Job overview
To assist with patient care and other departmental related duties as directed by Registered Theatre Practitioner.
You will be recruited at Band 2 if you have not yet completed CUH HCSW induction which includes completion of the Care Certificate and Competencies. Once completed you will move up to Band 3. If you are currently working in a support worker role and have therefore completed these, you will be recruited as Band 3
The process for functional skills has now changed, this is conducted as a second interview on TRAC following any applicant that is successful at their initial interview. This is organised by recruitment and you must achieve a pass rate of at least 50% to receive a conditional offer. This process applies to anyone that is not currently working as a Support Worker at CUH.
Main duties of the job
Are you enthusiastic, conscientious, hardworking and kind? Are you passionate about healthcare, especially the area of perioperative care?
We are an innovative and passionate team working in a dynamic operating theatre. As a TSW at Addenbrookes Hospital you will be expected to assist the patient through the operative process. From collecting the patient for theatre to assisting the anaesthetic and scrub practitioners care for the patient through surgery
We expect you to carry out several duties including but not limited to cleaning the theatre between cases, helping with stock management and ensuring safety in theatres
This is an exciting insight into the operating theatre and we encourage personal development whilst you with us. We are able to provide full training for the TSW role and beyond, using several education programmes and pathways to help you to progress & develop. We also have a full support and induction programme to help you develop your skills.
You will be required to achieve a pass rate of 50% for Functional Skills before proceeding to Conditional Offer. Failure to achieve this will mean you will not receive a Conditional Offer - This applies to anyone not currently working in a Support Worker post at CUH
Working for our organisation
Come Nurse with us…
Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest teaching Trusts in the country. It comprises Addenbrooke’s Hospital and the Rosie Hospital. We provide accessible high-quality healthcare for the local people of Cambridge and regional and national specialist services. It’s a great place to nurse, work and live.
You will work on a vibrant hospital campus with a friendly community feel; we have excellent facilities to practice your skills and abilities to support your career pathway and development. Our values of Together – Safe, Kind, Excellent support the delivery of outstanding care. We have a fully electronic patient record system that is improving health-care quality; this is transforming services, improving patient safety and clinical outcomes.
Why choose Cambridge University Hospitals?
• Our values and reputation for outstanding care
• Opportunities to experience a range of specialities
• Career and development opportunities
• Preceptorship and mentoring programmes delivered by a dedicated clinical education support team
• Research experience and opportunities
• Lovely location and quality of life
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please see the attached Applicant Information Pack (combined Job Description and Person Specification) for key duties and responsibilities.
• As per Home Office guidelines, please be aware that, unfortunately, the Trust is unable to offer sponsorship for this particular position
• Due to Home Office immigration rules, a full time permanent vacancy cannot be filled by individuals on a Student visa. Therefore, please be advised that if you are a Student visa holder, we will not be able to offer you a full time permanent contract unless you have:
- applied for a Graduate visa
- or you will have successfully completed your course and have applied for a Graduate visa before the anticipated start date of your employment
- or the Trust has agreed that they will Sponsor you as a Skilled Worker and you will complete your studies within 3 months of the anticipated start date of employment
This vacancy will close at midnight on 21st September 2025
Interviews are due to be held on 2nd October 2025
Benefits to you
At Cambridge University Hospitals, we want to do all we can to support good working days. We offer development opportunities and a wide range of benefits, including on-site leisure facilities, shopping concourse and day nurseries. Our good work programme currently includes providing reduced cost Stagecoach bus travel to and from Cambridge University Hospital site. Park and Ride bus journeys between Babraham Road and Trumpington sites are free, as is the route to and from Cambridge train station and our hospitals. We also subsidise the cost of parking on site for eligible staff.
On CUH campus, hot food is available 24/7 and at a reduced cost for colleagues. Recently we launched the first of our staff pod break spaces. Located in the Deakin Centre, we have a purpose-created colleague-only café, with free tea and coffee, a break space and private outside area for colleagues to rest, refuel and recharge. Just one of the ways we are working hard to support good working days at CUH.
CUH is committed to assisting employees in achieving a good work-life balance irrespective of role or personal circumstances. Flexible arrangements may include, but are not limited to, part-time working, job-share, term-time working and flexible start and finish times.
Please note if you would like to discuss the required hours of this role further, you should approach the contact given. In some cases, alternative working hours will be considered.
We welcome applications from the Armed
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
Holds National Care Certificate or willingness to undertake within the first 3 months of appointment
Holds Functional Skills Level 1 Maths and English or GCSE equivalent or undertake and achieve a pass following completion of level 1 functional skills assessment
Demonstrates a commitment to further learning and development related to the role.
Desirable criteria
Level 3 award in health care, or equivalent experience.
Experience
Essential criteria
Experience of working in an environment under pressure.
Experience of working within a team.
Experience of communicating with individuals from a range of different backgrounds.
Experience of attention to detail – eg for recording in patient records.
Desirable criteria
Experience of working within a health care environment.
Knowledge
Essential criteria
Understands and complies with HCSW mandatory induction standards and code of conduct.
Understands the job role and specific knowledge in a number of specialties and patient groups, in relation to tasks included in the job description or be prepared to undertake training to be able to gain appropriate knowledge.
Have the knowledge to or be prepared to undertake training to be able to complete clinical and vital signs observations on patients including the use of monitors.Awareness, understanding and compliance of policies and practices e.g. Escort Policy, Prevention and control of infection and Health and Safety.
Promote the importance of maintaining confidentiality.
Recognise the extent and limitations of own and others competence.
Use own initiative recognising when to escalate concerns to a senior member of staff.
Understands the importance of consistently providing individualised care based on current research and evidence.
Demonstrate awareness of the needs of area specific patient group.
Understanding of the anxiety and distress of some patients and relatives.
Basic anatomy and physiology.
Desirable criteria
Awareness of National and local priorities and initiative.
Skills
Essential criteria
Good communication skills (written and verbal).
Able to work as a team.
Able to carry out well defined routine tasks,
Able to work on own initiative, following direction/supervision by a Registered Healthcare Practitioner.
Able to relate well with patients/relatives/ visitors/colleagues/the multi-disciplinary team and wider Trust staff.
Committed to delivering high standards of patient care.
Friendly, open, empathetic and compassionate.
Professional outlook and positive attitude. Able to meet the flexible needs of the role and duty roster.
Anticipate and respond to unpredictable changes in circumstances, to support perioperative teams, using continuous surveillance and maintaining situational awareness. Escalating to a registered professional promptly.
Following period of training related to the role, have the ability to identify similar equipment that may look and sound alike, related to clinical procedures.
Desirable criteria
Prepared to undertake coaching role for other HCSW’s.
IT skills.
Additional Clinical Services
Essential criteria
The ability to understand and behave at all times, towards patients, visitors and colleagues according to the Trust values of safe, kind, excellent
To be able to recognise the extent and limitations of the Healthcare Assistants role health and safety requirements. Committed to providing patient care.
The following hazards are associated with this job role: Manual handling. Night shift or shift work. Emotional impact of emergency and elective surgery on self and colleagues
Desirable criteria
Evidence of a desire to work in the operating theatre.
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements
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.
Documents to download
Apply online now
Further details / informal visits contact
Name
Practice Education team
Job title
Practice Education team
Email address
cuh.theatrepracedteam@nhs.net
Telephone number
01223 257199