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Theatre Assistant

On-site in Bedford·Full-time·Added today (last checked 9 Nov)

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

26 open roles

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Our summary

Salary: £25,760 - £27,476 a year
About £1,840 - £1,940 a month after tax.
Contract: Full-time
Closing date: Apply by Monday 23 November

The role

Job summary

Post is not Eligible for Sponsorship : Please don't apply if you have no right to work.

The post holder will provide skilled support to registered practitioners and the multidisciplinary team in delivering safe, high-quality perioperative care. Working within the operating theatre, they will act as a circulating practitioner, anticipating the needs of the surgical team and preparing equipment, instruments, consumables, and sterile packs as required. They will support aseptic practice and participate in accurate swab, instrument, and sharps counts.

The role includes preparing theatres for surgical procedures by checking equipment, ensuring instrumentation and consumables are available, reporting faults, identifying stock shortages, and maintaining a safe, clean, and efficient environment. The post holder will deliver direct patient care, ensuring dignity, comfort, and safety throughout the surgical journey.

Working closely with medical staff and other members of the multidisciplinary team, they will contribute to the smooth running of operating lists and the delivery of high-quality patient outcomes. The post holder will also assist with theatre documentation, adhere to infection prevention and control standards, and support the effective operation of the department. Participation in out-of-hours, weekend, and on-call rotas is required to meet the needs of the service.

Main duties of the job

Work as a circulating practitioner within the operating theatre, providing support to the multidisciplinary team and contributing to the safe delivery of perioperative care.
Assist with patient positioning for surgical procedures, ensuring the correct use of operating tables, attachments, positioning aids, and manual handling equipment.
Prepare, check, assemble, and operate theatre equipment, ensuring it is safe and fit for use, and promptly report any faults or concerns.
Maintain aseptic technique and support the safe handling, opening, and presentation of sterile instruments, consumables, and surgical packs.
Participate in swab, needle, instrument, and sharps counts, ensuring all checks are completed and documented in accordance with local policies.
Complete theatre documentation accurately and maintain a high standard of record keeping.
Assist with the receipt, handling, labelling, and documentation of clinical specimens.
Support the cleaning, preparation, stocking, and maintenance of theatre suites, ensuring compliance with infection prevention and control standards.

Plase refer to the attached JD

About us

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics. You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.

We not only recruit based on qualifications and experience - we recruit individuals who demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. We achieve this by using values based recruitment. We are dedicated to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone, we are committed to promoting equality and diversity, and creating a culture that values differences.

Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering first 6 months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all documents attached to ensure you familiarize yourself with all requirements of the job.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Work as a circulating practitioner within the operating theatre, supporting patients and the multidisciplinary team throughout the perioperative pathway.
Adhere to infection prevention and control policies, maintaining high standards of cleanliness and aseptic practice.
Assist with patient positioning for surgical procedures, ensuring the safe use of operating tables, attachments, and positioning equipment.
Check, prepare, assemble, and dismantle theatre equipment, reporting faults and ensuring equipment is safe for use.
Handle, open, and present sterile instruments, consumables, and packs in accordance with aseptic techniques.
Complete theatre documentation accurately and maintain attention to detail at all times.
Participate in swab, needle, and instrument counts, ensuring all checks are carried out and documented correctly.
Assist with the receipt, labelling, handling, and documentation of clinical specimens.
Support the cleaning and preparation of theatre suites to maintain a safe clinical environment.
Undertake out-of-hours responsibilities, including acting as the second person on duty overnight, carrying the emergency phone, and communicating with clinicians as required.
Communicate effectively with patients and all members of the multidisciplinary team and actively participate in the WHO Surgical Safety Checklist.
Support patient transfers and positioning, following manual handling procedures and safe working practices.
Undertake physically demanding duties, including prolonged periods of standing and the pushing and pulling of equipment, while contributing to the smooth and efficient running of theatre services.

Person Specification

Qualificiations

Essential

Literate
Sound knowledge and understanding of the English language

Desirable

Maths and English GCSE or equivalent grade 4 or above
NVQ Level 2 in health and social care

Experience

Essential

Able to work within a multidisciplinary team
Flexibility with regards to working rota's
Able to use own initiative
Excellent communication skills

Desirable

Previous experience working in a health care setting

Knowledge

Essential

Understanding of I.T
Understand the importance of confidentiality and demonstrate knowledge of how it can be maintained

Desirable

Understanding of the WHO checklist

Personal Skills

Essential

Open reflective and warm
Creative and flexible
Team Focused
Reliable, adaptable and dependable
Enthusiastic and motivated individual

Other

Essential

Self awareness of own limitations and professional capabilities
Ability to write clearly and pass on relevant information

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

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

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).