Health Care Assistant - Main Theatres
Job Information
The closing date is 04 May 2026
We have an exciting opportunity for a health care assistant at Southend Hospital. The Health Care Assistant will, under the direct supervision of the Registered Nurse/ODP, assist theatre staff in delivering safe and effective patient‑focused care to all service users in the theatres.
It is expected that the Health Care Assistant will continue to develop their own capabilities and knowledge of nursing tasks in line with the Trust's career pathway.
Main duties of the job
* To undertake all tasks requested by the Registered Nurses and ODPs in theatres.
* Assist the theatre team in the preparation of the operating theatre.
* Help assist in the safe positioning of patients in theatre, pre‑peri- and post‑operatively.
* Provide the theatre team with consumables and equipment, as required.
* Ensure the theatre is clean and tidy.
* Ensure adequate stock of scrub room consumables, e.g. surgical gowns, gloves etc.
* Remove dirty trays, linen bags and clinical waste bags after each case and ensure the theatre is ready for the next case.
* Clean theatres before and after each theatre session.
* Circulate during procedures, set up for the list as required and take part in instrument and final swab checks.
* Undertake equipment safety checks and troubleshoot as required.
About us
Our ambition is to deliver excellent local and specialist services, to improve the health and well‑being of our patients, and provide a vibrant place for staff to develop, innovate and build careers.
We aim to make the most of our skills and experiences so we can become the best we can be. As one organisation we will recruit the finest and retain more specialist staff due to more employment opportunities across our Trust.
Job responsibilities (partial)
Please refer to the attached JD for full details. Some of the responsibilities are listed below.
* Act as a circulator in theatres when required.
* Handle specimens under supervision of the registered practitioner.
* Ensure that theatre areas are kept tidy and free of obstructions.
* Ensure that the operating theatre is a safe environment in which to work and care for patients.
* Take blood gas syringes to critical care for analysis, wait for results and return them to theatre / recovery.
* Collect blood and other products from Haematology, ensuring appropriate checks are carried out.
* Undertake patient moving and handling using a safe and correct procedure, including escorting patients from the ward to theatres and vice‑versa and possible transportation of beds.
* Undertake competencies required for the role.
Person Specification
* Literate and numerate to secondary school standard.
* Significant experience at band 2 level and achieved all competencies.
* Previous theatre or hospital experience.
* Experience of working in a health‑care environment.
* NVQ in healthcare.
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.
Employer name
Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust
£25,760 a year Per Annum (Pro Rata for Part Time)
#J-18808-Ljbffr