About this role
Job summary
The Practice Educator for Theatres role is open to Registered Nurses (RN) and Operating Department Practitioners (ODP).
The role encompasses working collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams across theatre services, as well as supporting students and universities across Northamptonshire.
The post holder will play a key role in facilitating education, training, and professional development within the theatre environment, ensuring staff are supported to deliver safe, high-quality patient care. This includes working closely with clinical teams, higher education institutions, and learners at all stages of their development.
Main duties of the job
Design, deliver, and evaluate education programmes for theatre staff (scrub, anaesthetics, and recovery) Support induction, preceptorship, and transition programmes for new staff and students Identify training needs through appraisal, audit, and service requirements Facilitate simulation-based learning and clinical skills training Ensure staff maintain competencies aligned with national standards (e.g., AfPP, NMC, HCPC) Act as a clinical expert in perioperative practice Support staff in developing advanced clinical skills and safe practice in theatres Promote adherence to policies, protocols, and infection prevention standards Ensure safe use of specialist theatre equipment and techniques Provide supervision, coaching, and mentorship within clinical areas
About us
Please submit your application as soon as possible, as we reserve the right to close adverts once sufficient applications have been received.
We recognise that AI tools can support application writing; however, candidates are asked to keep their use to a minimum. Responses should reflect your own experience, skills and knowledge, as over-reliance on AI-generated content may result in generic answers that do not accurately represent your abilities.
University Hospitals of Northamptonshire (UHN) brings together Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust. As a group, we are committed to improving services for our communities through collaboration, modernising care delivery and striving for excellence. Working together enables us to share expertise, strengthen services and create greater opportunities, and there may be a requirement to work across sites depending on service needs.
Our Excellence Values are Compassion, Accountability, Respect, Integrity and Courage. UHN welcomes applications from all backgrounds and is committed to an inclusive working environment. We are proud signatories of the Armed Forces Covenant and hold the Gold Award under the Employer Recognition Scheme. Candidates who identify as members of the Armed Forces community and meet the essential criteria will be guaranteed an interview.
Job description Job responsibilities
1. Education, Training & Development
Design, deliver, and evaluate education programmes for theatre staff (scrub, anaesthetics, and recovery) Support induction, preceptorship, and transition programmes for new staff and students Identify training needs through appraisal, audit, and service requirements Facilitate simulation-based learning and clinical skills training Ensure staff maintain competencies aligned with national standards (e.g., AfPP, NMC, HCPC) 2. Clinical Practice Support
Act as a clinical expert in perioperative practice Support staff in developing advanced clinical skills and safe practice in theatres Promote adherence to policies, protocols, and infection prevention standards Ensure safe use of specialist theatre equipment and techniques Provide supervision, coaching, and mentorship within clinical areas
3. Student & Learner Support
Support pre-registration students (nursing, ODP) and apprentices Work closely with universities and placement providers Ensure high-quality learning environments within theatres Provide feedback, assessments, and documentation of learning outcomes Support practice supervisors and assessors in their roles 4. Quality, Governance & Patient Safety
Promote evidence-based practice and continuous professional development Support clinical audits, competency assessments, and service improvement initiatives Participate in incident reviews and contribute to learning from events Ensure compliance with mandatory training and competency frameworks Contribute to maintaining a safe, effective, and high-quality perioperative service 5. Leadership & Professional Development
Act as a role model for professional standards and clinical excellence Support staff in career development and progression (e.g., specialist roles, leadership) Lead or contribute to education-related projects and innovations Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to enhance patient pathways Maintain own professional development and educational skills 6. Communication & Collaboration
Work collaboratively with theatre teams, education teams, and external partners Communicate effectively with staff at all levels Facilitate educational meetings, workshops, and briefings Provide guidance and support in complex clinical or learning situations
Person Specification
Education and Qualification Essential
Registered Nurse (RN) or Operating Department Practitioner Educated to Degree level or equivalent level of education, training or experience Teaching/Assessing Qualification e.g Practice Assessor
Desirable
Willingness to undertake Master level Education
Knowledge and Experience Essential
Experience in operating theatres (Scrub, Recovery or Anaesthetics) Experience supporting learners and staff development Experience in clinical teaching, mentorship or supervision
Skills Essential
Strong clinical expertise in perioperative care Teaching, Coaching Skills Experience in clinical teaching, mentorship or supervision
Key Competencies/Personal Qualities and Attributes Essential
Passionate and committed to bring our Dedicated to Excellence values to life, improving the way we work with each other, particularly focusing on empowerment, equality diversity and inclusion of our staff, patients and service users Flexible, proactive and approachable Commitment to patient safety
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).
Employer details Employer name Northampton General Hospital
Address Northampton General Theatres
Billing Road
Northampton
NN1 5BD
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.northamptongeneral.nhs.uk/Home.aspx (Opens in a new tab)