Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust
Assistant Theatre Practitioner
Closing date: 04 May 2026
To work as part of the Operating Department team, accepting patients for theatre, circulating within the theatre and assisting the theatre staff in the day‑to‑day work of the operating department. The role requires empathy, good communication and the ability to work under pressure. The post holder will be required to work unsocial hours, nights, weekends and on calls.
Main duties of the job
* At all times treat patients, visitors and colleagues with dignity and respect, exercising discretion and behaving in a manner consistent with the CHFT standards of behaviour.
* Maintain confidentiality in all aspects of work.
* Work in a collaborative and co‑operative manner with other members of the care team.
* Maintain Trust policy regarding Control of Infections.
* Undertake departmental training re Manual Handling and adhere to principals taught.
* Follow Health and Safety policies relevant to the operating department and attend mandatory updates in accordance with Trust policy.
* Undertake duties that you have received appropriate training for and have been deemed competent.
* Adhere to Trust policies and procedures.
* Establish and maintain effective communication and relationships with multidisciplinary team within the operating department.
* Contribute to the development of theatres, through contribution of new ideas to improve patient care/experience.
* Attend regular team meetings.
* Undertake all such reasonable other duties as may be required as part of the role.
Job responsibilities
* Accepting patients prior to surgery.
* Chaperoning patients in the anaesthetic room.
* Undertake point of care testing (e.g., blood glucose level, arterial blood gases, pregnancy testing) following training and competency assessment.
* Assisting the qualified theatre team.
* Observation of a patient during procedures (e.g., spinal/regional block, local anaesthetic) to assess physical state and well‑being.
* Circulating during theatre lists.
* Circulating in multiple specialties, demonstrating a broad knowledge base of instrumentation, equipment functionality, compatibility, and assessment for damage.
* Cleaning theatres and other relevant areas.
* Preparing equipment for the following days surgery.
* Ordering equipment where necessary.
* Assist with maintenance of stock levels and stock rotation and knowledge of where equipment and stock are stored.
* Disposal of rubbish and clinical waste within Trust protocols.
* Assist in caring for patients post operatively in the Recovery room.
* Answer and take telephone messages for surgeons and theatre staff.
* Record care plans and interventions on the electronic record (Bluespier and WHO form) under supervision of the registered practitioner.
Actively participate in clinical audit programmes, including evaluation of new equipment, clinical audits, and contributing to National Joint Registry (NJR) data input.
* Collecting blood when required from Path Lab.
* Collect, accurately label, and store tissue samples, ensuring anatomical site documentation and timely dispatch according to protocol.
* Prepare injectable solutions under the supervision of the registrant.
* Transfer patients between wards and departments once assessed as stable and appropriate for transfer by a registrant.
* Measure, supply, and, when clinically required, fit and attach TED stockings or calf‑stimulating medical devices.
* Move patients and heavy trays and stand for long periods of time.
Qualifications
* NVQ level 2 in Health/Care or Care Certificate issued by an Employer.
* English & Math's GCSE grade 9-2 (A*-E) or equivalent.
* Willingness to undertake any training or development relevant to the role.
* Moving and handling training.
* Infection control training.
* Resuscitation training.
Knowledge, Experience & Expertise
* Experience of working within a care setting.
* Care experience in a hospital setting.
* Experience of working in Operating Theatres.
* Experience of working in a customer service setting.
Communication and Relationships (including management responsibilities)
* Ability to work as a team member.
* Ability to work in a busy environment.
* Able to work under direction.
* Ability to stand for long periods of time.
* Caring and compassionate.
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.
Salary: £25,760 to £27,476 a year, pro rata.
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