Theatre Support Worker

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; Oxford; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a senior member of the theatre support team to help provide a dignified and safe perioperative environment for patients, staff and visitors. The role emphasizes infection control, equipment handling, and collaboration with the theatre team to ensure clean, well-stocked and safe operating areas.

Responsibilities include maintaining aseptic procedures, assisting with theatre equipment, and supporting the team in documenting patient notes,

Qualifications

• Literacy and numeracy required.
• Good spoken English assessed at interview.
• Significant experience of the NHS and/or health/childcare beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Provide a dignified and safe perioperative environment for patients, colleagues and visitors.
• Maintain strict aseptic and infection control procedures.
• Assist in maintaining a clean and well-stocked theatre suite.
• Prepare theatre equipment according to schedules and local policy.
• Support theatre staff by handling equipment and supplies during perioperative stay.
• Assist with positioning of patients during local anaesthetic procedures.
• Complete documentation including patient notes and Theatre registers.
• Participate in teaching and development of learners and junior staff.
• Adhere to theatre and trust policies and safety guidelines.

Skills

Teamwork

Communication

Infection control

Safety awareness

Tools

EPR familiarity

Job description

As a senior member of the theatre support team, you will contribute by:

• Provision of a dignified and safe perioperative environment for patients, colleagues and visitors
• Maintenance of strict aseptic and infection control procedures
• Contribution to and participation in the teamwork of the combined medical, surgical and allied health professional team
• Ensuring all areas within the suite are clean, and tidy and that adequate stock levels are maintained.
• Cleaning and tidying equipment used in theatre.
• Preparation of theatre equipment according to theatre schedules and local policy
• To assist in promoting and maintaining good communication between all members of the theatre team
• Checking, connecting, preparing and providing equipment and supplies to registered theatre personnel during patients' perioperative stay.
• To assist in maintaining a safe working environment for patients, visitors and colleagues
• Supporting registered theatre personnel by opening packs in a sterile fashion and manoeuvring equipment as required
• Assisting with the positioning of the conscious and unconscious patient
• Supporting and re‑assuring patients during local anaesthetic procedures
• Completing all relevant documentation including patient notes, Theatre registers and being familiar with the EPR
• Participate in the teaching and development of learners and less experienced staff.
• To adhere to the theatre and trust policies.
• To be familiar with the structure of the unit and its relationship with the organisation
• To be familiar with the concept of teamwork, to be involved in team discussions, meetings and project developments.
• Maintaining Safety
• To ensure all Statutory and Mandatory Training is completed as required.
• To be aware of and adhere to Health and Safety and Infection Control policies and risk assessments carried out within the department, including those specific to the specific clinical area.
• To report all accidents, incidents and areas of concern to senior staff ensuring relevant documentation is completed.
• To have knowledge of the procedure for calling for emergency assistance following cardiac arrest or patient emergency.
• To ensure all faulty equipment is taken out of service, cleaned appropriately, labelled correctly and sent for repair.
• Ensure all equipment is cleaned correctly (according to hospital policy) and stored appropriately.
• To establish and maintain good relationships with patients, relatives and colleagues through effective verbal and nonverbal communication.
• To help patients and visitors orientate themselves to their surroundings when coming to the department.
• To be aware of the roles within the team
• To answer telephone calls, accurately relaying messages

As a senior member of the theatre support team, you will contribute by:

• Ensuring all areas within the suite are clean, and tidy and that adequate stock levels are maintained.
• Cleaning and tidying equipment used in theatre.
• Preparation of theatre equipment according to theatre schedules and local policy
• To assist in promoting and maintaining good communication between all members of the theatre team
• Checking, connecting, preparing and providing equipment and supplies to registered theatre personnel during patients' perioperative stay.
• To assist in maintaining a safe working environment for patients, visitors and colleagues
• Supporting registered theatre personnel by opening packs in a sterile fashion and manoeuvring equipment as required
• Assisting with the positioning of the conscious and unconscious patient
• Supporting and re‑assuring patients during local anaesthetic procedures
• Completing all relevant documentation including patient notes, Theatre registers and being familiar with the EPR
• Participate in the teaching and development of learners and less experienced staff.
• To adhere to the theatre and trust policies.
• To be familiar with the structure of the unit and its relationship with the organisation
• To be familiar with the concept of teamwork, to be involved in team discussions, meetings and project developments.
• Maintaining Safety
• To ensure all Statutory and Mandatory Training is completed as required.
• To be aware of and adhere to Health and Safety and Infection Control policies and risk assessments carried out within the department, including those specific to the specific clinical area.
• To report all accidents, incidents and areas of concern to senior staff ensuring relevant documentation is completed.
• To have knowledge of the procedure for calling for emergency assistance following cardiac arrest or patient emergency.
• To ensure all faulty equipment is taken out of service, cleaned appropriately, labelled correctly and sent for repair.
• Ensure all equipment is cleaned correctly (according to hospital policy) and stored appropriately.
• To establish and maintain good relationships with patients, relatives and colleagues through effective verbal and nonverbal communication.
• To help patients and visitors orientate themselves to their surroundings when coming to the department.
• To be aware of the roles within the team
• To answer telephone calls, accurately relaying messages

Education

• To help orientate and act as co‑mentor for new healthcare assistants.
• To utilise the ward's educational resources
• To identify and develop areas of knowledge and skills for my own personal and professional development.

Personal

• To demonstrate personal and professional knowledge‑based evidence of learning
• To be able to acknowledge limitations to competence and not act outside these.
• To review progress with the Team leader at regular intervals and through the appraisal process.

Requirements

• To demonstrate literacy and numeracy.
• Good command of spoken English assessed at interview.
• Significant experience of the NHS and/or health/childcare and an interest in the speciality with knowledge of wider issues relating to health care.
• Makes a positive contribution as a team player and demonstrates awareness of importance of working as part of a team.

Desirable criteria

• Able to prioritise and to organise and motivate oneself and others to achieve delegated tasks.
• Able to effectively and appropriately elevate concerns to reduce risk and promote patient safety.
• Shows pride in the quality of care they provide for patients and learning from successes and setbacks.

About the Trust

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest NHS teaching trusts in the country. It provides a wide range of general and specialist clinical services and is a base for medical education, training and research. The Trust comprises of four hospitals - the John Radcliffe Hospital, Churchill Hospital and Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre in Headington and the Horton General Hospital in Banbury. Our values, standards and behaviours define the quality of clinical care we offer and the professional relationships we make with our patients, colleagues and the wider community. We call this Delivering Compassionate Excellence and its focus is on our values of compassion, respect, learning, delivery, improvement and excellence., Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest NHS teaching trusts in the country. It provides a wide range of general and specialist clinical services and is a base for medical education, training and research.The Trust comprises four hospitals - the John Radcliffe Hospital, Churchill Hospital and Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre in Headington and the Horton General Hospital in Banbury. Our values, standards and behaviours define the quality healthcare we would like for ourselves or a member of our family. Watch how we set out to deliver compassionate excellence via the OUH YouTube channel.

Sexual Safety Charter

Sexual Safety Charter: In 2023 NHS England launched its first sexual safety charter, and our Trust proudly signed it. We pledge zero tolerance for inappropriate sexual behaviour and commit to the ten core principles Oxford University Hospitals promotes a safe, respectful hiring environment. If you want to make a difference with us, come and join our team. Together, we will uphold the highest standards of care and professionalism.