Job summary
The candidate will play a pivotal role within the theatres team at the Lewisham Surgical Centre (LSC), overseeing the effective management of clinical supplies and equipment. Their main responsibility is to ensure that all necessary surgical instruments, medical equipment, and consumable stock are available, fully functional, and correctly positioned--so that clinical staff can deliver high-quality patient care without interruption.
With a clinical background, the candidate will serve as a vital link between theatre teams and procurement services. They'll handle ordering, tracking, and checking inventory to support both day-to-day surgical operations and future expansion. Their knowledge of clinical procedures enables them to communicate clearly with both clinical and logistical teams, ensuring that stock levels are maintained and that essential products are always ready for use when needed.
Main duties of the job
In essence, this is a role that combines clinical insight with logistical precision to keep surgical services running smoothly and safely from behind the scenes
Working in theatres at Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust comes with a blend of professional growth, supportive culture, and meaningful work. Here are some standout benefits:
The Trust supports ongoing learning, offering training on the job and encouraging further education. Teamwork is highly valued--staff describe a strong sense of hardworking and mutual support, with everyone playing a vital role in patient care. Theatres are described as multicultural and inclusive, where people feel heard and appreciated. As a teaching hospital, University Hospital Lewisham offers exposure to a wide range of procedures and specialties, from orthopaedics to gynaecology. Staff often rotate across different theatres, gaining broad clinical experience and learning something new daily.
About us
Our people are our greatest asset. When we feel supported and happy at work, this positivity reaches those very people we are here for, the patients. Engaged employees perform at their best and our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) initiatives contribute to cultivate a culture of engagement. We have four staff networks, a corporate EDI Team and a suite of programmes and events which aim to insert the 5 aspirations:
- Improving representation at senior levels of staff with disabilities, from black, Asian, and ethnic minorities background, identify as LGBTQ+ and women, through improved recruitment and leadership development
- Widening access (anchor institution) and employability
- Improving the experience of staff with disability
- Improving the EDI literacy and confidence of trust staff through training and development
- Making equalities mainstream
Job description
Job responsibilities
The role calls for someone who is both clinically experienced and operationally knowledgeable. A healthcare professional with a clinical background, such as a registered nurse or operating department practitioner. Someone who has hands-on experience managing stock or procurement in a surgical setting. A clear and confident communicator, able to collaborate with both clinical and procurement teams. Highly organised, with a keen eye for detail and excellent time management. Someone who understands NHS supply chain systems or has helped set up supply processes in new clinical environments.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The role calls for someone who is both clinically experienced and operationally knowledgeable. A healthcare professional with a clinical background, such as a registered nurse or operating department practitioner. Someone who has hands-on experience managing stock or procurement in a surgical setting. A clear and confident communicator, able to collaborate with both clinical and procurement teams. Highly organised, with a keen eye for detail and excellent time management. Someone who understands NHS supply chain systems or has helped set up supply processes in new clinical environments.
Person Specification
Qualifications and Training
Essential
- HCPC Registered Operating Department Practitioner or NMC Registered Nurse.
- Evidence of further knowledge acquired via relevant CPD
- Knowledge of EMBE
Desirable
- Level 3 Certificate in Procurement and Supply Operation or equivalent experience
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working as a Nurse/ODP in a theatre environment for at least 2 years
- Proficient and experienced in the use of stock ordering systems
- Experience with Oracle and other inventory management systems used within theatres
- Experience of stores /equipment management
- Able to exercise own initiative when dealing with issues within own specialist area of competence
- Experience of working in a large multidisciplinary team
Desirable
- Previous experience of stock control/systems
- Leading service changes to improve performance and lead in projects
Knowledge and Skills
Essential
- Some knowledge of current legislation and developments and agenda within the NHS
- Financial procedures including working knowledge of financial processes
- Excellent IT skills to input correct data into systems including Microsoft Office to Intermediate level
- Knowledge of service improvements/transformation and project management
- Ability to work under pressure, flexibility and as part of a team
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills in negotiations and challenging situations
- Knowledge of Risk Management and Governance processes
- Good understanding of Information Governance relating to data entry and storing of patient's information, contracts and costings of products.
- Proven ability to follow complex procedures and adhere to policy related to procurement and SFI's
Desirable
- NHS IT Systems
- Understanding of the principles of clinical risk assessment
- Working knowledge of business planning process
- Experience of data collection for quality monitoring audits
- Proven knowledge linked to theatres specifically
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Ability to work independently and make autonomous decisions
- Strong communication skills both written and verbal - able to provide and receive complex, sensitive information and use persuasion, influencing and negotiation with individuals and groups including stakeholders
- Ability to organise and prioritise own workload
- Ability to judge the urgency of situations and act on decisions related to the acquisition of equipment.
- Able to work flexibly to meet the demands of the role
- Able to work in a pressurised and fast-moving environment
Desirable
- Demonstrates a strong desire to improve performance and services
Person Specification
Qualifications and Training
Essential
- HCPC Registered Operating Department Practitioner or NMC Registered Nurse.
- Evidence of further knowledge acquired via relevant CPD
- Knowledge of EMBE
Desirable
- Level 3 Certificate in Procurement and Supply Operation or equivalent experience
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working as a Nurse/ODP in a theatre environment for at least 2 years
- Proficient and experienced in the use of stock ordering systems
- Experience with Oracle and other inventory management systems used within theatres
- Experience of stores /equipment management
- Able to exercise own initiative when dealing with issues within own specialist area of competence
- Experience of working in a large multidisciplinary team
Desirable
- Previous experience of stock control/systems
- Leading service changes to improve performance and lead in projects
Knowledge and Skills
Essential
- Some knowledge of current legislation and developments and agenda within the NHS
- Financial procedures including working knowledge of financial processes
- Excellent IT skills to input correct data into systems including Microsoft Office to Intermediate level
- Knowledge of service improvements/transformation and project management
- Ability to work under pressure, flexibility and as part of a team
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills in negotiations and challenging situations
- Knowledge of Risk Management and Governance processes
- Good understanding of Information Governance relating to data entry and storing of patient's information, contracts and costings of products.
- Proven ability to follow complex procedures and adhere to policy related to procurement and SFI's
Desirable
- NHS IT Systems
- Understanding of the principles of clinical risk assessment
- Working knowledge of business planning process
- Experience of data collection for quality monitoring audits
- Proven knowledge linked to theatres specifically
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Ability to work independently and make autonomous decisions
- Strong communication skills both written and verbal - able to provide and receive complex, sensitive information and use persuasion, influencing and negotiation with individuals and groups including stakeholders
- Ability to organise and prioritise own workload
- Ability to judge the urgency of situations and act on decisions related to the acquisition of equipment.
- Able to work flexibly to meet the demands of the role
- Able to work in a pressurised and fast-moving environment
Desirable
- Demonstrates a strong desire to improve performance and services
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
