Theatre Support Worker | Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust

Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust; Maidstone; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 26,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading NHS Trust in the United Kingdom is seeking a Theatre Support Worker to join their elective Theatre Department. The role requires strong communication skills and self-motivation, with responsibilities including theatre preparation, patient support, and maintaining hygiene and safety standards. This position offers a comprehensive benefits package and the opportunity for flexible working arrangements.

Benefits

At least 27 days of annual leave

Membership in the NHS Pension Scheme

Blue Light card eligibility

Qualifications

• Experience in a healthcare setting preferred.
• Understanding of legislation and policies governing theatre practice.
• Ability to undertake a variety of tasks effectively.

Responsibilities

• Help safeguard health, safety, and welfare of staff and patients.
• Prepare, clean, and restock theatres.
• Assist with patient transfers and positioning during surgery.
• Contribute to maintaining records according to policies.

Skills

Good communication skills

Self-motivation

Ability to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team

Job description

Overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen in Theatres at Maidstone Hospital for a dynamic, innovative and highly motivated individual to work within our elective Theatre Department as a Theatre Support Worker. You must possess good communication skills and be self-motivated. You will be required to take part in on-calls and late shifts.

We comprise 11 theatres covering a wide range of specialities: Orthopaedics, Gynae-oncology, Gynaecology, Upper GI, Urology, Breast, Chronic Pain, Brachy Theatres, Ophthalmic and Day case ENT. You will be required to undertake a variety of tasks to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team to provide a consistent and high standard of patient care.

Responsibilities

• Help to safeguard the health, safety and welfare of staff, patients and visitors, and to protect the patient's privacy and dignity
• Be aware of legislation and policies governing theatre practice, particularly in terms of universal precautions
• Preparation of theatres for surgery
• Cleaning of theatre and recovery areas before and after operating sessions, also adhering to the weekly cleaning schedule
• Restocking of cupboards and stock containers against agreed stock levels
• Collect and escort the patient, and assist with transferring the patient from the trolley to the table under the supervision of trained staff
• Assist with the safe positioning of the patient on the operating table
• Act as a circulating person for the scrub team and within the scope of the role
• Assist with the care, labelling and transportation of specimens, and the collection of blood from the Blood Bank as required
• Keep and maintain appropriate records according to local policy, including the use of trusted IT systems

About the Trust

Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust ranks among the top 10 NHS Trusts nationwide and was named the second-best Trust to work for in the South East in the 2023 and 2024 NHS Staff Survey.

We are a large acute hospital trust in south-east England, providing general hospital services and specialist care to around 600,000 residents in West Kent and East Sussex. With a dedicated and diverse team of over 8,000 staff we are proud to offer specialistised cancer services to over two million people through the Kent Oncology Centre.

Fordcombe Hospital, near Tunbridge Wells, became part of the Trust in October 2024. Specialising in planned care, it offers two operating theatres, 28 inpatient and day-care beds, diagnostic services (X-ray, MRI, CT, and endoscopy), and consultation/treatment rooms.

Flexible working

Looking for flexible working? We are a flexible working-friendly organisation. Whether it’s adjusting your hours or exploring other flexible arrangements, we want to work with you to find the best solution for you, our patients, and the Trust. Talk to us about how we can accommodate your working needs.

Benefits

Joining us includes a comprehensive benefits package:

• At least 27 days of annual leave plus public/bank holidays (pro-rata for part-time staff)
• Membership in the NHS Pension Scheme, with a 20.6% employer contribution and life assurance benefits
• Blue Light card eligibility
• And more; additional benefits can be found in the benefits documents below

Application guidance

We’ve provided all the details you need about this role in the job description and person specification. Please review the criteria in the person specification and share specific examples in your application that demonstrate how you meet these requirements. Please also check your application for errors/omissions prior to submission.

DBS and induction

Please note that appointment to this post will be subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service Check at Enhanced Level. (Enhanced level now includes regulated checks against vulnerable adults and children). If a role involves regulated activity and requires a DBS check with a barred list check, you cannot apply if you are on the barred list.

All successful applicants will be required to complete our corporate trust induction once a start date has been agreed.

Following your corporate induction you will be expected to attend the Trust’s Clinical Induction Programme for Healthcare Support Workers (which starts on the first day of employment). The programme is full-time (please contact the CSW Induction Programme Lead if you have any issues: [e-mail]), lasts for two weeks and will involve travelling to both Trust sites. The programme includes two supernumerary shifts in the clinical area (an early and a late shift), all of the other days are classroom-based and run from 9am to 5pm

Expiry

This advert closes on Friday 7 Nov 2025