Job summary
We are looking for a dynamic highly motivated Senior Sister/Charge Nurse/Senior ODP to lead the forward-thinking team within Ophthalmology & Maxillo Facial Theatres at the Royal Victoria Infirmary. The perioperative department consists of 5 theatres based on the RVI site and three purpose built stand alone Ophthalmology theatres on the CAV site. The successful candidate will manage staff and the daily operational requirements of all these theatres covering both specialities.
This is an exciting opportunity for an individual with extensive theatre experience to lead a team dedicated to improving patient care through effective leadership and management.
- Interview date: 22 July 2025
- 37 hours 30 minutes/week
- You will be redirected to Trac to apply for the vacancy. Please expand the job details section and read all of the information before applying for the vacancy.
NO AGENCIES PLEASE
Main duties of the job
- Using time management and organisational skills, you will be expected to lead the department and have full operational oversight, using excellent communication and interpersonal attributes to lead and support staff. Theatre experience is essential and Quality Improvement experience is an advantage.
- You must be able to demonstrate a compassionate approach to the care of patients and the public as well as promoting the delivery of high standards of patient care, whilst also ensuring operational demands are met.
- You will act as a role model and provide an environment conducive to the support of qualified and unqualified staff whilst enhancing the patients journey and experience.
- Support and opportunities will be given in developing your managerial and leadership skills that will be required for this challenging yet very rewarding role.
About us
Our staff oversee around 6,500 patient contacts every day, delivering high standards of healthcare from the following sites:
o Freeman Hospital
o Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI)
o Health Innovation Neighbourhood (on the former Newcastle General Hospital and Centre for Ageing and Vitality site)
o Newcastle Dental Hospital
o Newcastle Fertility Centre
o Northern Centre for Cancer Care, North Cumbria
o Northern Genetics Service
o Cramlington Manor Walks
These include a range of flagship services which deliver cutting-edge care (supported by state-of-the-art diagnostic services in both radiology and pathology) and are a catalyst for innovation to support pioneering clinical practice in the NHS.
We also have offices at Regent Point in Gosforth and community sites.
Please see attached information on what Staff Benefits we have to offer at our Trust under 'Documents to download' or 'Supporting documents'.
For further information on The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust please visit: Careers | Newcastle Hospitals | NHS | Newcastle Hospitals and Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Job description
Job responsibilities
- The Senior Sister/Charge Nurse/Senior ODP has 24-hour accountability, including line managing, for their Theatres/Departments. They must deliver quality care by ensuring appropriate systems and processes are in place to ensure the continuity of safe and effective care at all times.
- Deputises for Matron as required/appropriate.
As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for us and for our patients, and for you. Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement. If it works for the service, we will do our best to make it work for you.
Please note it is a requirement of The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust that all successful candidates who require a DBS for the post they have been offered pay for their DBS certificate.The method of payment is a salary deduction from your first months pay.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- The Senior Sister/Charge Nurse/Senior ODP has 24-hour accountability, including line managing, for their Theatres/Departments. They must deliver quality care by ensuring appropriate systems and processes are in place to ensure the continuity of safe and effective care at all times.
- Deputises for Matron as required/appropriate.
As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for us and for our patients, and for you. Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement. If it works for the service, we will do our best to make it work for you.
Please note it is a requirement of The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust that all successful candidates who require a DBS for the post they have been offered pay for their DBS certificate.The method of payment is a salary deduction from your first months pay.
Person Specification
KNOWLEDGE
Essential
- Evidence of achievement in current post and on-going professional development
- Knowledge and understanding of current relevant NHS policy context
Desirable
- Specialist course in area of practice
SKILLS
Essential
- Have developed skills in professional accountability in a leadership role
- Good IT skills
- Intravenous drug administration
- Venepuncture and intravenous cannulation
- Scrub skills relevant to speciality / anaesthetic skills appropriate to speciality
EXPERIENCE
Essential
- Experience of leading a nursing team at SR/CN level or equivalent
- Relevant specialist qualification / experience
- Extensive clinical practice or specialist qualification in relevant specialty
- Experience of adult / child safeguarding
- Experience of managing and leading nursing / clinical teams
- Audit / research experience
Desirable
- Experience of developing a nursing team at SR/CN level
QUALIFICATIONS
Essential
- Registered Nurse (appropriate to branch) / Registered Operating Department Practitioner
- Current NMC / HCPC registration
- Degree level knowledge or working towards completion (i.e. on pathway)
- Meets Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) / Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) requirements for mentorship if relevant to role
Desirable
- Master's degree
- Leadership / management qualification
Person Specification
KNOWLEDGE
Essential
- Evidence of achievement in current post and on-going professional development
- Knowledge and understanding of current relevant NHS policy context
Desirable
- Specialist course in area of practice
SKILLS
Essential
- Have developed skills in professional accountability in a leadership role
- Good IT skills
- Intravenous drug administration
- Venepuncture and intravenous cannulation
- Scrub skills relevant to speciality / anaesthetic skills appropriate to speciality
EXPERIENCE
Essential
- Experience of leading a nursing team at SR/CN level or equivalent
- Relevant specialist qualification / experience
- Extensive clinical practice or specialist qualification in relevant specialty
- Experience of adult / child safeguarding
- Experience of managing and leading nursing / clinical teams
- Audit / research experience
Desirable
- Experience of developing a nursing team at SR/CN level
QUALIFICATIONS
Essential
- Registered Nurse (appropriate to branch) / Registered Operating Department Practitioner
- Current NMC / HCPC registration
- Degree level knowledge or working towards completion (i.e. on pathway)
- Meets Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) / Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) requirements for mentorship if relevant to role
Desirable
- Master's degree
- Leadership / management qualification
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.
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.
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).
