Clinical Educator (Internal Only) in Exeter

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.

The 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 Nurse with 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 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.

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 0730-1900-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.

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 communities we serve. Preference will be given to staff with ‘Priority’ and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon.

The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust reserves the right to close vacancy when sufficient applications have been received. The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust was established in April 2022, bringing together the expertise of both the Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust and Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust.

Stretching across Northern, Eastern and Mid Devon, we have a workforce of over 15,000 staff, making us the largest employer in Devon. Our core services, which we provide to more than 615,000 people, cover more than 2,000 square miles across Devon, while some of our specialist services cover the whole of the peninsula, extending our reach as far as Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

We deliver a wide range of emergency, specialist and general medical services through North Devon District Hospital and the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital (Wonford). Alongside our two acute hospitals, we provide integrated health and social care services across a variety of settings, including community inpatient hospitals, outpatient clinics, and within people’s own homes. We also offer primary care services, a range of specialist community services, and Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARC).

Our state-of-the-art equipment, leading technologies and strong links to local universities put us at the forefront of research and innovations, enabling us to provide world-class care to our local communities. It has never been a more exciting time to join the Royal Devon, as you will help to shape our services as we continue along our integration journey.

Looking after you is important to us. We strive to help our staff create a healthy work-life balance through flexible working schemes and our family friendly policies. If you are starting out in the NHS, you’ll start with 27 days paid annual leave (plus bank holidays), rising to 33 days plus bank holidays. You will benefit from access to our own comprehensive occupational health services, including counselling, onsite wellbeing activities and groups.

We will work together to maintain a culture that develops and supports you and your team. This might include funding for a care certificate, a degree or leadership qualifications. Or it might include days off to study, engage in CPD or rotational placements to help you hone your skills. Wherever you are heading in the NHS, we will help you get there.

Salary is not the only financial benefit. You will have access to an extensive range of staff discounts on shopping, fitness and leisure options and you can spread the cost of technology and home appliance purchases from major retailers. You will also have access to other benefits including:

• National discount services such as the Blue Light Card and Health Service Discounts.
• Salary sacrifice options including our OFSTED rated outstanding nursery onsite at Exeter.
• Car lease schemes.
• The NHS Pension scheme (one of the most generous and comprehensive in the UK).
• Cycle to work scheme.

Salary Band 6: £39,959 - £48,117 per annum pro rata. Frequency Annual. Vacancy Reference 185-734-13852. Contract Type Permanent. Closing Date 14 August, 2026. Job Category Nursing. Staff Group Nursing & Midwifery Registered. Location Heavitree Hospital, Gladstone Road, Exeter, Devon, United Kingdom.