Theatre Support Worker

NHS; Sunderland; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

Join South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust as a Theatre Support Worker, where you'll play a vital role in patient care. This position offers opportunities for professional growth and training in a supportive environment committed to staff wellbeing. Ideal candidates will have strong communication and organizational skills, along with a compassionate approach to care.

Benefits

Comprehensive training opportunities

Career progression (e.g., Apprentice Operating Department Practitioner)

Flexible working options

Commitment to staff wellbeing

Qualifications

• Substantive customer service experience or similar caring role.
• Previous operating theatre experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assist Operating Department Practitioners and Registered Nurses in patient care.
• Prepare and maintain the theatre environment, ensuring safety and cleanliness.
• Participate in safety checks and monitor patients during procedures.

Skills

Communication

Organizational skills

Time-management

Customer care

Education

Maths and English at level 1 or above (GCSE)

NVQ Level 2 qualification in health and social care

Job description

Go back South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust

Theatre Support Worker

The closing date is 23 June 2025

We are currently recruiting for Theatre Support Workers tojoin our dynamic and dedicated team within the following specialties:

• Urology
• Obstetrics & Gynaecology

Areyou passionate about providing exceptional care in a dynamic, patient-centredenvironment? Join us at South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust as aTheatre Support Worker.

Weare seeking enthusiastic individuals to play a pivotal role in deliveringhigh-quality patient care within our operating departments, working closelywith a multi-disciplinary team to ensure the best possible outcomes for ourpatients.

Thisis an exciting opportunity to develop your skills in a fast-paced, supportivesetting with a strong focus on professional development and learning. We offera wide range of training opportunities to enhance your practice, includingcompletion of Trust-specific development programmes and potential for careerprogression such as Apprentice Operating Department Practitioner.

Joiningour team means becoming part of an operating department that values its people,promotes staff wellbeing, and delivers the highest standards of patient care.If youre looking for an opportunity where you can make a real difference, workin a collaborative and supportive environment, and continue to grow professionally,this is the perfect role for you.

This vacancy is for three permanent posts and one fixed term post until 30th May 2027.

Main duties of the job

As a TheatreSupport Worker, your main duties will include assisting Operating DepartmentPractitioners and Registered Nurses in providing outstanding care to patientsthroughout the operating department.

You willcollaborate with multidisciplinary teams, including surgeons and anaesthetists,to deliver efficient, high-quality care. Youll be responsible for maintaininga safe and clean environment within the theatre, ensuring all equipment isprepared and patient information is accurately recorded.

To succeed inthis role, you must possess excellent communication, organisational, andtime-management skills. Relevant experience and a willingness to learn andexpand your expertise are essential, along with a compassionate approach topatient care and the ability to work in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

Theatresprovides a 24-hour service, with staff working on a rota system to meet theservices needs. This role may require participation in on-call duties toensure 24-hour patient care and support is provided.

This is a band 2 role rising to band 3 after 6 months once the successful candidate has completed the Care Certificate(within 3 months of start date) and consolidation of learning (3 months).

Please note the Trust are not able to offer Skilled Worker Sponsorship for this role as it does not meet the UKVI threshold requirements. Applicants are requested to consider this when making their application. Please visit Gov.UK for further information.

About us

Please help us by adding your telephone number to your application form this will allow us to contact you quickly if required.

One Team One Trust - There are many reasons to work at our Trust. From our commitment to putting people first to our accessible services and award winning teams. We have a passion for research, innovation and tackling inequalities. We are committed to respect, fairness and civility and promote a compassionate, caring and positive culture / working environment.

We welcome all applications irrespective of peoples race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion/belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity and in particular those from under- represented groups. Looking after our workforces health and wellbeing is a priority for STSFT. We also provide access to high quality education, training, career progression and support. Flexible working is supported via the Trust's Flexible Working Policy.

The Trust employs around 8,600 people and provides a range of hospital services to a local community of around 430,000 residents. We also provide a range of more specialised services outside this area, in some cases to a population as great as 860,000. We offer our staff outstanding benefits - Fitness Centre (SRH), libraries at both hospital sites, chaplaincy support and access to a Childcare Co-ordinator to help staff with childcare arrangements. The Trust will not accept applications which are found to be AI generated.

Job responsibilities

PLEASE REFER TO THE ATTACHED JOB DESCRIPTION FOR FULL DUTIES OF THE ROLE.

• Support the registered practitioners (ODP/RN) in providing high-qualitycompassionate perioperative care to patients, and assistance topatients/relatives and their carers, appropriate to their needs.
• Assist in preparing and maintaining the theatre environment, ensuring allnecessary equipment is available, functional, and clean.
• Contribute to patient safety by participating in checks such as the WHO SurgicalSafety Checklist and Local Safety Standards for Invasive Procedures(LocSSIPs).
• Participate in swab, needle, and instrument counts under the supervision of aregistered practitioner (ODP/RN).
• Assist in the safe movement, transferring, and positioning of patients, ensuringsafety, patient and dignity at all times.
• Monitor patients during preoperative and postoperative phases, providingreassurance and escalating concerns appropriately.
• Escort and transport patients to and from theatre, recovery, and other clinicalareas as required.
• Maintain accurate records and documentation in compliance with Trust policiesand procedures.
• Ensure safe handling and transport of clinical specimens, following infectioncontrol and safety protocols.
• Adhere to national and local infection prevention and control policies, ensuringa clean and safe environment.
• You will be expected to contribute to housekeeping and other duties in theoperating theatre department as required, e.g. general tidiness, ensuring pre-determined stock levels are met and clinical equipment is clean, working andstored correctly. Reporting any equipment issues or shortages.
• Actively participate and instigate emergency procedures, including fire safety,cardiac arrests, and major incident responses.
• Engage in ongoing professional development, completing required training andcompetency assessments to support high quality safe care.
• Support junior staff, students, and new team members by providing guidanceand mentoring as required.
• Be an effective part of the multi-disciplinary team contributing to thedepartmental objectives.
• Assist with administrative and clerical duties as required.
• To comply with the Trusts vision, values, behavioural compact, as well aspolicies and procedures.

Person Specification

Experience

• Substantive customer services experience or experience of working in a caring role (paid or unpaid).
• Previous experience of working in an operating theatre environment.

Skills and Knowledge

• Ability to communicate messages and instructions accurately
• to colleagues, both verbally and in writing.
• Demonstrate good customer care skills and the ability to
• communicate effectively with the patients, carers and visitors.
• Presents self as courteous, respectful and helpful.
• Basic keyboard and IT skills.
• Willingness to complete Competency Based Assessments
• and a Portfolio of evidence, in order to achieve the Care
• Certificate and any other training related to this role.
• Work effectively under direct supervision as part of a multi-disciplinary team.

Qualifications

• Maths and English at level 1 or above (GCSE AE or
• equivalent).
• NVQ Level 2 qualification in health and social care/ customer care or equivalent in any subject.

Physical Skills

• Ability to assist patients to move, as per Trust Moving and

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer name

South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust

£24,169 a year2025/26 pay award pending (£24,465). Rising to band 3.