Practice Development Nurse – Operating Theatre

We are seeking an experienced and forward-thinking Practice Development Nurse (PDN) to lead education, training, and professional development within our Operating Theatre Department, with a strong focus on Orthopaedic and Spinal services.

This is a key role in shaping clinical excellence, ensuring high standards of perioperative practice, and supporting the continuous growth and capability of the theatre workforce.

About the Role

The PDN will cultivate a culture of learning, quality, and evidence-based practice, supporting scrub teams, and providing educational leadership to anaesthetic and recovery colleagues. The post is primarily supernumerary, with responsibilities centred on:

• Education and training delivery

• Competency development and assessment

• Governance and quality improvement

• Embedding best practice and supporting service improvements

To maintain strong clinical credibility, the PDN will be highly visible within the theatre environment, with a minimum expectation of 70% clinical presence.

 Clinical Practice & Professional Development

• Develop, implement, and evaluate a structured perioperative education programme for scrub, anaesthetic, and recovery practitioners.

• Provide expert clinical support within Orthopaedic and Spinal theatres.

• Promote high standards of clinical practice, including:

  • Aseptic technique

  • Instrument management

  • Surgical safety

  • Medicines management in theatres

  • Infection prevention and control

• Support compliance with:

  • NICE guidance

  • NatSSIPs / LocSSIPs

  • NCEPOD recommendations

  • WHO Surgical Safety Checklist

• Facilitate reflective practice and shared learning following incidents.

• Support the safe introduction of new equipment, implants, and surgical techniques.

• Maintain strong clinical credibility through regular engagement in the theatre environment.

Education & Competency Framework

• Lead induction and orientation programmes for new theatre staff.

• Develop, deliver, and maintain a structured competency framework for:

  • Scrub practitioners (including orthopaedic and spinal specialties)

  • Anaesthetic practitioners

  • Recovery practitioners

• Oversee the completion and quality assurance of:

  • Skills passports

  • Competency sign‑off

  • Practice assessor documentation

• Develop and support simulation-based education, including emergency scenarios such as major haemorrhage, anaphylaxis, and wrong-site surgery.

• Support preceptorship programmes aligned to national standards.

• Maintain accurate training records and education databases.

• Identify learning needs through appraisals, incident reviews, audits, and service developments.

Leadership & Workforce Development

• Act as a visible clinical leader and role model within the theatre department.

• Support senior theatre leaders with workforce planning from an education and development perspective.

• Contribute to recruitment through involvement in interviews and assessment of clinical capability.

• Support staff retention through clear development pathways.

• Provide clinical supervision and coaching to HCAs, Practitioners, and senior theatre staff.

• Promote a psychologically safe, inclusive, and supportive learning environment.

Governance, Risk & Quality Improvement

• Support compliance with mandatory training and professional standards across theatres.

• Monitor KPIs relating to education, competency, and compliance.

• Participate in incident reviews, RCAs, and shared learning processes.

• Lead or support audit projects and quality improvement initiatives.

• Evaluate the impact of education programmes on patient safety and service quality.

• Ensure theatre practice aligns with organisational SOPs and national guidance.

Research & Evidence-Based Practice

• Promote current evidence-based perioperative practice within the theatre team.

• Support the implementation of new clinical guidelines and innovation in surgical practice.

• Encourage staff participation in audit, research, and service improvement projects.

• Produce quarterly reports on education activity and development outcomes.

Job Planning – The Four Pillars of Nursing Practice

Clinical Practice

• Maintain high clinical visibility within theatres (minimum 70% presence).

• Provide clinical supervision and oversee safe perioperative practice.

Education

• Deliver study days, workshops, and simulation-based training.

• Lead competency assessment and sign-off.

• Support mentorship and preceptorship programmes.

Leadership

• Contribute to workforce development and theatre education strategy.

• Support appraisal processes and performance development.

• Provide oversight of education governance.

Research & Quality

• Participate in audit and quality improvement activities.

• Evaluate education outcomes and implement evidence-based improvements.

Professional Standards

The postholder must:

• Hold current NMC registration.

• Work in accordance with the NMC Code.

• Maintain ongoing professional development.

• Demonstrate accountability and high professional standards.

• Champion equality, diversity, and inclusion.

Health, Safety & Governance

All employees are required to:

• Adhere to Health & Safety legislation.

• Uphold Infection Prevention and Control standards within perioperative environments.

• Maintain confidentiality and comply with GDPR.

• Follow all organisational policies and standard operating procedures.

Fortius Clinic is a leading private healthcare provider specialising in orthopaedics and sports medicine, and we are excited to grow our Theatre Team.

Why work for Fortius Clinic

Fortius offers a unique opportunity to work within a leading specialist orthopaedic and sports medicine provider, where clinical excellence, patient‑centred care, and professional development are at the heart of everything we do. You’ll join a highly skilled, multidisciplinary team, benefit from strong investment in education and career growth, and contribute to delivering world‑class care in a supportive, innovative, and collaborative environment.

Benefits:

• Highly competitive salary

• Private Medical Insurance

• Company pension scheme

• Perkbox - save money while you shop!

• Employee Assistance Programme

• Occupational health services

• Season ticket loans

• Cycle to work scheme

• Childcare vouchers