Deputy Sister/Deputy Principal ODP – Day Surgery

Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Job summary

This is an exciting and challenging opportunity for an experienced Theatre Practitioner who has at least 2 years extensive working knowledge of a Day Surgery Theatre setting who has an interest in Anaesthetics.

This is a fixed term position and it will involve working on both the Dorset County Hospital and Weymouth Community sites but there is an expectation to work across the Theatre Complex (this includes Main Theatres).

Day Surgery is part of the Surgical Division and consists of 2 theatres, 2 recovery bays and adjacent ward areas in Dorset County Hospital, along with the Easton Eye Day Case Unit in the East wing part of the Hospital. In addition there is a satellite unit in Weymouth Community Hospital comprising one theatre, one recovery bay and an adjacent ward area. The department undertakes a wide range of surgery on a daily basis including Orthopaedics, General surgery, Colo-rectal surgery, Gynaecology, Breast surgery, Maxillo- Facial surgery, Urology and Special Dentistry.

Main duties of the job

Main tasks and responsibilities will be to support the Day Surgery Teams, the Unit Manager and promote high standards of evidence based patient care.

The successful applicant will also be expected to undertake HR duties and will directly line manage a team under them.

Applications are welcome from Theatre practitioners with at least 2 years relevant and up to date experience of working in a Day Surgery Theatre setting and candidates will be able to demonstrate a clear understanding of the concepts of Day Surgery.

This is an exciting and challenging opportunity for an experienced nurse who has extensive working knowledge of the Day Surgery Unit setting.

At DCHFT, we pride ourselves on the care we provide for our patients, and on the culture, we are creating for our staff. We work hard to create a fair, inclusive environment for our staff.

Our Mission is to work in partnership to provide high quality, compassionate services and to nurture an environment where people can be at their best. Our vision is healthier lives, empowered citizens, thriving communities.

Person Specification

Education, Qualifications

Essential

  • Registered Nurse/ODP
  • Evidence of continuing professional development

Desirable

  • Teaching qualification

Skills,Abilities & Knowledge

Essential

  • Evidence of ability to practice as a proficient day surgery practitioner
  • Evidence of ability to maintain effective working relationships with colleagues, patients and visitors

Desirable

  • Evidence of an ability to manage time effectively
  • Understanding of clinical governance and ability to assist in establishing systems
  • Evidence of an area of special interest
  • Evidence of leadership skills
  • Knowledge of clinical audit
  • Evidence of critical appraisal skills

Experience

Essential

  • Significant post registration experience at Band 5 in Day Surgery including nurse led discharge.
  • Experience of change and expansion of service to support Day Surgery development and theatre efficiency project
  • An understanding of theatre utilisation and best practice tariff targets

Desirable

  • Understanding of professional Nursing/ODP issues

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).

Closing Date: 26 July 2026

To apply for this job please visit apps.trac.jobs.