Job summary
County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust invite
applications for the position of Theatre Manager at Durham Hospital. We are
looking for a dynamic and highly motivated person to lead our Theatre team and
manage the
Operating Theatres within the University Hospital of North
Durham. The candidate must be a
Registered Nurse/Operating Department Practitioner, and have
significant experience of working in the
Operating Theatres at a senior level.
Main duties of the job
You will take operational and clinical leadership
responsibility for our theatre suites, ensuring safe, efficient, and
high-quality surgical services. Working closely with surgeons, anaesthetists,
nurses, ODPs, and wider MDT colleagues, youll be the driving force behind
smooth patient flow, effective scheduling, and a positive team culture.
Key responsibilities include:
- Leading
and managing the day-to-day running of all operating theatres
- Ensuring
compliance with clinical governance, infection control, and safety standards
- Managing
staffing, workforce planning, and skill mix across the department
- Overseeing
theatre utilisation, scheduling, and productivity targets
- Supporting
service development, innovation, and quality improvement initiatives
- Maintaining
excellent communication with clinical teams and senior leadership
-
Championing
a culture of learning, accountability, and compassionate care
About us
If you are being interviewed you must accept an interview slot in the system to continue, even if you have arranged with the manager.
You must be able to produce ALL certificates stated essential in the person specification or you will not be able to complete pre-employment checks.
We provide hospital services from two acute sites - Darlington Memorial Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham. We have a centre for planned care in Bishop Auckland and provide care from community hospitals in Chester-le-Street, Shotley Bridge, Barnard Castle, Sedgefield and Weardale as well as over 80 other community based settings and providing care in patients' homes.
We particularly welcome applications from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as BAME and disabled people are currently under-represented.
Full Job Descriptions can be found in the adverts supporting documents.
Over reliance on
AI-generated content is discouraged and may diminish the applicant's chances of
success.
For the most up-to-date information on visa requirements and eligibility, please check online to determine whether you can apply.
Job description
Job responsibilities
As a Theatre Manager you will lead and oversee the entire
theatre department, ensuring safe, efficient, and high quality surgical
services. The role involves managing theatre staff, coordinating daily
operations, and maintaining clinical standards. You will ensure compliance with
safety and governance requirements, optimise theatre scheduling and patient
flow, and work closely with surgeons, anaesthetists, and wider teams.
The Theatre Manager also drives service
improvements, manages resources and budgets, and acts as the key link between
theatres and senior leadership. Ultimately, you will create a safe, well run
environment that supports excellent patient care and a positive team culture.
Job description
Job responsibilities
As a Theatre Manager you will lead and oversee the entire
theatre department, ensuring safe, efficient, and high quality surgical
services. The role involves managing theatre staff, coordinating daily
operations, and maintaining clinical standards. You will ensure compliance with
safety and governance requirements, optimise theatre scheduling and patient
flow, and work closely with surgeons, anaesthetists, and wider teams.
The Theatre Manager also drives service
improvements, manages resources and budgets, and acts as the key link between
theatres and senior leadership. Ultimately, you will create a safe, well run
environment that supports excellent patient care and a positive team culture.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Research or audit experience.
- Extensive post registration theatre experience some of which will be at a senior level.
- Experience of working at a senior level in an area requiring a broad range of complex and technically challenging skills.
Desirable
Special Requirements
Essential
- Ability to utilise a wide range of communication & educational styles.
Special Skills & Knowledge
Essential
- Excellent IT skills.
- Ability to work independently and across disciplines as a member of a multi-disciplinary team.
- Effective organisation and time management skills and ability to work to deadlines.
- Evidence/knowledge of effective communication strategies within a wide MDT.
- Evidence of practice development & change management.
- Proven leadership and interpersonal skills.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
Statutory Registration
Essential
Qualifications
Essential
- Registered Practitioner.
- Degree/Masters level study, or equivalent relevant specialist study.
- Attained NMC requirements for mentorship.
- Evidence of on-going professional, personal and academic development.
Desirable
- Masters.
- Management experience/qualification.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Research or audit experience.
- Extensive post registration theatre experience some of which will be at a senior level.
- Experience of working at a senior level in an area requiring a broad range of complex and technically challenging skills.
Desirable
Special Requirements
Essential
- Ability to utilise a wide range of communication & educational styles.
Special Skills & Knowledge
Essential
- Excellent IT skills.
- Ability to work independently and across disciplines as a member of a multi-disciplinary team.
- Effective organisation and time management skills and ability to work to deadlines.
- Evidence/knowledge of effective communication strategies within a wide MDT.
- Evidence of practice development & change management.
- Proven leadership and interpersonal skills.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
Statutory Registration
Essential
Qualifications
Essential
- Registered Practitioner.
- Degree/Masters level study, or equivalent relevant specialist study.
- Attained NMC requirements for mentorship.
- Evidence of on-going professional, personal and academic development.
Desirable
- Masters.
- Management experience/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).
