Lead Theatre Practitioner – Spinal

Job description

Are you an experienced theatre practitioner with a passion for spinal surgery? Join Fortius Clinic and play a key role in delivering exceptional patient care within one of the UK's leading orthopaedic and sports medicine facilities. As a Spinal Practitioner , you will be responsible for the safe, efficient, and coordinated delivery of spinal surgical services across our operating theatres. Working closely with consultants, multidisciplinary teams, and theatre colleagues, you will provide expert scrub support for complex spinal procedures, lead on spinal instrumentation management, and contribute to the ongoing development of a high-performing spinal service. This is an exciting opportunity for a motivated practitioner who enjoys combining hands-on clinical expertise with leadership, education, and service improvement responsibilities. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES 2.1 Senior Managerial responsibilities Provide high‑level oversight of spinal theatre scheduling, resource allocation, and staff deployment to meet fluctuating service demand. Coordinate and support planning for all spinal operating lists, ensuring appropriate staff, equipment, implants, and loan kits are available. Manage spinal‑specific resources efficiently, ensuring evidence‑based, cost‑effective practice. Lead workforce planning, including recruitment, retention, succession planning, and skill‑mix optimisation. Monitor and adjust staffing levels to meet skill mix, fluctuating demand, including emergency cover. Resolve complex operational issues, escalating strategically and advising senior management when required. Collaborate with procurement, theatre leadership, bookings team and spine nurse consultant to support business planning for spinal services. Ensure equipment issues are escalated, logged, and resolved promptly. Oversee equipment asset registers and ensure maintenance compliance Participate in annual appraisals, team meetings, and performance discussions Responsible for the safe use of all equipment and ensuring the training of the team members in the use of this equipment. Ensure effective stock control, revenue capture, and supply chain processes. Chair and contribute to key theatre meetings, representing the spinal service at senior forums. Deputise for the Deputy Head/Head of Theatres as required. 2.2. Clinical responsibilities Act as a senior clinical expert in spinal scrub practice, supporting complex elective and emergency spinal cases. Develop, assess, plan, implement, and evaluate patient care in partnership with the multidisciplinary team, including regular attendance on the weekly Spine Surgery MDT. Support consultant surgeons and broader MDT with high‑level clinical decision‑making and coordination of complex spinal procedures. Promote and maintain accurate patient documentation and always uphold confidentiality. · Respond to patient, relative, and stakeholder concerns, ensuring timely resolution. Lead on spinal audit, governance, incident reporting and follow‑up. Deputise for theatre leadership when required. Uphold the highest standards of documentation, confidentiality, and professional practice. 2.3 . Instrumentation & Implant Coordination Act as the senior lead for spinal instrumentation, implants, loan kits, and consumables. Ensure all trays and equipment are complete, sterile, tracked, and available. Oversee loan kit ordering, reconciliation, return, and documentation processes. Maintain close liaison with Sterile Services and Procurement teams. Coordinate implant representative attendance in line with hospital policy. Facilitate rep-led training and product education for theatre teams. Support trials and evaluation of new spinal equipment and consumables. 2.4 Clinical Governance & Risk Ensure compliance with NICE, NatSSIPs, LocSSIPs, NCEPOD and organisational governance frameworks. Lead and participate in incident investigations, root cause analysis, and action planning. Ensure incidents are reported in a timely manner and learning is embedded into practice. Lead spinal audit programmes and quality monitoring systems. Support complaints management and continuous quality improvement initiatives. Develop and update policies, SOPs, and specialty guidelines in line with best practice. 2.5 Education, training and team development Develop a spinal competency framework for scrub practitioners. Deliver structured education sessions, simulation training, and mentorship for spinal procedures and instrumentation. Support new staff through comprehensive orientation to spinal surgery, equipment, and workflows. Facilitate continuous professional development and support revalidation requirements. Promote a learning culture within the spinal team and provide ongoing technical and professional support. 2.6 People management Line manages designated clinical and non-clinical staff. Support recruitment, retention, sickness management, and workforce wellbeing initiatives. Conduct appraisals, one‑to‑one meetings, and support staff development plans. Address performance concerns within the appropriate policy framework. Promote team engagement, motivation, and high performance standards. 2.7 Financial & Resource Management Promote cost-effective use of implants, consumables, and theatre resources. Monitor workforce KPIs including agency usage, sickness absence, and turnover. Identify capital equipment needs and support rolling replacement programmes. Collaborate with Procurement and Finance to support budget planning. 2.8 Strategy & Service Improvement Lead and support service redesign initiatives to improve patient outcomes and reduce waiting times. Contribute to growth and development of spinal surgical services. Drive implementation of evidence-based practice within spinal and orthopaedic surgery. Lead change management and support innovation within the specialty. Contribute to transformation projects aligned with organisational objectives 3. COMMUNICATION & PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY · Maintain effective communication across multidisciplinary teams and senior leadership. · Act as a clinical advisor on matters relating to spinal theatre services. · Demonstrate advanced interpersonal skills when managing complex or sensitive issues. Contribute to service development, policy updates, and SOP improvements specific to spinal practice. · Role model professional behaviour, leadership presence, and organisational values. · Always ensure compliance with professional regulatory standards. Our Values Making it Happen Be proactive in reviewing the current service, making recommendations and implementing changes to continuously improve the patient journey. Stronger Together Work in partnership with the multi –disciplinary team to challenge and influence clinical and managerial decision making. Personalised Service Puts customer first (internal or external), keeps up professional development, uses initiative, and solves problems. 4.KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & EXPERIENCE Qualifications/ Skills/ Experience Registered Practitioner with NMC or HCPC. Minimum 5 years’ experience in operating theatres with extensive spinal scrub expertise. Significant experience within Orthopaedic and/or Spinal theatres . Educated to degree level or equivalent relevant experience Demonstrated experience managing spinal instrumentation and loan kits. Proven ability to act as a senior clinician and support coordination of theatre activity ILS qualification Experience supervising and supporting junior staff, students, and new starters Strong organisational, communication, and interpersonal skills. Proven ability to lead a multi-functional team Qualified Surgical First Assist or working towards Mentorship / Practice Assessor qualification. ALS qualification