Theatre Circulating Assistant

University College London Hospital; Greater London; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading NHS trust in Greater London is seeking a Theatre Circulating Assistant to provide high-quality patient care in operating theatres. The role requires strong communication and organisational skills, as well as experience in supervising a multi-disciplinary team. You will assist patients during surgery, prepare necessary equipment, and contribute to the training of colleagues. Join us in delivering top-quality healthcare within a supportive environment committed to excellence.

Benefits

Flexible working options

Supportive work environment

Professional development opportunities

Qualifications

• Strong knowledge and experience in operating theatres.
• Experience supervising a multi-disciplinary team.
• Motivated, enthusiastic, and passionate about patient care.

Responsibilities

• Assist and support patients undergoing surgery.
• Prepare medical devices and equipment required during surgery.
• Participate in training and development of colleagues.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Organisational skills

Ability to work under pressure

Job description

A Vacancy at University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

Role Overview

Our Theatre Circulating Assistant has strong knowledge and experience in operating theatres and an excellent understanding of the perioperative needs of patients. You must be organised, possess excellent interpersonal and communication skills, and have experience supervising a multi‑disciplinary team to provide the highest standard of patient care across a varied caseload. You must be motivated, enthusiastic, and passionate about high quality patient care, as well as able to work well under pressure and flexibly as part of a multidisciplinary team.

As a TCA you will function effectively as a member of the peri‑operative team to ensure the provision of an efficient and high‑quality surgical service. You will ensure a welcoming, caring and safe environment, and promote, maintain and monitor standards in accordance with Trust values.

Key Responsibilities

As a Theatre Circulating Assistant you will be responsible for helping and offering support for patients undergoing surgery, supporting the team to prepare a wide range of specialist equipment and other medical devices required during surgery, supporting the Theatre Practitioners, positioning patients for surgery, and conducting a full swab, sarps and instrument count. You will also participate in the training and development of colleagues.

About UCLH

University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH) is one of the most complex NHS trusts in the UK, serving a large and diverse population. We provide academically led acute and specialist services, to people from the local area, from throughout the United Kingdom and overseas. Our vision is to deliver top‑quality patient care, excellent education, and world‑class research.

We provide first‑class acute and specialist services across eight sites:

• University College Hospital (incorporating the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Wing)
• National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery
• Royal National ENT and Eastman Dental Hospitals
• University College Hospital Grafton Way Building
• Royal London Hospital for Integrated Medicine
• University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre
• The Hospital for Tropical Diseases
• University College Hospital at Westmoreland Street

UCLH specialises in women’s health and the treatment of cancer, infection, neurological, gastrointestinal and oral disease. It has world‑class support services including critical care, imaging, nuclear medicine and pathology. We are committed to sustainability and have pledged to become a carbon net zero health service, embedding sustainable practice throughout UCLH. We have set an ambitious target of net zero for our direct emissions by 2031 and indirect emissions by 2040.

Additional Information

For the full Person Specification and more information regarding the main responsibilities of this role, please refer to the attached Job Description.

Please note, due to anticipated high volumes of applications, this vacancy may close earlier than the listed closing date. You are advised not to delay submitting your completed application.

Come and be a part of the best NHS trust in England to work for, according to our staff*
* UCLH top trust to work at in England – In the most recent NHS staff survey UCLH had the highest percentage of staff who said they would recommend us as a place to work, out of all general acute or acute/community NHS trusts in England – for the third year in a row.

UCLH recognises the benefits of flexible working for staff – To find out more, visit: Flexible working.
To discover more about what makes UCLH a great place to work, visit: Why Choose UCLH?

This advert closes on Wednesday 21 Jan 2026.