Job overview
This role has progression opportunity, from Band 2 with progression to Band 3.
To provide support and skilled assistance to the Theatre staff within the operating department and under the supervision contribute to the maintenance of a safe, clean environment within the department.
To establish and maintain communication that facilitates multi-disciplinary working and coordination of effective patient care.
Progression to Band 3 will be dependant on completion of the care certificate (or NVQ 3 in health and social care) and sign off through the theatre support worker competency document.
** This role is based at Harefield Hospital, Hill End Road, Harefield, UB9 6JH **
Closing Date: 5th May 2028 at Midnight.
Interview Date: 12th May 2026
Main duties of the job
The successful applicant will contribute to the maintenance of a safe and clean environment under supervision from qualified staff, providing support and assistance in preparing operating theatres and partaking in the circulating practitioner role for the duration of cardiac, thoracic and transplant cases. A high level of skill; concentration; anticipation; attention to detail regarding surgical counts and documentation; and awareness of and consideration for the sterile field, is required at all times. Safe transfer of patients, ensuring privacy and dignity; assisting with the cleaning and provision of equipment; removal of theatre waste; delivery of items; offering support in the Pt Reception; providing AL cover for housekeeper; and fulfilling extensive duties surrounding the management of our outsourced scope and instrumentation decontamination program.
Previous experience is desirable but not essential - training is provided. Shifts are 10 hrs in length, and start at either 0700, 0730 or 1000 hrs. They cover a 6-day period, including Saturdays.
Working for our organisation
On 1st February 2021 the Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospitals became part of Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust – a truly once-in a generation development. Together, we are taking our first steps towards our vision of creating a brand-new centre of excellence, which will be the global leader in the research into and treatment of heart and lung disease in patients from pre-birth to old age. We are developing some exciting plans and we want you to join us – so come and help to change the shape of healthcare for our heart and lung patients world-wide. Royal Brompton & Harefield hospitals are the largest heart and lung centre in the UK and among the largest in Europe. We are a partnership of two specialist hospitals which are known throughout the world for their expertise, standard of care and research success. We are passionate about what we do and the patients we serve. We are an equal opportunities employer and our patients are rich in diversity. We recruit to ensure we build a similarly diverse mix across our workforce. We are a values led organisation and we are rightly proud of our world class reputation and our people. The CQC visited the trust in October 2018 and our Surgical Directorate was rated as outstanding. Our priority is to deliver excellent patient care and we are proud that the CQC has recognised our services and awarded us this rating.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Clinical Responsibilities and Care Management
1. Preparation of the Operating Theatres for surgical list.
2. Moving and Handling of patients including safe transfer and positioning.
3. To work as rostered/allocated full-time hours, over a 6-day working period, that includes Saturdays. Potential for Sunday working in the future, if required.
4. Under the supervision of a Registered Theatre Practitioner, provide clinical skills during routine elective as well as emergency setting within the remit of the role.
5. To respond and assist the Registered Theatre Practitioner in attending emergency and urgent procedures in ITU and other units that may include Bronchoscopy and Tracheostomy.
6. Maintain standards of Infection Prevention and Control measures by observing the Trust Infection Prevention and Control Policy.
7. Actively participate in the Instrument, Swab and Sharps counts; documenting and signing the count sheet with the Scrub Practitioner in accordance with the Trust Policy and be involved in the investigations of discrepancies.
8. Provide a high standard of clinical care to different care settings within the scope of the role.
9. Pro-active in taking responsibility in managing own workload.
10. Maintain and develop clinical competence through Continual Professional Development, service specific training, peer supervision, reflective practice and clinical supervision.
11. Respect individual service user and colleague diversity by ensuring their dignity and your appreciation for them is an inherent part of the team and the activities undertaken.
12. Responsible for the maintenance of optimum patient-centred care through reflective and evidence-based practice and active participation in Clinical Governance.
13. Receive and label specimens received from the scrub practitioner aseptically; prepare the required specimen forms to be completed by the Operating Surgeon.
14. Work collaboratively with colleagues, healthcare staff across the Trust.
15. Participate in team meetings, team development, and service improvement as required.
16. Manage the Endoscopy Suite; maintaining that correct stock of scopes is available for the day; and report faults to the relevant department.
17. Report Incidents and risk according to Trust policies and procedures and be involved in the investigation as required.
18. Collect blood and blood products from Haematology; responsible for checking, signing and safe storage in the blood fridge.
19. Maintain accurate recording of patient care electronically and maintain confidentiality and security of patient information according to the Data Protection Act.
20. Practice a safe and effective manner at all times. This will include recognising and either directly challenging or seeking support to challenge any poor practice observed.
21. Transport specimens to the Pathology Laboratory safely including frozen sections during procedures.
22. Full responsibilities relating to the Portering role, that includes the transportation of patients from and to the wards, before and after surgery respectively. This will include the transportation of Thoracic patients from the Recovery unit post their short-term Recovery period.
23. Responsible for the receipt, storage and distribution of sterile packs delivered by the sterile contractor, monitoring their use while on Trust premises and preparing the used instruments for collection by the Sterile Services Contractor. Recording and reporting anomalies in the manner prescribed in the Decontamination Services Agreement.
24. Safe and effective transfer of empty medical gas cylinders to the BOC collection area, returning with replenished stock, as per the agreed Pharmacy and Estates weekly timing schedule.
25. Provide assurances that the department has a safe supply of cylindered gas, positioned in the correct designated location.
26. Oversight of bed management and equipment supplies to ensure the correct and safe transfer of patients from operating table to post-operative bed. Bed type/mattress selection is dependent on the individualised needs of the patient.
27. Dispose of clinical waste safely and appropriately in line with Trust policy.
28. Deal safely and effectively, in accordance with Trust policy, with exposure to hazards and highly unpleasant working conditions and contact with body fluids using Incident Reporting system to report any incidents or near misses.
29. Follow the Local and Organizational Trust Policies and procedures and comply with the use of the WHO documentation.
30. Demonstrate appropriate knowledge and skills in relation to the procedures being undertaken.
·Communication
§Demonstrate excellent interpersonal skills which promotes respect, kindness, compassion, empathy and mindfulness to all patients, carers, colleagues and visitors in the workplace and wider organisation.
§Ensure clear, concise, accurate, legible and contemporaneous records related to patients and care given is maintained at all times and is in line with the Trust and Local Policy which also include the use of electronic recording systems.
§Respond appropriately to patient queries from visitors, ensuring confidentiality maintained at all times, referring complex/sensitive requests to registered practitioners as required.
·Patient/customer care (both direct and indirect)
31. Communicate with patients and their carers using tact, diplomacy, empathy and reassurance during potentially difficult or stressful situation where there maybe barriers to understanding, ie. confusion, physical impairment, cognitive failure or language barrier.
32. Be presentable at all times adhering to the Trust dress code policy.
33. Provide a safe and secure environment for patients, taking into consideration vulnerable patients.
34. Act as a patient advocate whilst in the peri-operative setting.
·Policy & Service development
35. Participate in the implementation of Trust and Local policy in the department.
36. Maintain, update and develop personal and professional knowledge and skills, enabling standards of patient care to be constantly monitored and improved.
·Resource management
37. Report stocks and supplies shortages to the designated Stock staff on the day.
38. Re-stock allocated Theatres accordingly.
·People management
§Assist in teaching new theatre staff as well as staff from other units about the management of endoscopes, pre and post procedure.
·Information management
§To ensure that accurate/comprehensive clinical data is collected and entered into the theatre management system to allow accurate reports to be maintained.
39. Following Trust/local guidelines to access results from electronic systems.
Research and development
§Support research being conducted in the department by participating in the implementation process.
Further sections
·To ensure all team members have a real voice in the development of the Theatre service to patients/customers
·To provide a safe and attractive working environment for team members within available resources
·To abide by the Trust’s Core behaviours for staff and all other Trust policies, codes and practices including standing financial instructions, research governance, clinical governance, patient and public involvement, codes and practices, and health and safety.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
40. Good basic education to GCSE qualification or equivalent.
Desirable criteria
41. NVQ Level 3 or equivalent.
Skills
Essential criteria
42. Attention to details/good written skills
43. Good communication skills
Desirable criteria
44. Excellent written and verbal communication skills
45. Have presented strong IT skills ie. created worksheets or completed reports.
Knowledge
Essential criteria
46. Understanding all aspect that the role entails.
Desirable criteria
47. Previous experience in a theatre environment. Shows advanced understanding of the role.
Guy’s and St Thomas’ celebrates, respects and values the diversity of its staff and patients. We review our policies, procedures and practices to ensure that all employees, patients and carers are treated equitable according to their needs. We are actively committed to ensuring that no one who applies for a job, works or study’s at the Trust, or accesses our services is discriminated against on the grounds of race, ethnicity, nationality, disability, religion or belief, age, gender identity, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity/paternity, or marital/civil partnership.