Job overview

An exciting opportunity has opened for a Lead Theatre Practitioner at Tunbridge Wells Hospital.

Tunbridge Wells Hospital has eleven theatres providing elective surgery and emergency surgery in trauma, CEPOD and obstetrics. Experience with UGI/LGI, bariatrics and robotic surgeries is desirable. 

We are looking for a highly experienced Theatre Practitioners (RN or ODP) to be part of a team leading over 120 theatre staff. The successful candidates will be dynamic and motivated to drive theatre efficiency, working closely with surgical and anaesthetic doctors to deliver excellent patient care. You should demonstrate exemplary communication skills, be approachable, and demonstrate leadership skills that focus on staff well-being and a positive departmental culture. You will be expected to work within the person specification of a Band 7 healthcare professional.

Main duties of the job

• Ensure the provision of a high standard of care to all service users
• To work within the framework of the NMC/HCPC Code of Professional Conduct at all times
• Be aware of legislation and policies governing theatre practice
• To maintain a high level of competent practice within the Scope of Professional Practice
• In partnership with the Clinical Director, Directorate Matron and General Manager develop, implement and lead the framework for clinical governance and patient safety including monitoring of effectiveness
• Responsibility to ensure care is patient focused and underpinned by evidence-based practice and continual knowledge and skills of staff
• Lead on Directorate Nursing/Practitioners initiatives
• To ensure the safeguarding agenda within the directorate is implemented with effective systems throughout the service including effective liaison with other agencies as required
• Support systems for measuring and improving the quality of the patient experience within the Directorate
• In collaboration with the Associate Director of Nursing, Clinical Director, Directorate Matron and General Manager, support the Directorate’s approach to improving compliance with AFPP Standards Units, NHSLA standards, CQC registration and other regulatory requirements
• Ensure that systems and processes are in place to maintain the health and safety of the patients, visitors and staff
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Working for our organisation

Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust ranks among the top 10 NHS Trusts nationwide and was named the second-best Trust to work for in the South East in the 2023 and 2024 NHS Staff Survey.

We are a large acute hospital trust in south-east England, providing general hospital services and specialist care to around 600,000 residents in West Kent and East Sussex. With a dedicated and diverse team of over 8,000 staff we are proud to offer specialised cancer services to over two million people through the Kent Oncology Centre.

Fordcombe Hospital, near Tunbridge Wells, became part of the Trust in October 2024. Specialising in planned care, it offers two operating theatres, 28 inpatient and day-care beds, diagnostic services (X-ray, MRI, CT, and endoscopy), and consultation/treatment rooms.

Looking for flexible working?

We are a flexible working-friendly organisation. Whether it’s adjusting your hours or exploring other flexible arrangements, we want to work with you to find the best solution for you, our patients, and the Trust. Talk to us about how we can accommodate your working needs.

Click here to hear what our staff say.

Joining us includes a comprehensive benefits package:

•    At least 27 days of annual leave plus public/bank holidays (pro-rata for part-time staff).
•    Membership in the NHS Pension Scheme, with a 20.6% employer contribution and life assurance benefits
•    Blue Light card eligibility
•    And more, additional benefits can be found in the benefits documents below