Employer Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site Cheltenham General Hospital Town Cheltenham Salary £24,937 - £26,598 (pa, pro rata if part-time) Salary period Yearly Closing 15/02/2026 23:59
Theatre Healthcare Support Worker - Band 3
Band 3
At Gloucestershire Hospitals, our people are at the heart of everything we do. As the county’s largest employer, we are proud to provide high-quality acute, elective, and specialist services to than 650,000 people across our county. Our care is delivered across Gloucestershire Royal, Cheltenham General and Stroud Maternity Hospital.
With over 9,000 employees representing more than 95 nationalities, bringing together a mix of cultures and experiences to the care that we deliver. Whether you’re beginning your NHS journey or looking to take the next step in your career, this is an exciting time to join us. We’re investing heavily in innovation, research, and transformation, with more than 100 active clinical studies and major developments underway across our hospitals.
We take pride in working as one team, driven by a shared ambition to grow, develop, and continually improve. Every contribution is valued and by combining our collective strengths, we support not only our diverse communities but one another. You can expect a warm, supportive culture and colleagues who are passionate about teamwork, professional development and delivering exceptional care. We offer structured development programmes, mentoring and leadership opportunities to help you progress in your career.
We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where everyone feels they belong. By joining our Trust, you will benefit from a comprehensive package that includes flexible working opportunities, generous annual leave, the NHS pension scheme, competitive bank rates, local discounts, access to on-site nurseries, reduced public transport costs, reward and recognition schemes and a wide range of health and wellbeing initiatives.
Be part of Gloucestershire Hospitals, explore your future with us today.
Job overview
We are looking for enthusiastic, motivated and dynamic team member to join our theatre teams within Gloucestershire Hospitals
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. Designated practice development to support induction and ongoing training. We offer supported development pathways as well as link roles within our department. This 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 environment
* 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 holidays
* Maintaining a sterile environment
* Ensuring appropriate documentation is complete
* Checking of equipment prior to surgery following appropriate training
* 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.
* Maintenance and ordering of stock where appropriate
* Contribution to appropriate infection & prevention control
* Handling of Speciality related refuse
* Use of all related IT systems
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 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 your career in this new year
We offer a generous annual leave allowance, access to the excellent NHS pension scheme, competitive bank rates, discounts at local shops and restaurants, access to two on-site nurseries, discounted public transport, reward and recognition and a range of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you.
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.
* 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 policies
* 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. Organise 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 duties
* 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
* GCSE Maths and English grade c or above (grades 4-9)
Experience
Knowledge / Skills
* Insight into the roles and responsibilities of the position
* Excellent interpersonal skills
* Ability to work flexibly, including evenings, Weekends and Bank holidays
We reserve the right to expire vacancies prior to the advertised closing date once a sufficient number of applications have been received.
You will only be contacted by the Recruitment Team via email if you are shortlisted for this post. Please ensure therefore that you check your e‑mail account regularly.
If you require sponsorshipfor a visa to work in the UK, to avoid disappointment, please check to ensure you are eligible under theUKVI points based system
Employer certification / accreditation badges
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.
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