Lead Peri-Operative Practitioner

The post-holder is responsible and accountable for the strategic leadership, management, and clinical governance of the Anaesthetic, Recovery, and Enhanced Care services. The role ensures the delivery of high-quality, safe, and effective perioperative care across the patient pathway (pre-operative, intra-operative, and post-operative phases), in line with CQC standards, national guidance, and organisational objectives. The post-holder will provide overarching leadership to both services, working in partnership with the Deputy Anaesthetic Lead and Deputy Recovery Lead, who will support day‑time operational management. The post-holder will exercise professional accountability in accordance with NMC/HCPC Codes of Conduct.

Principal Accountabilities

• Leadership & Management
  • Provide strategic and operational leadership across Anaesthetics, Recovery, and Enhanced Care services.
  • Line manage and support senior staff, including Deputy Leads, ensuring effective day‑time service delivery.
  • Promote a culture of safety, professionalism, and continuous improvement.
  • Ensure appropriate staffing levels and skill mix across all perioperative areas.
  • Coordinate workforce planning, rota management, and escalation processes.
  • Lead recruitment, retention, appraisal, and performance management processes.
  • Support staff wellbeing, development, and succession planning.
• Clinical Leadership
  • Maintain oversight of clinical standards across the perioperative pathway.
  • Ensure delivery of high-quality anaesthetic assistance and post‑anaesthetic care.
  • Act as a clinical expert and role model in perioperative practice.
  • Support the management of deteriorating patients and complex cases.
  • Ensure safe patient flow between theatre, recovery, and enhanced care.
  • Participate in the emergency response team and on‑call rota as required.
• Governance & Patient Safety
  • Lead clinical governance across Anaesthetics, Recovery, and Enhanced Care.
  • Ensure compliance with CQC standards and national guidance (e.g. NICE, NatSSIPs, LocSSIPs, NCEPOD, RCoA).
  • Oversee incident reporting, investigation, and learning dissemination.
  • Lead audits, quality improvement initiatives, and service evaluations.
  • Ensure robust documentation standards and data quality.
  • Act as a key member of relevant committees (e.g. Resuscitation Committee).
  • Drive a culture of openness, learning, and continuous safety improvement.
• Operational Management
  • Ensure effective day‑time coordination of perioperative services through delegated leadership to Deputy Leads.
  • Oversee patient flow, theatre efficiency, and recovery capacity.
  • Ensure equipment safety, maintenance, and asset management.
  • Manage stock control and procurement processes in collaboration with relevant departments.
  • Respond proactively to service pressures, incidents, and operational challenges.
• Communication & Collaboration
  • Act as a key liaison between theatre teams, ward teams, medical staff, and senior management.
  • Communicate effectively with patients, relatives, and carers, managing concerns and improving patient experience.
  • Provide expert advice on perioperative practice across the organisation.
  • Ensure effective multidisciplinary team working to optimise patient outcomes and service delivery.
• Education & Workforce Development
  • Promote a culture of continuous learning and professional development.
  • Ensure staff meet mandatory training and competency requirements (including anaesthetic and critical care competencies).
  • Support teaching, mentorship, and student placement programmes.
  • Develop and deliver training aligned with service needs and governance priorities.
• Financial & Resource Management
  • Contribute to budget management and ensure cost‑effective use of resources.
  • Monitor workforce KPIs (agency usage, sickness, turnover).
  • Identify and elevate requirements for capital equipment and service development.
  • Support procurement processes and evaluation of equipment and consumables.
• Strategy & Service Development
  • Lead and support service development across perioperative care pathways.
  • Identify opportunities for innovation, efficiency, and service expansion.
  • Support redesign of services to improve patient outcomes and flow.
  • Lead and deliver quality improvement and transformation projects.

Clinical Responsibilities

• Ensure safe delivery of anaesthetic and post‑anaesthetic care.
• Maintain high standards of infection prevention and control.
• Ensure safe medicines management practices.
• Provide emergency care and support escalation of critically ill patients.
• Maintain accurate, contemporaneous patient records.

Professional Responsibilities

• Maintain active NMC/HCPC registration.
• Adhere to professional codes of conduct and organisational policies.
• Maintain and develop own professional knowledge and leadership skills.
• Act as a role model for professional practice and behaviour.