PACU Practitioner

PACU Practitioner

The closing date is 14 March 2026

We are looking for a Registered Practitioner caring for all patients in the immediate post‑operative period, including care of all age groups and across all surgical specialities.

The main role of the job is to care for surgical patients in the immediate post‑operative period and for up to twenty‑four hours afterwards if extra support is needed.

You will be responsible for delivering high‑quality, patient‑focused care in the immediate post‑operative phase, caring for high‑dependency patients, paediatric patients and the elderly as required. You will maintain a safe environment for all patients attending theatres and PACU.

In addition, you will coordinate and carry out post‑operative care, working with all members of the multi‑disciplinary team. You will support and develop staff and students in PACU, acting as both a mentor and preceptor, and work with the wider hospital community to ensure patient pathways are safe and fit for purpose.

Our philosophy is ‘together we can make things better’. If this aligns with your ambition, passion and beliefs, we welcome an application from you.

• As a Registered Practitioner you will provide one‑to‑one patient care while their airway is compromised, then manage several patients, addressing post‑operative pain, nausea, vomiting, psychological support for patients and relatives, and ensuring standards of care and patient safety are maintained.
• You will also ensure patients are transferred to onward care, whether as day cases or inpatients, in a timely manner.
• You will care for high‑dependency patients within the unit, when competent and able to do so.

As a competency‑based department, we endeavour to develop staff to be the best they can be while preserving standards and maintaining patient safety.

The department is supported by dynamic practice educators and a senior management team that believes in learning from excellence and open communication.

There will be opportunities for personal development and potential rotation through theatre, ICU and day surgery.

Torbay Hospital is a DGH and covers many different surgical specialities and all patient age ranges.

• Registered Nurse (NMC) / Registered Operating Department Practitioner (HCPC)
• Post‑registration theatre/PACU experience and/or qualification

• Ability to assess, plan and evaluate patient care
• Effective verbal and written communication skills
• IT skills
• Evidence of continuous education and professional development

• Organisational and leadership skills
• Research and development awareness
• Multiskilling – demonstrate competency in anaesthetics, surgery and recovery

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such a submission for Disclosure must be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust

£31,049 to £37,796 per annum (pro rata)