to qualify for sponsorship.

If you are applying using a Graduate visa as your right to work, you must have a minimum of 18 months remaining on your visa at time of application.

Person specification

Qualifications

• Registered Nurse or Registered Operating Department Practitioner
• Experience/Qualification- Nursing Diploma/ODP
• skills -The ability to complete Recovery related competence.Ability to work as an effective team member Ability to work well under pressure Organisational skills – ability to prioritise and manage own workload.
• people management and development-Excellent interpersonal and communication skills Show evidence of/awareness of the need for professional development.
• Health related diploma/ODP NVQ level 3/C&G 752
• Evidence of achievement of subset of KSF outline for Band 5 theatre nurse/ ODP post. Or, if new to Band 5, the ability to achieve this within one year

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

• Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
• Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role)

Important information for applicants:

A Note on AI Use in Applications

UHSussex values authenticity and encourages applicants to ensure that all application materials accurately reflect their own skills, experience, knowledge and motivations. Candidates may use AI and digital tools to support the preparation of applications, for example to assist with spelling, grammar, structure or accessibility needs. However, applicants remain responsible for the content submitted and should ensure that it genuinely represents their own abilities and experience. Where there are reasonable concerns that an application does not authentically reflect the applicant's own knowledge, skills, experience or suitability for the role, the Trust reserves the right to explore this further and, where authenticity cannot be satisfactorily demonstrated, to reject the application.

Bank Workers: Bank workers are welcome to apply for any of our vacancies but please note if you are successful at interview there will be a delay in confirming a start date due to the Trust's current financial controls.

Closing Adverts Early: In the event of exceptional interest, we may close adverts earlier than specified.

Some of our adverts are capped for a limited number of applications; therefore, the advert will close once the cap has been reached. We therefore encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible if you are interested in the position to prevent you from missing out on applying for the opportunity.

Flexible Working: If you would like to explore potential options regarding flexible working please speak with the appropriate recruiting/line manager.

DBS Checks: As part of our commitment to a safe working environment, we undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check on all new employees where the role is eligible for a criminal record check . We make offers in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1975.

Skilled Worker Visa: Applications for Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome for the roles that meet the Visa and Immigrations eligibility criteria. For further information please visit the gov.uk website searching for Skilled Worker. It is your responsibility as the applicant to ensure that you meet this criteria.

UHSussex reserves the right to close the role early if we receive a high volume of applications

Further Information

For help with the application process for Nursing vacancies, please email [e-mail].

For help with the application process for Non-Nursing vacancies, please email [e-mail].

Employer certification / accreditation badges

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.