Health Care Support Worker - Clyde Sector

NHS Scotland; Paisley; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 25,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

NHS Pension Scheme

27 days annual leave

Cycle to Work Scheme

Learning and development opportunities

Holiday pay enhancements

NHS discounts

Job summary

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) is seeking two Band 3 Theatre Healthcare Support Workers for the Royal Alexandra Hospital. The roles are permanent, 36 hours per week, with shifts across Monday to Sunday in a 24/7 perioperative setting that includes general, colorectal, gynaecology, ENT, urology, breast, orthopaedics and robotic-assisted surgery.

Successful applicants will receive full training and ongoing support, with opportunities to develop within the perioperative environment and

Qualifications

• Completion of the department's in-house training programme is essential.
• Previous perioperative experience is desirable but not essential.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Basic literacy, numeracy and IT skills.
• Demonstrates caring, compassionate and patient-centred values.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Understanding of Healthcare Support Worker induction standards and Code of Conduct.
• Awareness of infection prevention and control practices.
• Knowledge of health and safety procedures, including COSHH, fire safety and manual handling.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) awareness.
• Understanding of SOPs and accountable items.
• Ability to work within own scope of practice under supervision.
• Willingness to develop knowledge through teaching sessions and on-the-job learning.

Responsibilities

• Assist registered practitioners in pre-, intra-, and post-operative patient care.
• Support safe patient positioning and transfers.
• Prepare and maintain theatre equipment and environment.
• Assist with theatre set-up and stock management.
• Support specimen handling, records, cleaning and decontamination.
• Monitor equipment and supplies and ensure infection control compliance.
• Contribute to smooth theatre services across specialties and uphold patient safety.

Skills

Effective communication

Teamwork

Basic literacy

Numeracy

IT skills

Caring, compassionate values

Education

PVG Scheme Membership

Job description

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) is one of the largest healthcare systems in the United Kingdom, employing approximately 40,000 staff across a wide range of clinical and non-clinical professions and roles. We deliver acute hospital, primary, community and mental health services to a population of over 1.15 million people, and to a wider population of 2.2 million when regional and national services are included.

The Role

An exciting opportunity has arisen for two Band 3 Theatre Healthcare Support Workers to join the friendly and dynamic team within the Main Theatre Unit at the Royal Alexandra Hospital (RAH). The unit consists of nine operating theatres, a 12-bedded recovery area and a theatre reception area supported by the Recovery Escort Team. Operating on a 24/7 basis, the department provides perioperative care across a wide range of elective and emergency surgical specialties, including general surgery, colorectal, gynaecology, ENT, urology, breast surgery and orthopaedics. The department also includes an emergency CEPOD theatre, two orthopaedic trauma theatres and has recently introduced Da Vinci robotic surgery for colorectal, gynaecological and urological procedures. Full training and ongoing support are provided, making this an excellent opportunity for both experienced candidates and those looking to develop a career within the perioperative environment.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) may be able to provide visa sponsorship for certain roles, subject to the post meeting the relevant eligibility criteria. Sponsorship is not guaranteed and will be determined on a case-by-case basis following interview and during the pre-employment verification process. Applicants must state their current right to work in their application.

Duration, Location, and Working Pattern

Permanent Roles - 2 x 36 Hours

Royal Alexandra Hospital

Monday - Sunday (Early, Late Shifts)

Key Responsibilities

Working as part of the multidisciplinary perioperative team, the Theatre Healthcare Support Worker will assist registered practitioners in delivering high-quality patient care throughout the pre-operative, intra-operative and post-operative journey. Duties include supporting the safe positioning and transfer of patients, preparing and maintaining theatre equipment and surgical environments, assisting with theatre set-up and stock management, supporting specimen handling processes, maintaining accurate electronic records, participating in cleaning and decontamination procedures, monitoring equipment and supplies, and ensuring compliance with infection prevention, health and safety and theatre-specific policies and procedures. The post holder will contribute to the smooth running of theatre services across a range of specialties while supporting patient safety and delivering compassionate care at all times.

Knowledge, training, qualifications and/or experience required to do the job

• Completion of the department's in-house training programme is essential.
• Previous perioperative experience is desirable but not essential.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Basic literacy, numeracy and IT skills.
• Demonstrates caring, compassionate and patient-centred values.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Understanding of, and compliance with, Healthcare Support Worker induction standards and Code of Conduct.
• Awareness of infection prevention and control practices.
• Knowledge of health and safety procedures, including COSHH, fire safety and manual handling.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) awareness.
• Understanding of Accountable Items Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Ability to work within own scope of practice under the supervision of registered practitioners.
• Willingness to develop knowledge through teaching sessions, study days and on-the-job learning.
• Ability to develop transferable skills across a variety of theatre specialties.
• Knowledge and recognition of commonly used surgical instruments.
• Awareness of stock management processes and theatre supplies.
• Completion and ongoing maintenance of mandatory LearnPro training modules.
• PVG Scheme Membership / Disclosure Scotland check required.

What We Offer

We offer a wide range of supportive policies designed to enhance your employee journey, including a comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme, Cycle to Work Scheme, bursary scheme and extensive learning and development opportunities.

• A minimum of 27 days annual leave, increasing with length of service, plus public holidays
• Membership of the NHS Pension Scheme, including life insurance benefits
• Salary Sacrifice Car Benefit Scheme
• Development opportunities including study bursaries, e-learning and classroom-based courses
• Enhanced pay for working public holidays
• NHS discounts on a wide range of goods and services
• Confidential employee support and assistance, including counselling and psychological therapies

AI tools like ChatGPT or Copilot can be great for planning and preparing your application, but your answers must be your own.

• Show us the real you: Your application should reflect your skills, experience, and motivations authentically.
• Use AI wisely: It’s fine to use AI for ideas or to check spelling and grammar, but don’t let it write your answers.
• Why this matters: Applications that rely on AI-generated content may be withdrawn. By applying, you confirm your responses are based on your own knowledge and achievements.

Tip: Think of AI as a helper, not a substitute. We want to understand you, not an AI tool.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) recognises the importance of work-life balance and is committed to offering a range of flexible working options where service needs allow. For roles where less than full-time hours can be accommodated, and where the tenure is listed as "various", we encourage applications from individuals seeking flexible working arrangements. Flexible working will be included as a topic for discussion during the recruitment process.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde encourages applications from all sections of the community. We are committed to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion and are proud of the diverse workforce we employ.

By signing the Armed Forces Covenant, NHSGGC has pledged its commitment to being a Forces Friendly Employer. We welcome applications from across the Armed Forces Community and recognise military skills, experience and qualifications throughout the recruitment and selection process.