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University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust

Theatre Practitioner/ Scrub

The closing date is 25 February 2026

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Job summary

Orthopaedic trauma theatre are recruiting for their three trauma theatres into a scrub practitioner role. We of course welcome those with demonstrable orthopaedic elective scrub experience , however we have in place a full Theatre Foundations Programme and a comprehensive training programme ready to go for all new starters, so if you are a registered nurse or ODP that has not worked in the scrub role or even the theatre environment before we would still welcome applications from interested candidates. Successful candidates will be patient orientated, enthusiastic and able to work in a dynamic, ever developing environment.

We are working towards enhanced patient pathways and have this fantastic opportunity to build a forward-thinking dynamic team to take this forwards.

***Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as 'Priority' and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon who are able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification.***

Main duties of the job

  • Primarily working within the scrub and circulatory role within theatres
  • Provides high quality care to patients and their families during the perioperative period.
  • Act as Practitioner in charge, in the absence of the Team Leader ensuring efficient allocation of staff and resources.
  • Demonstrates a commitment to evidence-based practice and clinical excellence and play an active role in the introduction of this evidence to improve patient centred care.
  • To engage and interact with patients and their carers, explaining procedures and treatments to gain co-operation, understanding and allay apprehension.
  • Assist with projects to develop and enhance patient care. Participate in the evaluation of patient outcomes, including audit, risk management and infection control.
  • Assists in other clinical areas and speciality theatres if the clinical situation and staffing levels demand.
  • Attend relevant meetings and deliver feedback.
  • To develop and achieve objectives identified through continuing appraisal of job role.
  • Demonstrating an awareness of and compliance with Health and Safety regulations/procedures that apply to staff, patients and visitors within the trust premises, reporting any deficiencies in equipment, furnishings or matters of hygiene.
  • Efficient and effective use of available resources.
  • In exceptional circumstances to take charge in the absence of senior staff.

About us

We are a people business - where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff, who are committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence and great customer care. The Trust has great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment. We offer all of this in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure. PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION WILL BE ELECTRONIC, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY. If you have any issues with applying online and need additional support including reasonable adjustments with the application process please contact the recruitment team on 01752 432100. We recognise that work life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants around less than full time/flexible working for our advertised roles. Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss this prior to your application submission. We commit to giving this full consideration in each case. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, as diversity strengthens our teams. It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.

Details

Date posted

11 February 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£31,049 to £37,796 a year £31,049 - £37,796 Per Annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

216-AM-DD7715423

Job locations

Derriford Hospital

Derriford Road

Plymouth

PL6 8DH


Job description

Job responsibilities

Act as Practitioner in charge, in the absence of the Team Leader ensuring efficient allocation of staff and resources.

Demonstrate a commitment to evidence-based practice and clinical excellence and play an active role in the introduction of this evidence to improve patient centred care.

To engage and interact with patients and their carers, explaining procedures and treatments to gain co-operation, understanding and allay apprehension.

Assist with projects to develop and enhance patient care. Participate in the evaluation of patient outcomes, including audit, risk management and infection control.

Attend relevant meetings and deliver feedback.

To develop and achieve objectives identified through continuing appraisal of job role.

To develop appraisal skills and carry out appraisals and personal development plans for Band staff and non-registered assistant in line with Agenda for Change and the knowledge skills framework.

Maintain personal and professional development to meet the changing demands of the job, participate and initiate appropriate training activities and encourage and support staff development and training

Maintain and continuously improve in-depth specialist knowledge relevant to the clinical area, which

significantly contributes to the Trusts stated aims and objectives.

Report and manage untoward incidents, such as clinical emergencies, injury or drug administration errors, as detailed in Trust policies and procedures.

For further details please see attached JD&PS.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Act as Practitioner in charge, in the absence of the Team Leader ensuring efficient allocation of staff and resources.

Demonstrate a commitment to evidence-based practice and clinical excellence and play an active role in the introduction of this evidence to improve patient centred care.

To engage and interact with patients and their carers, explaining procedures and treatments to gain co-operation, understanding and allay apprehension.

Assist with projects to develop and enhance patient care. Participate in the evaluation of patient outcomes, including audit, risk management and infection control.

Attend relevant meetings and deliver feedback.

To develop and achieve objectives identified through continuing appraisal of job role.

To develop appraisal skills and carry out appraisals and personal development plans for Band staff and non-registered assistant in line with Agenda for Change and the knowledge skills framework.

Maintain personal and professional development to meet the changing demands of the job, participate and initiate appropriate training activities and encourage and support staff development and training

Maintain and continuously improve in-depth specialist knowledge relevant to the clinical area, which

significantly contributes to the Trusts stated aims and objectives.

Report and manage untoward incidents, such as clinical emergencies, injury or drug administration errors, as detailed in Trust policies and procedures.

For further details please see attached JD&PS.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Registered with NMC/HCPC
  • Diploma/ Degree in related Healthcare subject or demonstrable equivalent experience
  • Proven evidence of recent CPD
  • Proven knowledge of and ability to apply evidence-based practice to patient care

Desirable

  • Accredited specialist training
  • Mentorship qualification

Knowledge and Experience

Essential

  • Registered with NMC/HCPC

Desirable

  • Competent in anaesthetics, scrub or recovery
  • Proven ability to demonstrate managerial or leadership potential

Aptitude & Abilities

Essential

  • Effective verbal & non-verbal communication skills
  • Ability to assess, plan, implement and evaluate clinical care and act accordingly

Desirable

  • Demonstrate awareness of financial constraints
  • Methodical and organised
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Registered with NMC/HCPC
  • Diploma/ Degree in related Healthcare subject or demonstrable equivalent experience
  • Proven evidence of recent CPD
  • Proven knowledge of and ability to apply evidence-based practice to patient care

Desirable

  • Accredited specialist training
  • Mentorship qualification

Knowledge and Experience

Essential

  • Registered with NMC/HCPC

Desirable

  • Competent in anaesthetics, scrub or recovery
  • Proven ability to demonstrate managerial or leadership potential

Aptitude & Abilities

Essential

  • Effective verbal & non-verbal communication skills
  • Ability to assess, plan, implement and evaluate clinical care and act accordingly

Desirable

  • Demonstrate awareness of financial constraints
  • Methodical and organised

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Additional information

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust

Address

Derriford Hospital

Derriford Road

Plymouth

PL6 8DH


Employer's website

https://www.plymouthhospitals.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust

Address

Derriford Hospital

Derriford Road

Plymouth

PL6 8DH


Employer's website

https://www.plymouthhospitals.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Head Operating Department Practitioner

Kerry Gliddon

kgliddon@nhs.net

01752430410

Details

Date posted

11 February 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£31,049 to £37,796 a year £31,049 - £37,796 Per Annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

216-AM-DD7715423

Job locations

Derriford Hospital

Derriford Road

Plymouth

PL6 8DH


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

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