Theatre Assistant

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; England; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A major healthcare provider in the United Kingdom is seeking skilled perioperative support personnel to assist registered staff in patient care. Responsibilities include pre-surgical preparation, direct patient support, and ensuring safety of theatre equipment. The ideal candidate will participate in an on-call rota and work closely with a multidisciplinary team, embodying the Trust’s core values of inclusivity and professionalism. Join a high-performing environment dedicated to quality training and exceptional patient care.

Responsibilities

• Provide skilled and knowledgeable support to registered staff in the perioperative care of all patients.
• Prepare theatres for surgical cases and check all equipment for safety prior to use.
• Deliver direct patient care and participate in an on-call rota.
• Regularly complete theatre documentation and participate in aseptic techniques.
• Communicate effectively within the multidisciplinary team.

Job description

Post is not Eligible for Sponsorship: Please don't apply if you have no right to work.

Responsibilities

• Provide skilled and knowledgeable support to registered staff in the perioperative care of all patients, supporting members of the multidisciplinary team including medical staff. Participate as a circulating practitioner anticipating the needs of the registered staff and gathering what is required including handling sterile packs and maintaining swab counts.
• Work within a team to prepare theatres for surgical cases including testing all equipment, gathering instrumentation and consumables, reporting faults, highlighting shortages and cleaning and stocking up of the theatre daily.
• Participate in all aspects of the perioperative care delivering direct patient care in a manner sensitive to the individual patient’s needs; this will involve participating in an out of hours and on call rota.
• Ensure that all theatre equipment has been checked to ensure it is safe prior to use including faults on equipment and the ability to assemble and dismantle equipment.
• Participate in the aseptic technique for the correct handling, opening and presentation of sterile packs / instruments and consumables for use.
• Attend to attention to detail when completing theatre documentation.
• Participate fully in the swab, needle and instrument checks ensuring all documentation is completed accordingly.
• Participate in the appropriate cleaning of the theatre suite.
• Take responsibility during the night as a second person which includes holding the emergency phone and communicating with clinicians.
• Be able to communicate with a variety of members within the MDT team and actively participate in the WHO checklist.
• Frequently stand for long periods of time, pulling and pushing of equipment and participate in manual handling procedures supporting the transfer and positioning of patients.
• Assist in the receiving and handling of clinical specimens and be accountable for accurate documentation.

About the Trust

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics. You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.

We recruit based on qualifications and experience and also on the behaviours which underpin our Trust’s core values. We are dedicated to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone, we are committed to promoting equality and diversity, and creating a culture that values differences.

Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering the first 6 months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all documents attached to ensure you familiarize yourself with all requirements of the job.

This advert closes on Tuesday 27 Jan 2026