Theatre Practitioner (ODP)

About the role

NHS Borders is recruiting a registered theatre practitioner to join the Theatre Department at Borders General Hospital in Melrose. This is a permanent opportunity with a number of posts available, offering 36 hours per week. The role is Band 5 and sits within a busy peri-operative setting where flexibility, teamwork and a strong patient focus are essential.

The post suits someone who is comfortable working at pace, can adapt quickly to changing demands, and enjoys contributing to a multidisciplinary team. You will also be expected to support the development of colleagues, including nursing, ODP, ATP and HCSW staff, through appraisal, training and ongoing development activities.

Values

The organisation’s values in action are: care and compassion; quality and teamwork; dignity and respect; openness, honesty and responsibility.

Key duties

The role involves delivering high-quality peri-operative care, working effectively within theatre services, and supporting patient care in a demanding clinical environment. You will contribute to staff development and help maintain standards across the theatre team.

Working pattern

The shift pattern includes day shifts, with out-of-hours and on-call commitments also required.

Other information

This position requires EPP clearance. Please note that for part-time roles the salary is paid pro rata. NHS Scotland has also advised that from 1 April 2026 the full-time working week under Agenda for Change will reduce from 37 to 36 hours, with part-time hours adjusted proportionally and the hourly rate increased so pay remains unchanged.

From 1 April 2025, changes to criminal records checking may affect this post. If the role is assessed as a regulated role, appointment will be subject to joining the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme. Any revised requirement will be confirmed by the hiring manager or recruitment team.

Applicants must already have the right to work in the United Kingdom, or confirm that the role is eligible for sponsorship before applying. NHS Scotland will check right-to-work entitlement as part of pre-employment checks. Late applications cannot be accepted.

NHS Scotland values equality and diversity and encourages applications from all sections of society. Candidates should ensure that any application content is written in their own words; AI tools may be used only for planning, idea generation, spelling or grammar checks, not to produce the final response.

Application guidance

Applicants are expected to present authentic examples of their skills, experience and motivation. Responses that appear to rely on AI-generated content may be withdrawn.