Theatre Support Worker

NHS; Sunderland; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 26,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent healthcare provider in the UK is seeking a Theatre Support Worker to assist in delivering high-quality patient care within operating departments. You will play a vital role in supporting registered practitioners and ensuring the theatre environment is safe and well-maintained. Ideal candidates will have strong communication skills and past experience in a caring role. Opportunities for professional development and a collaborative work environment await. Join us in making a difference in patient care!

Benefits

Training opportunities

Support for career progression

Health and wellbeing support

Qualifications

• Excellent communication skills to convey messages effectively.
• Demonstrated customer care experience, working with patients and visitors.

Responsibilities

• Assist Operating Department Practitioners and Registered Nurses in patient care.
• Maintain safe and clean environment in the theatre.
• Participate in patient safety checks and documentation.

Skills

Communication skills

Customer care skills

Basic IT skills

Ability to assist patients with movement

Education

GCSE Maths and English at level 1 or above

Qualification in health and social care or customer care

Job description

Overview

Go back South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust

The closing date is 03 February 2026

We are currently recruiting for Theatre Support Workers to join our dynamic and dedicated teams across General Surgery, Vascular, T&O, Urology and Head and Neck.

Are you passionate about providing exceptional care in a dynamic, patient-centred environment? Join us at South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust as a Theatre Support Worker.

We are seeking enthusiastic individuals to play a pivotal role in delivering high-quality patient care within our operating departments, working closely with a multi-disciplinary team to ensure the best possible outcomes for our patients.

This is an exciting opportunity to develop your skills in a fast-paced, supportive setting with a strong focus on professional development and learning. We offer a wide range of training opportunities to enhance your practice, including completion of Trust-specific development programmes and potential for career progression such as Apprentice Operating Department Practitioner.

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

Main duties of the job

• As a Theatre Support Worker, your main duties will include assisting Operating Department Practitioners and Registered Nurses in providing outstanding care to patients throughout the operating department.
• You will collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, including surgeons and anaesthetists to deliver high-quality care.
• You’ll be responsible for maintaining a safe and clean environment within the theatre, ensuring all equipment is prepared and patient information is accurately recorded.

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

Theatres provides a 24-hour service, with staff working on a rota system to meet the service’s needs. This role may require participation in on-call duties to ensure 24-hour patient care and support is provided.

About us

Please add your telephone number to your application form so we can 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 workforce’s health and wellbeing is a priority for us. We also provide access to high quality education, training, career progression and support. Flexible working is supported via our Flexible Working Policy.

The Trust employs around 8,746 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. We offer our staff outstanding benefits - Fitness Centre (SRH), libraries at both hospital sites, chaplaincy support and access to a Care Co-ordinator to help staff with childcare arrangements.

If you use AI, and it poses a risk to the integrity of your individual recruitment process, we may withdraw your application at any stage of the process.

Job responsibilities

• Support the registered practitioners (ODP/RN) in providing high-quality compassionate perioperative care to patients, and assistance to patients/relatives and their carers, appropriate to their needs.
• Assist in preparing and maintaining the theatre environment, ensuring all necessary equipment is available, functional, and clean.
• Contribute to patient safety by participating in checks such as the WHO Surgical Safety Checklist and Local Safety Standards for Invasive Procedures (LocSSIPs).
• Participate in swab, needle, and instrument counts under the supervision of a registered practitioner (ODP/RN).
• Assist in the safe movement, transferring, and positioning of patients, ensuring safety, patient dignity at all times.
• Monitor patients during preoperative and postoperative phases, providing reassurance and escalating concerns appropriately.
• Escort and transport patients to and from theatre, recovery, and other clinical areas as required.
• Maintain accurate records and documentation in compliance with Trust policies and procedures.
• Ensure safe handling and transport of clinical specimens, following infection control and safety protocols.
• Adhere to national and local infection prevention and control policies, ensuring a clean and safe environment.
• You will be expected to contribute to housekeeping and other duties in the operating theatre department as required, e.g. general tidiness, ensuring predetermined stock levels are met and clinical equipment is clean, working and stored 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 and competency assessments to support high quality safe care.
• Support junior staff, students, and new team members by providing guidance and mentoring as required.
• Be an effective part of the multidisciplinary team contributing to the departmental objectives.
• Assist with administrative and clerical duties as required.
• To comply with the Trust visions, values, behavioural compact, as well as policies and procedures.

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

Person Specification

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 multidisciplinary team
• Ability to assist patients to move, as per Trust Moving and Handling policy

Qualifications

• Maths and English at level 1 or above (GCSE A*-E or equivalent)
• in health and social care or customer care or equivalent in any subject

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.

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