Theatre Instrument and On Loan Kit Assistant

Transformation Unit; Chorley; Hybrid; GBP 23,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust invites applications for a Theatre Instrument and On Loan Kit Assistant in Chorley. You will support surgical teams by ensuring instruments, trays and loan kits are available at the right times and maintained to high standards.

Work with Sterile Services, procurement and suppliers to track stock, quality check items, and assist with audits. The role emphasizes safety, infection prevention and accurate record-keeping, with opportunities for

Qualifications

• Experience dealing with the public in a healthcare or theatre environment.
• Understanding of confidentiality in handling patient information.
• Knowledge of infection control principles and safe handling of instruments.

Responsibilities

• Support theatre teams by ensuring correct instruments and loan kits are available.
• Receive, check, track and return loan kits and instrument trays.
• Collaborate with Sterile Services, procurement and suppliers to manage stock and reduce wastage.

Skills

Public interaction

Confidentiality

Healthcare/theatre setting

Infection control

Education

Level 2 QCF diploma in healthcare / NVQ2

GCSE Maths & English (A-C / 4-9)

numeracy & literacy Level 1/Grade D/Grade 3

Job description

Main area Theatres Grade Band 2 Contract Permanent Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Late shifts and may include weekend work) Job ref 438-PB4925

Employer Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site Chorley and South Ribble Hospital Town Chorley Salary £25,272 per annum, pro rata Salary period Yearly Closing 11/11/2026 23:59

Theatre Instrument and On Loan Kit Assistant

Band 2

Job overview

Are you organised, proactive, and passionate about supporting patient care behind the scenes? Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is looking for a Theatre Instrument and Loan Kit Assistant to join our Chorley Theatre Team.

This is an exciting opportunity to play a vital role in ensuring surgical teams have the instruments and equipment they need to deliver safe and effective patient care. Working closely with theatre staff, Sterile Services, procurement teams, and external suppliers, you will help manage instrument trays, loan kits, and stock required for a wide range of surgical procedures.

As a key member of the team, you will support the smooth day-to-day running of theatres by ensuring equipment is received, processed, tracked, stored, and returned correctly. Your attention to detail and organisational skills will directly contribute to patient safety and the efficiency of theatre services.

Please note: This role is not eligible for sponsorship.

Main duties of the job

• You'll play an important role in supporting surgeons, theatre teams, and patients by helping ensure the right equipment is available at the right time.
• You'll develop specialist knowledge of surgical instruments, loan kits, and theatre processes within a busy healthcare environment.
• You'll work collaboratively with a range of teams across the Trust, building strong professional relationships.
• You'll be supported to develop your skills and knowledge through training and personal development opportunities.
• You'll be part of a team dedicated to delivering outstanding patient care and maintaining high standards of safety and quality.

If you are highly organised, enjoy working in a fast-paced environment, and take pride in supporting others to deliver excellent care, we'd love to hear from you.

Working for our organisation

We have over 10,000 fantastic people working hard to deliver quality services to our patients. Whatever your role, you help look after 370,000 people in our local area and provide specialist care to 1.5 million people across Lancashire and Cumbria.

Working with us gives you the opportunity to make a genuine difference every day. You'll develop new skills, work alongside experienced colleagues, and become part of a team committed to delivering excellent care with compassion.

We are dedicated to supporting our staff through learning and development opportunities, promoting innovation, and creating an environment where everyone feels valued and respected.

Everything we do centres around our patients, and every member of our team plays an important role in helping us deliver outstanding healthcare.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Foster and maintain effective working relationships with:

• Sterile Services (HSDU)
• Procurement Teams
• Theatre Teams
• Clinical Managers
• Company Representatives and Suppliers

Deal with day-to-day enquiries relating to theatre instrumentation and loan kits.

Receive and check loan kits against accompanying documentation.

Escalate discrepancies, missing items, or damaged equipment promptly.

Ensure all loan kits are processed, tracked, and made available for theatre use within required timescales.

Arrange and monitor the return of loan kits to suppliers following surgery.

Handle, transport, and store instrument trays safely in accordance with Trust policies and procedures.

Assist in maintaining an instrument library to support replacement of missing or damaged instruments.

Support the tracking of instruments and trays between theatres and Sterile Services.

Assist with stock checks and audits to support safe stock levels and minimise wastage.

Report concerns relating to damaged instruments, equipment, expired stock, or safety risks.

Promote and maintain high standards of infection prevention, cleanliness, and patient safety.

Maintain accurate documentation and records relating to instrumentation and loan kit activity.

Participate in mandatory training, appraisal, and ongoing professional development.

Contribute to service improvement initiatives and support the delivery of high-quality theatre services.

The successful candidate will be committed to upholding Trust values and will contribute to maintaining a safe, efficient, and patient-focused theatre environment.

Person specification

Knowledge & Experience

• Previous experience of dealing with the public
• Understanding of the concept and application of confidentiality
• Previous experience of working in a health care or theatre setting.
• Basic understand of infection control principles.

Qualifications & Education

• Demonstrable numeracy and literacy skills in line with Level 1/Grade D/Grade 3 or above
• Level 2 QCF diploma (Qualification Credit Framework) in healthcare / NVQ level 2
• GCSE Maths & English grade C or above / Grade 4 - 9 OR Functional skills level 2 numeracy and Functional Skills level 2 literacy skills

We are committed to promoting equality of opportunity, celebrating and valuing diversity and eliminating any form of unlawful discrimination across our workforce, ensuring our people are truly representative of the communities we serve. All individuals regardless of race, age, disability, ethnicity, nationality, gender, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marriage and civil partnership, neurodiversity or veteran status are encouraged to apply for this post. Our Statement on the Recruitment of Ex-Offenders is available Here

We recognise that the recruitment process may present barriers for some and you may need personal adjustments to enable you to participate in our recruitment process. Please make contact with the recruitment team at the earliest opportunity to ensure that measures can be put in place to enable your application for this post.

Supporting Information

The supporting information section is an opportunity for you to showcase how your qualifications, knowledge, skill and experiences align with the requirements and criteria outlined in the job description and person.

Our recruiting managers score applications based on the criteria listed in the person specification. They will be looking for evidence of how you meet these criteria. To increase your chances of securing an interview, provide examples of how you have applied your skills and knowledge in real-life situations. Share work-related successes and challenges you’ve navigated that align with the criteria. These could be from various aspects of your life, including work, education, and personal experiences.

Consider structuring your supporting information section with clear headings or bullet points. This approach will help both you and the recruiting manager navigate through your application more effectively.

Working Smarter pledge

We are reminded everyday of how important life is, so as part of our Working Smarter pledge we offer a variety of flexible working options and wellbeing support to enable our people to find and maintain the right work‑life balance.

Secondments

If you are applying for a secondment role please ensure you have agreement from your current line manager prior to attending an interview. Also please ensure you have read the LTHTR Secondment Policy. A copy of this can be found on the intranet or by contacting [e-mail]

Please note a young person must be in part-time education or training until they're 18. therefore if you are under 18 we are unable to employ you on a full time basis, unless it is in an apprenticeship role.

Disclosure and Barring Service checks

If the role you've applied for requires a Disclosure and Barring Services (DBS) check we will administer this on your behalf and the cost will be recovered from your salary, either as a one-off payment, or over 3 months. The level of check required depends on the role that you have been offered. Currently the charges are - Basic DBS check £26.40 Standard DBS check £26.40 and Enhanced DBS check £54.40. You should be aware that if you are successful in obtaining a position that requires a DBS check but later withdraw your application, you may be required to reimburse the cost of the DBS check. DBS checks remain free of charge for volunteer positions. The DBS Code of Practice can be accessed here .

In line with guidance from United Kingdom Health Security Agency, all staff and volunteers are required to comply with Trust Infection Prevention and Control processes in relation to safe working. This includes mask wearing and adherence to social distancing at all Trust sites.

NO UNSOLICITED ADVERTISING COMPANY APPROACHES

Employer certification / accreditation badges

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.