Trainee Theatre Support Worker- Acutes

York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust; York and North Yorkshire; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 27,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

NHS Pension Scheme

Annual leave 27–33 days

Relocation package up to 30% of salary

Training and development

Job summary

York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is recruiting a Trainee Theatre Support Worker for the Acute theatre team in York. This is a 24/7 service with a 4‑week Healthcare Support Worker Academy and a trainee run-through from band 2 to 3.

We offer NHS pension, generous annual leave, relocation support and extensive training opportunities. Full-time, permanent role with in-hours and out-of-hours shifts. Interviews in person at York.

Qualifications

• Assist in patient preparation for surgery and act as patient advocate in theatre.
• Learn and apply theatre protocols and sterile techniques.
• Be part of a 24/7 service with in-hours/out-of-hours shift pattern.

Responsibilities

• Support the Acute theatre team in patient care before during and after surgery.
• Assist in setting up theatre equipment and maintaining sterile stock.
• Handle sensitive information and ensure patient confidentiality.

Skills

Patient care

Theatre support

Teamwork

Willingness to learn

Job description

Company: York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Salary: £25,272 - £27,476 per annum/pro rata

Hours: Full-time

Location: York, YO31 8HE

Job type: Permanent

Posting date: 21 Oct 2026

Closing date: 20 Nov 2026

Trainee Theatre Support Worker- Acutes

A Vacancy at York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

Please note there are three vacancies available:

• 2x permanent, full time
• 1x fixed term/secondment up to 9 months.

We are looking for someone to join our Acute theatre team as a Theatre Support Worker. We are seeking Health care support workers/ Theatre support worker with experience and those who would be keen and willing to learn to in a trainee run through position ( band 2- band 3).

Our department is fast paced and dynamic with no 2 days the same. Once you have completed your 4 week Healthcare Support Worker Academy you will complete extensive training in department across a supernumerary period with support from our 2 in house clinical educators. You will be supported to complete a theatres skills book to be able to give our patients the best care possible.

If you are currently employed by the Trust and you wish to apply for this role on a secondment basis, please seek permission from your current line manager before applying for the post.

Summary

As a Healthcare Support Worker within our team, your duties will include (but not be limited to):

• Assist in the collection and preparation of patient before surgery. You will be the patient advocate for their time in theatre, so you need to be thorough and patient.
• Apply and understanding monitoring of patients before surgery.
• Act as a theatre runner to help with the set up of sterile equipment and maintaining this.
• Maintain a safe environment.
• Follow cleaning protocol to maintain a clean and safe environment for our patients.
• Set up and maintain theatre equipment.
• Stock up and maintain stock levels with theatre.
• Handle tissue samples and document them correctly.
• Handle sensitive information.
• Work as part of a team and deliver care over a 24/7 service with an in hours / out of hours shift pattern

For a full list of duties and responsibilities for this role please see the Job Description attached.

Our benefits

• Access to the NHS Pension Scheme, providing generous benefits upon retirement, as well as a lump sum and pension for dependants
• 27 days holiday rising to 33 days (depending on NHS Trust service)
• A generous relocation package of up to 30% of salary (capped at £18k) to support with relocation expenses for hard to fill positions where relocation would be an expectation to undertake the role fully. If you would like to discuss a potential relocation package, please speak to the recruiting department/manager at interview stage.
• A variety of different types of paid and unpaid leave covering emergency and planned leave
• Confidential advice and support on personal, work, family and relationship issues, 24/7, from our Employee Assistance Programme
• NHS Car Lease scheme and Cycle to Work scheme
• An extensive range of learning and development opportunities
• Discounts on restaurants, getaways, shopping, motoring, cinema and finance from a range of providers

Interviews for this position will be held in person ONLY. Remote interviews will not be available.

Interested candidates are encouraged to make contact with the Recruiting Manager to have an informal discussion about the role

A full description of the role is available in the attachment: job description.

Please note that if a high number of applications are received this advert may close early. You are advised to submit you application at the earliest opportunity.

Working for the Trust

Across our organisation, people are guided by values that were co-developed with staff: we are kind; we are open; and we pursue excellence.

Our values play into our ambition to develop a more diverse workforce, truly representative of our communities. We welcome applications from everyone, while working with our Staff Networks - including our Race Equality, LGBTQ+, Disability and Carers Networks - to increase the number of applications we receive from different backgrounds. If there is anything we can do to make our application process more accessible to you, please contact:[e-mail].

As part of seeking to become more inclusive, we will consider requests for flexible working from the start of your employment. It may not be suitable for every role, but we will try and be supportive where we can. We would encourage you to speak to the recruiting manager named within this advert to discuss any requirements you may have.

Armed Forces Friendly Employer

We are holders of the Gold Award from the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme, which is helping actively promote SaBRE - Supporting Britain’s Reservists and Employers. This means that we have made a statement of intent to support all Defence personnel, including with applications for employment.

This advert closes on Wednesday 4 Nov 2026

Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme

About Disability Confident Disability Confident is a government scheme. It encourages employers to recruit and retain disabled people and those with long term health conditions.