Theatre Team Manager - Scrub

Job overview

We are seeking a highly experienced and motivated Nurse or Operating Department Practitioner (ODP) to join our excellent Theatre team at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woolwich.

This is an exciting opportunity to provide clinical and operational leadership within our busy Theatre Department. The postholder will lead and manage the scrub team across two or three of the following surgical specialties: General Surgery (including colorectal and breast surgery), Urology, Gynaecology and Obstetrics, and Plastic Surgery.

The Theatre Department comprises eight operating theatres across two floors, delivering a wide range of elective and emergency surgical services. You will work closely with consultants, anaesthetists, theatre practitioners, floor coordinators, ward teams, and the wider multidisciplinary team to ensure the safe, effective, and efficient delivery of perioperative care.

Main duties of the job

Management and leadership of scrub nursing / practitioners / ODP team, you will be expected to work collaboratively with the surgeons and the anaesthetists. Responsible for staff rostering, training and development including PDR's as well as contributing to policies and actively participate in all governance activities including investigating medicines incidents.

To become an essential member, and point of contact and resource for the multi-disciplinary team and patients and carers.

Ensure that all staff are working to their required level of clinical and professional competence whilst adhering to NMC and HPC professional codes of conduct.

Ensuring that all staff are developed to attain competence as highlighted at appraisal.

Ensure that all clinical environments reflect a high standard of cleanliness, be proactive in response to any issues raised through cleaning audits, infection control audits or patient environment inspections

Ensure that any Safeguarding issues are raised appropriately to enable investigation in relation to vulnerable adults and children.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The postholder will provide senior clinical leadership and operational management for the designated specialty scrub team. The role is responsible for ensuring the delivery of high-quality, patient-centred perioperative care, maintaining patient safety, coordinating workforce resources, and supporting the smooth running of operating lists.

As an expert practitioner, the postholder will maintain advanced specialist knowledge within their designated surgical specialties and act as a key resource for staff, patients, and the multidisciplinary team. They will promote clinical excellence, support service development, and contribute to the achievement of departmental, divisional, and organisational objectives.

The successful candidate will demonstrate strong leadership skills, sound clinical judgement, and a commitment to continuous quality improvement. They will foster a positive and inclusive working environment, support staff development, and champion the highest standards of patient care, safety, and professional practice.

The postholder provides senior clinical leadership and operational management for the specialty scrub team within the Theatre Department. The role is responsible for ensuring the delivery of safe, efficient, and high-quality perioperative care, effective workforce coordination, and the smooth running of operating lists. The postholder also acts as a specialist resource for staff and the wider multidisciplinary team.

Working autonomously and in collaboration with the multidisciplinary team, the postholder will coordinate and deliver patient care within agreed clinical protocols, professional standards, and current evidence-based practice.

The postholder will provide expert clinical advice and support to colleagues, contribute to service development and quality improvement initiatives, and liaise effectively with other healthcare professionals to ensure the delivery of safe, patient-centred care.

Key Responsibilities

Clinical Leadership and Expertise

• Maintain advanced specialist knowledge of the designated surgical specialty, including procedures, instrumentation, implants, and consumables.
• Act as the clinical expert for the specialty scrub team, providing guidance, troubleshooting, and decision-making support during complex procedures.
• Ensure compliance with infection prevention and control measures, aseptic technique, and theatre safety standards.

Operational Management of Theatre Lists

• Oversee the daily coordination of theatre lists within the designated surgical specialties, ensuring appropriate staffing, equipment availability, and theatre readiness.
• Allocate and adjust staffing to maintain a safe skill mix, escalating risks where appropriate.
• Work proactively to minimise avoidable cancellations, delays, and overruns by identifying issues early and implementing corrective actions.
• Liaise with surgeons, anaesthetists, floor coordinators, and scheduling teams to maintain efficient patient flow.

Workforce Leadership and Staff Development

• Provide day-to-day leadership for scrub practitioners, including supervision, mentoring, and clinical support.
• Lead on performance management, sickness management, appraisals, and professional development plans.
• Support staff in achieving competencies, extended roles, and specialist skills within the designated specialties.
• Promote a positive, inclusive, and high-performing team culture.

Equipment, Consumables, and Resource Management

• Ensure the correct selection, availability, and maintenance of instruments, implants, and consumables for the designated specialties.
• Work closely with equipment officers and suppliers to resolve issues, manage stock levels, and support procurement decisions.
• Contribute to the cost-effective use of resources and the reduction of waste.

Governance, Quality, and Safety

• Lead or support investigations into incidents, near misses, and complaints, ensuring timely reporting and implementation of corrective actions.
• Monitor compliance with safety checklists, policies, and regulatory standards.
• Participate in audits, quality improvement initiatives, and service development projects.

Collaborative Working

• Work closely with other Band 7 Theatre Team Leaders, the Matron, floor coordinators, and the wider perioperative leadership team to ensure consistent standards and coordinated service delivery.
• Build strong relationships with consultants, anaesthetic teams, ward staff, and operational managers.
• Contribute to the strategic planning of designated surgical services, including pathway redesign and workforce development.

Additional Expectations

• Participate in the senior leadership rota as required.
• Support change management, service redesign, and improvement projects aligned with organisational priorities.
• Maintain professional registration and engage in continuing professional development (CPD) relevant to the designated surgical specialties.

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.