Role Summary
We have an exciting opportunity for a Band 6 Senior ODP/Senior Anaesthetic Nurse to join our friendly team in Heavitree Day Surgery Unit.
The role involves to be responsible for delivering high-quality, patient-centred perioperative care to patients undergoing a wide range of elective day-case procedures.
The post holder will provide expert clinical care within the anaesthetic environment and support the delivery of safe and effective surgical services for Paediatrics and Adults. Working closely with anaesthetists, surgeons, theatre practitioners, recovery staff, and ward teams, they will ensure a seamless patient journey from admission through to discharge.
As a senior practitioner, the post holder will provide clinical leadership and operational support, coordinating daily theatre activities, supervising and supporting junior staff and learners, and acting as a role model for professional practice. They will contribute to maintaining high standards of patient safety, quality care, infection prevention, and clinical governance within the Day Surgery Unit.
The successful candidate will be either a HCPC-registered Operating Department Practitioner or an NMC-registered Nurse with substantial experience in anaesthetic practice. They will possess excellent communication, organisational, and leadership skills, and be able to work effectively within a fast-paced environment while supporting service development, audit, quality improvement initiatives, and the delivery of efficient and responsive patient care.
The post holder will be expected to maintain professional competence, participate in continuing professional development, and contribute to the ongoing advancement of perioperative services in accordance with Trust and professional standards.
About the Role
For more information on the Job Description and Responsibilities please click the link below.
More detail about the role:
Provide expert clinical care and support to patients undergoing elective day-case surgical procedures within the day surgery unit.
Maintain and promote high standards of patient safety, infection prevention, and clinical practice in accordance with Trust policies and professional standards.
Recognise and respond appropriately to emergency situations, including airway management and deteriorating patients.
Coordinate and manage the day-to-day operational running of designated theatre areas, ensuring efficient patient flow and effective use of resources.
Act as a clinical role model, providing leadership, advice, and support to ODPs, nurses, healthcare support workers, and students.
Participate in staff supervision, teaching, mentoring, competency assessments, and professional development activities.
Ensure the safe checking, maintenance, and availability of anaesthetic equipment and consumables.
Work collaboratively with surgeons, anaesthetists, theatre practitioners, recovery staff, ward teams, and other multidisciplinary colleagues to deliver high-quality patient care.
Support theatre utilisation and list management to ensure efficient service delivery and the achievement of performance targets.
Contribute to clinical governance activities, including audit, incident reporting, risk management, and implementation of recommendations arising from investigations.
Participate in departmental meetings, training programmes, mandatory updates, and continuing professional development.
Ensure compliance with HCPC/NMC professional standards, Trust policies, and national guidance.
Act as shift coordinator when required, escalating operational, clinical, or staffing concerns appropriately to the Theatre Management Team.
About Us –The Heavitree Day Surgery Unit is located on 2 levels. The lower floor (Lower Ground) comprises of the Reception area, 5 Single Rooms, small bay Ward, Theatre 1 and Recovery and pain suite. The upper floor (Ground) comprises Theatres 2&3 and Recovery.
The Royal Devon has secured a £20m investment from NHS England to develop a Centre of Excellence for Day Surgery, which will include two additional theatres for both children and adults at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital (Heavitree).
The Unit is open 0730-1900-potential open until 8PM in future with both morning and afternoon theatre lists covering a wide range of specialities under general, regional and local anaesthesia.
Specialities are: General Surgery including Upper GI, Colorectal and Vascular, Gynaecology, ENT adults/paeds, Urology including laser stone fragmentation procedures, Orthopaedics, Plastics, Oral and Pain Management.
The successful candiate will be as part of the team within the Day Surgery Unit at Heavitree with the flexibility to support the other Day Surgery Units within the Community (Tiverton, Exmouth) and Wonford theatres if required.
Working at Day Surgery unit allows great work life balance as there are no unsociable hours including weekends, bank holidays or nights.
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Working Pattern: The department is operational and staffed Monday to Friday 7.30am to 7pm.
Interview Date: 28th July 2026
For further information please contact: For further information please contact Viji Pandurangan, CNM for Heavitree Day Case Theatres on 01392 405203/5294 or Dawn Crudge, Senior Matron for Community Theatres on 01392 405316.
As an inclusive employer, the Royal Devon values diversity and is committed to creating a culture of inclusivity where everyone can be themselves and reach their full potential. We believe in fostering a sense of belonging and actively encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, cultures, and abilities. We recognise the advantages of having a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve.
Preference will be given to staff with ‘Priority’ and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon.
The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust reserves the right to close vacancy when sufficient applications have been received.
The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust was established in April 2022, bringing together the expertise of both the Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust and Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust.
About Us
Stretching across Northern, Eastern and Mid Devon, we have a workforce of over 15,000 staff, making us the largest employer in Devon. Our core services, which we provide to more than 615,000 people, cover more than 2,000 square miles across Devon, while some of our specialist services cover the whole of the peninsula, extending our reach as far as Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.
We deliver a wide range of emergency, specialist and general medical services through North Devon District Hospital and the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital (Wonford). Alongside our two acute hospitals, we provide integrated health and social care services across a variety of settings, including community inpatient hospitals, outpatient clinics, and within people’s own homes. We also offer primary care services, a range of specialist community services, and Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARC).
Our state-of-the-art equipment, leading technologies and strong links to local universities put us at the forefront of research and innovations, enabling us to provide world-class care to our local communities.
Our values are at the heart of everything we do, click here to find out more
It has never been a more exciting time to join the Royal Devon, as you will help to shape our services as we continue along our integration journey.
Benefits
Looking after you is important to us.
We strive to help our staff create a healthy work-life balance through flexible working schemes and our family friendly policies.
If you are starting out in the NHS, you’ll start with 27 days paid annual leave (plus bank holidays), rising to 33 days plus bank holidays.
You will benefit from access to our own comprehensive occupational health services, including counselling, onsite wellbeing activities and groups.
We will work together to maintain a culture that develops and supports you and your team.
This might include funding for a care certificate, a degree or leadership qualifications. Or it might include days off to study, engage in CPD or rotational placements to help you hone your skills. Wherever you are heading in the NHS, we will help you get there.
Salary is not the only financial benefit
You will have access to an extensive range of staff discounts on shopping, fitness and leisure options and you can spread the cost of technology and home appliance purchases from major retailers. You will also have access to other benefits including:
- National discount services such as the Blue Light Card and Health Service Discounts.
- Salary sacrifice options including our OFSTED rated outstanding nursery onsite at Exeter
- Car lease schemes.
- The NHS Pension scheme (one of the most generous and comprehensive in the UK).
- Cycle to work scheme
These are just a few of the benefits available – if the role is something you are interested in, we would love to hear from you.
