Theatre Practitioner

Theatre Practitioner – Band 5 | Visa Sponsorship Available

Employer: Bristol NHS Foundation Trust
Salary: £32,073–£39,043 per year, pro rata
Location: Heygroves Theatres, Bristol Royal Infirmary, Bristol, BS2 8HW
Contract: Permanent (secondment also considered)
Working pattern: Full-time, up to 37.5 hours per week
Band: NHS Band 5
Closing date: 9 November 2026
Reference number: 387-S0327-GB
Visa sponsorship: Applications requiring Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome and will be considered.

About the Role

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust is recruiting Band 5 Theatre Practitioners to join its General Theatres team at Heygroves Theatres, Bristol Royal Infirmary.

This opportunity is suitable for qualified registered nurses and operating department practitioners (ODPs) who want to develop their clinical skills while delivering high-quality patient care.

The department covers several specialities, including hepatopancreatobiliary (HPB) and gastrointestinal (GI) surgery, robotics, anaesthetics and trauma.

Experience in both anaesthetics and scrub practice is desirable. However, the trust offers support through its Practice Education Facilitator (PEF) team to help staff develop their skills and undertake further training.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver safe, high-quality care to patients and prioritise workloads according to changing clinical needs.
• Coordinate and delegate patient-care activities to other members of the team.
• Maintain accurate nursing and clinical documentation in line with trust standards.
• Follow clinical policies, procedures and professional standards.
• Promote patient safety, cleanliness and the prevention of hospital-acquired infections.
• Record and report incidents and complaints, assisting with investigations where required.
• Work with senior nurses to develop leadership and management skills.
• Maintain professional knowledge through training, appraisal and continuing professional development.
• Support staff education and development, including mentoring student nurses, ODPs and other theatre team members.
• Act as a preceptor for newly registered nurses and ODPs after one year of post-registration experience.

Essential Requirements

Applicants should have:

• A relevant nursing or operating department practitioner qualification, as specified in the person specification.
• Experience caring for unwell adults in a variety of settings; experience gained as a student may be considered.
• The ability to solve problems, use initiative and prioritise workloads.
• Basic IT skills, including familiarity with Microsoft applications.
• A willingness to develop clinical and teaching skills through continuing professional development.
• Flexibility to support service requirements.
• Resilience and an understanding of the emotional and stressful demands of the role.
• The ability to recognise a deteriorating patient, take the lead and initiate appropriate action.
• Current UK professional registration.

Desirable Qualifications and Experience

The following would be advantageous:

• Experience working in a perioperative environment.
• Experience taking charge of an individual theatre.
• An anaesthetic qualification.
• A relevant post-registration course.
• A teaching qualification or equivalent experience.

Training and Career Development

The department is expanding its robotic theatre services across specialities including thoracic surgery, gynaecology, gastrointestinal surgery and ENT.

There are also opportunities to develop skills in robotic surgery and roving anaesthetic practice, including supporting emergency situations outside theatres.

The trust’s education team can support appropriate training and professional development, making this an opportunity to broaden your clinical experience while progressing your career.

Salary and Working Hours

The salary is £32,073 to £39,043 per year, pro rata, under the NHS Agenda for Change pay scheme.

The role offers up to 37.5 working hours per week, with nights and weekends included on a rotational basis.

The appointment is permanent, although secondment arrangements are also being considered.

Visa Sponsorship for International Applicants

Skilled Worker visa sponsorship is available for consideration. Bristol NHS Foundation Trust explicitly states that applications from people who require current Skilled Worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside other applications.

Applicants requiring sponsorship should ensure they meet the relevant visa requirements and the role’s professional registration and qualification criteria. Sponsorship is not a guarantee of appointment or visa approval.

Overseas applicants may also need to provide criminal record certificates from countries where they have lived, in accordance with the applicable UK requirements.

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)

The appointment is subject to the relevant Disclosure and Barring Service checks under the applicable legislation.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should review the full job description and person specification before submitting an application through the official NHS Jobs website.

Closing date: 9 November 2026.

Contact for Informal Enquiries

Contact: Georgina Prescott, Clinical Theatre Manager
Email: georgina.prescott@NHS.net
Telephone: 0117 342 2235

Informal visits to the department are welcome.

About Bristol NHS Foundation Trust

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust delivers a wide range of clinical services across hospital sites in Bristol and Weston. The trust is committed to providing high-quality patient care, supporting staff development and promoting equality, diversity and inclusion across its workforce.

Source: NHS Jobs – Bristol NHS Foundation Trust
Job reference: 387-S0327-GB