Staff Nurse/Operating Department Practitioner – Theatres

Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Job summary

Theatres are looking to recruit enthusiastic Band 5 Staff Nurse or Operating Department Practitioners to support this busy Department. We are looking for all round trained Theatre Practitioners. Experience in Orthopaedics is desirable.

The Theatres Complex at Dorset County Hospital includes: Main Theatres (8 Theatres), Day Surgery Unit (2 Theatres), Weymouth Community Hospital (1 Theatre) and the Procedure Suite at South Walks House. This role will be predominately in Main Theatres but all staff are expected to work across all sites, depending on the needs of the service.

We currently have both permanent and fixed term contracts (full time and part time) for committed and enthusiastic individuals to complement the established team in delivering high quality care that is rapidly adapting to meet the needs of a diverse local population.

We can offer superb career and professional development opportunities with a structured orientation programme whilst the unit provides a challenging work environment.

We are a Trust that celebrates diversity and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We would welcome applications from people in groups which are under-represented in our organisation.

Please note: If you are due to qualify as a fully registered Nurse/ODP before December 2025, we may be able to consider your application through our Newly Qualified route but this must be detailed in your application.

Main duties of the job

You will:

  • Be required to work as part of a motivated team as well as being able to work on your own initiative.
  • Be expected to work shifts to cover the needs of the service which is 24 hour a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

You have:

  • Good communication skills
  • Current NMC/HCPC registration

Person Specification

Education and Training

Essential

  • Registered Nurse/ ODP
  • Evidence of CPD

Desirable

  • Teaching course/qualification

Experience

Essential

  • Minimum 2 years’ experience at Band 5 in surgery or theatres

Desirable

  • Understanding of professional nursing issues

Skills and Knowledge

Essential

  • Evidence of ability to practice as competent practitioner
  • Evidence of ability to maintain effective working relationships with colleagues, patients and visitors
  • Demonstrate an understanding of confidentiality

Desirable

  • Evidence of an ability to manage time effectively
  • Understanding of clinical governance and its requirements
  • Evidence of ability to develop leadership skills
  • Evidence of an area of special interest
  • Knowledge of clinical audit
  • Evidence of critical appraisal skills

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: 2 August 2026

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