Job overview

Are you a committed and passionate Operating Department Practitioner (ODP) ready to take the next step in your career? Do you thrive in a fast-paced, patient-centred environment where teamwork and clinical excellence come together?

We’re looking for dedicated ODPs like you to join our compassionate and friendly General Theatres team, where you’ll have the opportunity to make a real difference in delivering exceptional care to our patients throughout their surgical journey.

In this hands-on, vocational role, you’ll work alongside skilled and supportive professionals, including anaesthetists, consultants, registrars, nurses, and other trained staff, all united by a common goal of ensuring patient safety and achieving high-quality outcomes.

With 15 theatres across the Trust, 10 of which are within our general theatres, you’ll play an essential role in an environment where your expertise is valued, and your contributions directly impact the patient journey.

Torbay Hospital provides acute care to the local community, with several community hospitals nearby. It’s an ideal location for those considering living by the sea, or within half an hour of Dartmoor National Park, and just an hour from Exmoor National Park. Plymouth and Exeter are also a short drive away, offering a rich cultural scene, maritime history, and excellent shopping experiences.

Main duties of the job

• Support anaesthetists, ensuring all equipment is set up and ready for use
• Assist anaesthetist in a wide range of surgical procedures, ensuring patient safety and comfort
• Forward plan for the upcoming theatre schedule and communicate the surgical plan effectively with the team
• Provide expert care during the perioperative phase, ensure patients wellbeing has been considered at every step
• Support patients during their pre-op and post-surgery, offering emotional support to them and their families
• Work across both surgery and recovery areas, you will also be responsible for responding to emergency treatment situations in areas such as ED/Resus, CT, MRI, and Midwifery.

Working for our organisation

From the moment you join us, we’re dedicated to supporting your growth and development. We believe in investing time and resources to help you expand your skill set, whether that’s through learning new techniques or building on your existing expertise.

You’ll be guided by a senior management team that has grown within the organisation. They’ll assess your training and skill knowledge to ensure you receive the support you need to progress in your career. You’ll also have the opportunity to enhance your leadership and management skills through on-the-job training, helping you grow into a more confident and capable professional.

What does this look like in practice?

• Each month, you'll have half a day dedicated to theatre education, focusing on important topics like Anaesthetics, allowing you to build on your knowledge and stay current with the latest practices.
• You will be offered skill development sessions in advanced life support, airways management, and patient transport skills, ensuring you're fully prepared for any situation.
• You'll benefit from intra-hospital education programs, giving you the chance to learn from different areas within the Trust and broaden your experience. We encourage you to participate in university modules and study days, giving you the chance to keep learning and advancing your career.
• Take part in organ retrieval study days to gain unique insights and enhance your skills in this vital area of care.

As you continue to develop, it will open up opportunities to explore new roles within the Trust, including positions such as a Surgical Care Practitioner or Anaesthetic Associate. Our success stories speak for themselves:

• In the last year, two of our ODPs have progressed to train as Anaesthetic Associates, showing the real opportunities for career advancement!
• Several team members have completed postgraduate master’s degrees, enhancing their skills and expertise.
• Our education department has supported staff through apprenticeship routes, ensuring our workforce grows its own talent and produces qualified ODPs.

·         Our current Matron began his career journey as a porter and was fortunate to receive the opportunity for professional development, allowing him to study as an Operating Department Practitioner. After qualifying, he earned several promotions over the years, progressing into roles such as Theatre Team Lead and Theatre Manager. Today, he proudly serves as the Matron for all of our Theatres!

Care to join us and be part of an organisation that invests in your future!