Theatre Sister (Scrub) | The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust

The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust; Greater London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading cancer care institution in Greater London seeks a motivated individual to manage theatre operations. As part of a dedicated team, you will oversee clinical procedures, ensuring high standards of patient care and safety in complex surgical settings. Responsibilities include coordinating theatre activities, leading decontamination processes, and acting as a patient advocate. Ideal candidates will hold relevant qualifications and demonstrate strong leadership and communication skills. This role offers a supportive work environment with opportunities for professional development.

Benefits

Dynamic working environment

Learning and development opportunities

Flexible working arrangements

Qualifications

• Proficient in managing theatre and recovery services.
• Experience with complex surgical procedures.
• Knowledge of decontamination and sterilisation processes.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate theatre operations.
• Ensure safe use of theatre equipment.
• Provide clinical leadership and monitor patient care quality.
• Conduct clinical audits of documentation and care planning.

Skills

Clinical leadership

Theatre management

Patient advocacy

Evidence-based practice

Communication

Education

Registered ODP or Theatre Nurse certification

Job description

Interviews will take place on the 15th December 2025

The Royal Marsden is a centre of excellence with an international reputation for ground‑breaking research, complex major surgery and pioneering the very latest in cancer treatments and technologies.

At the Royal Marsden we have a distinct set of values that define what we are and how we behave. Our values encompass showing kindness and compassion and putting our patient care first, offering ideas for improving the quality and safety of services and supporting others in new ways of working, taking responsibility for personal and team performance and priorities and striving to ensure quality of services and make the best use of resources.

We have 7 state of the art theatres in Chelsea and 2 in Sutton, totalling 9 across the trust.

The successful candidate will play a central role in working as part of a motivated and committed scrub team in Chelsea.

We strive for excellence in all that we do and value the importance of reflection, critical thinking and promote professional development.

• To be a professional and clinical role model, leading and coordinating theatres, recovery and sterile services department (SSD) in conjunction with the Theatre Matron. To co-ordinate, organise and take full responsibility and accountability for the daily management and organisation of theatres in Chelsea; this involves managing a wide range of complex and sometimes conflicting priorities including staff management.
• Perform all the tasks of an ODP/theatre scrub nurse including all checks and procedures as laid down in National and Trust Theatre Policy.
• Responsible for leading on instrumentation and consumable service delivery within Chelsea Theatres. Responsible for the safe use of complex theatre equipment (diathermy, laparoscopy, robotic, etc) with responsibility for ordering stock and non-stock supplies and arranging timely servicing of this equipment, both routine and urgent.
• Responsible for leading on instrument decontamination and sterilisation within Chelsea Theatres. Demonstrate sound knowledge of safe decontamination processes and practices, particularly relating to the safe decontamination of flexible scopes & sterilisation of instruments whilst collaborating with the Trust decontamination lead.
• As a member of the surgical theatre team perform the tasks of theatre runner, supporting the instrument nurse/surgeon and other members of the multidisciplinary team.
• Assess, plan, implement and evaluate programmes of care, actively seeking evidence based practice which will support clinical outcomes as appropriate.
• Ensure that all theatre documentation (including nursing & ODP) is maintained to the Trust standard (including electronic records) and implement clinical audit of records to measure and evaluate care planning.
• Provide sound clinical leadership and develop support mechanisms for sharing good practice within the Department and Trust wide.
• Monitor the quality of clinical care and action audit information to achieve agreed standards and take the lead on customer care initiatives.
• In conjunction with the staff team, to lead in developing implementing, evaluating and maintaining a Departmental ethos and a standard approach to the delivery of excellent patient centred care.
• Work in partnership with support staff to ensure that care, treatment and service needs are met, ensuring a standard approach to the delivery of excellent patient care.
• Act as patient advocate in line with current health policy and Trust strategy and to actively apply in depth knowledge of holistic/ socio-economic and cultural aspects of the care to clients within your specific speciality, acting as a role model and resource for patients, relatives and staff.

The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust is a world‑leading cancer centre. Our role is to offer our patients the best cancer care available anywhere in the world, and to continue to make a global contribution to finding better ways of diagnosing and treating cancer. We employ over 4,500 staff in a diverse range of careers including nursing, medical, science, radiography, pharmacy, occupational therapy, finance and administrative services. We have two hospitals – one in Chelsea, London, and one in Sutton, Surrey – as well as a Medical Daycare Unit in Kingston Hospital.

At The Royal Marsden, we deal with cancer every day, so we understand how valuable life is. When people entrust their lives to us, they have the right to demand the very best. That's why the pursuit of excellence lies at the heart of everything we do.

At the heart of the hospital is our dedicated team. We offer a stimulating and dynamic working environment, a wide range of staff benefits, learning and development opportunities and clear career pathways. There are opportunities to work flexibly across a range of areas and specialities and we welcome flexible working requests from point of hire to support employees work life balance. We are looking for employees who aspire to excellence, share our values and can play a crucial role in our ongoing achievements.

For further information on this role, please see the attached detailed Job Description and Person Specification.

This advert closes on Monday 8 Dec 2025.