County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust invites applications for the position of Theatre Healthcare Assistant at Darlington Memorial Hospital. We currently have both substantive and bank posts available.
Overview
The closing date is 22 September 2025.
County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust invite applications for the position of Theatre Healthcare Assistant at Darlington Memorial Hospital. We currently have both substantive and bank posts available.
Main duties of the job
* Support qualified staff in the provision of a high standard of efficient and cost-effective care while maintaining patients’ privacy and dignity at all times.
* Ability to fully prepare theatres with the correct equipment and stock according to the speciality and the surgeons' preferences in all specialities including emergency surgery, supervised and unsupervised.
* Cleaning of theatres and equipment ensuring high levels and standards of cleanliness.
* To have a working knowledge of equipment used in theatres (e.g. diathermy, operating tables and attachments, application of tourniquet, cameras and microscopes).
* Undertake decontamination of equipment as required (e.g. endoscopy).
* Assist with positioning of the patient for different surgical/anaesthetic procedures.
* Complete all relevant documentation accurately including use of the computerised theatre system.
* Act as circulating or count nurse as required for each speciality within the department.
* Measure and record patients’ body fluid output.
* Ability to test medical devices and complete relevant documentation.
About us
If you are being interviewed you must accept an interview slot in the system to continue, even if you have arranged with the manager.
You must be able to produce ALL certificates stated as essential in the person specification or you will not be able to complete pre-employment checks.
We provide hospital services from two acute sites – Darlington Memorial Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham. We have a centre for planned care in Bishop Auckland and provide care from community hospitals in Chester-le-Street, Shotley Bridge, Barnard Castle, Sedgefield and Weardale as well as over 80 other community-based settings and providing care in patients’ homes.
We particularly welcome applications from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as BAME and disabled people are currently under-represented.
Full Job Descriptions can be found in the adverts supporting documents.
From April 9, 2025 - Healthcare assistants - You must have a minimum of two years of experience working within the NHS as a HCA for the Trust to consider sponsorship (we will only consider sponsorship if you meet this criterion and have a current visa expiring within 3 months).
Job responsibilities
To provide patient care within the perioperative environment and act as a skilled member of the multidisciplinary team.
To provide perioperative care within the theatre environment, across the range of specialities offered by the Trust.
The care to be delivered in line with both local and national policies, procedures and guidelines.
Person Specification
Experience
* Ability to learn new skills.
* Previous experience in caring for others.
Special Requirements
* Self-motivated and able to motivate others.
* Ability to work in a busy and varied work environment and respond to change.
* Be able to offer pastoral care to mentors and students when providing feedback on performance.
Qualifications
* Care Certificate or willingness to complete within first 6 months of commencement in post.
* GCSE equivalent in English and Mathematics.
* Short courses relevant to patient and clinical care duties.
Personal Attributes
* Good interpersonal skills.
* Able to engage and build effective relationships at all levels.
* Understanding of the role of HCSW.
* Able to work as part of a team.
* Knowledge and understanding of the need for confidentiality.
Special Skills & Knowledge
* Good verbal and written communication.
* Ability to act on own initiative.
* Able to work under some pressure.
* Ability to show leadership and plan own work.
* Ability to work calmly under pressure.
* Willing to take and record patient observations.
* Knowledge of care and related procedures, clinical observations, relevant legislation.
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 CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Employer name
County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust
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