Senior Operation Theatre Manager

Position Summary

The Senior Operation Theatre Manager will oversee the end-to-end management of all operation theatres (OTs) within the hospital, ensuring safe, efficient, and cost-effective surgical services. The role requires leadership in clinical governance, process optimization, infection control, quality compliance, and team management to deliver high standards of patient care and operational excellence.

Key Responsibilities

Operational Management

• Plan, organize, and manage daily OT schedules across all specialties to ensure optimum utilization.
• Oversee smooth coordination between surgeons, anaesthetists, nursing, and support teams.
• Ensure adherence to turnaround time, start-time compliance, and minimize cancellations/postponements.
• Monitor and streamline surgical workflows, equipment readiness, and sterile supply chain.

Clinical Governance & Quality

• Ensure compliance with NABH, JCI, and hospital quality standards.
• Monitor infection control practices in OT, including aseptic protocols, sterilization, and air quality standards.
• Conduct root cause analysis of surgical adverse events, near misses, or sentinel events.
• Lead OT safety initiatives including WHO Surgical Safety Checklist compliance.

Resource & Equipment Management

• Coordinate with biomedical engineering for preventive and corrective maintenance of OT equipment.
• Maintain inventory of surgical instruments, implants, consumables, and ensure zero stockouts.
• Plan annual CAPEX and OPEX budgets for OT and ensure cost control measures.

Leadership & People Management

• Supervise and mentor OT nursing staff, technicians, and housekeeping teams.
• Ensure training, skill enhancement, and competency mapping of OT personnel.
• Drive culture of discipline, teamwork, and patient-first approach in OT.
• Manage staff rosters, leave planning, and ensure adequate manpower coverage.

Coordination & Communication

• Act as the key link between surgeons, anesthesiologists, ICU, and wards for surgical coordination.
• Present OT performance reports, KPIs, and quality metrics to senior management.
• Handle surgeon grievances, patient complaints related to OT, and resolve conflicts diplomatically.

Data & Performance Monitoring

• Track and analyze OT utilization, surgical volumes, cancellations, and efficiency metrics.
• Implement digital OT scheduling, EMR integration, and documentation compliance.
• Prepare daily, weekly, and monthly OT dashboards for management review.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• OT utilization percentage.
• First-case on-time start rate.
• Average turnaround time between cases.
• OT cancellation/postponement rate.
• Infection rate / Surgical site infection (SSI) rate.
• Staff training & competency compliance.
• Budget adherence (CAPEX & OPEX).

Qualifications & Experience

• B.Sc. Nursing / Diploma in OT Technology; Post-graduate qualification preferred (MBA in Hospital Management or equivalent).
• Minimum 1015 years of experience, with at least 5 years in a leadership role in OT management at a multispecialty hospital (200+ beds).
• In-depth knowledge of surgical specialties, infection control, biomedical equipment, and hospital quality standards (NABH/JCI).
• Strong leadership, organizational, and communication skills.

Competencies

• Leadership & team-building.
• Strategic planning & execution.
• Decision-making under pressure.
• Knowledge of hospital IT systems & OT software.
• Strong interpersonal and conflict resolution skills.