Clinical Educator (Internal Only

We have an exciting opportunity for a Band 6 Practice Educator role to join our friendly team in Heavitree Day Surgery Unit.

The Practice Educator in a Day Surgery Unit is responsible for supporting, developing, and enhancing the clinical competence of theatre staff to ensure the delivery of safe, effective, and high-quality perioperative care. To promote continuous professional development, evidence-based practice, and compliance with regulatory and organisational standards within the operating theatre environment.

Practice educator role is to develop a highly skilled, competent, and confident theatre workforce capable of delivering exceptional patient care within a developing standalone day surgery unit, while fostering a culture of learning, professional growth, and clinical excellence.

We're looking for a motivated and experienced perioperative practitioner with excellent communication, coaching, and leadership skills, who is passionate about developing others and creating a culture of continuous learning and excellence within a standalone day surgery theatre environment.

The successful candidate will be either a HCPC-registered Operating Department Practitioner or an NMC-registered Nursewith substantial experience in operating theatres.

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.

The successful candidate 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.

More detail about the role

Lead and coordinate education, training, and competency programmes for theatre practitioners, nurses, ODPs, healthcare support workers, and students.

Support the induction, orientation, and preceptorship of new staff, ensuring they achieve required competencies for day surgery and operating theatre practice.

Facilitate learning opportunities in theatres and anaesthetics.

Assess, monitor, and document staff competencies, maintaining training records and development portfolios.

Promote evidence-based practice and support the implementation of current national guidelines, policies, and quality improvement initiatives.

Identify learning and development needs through appraisal processes, clinical observations, audits, and incident reviews.

Deliver teaching sessions, simulation training, skills workshops, and mandatory training relevant to theatre practice.

Support students, apprentices, and newly qualified practitioners by providing mentorship, coaching, and constructive feedback.

Collaborate and work closely with lead education team in Wonford theatres, theatre management team, multidisciplinary teams, educational universities, and external stakeholders to enhance workforce development.

Contribute to service improvement projects, clinical governance activities, patient safety initiatives, and audit programmes.

Ensure compliance with professional standards set by the NMC, HCPC, AfPP, and other relevant regulatory bodies.

Promote a positive learning culture that encourages reflective practice, clinical excellence, and continuous improvement.

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
-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.

Working at Day Surgery unit allows great work life balance as there are no unsociable hours including weekends, bank holidays or nights.

Working Pattern:8-6 x 3 shifts Mon-Fri :
The department is operational and staffed Monday to Friday 7.30am to 7pm.

This is an internal vacancy for Royal Devon employees, therefore Bank workers are currently not eligible to apply for this vacancy.

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…