¹û¶³´«Ã½APP

Skip to main content

This site is independent of the NHS and the Department of Health.

Please wait, loading

Job summary

Main area
Theatres
Grade
Band 3
Contract
Permanent
Hours
  • Full time
  • Part time
Job ref
318-24-SUR-T2044
Employer
Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Cheltenham General Hospital
Town
Cheltenham
Salary
£24,071 - £25,674 pa pro rata
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
07/01/2025 23:59

Employer heading

Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust logo

Theatre Healthcare Support Worker, Band 3

Band 3

Join us at an exciting time for Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust! We have an ambitious plan for our journey to Outstanding and are looking for aspirational, committed individuals to join us, making a real difference to both staff and patients.

As a former winner of England for excellence award: Tourism destination of the year, the beautiful city of Gloucester and the scenic regency spa town of Cheltenham are fantastic places to work and live.

As a hospital Trust we are currently involved in over 100 clinical trials and studies, whilst also providing acute elective and specialist services to a population of over 620,000.

By joining Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust new colleagues can look forward to a warm welcome and a future full of opportunities and support.

Ìý

Job overview

We are looking for enthusiastic, motivated and dynamic team member to join our theatre teams within Gloucestershire Hospitals Ìý

This is an exciting opportunity to prove yourself by becoming an integral part of Gloucestershire Hospitals Theatre team

We provide a 24 hour service, covering all surgical specialties. Previous experience desirable however a full, robust package of training will be provided as well as an allocated team of mentors, to ensure competence in the new role is obtained. ÌýDesignated practice development to support induction and ongoing training. ÌýWe offer supported development pathways as well as link roles within our department. ÌýThis is an exciting opportunity to develop new skills within our surgical division.

Main duties of the job

- Performing in a circulating role within the theatre environmentÌý

- Ability to work where the work pattern may be unpredictable e.g. prioritising patient demands and unexpected changes to theatre operating lists and location

- Ability to work a flexible shift pattern covering a 24 hour service, including night shifts, weekends and bank holidaysÌý

- Maintaining a sterile environment

- Ensuring appropriate documentation is completeÌý

- Checking of equipment prior to surgery following appropriate trainingÌý

- Safe transfer of patients, in line with training and manual handling

- Restocking of theatre supplies relevant to speciality

- Use of specialist equipment relevant to emergency surgery and all related areas.

- Handling and Delivery of specimens.Ìý

- Maintenance and ordering of stock where appropriateÌý

- Contribution to appropriate infection & prevention controlÌý

- Handling of Speciality related refuse

- Use of all related IT systemsÌý

Ìý

Working for our organisation

We are one of the largest Trusts in the country, with a turnover of £420 million. We employ more than 8,000 staff, and provide specialist, personalised care.

We have 30 operating theatres across 3 sites. In addition to Trauma and Orthopaedics we cover a range of other operating specialities, including Upper and Lower GI, Breast, Gynaecology, Urology, Vascular, Emergency Surgery, ENT, Oral and Maxillofacial, Ophthalmology, Obstetrics and Paediatrics.

Both the emergency and obstetric theatres provide 24/7 service, 365 days a year, and our other specialities work a variety of shifts to cover a 7 day service.

We are proud of our dynamic and versatile theatre team that strives to provide the best care for everyone.

With support from line management, our Practice Development team and your team colleagues, the future is looking very positive and being part of this team at this exciting and energetic time will be an excellent opportunity for anyone seeking to kick start their career in this new year

We offer a generous annual leave allowance, excellent bank rates, access to the NHS Pension Scheme, access to our health and well-being hub, two on-site nurseries, Ìýdiscounted public transport, reward and recognition schemes, exercise and activity classes and membership to our popular hospital choir.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Main Duties & Responsibilities of the Post

- The post holder, under supervision, will assist the multidisciplinary team in delivering individualised planned patient care in a safe and healthy environment which promotes equality for all individuals

- Active participation in the preparation of theatres and assisting the scrub practitioner in the preparation of sterile surgical equipment

- Ability to interact with people at all levels and work effectively as a team member.Ìý

- To communicate effectively, especially where patient ability to do so is compromised and there are barriers to understanding e.g. hearing difficulties, using tact and re-assurance

- To contribute to safe and timely patient transfer process

- Under guidance, deliver safe patient care within a challenging and changing clinical environment, using equipment and resources safely and as appropriate

- Take an active role in theatre decontamination in line with infection control policiesÌý

- Discretion and understanding of confidentiality and data protection

- Understand and adhere to Trust Policies and Procedures

- Provide advice and guidance within own sphere of knowledge to students and other team members

- To contribute to safe and timely patient transfer process within and out of theatres

- To contribute to theatre efficiency through active engagement in the movement and delivery of equipment and stock as required

- Active participation in any theatre cleaning between cases and at the end of the day as required

- Ability to get on well with people at all levels and work effectively as a team member. ÌýOrganise own day to day work tasks and activities

- After suitable training be able to respond to change in the patient’s signs and condition, especially when on patient transfer dutiesÌý

- Ability to respond and adapt to changes within an emergency situation

- Working within the multidisciplinary team supporting the delivery of assessed and evaluated programmes of care

- To undertake additional, delegated clinical responsibilities as required

- Occasionally the job holder may be exposed to distressing or emotional circumstances

- Willingness to take on specialist link roles relevant to theatres

- Willingness to be involved in the development and training of new starters once competent and confident in the role of a HCSW within a theatre team.

Most Challenging Part of the Job

- Ability to adapt to a challenging specialist environment

- Ability to work effectively, working under pressure

- Occasionally dealing with difficult people and situations

Physical Effort and Working Conditions

- Will be required to work within the recognised Manual Handling Guidelines

- May be expected to frequently manoeuvre patients/objects over 15kg for short periods of time

- Will have possible exposure to unpleasant working conditions and will be required to follow policies and procedures pertaining to bodily fluids, Infection Control and COSHH regulations

- Ability to work where the work pattern may be unpredictable e.g. prioritising patient demands and unexpected changes to theatre operating lists

- Will be required to work flexibly including weekends and evenings on a rostered basis

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria
  • GCSE Maths and English grade C or above (grades 4-9)

Experience

Desirable criteria
  • Previous HCA / Portering experience
  • Previous healthcare experience

Knowledge / Skills

Essential criteria
  • Insight into the roles and responsibilities of the position
  • Excellent communication skills including verbal, non- verbal and written
  • Excellent interpersonal skills
  • Team working
  • Ability to work flexibly, including evenings, Weekends and Bank holidays

Employer certification / accreditation badges

corporate covenant

Applicant requirements

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Documents to download

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Cathy Parry
Job title
Theatre Manager
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
03004223279