Theatre Team Lead – Orthopaedics and Practice Education

Compass Associates are working with a leading private hospital in Northamptonshire to recruit a Theatre Team Lead specialising in Orthopaedics and Practice Education. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Orthopaedic Scrub Nurse or ODP who enjoys developing others and wants to take greater responsibility for clinical standards, team performance and professional education. You will provide visible leadership to the orthopaedic scrub team while continuing to work clinically across a varied surgical caseload. A central part of the role will be creating a supportive learning environment, mentoring theatre practitioners and helping colleagues build their confidence and competencies. The hospital operates several modern laminar-flow theatres and delivers a broad orthopaedic caseload, including arthroscopy, hip and knee replacements, spinal surgery and other complex elective procedures.

Responsibilities

Providing visible clinical leadership to the orthopaedic scrub team; Delivering high standards of care across a varied orthopaedic caseload; Acting as a role model for professional practice and patient safety; Mentoring, coaching and supporting theatre practitioners at all levels; Developing staff competencies and supporting structured learning plans; Supporting newly qualified, internationally recruited and developing practitioners; Helping to create a safe, inclusive and supportive learning environment; Completing clinical assessments and contributing to competency sign-off; Supporting inductions, mandatory training and professional development activity; Identifying skills gaps and helping to coordinate appropriate training; Supporting the Theatre Manager with team performance and operational delivery; Promoting open communication and a positive speaking-up culture; Contributing to quality improvement, governance and service development; Supporting safe staffing and effective theatre utilisation; Working clinically across other hospital departments when reasonably required

Requirements

Registered Nurse or Operating Department Practitioner; Active NMC or HCPC registration; Significant current orthopaedic scrub experience; Strong understanding of clinical standards within a surgical environment; Experience supporting, mentoring or developing other clinical staff; Confidence providing feedback and addressing areas for improvement; Strong leadership, communication and interpersonal skills; Ability to positively influence clinical practice and support change; Excellent organisational and time-management skills; Good computer literacy and written communication skills; Commitment to continuing professional development; Ability to work collaboratively across a multidisciplinary team; Flexible approach during periods of changing theatre activity

Nice to have

Previous experience as a Practice Educator, Clinical Educator, Theatre Lead, Senior Theatre Practitioner or mentor would be highly advantageous; A formal mentorship, assessor, teaching or practice education qualification would be desirable but is not essential

Benefits

25 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays; Option to buy or sell additional annual leave; Private medical cover, with options to include family members; Discounted dental insurance; Life assurance at three times your basic salary; Employer pension contributions of up to 5% following qualification; Employee Assistance Programme; Enhanced parental leave and family-friendly policies; Extensive leadership and clinical development opportunities; Access to a dedicated professional development academy; Employee recognition programme; Cycle-to-work scheme and retail discounts; Subsidised staff restaurant, where available; On-site parking, subject to availability