About this role
Job summary
Senior Theatre Support Worker (Band 3) - Countywide
We are looking to recruit a highly motivated, experienced and dedicated personnel for the position of Senior Theatre Support Worker. Candidates will need to demonstrate 12 months experience in the peri-operative setting and have completed the care certificate course.
We provide a wide range of surgical specialities including Emergency Surgery, General Surgery, Orthopaedics, Paediatrics, Obstetrics, Gynaecology, Urology and Robotic Surgery. Candidates will need to have a flexible attitude to work, have a great team focus and be a positive and supportive role model for new and junior members of staff. Your role will be in supporting the theatre teams and providing patient centred care throughout the perioperative journey. You will be expected to circulate for the scrub team, Support Registered staff, safely handle specimens, organise and prepare equipment and escort patients to theatre.
Our Theatre departments provides a 7-day, 24-hour service. The role requires you work early shifts 08:00-18:00, late shifts 11.30-21:00, nights, weekends and on-calls. KTC hours differ. Part-time and flexible working will be considered dependant on experience. We have a genuine desire to support staff development and have great opportunities for career progression.
Main duties of the job
Job Purpose and key duties:
Support Registered staff in delivering high-quality patient care and maintaining a safe effective environment working under their guidance and supervision
Participate as a team member in various clinical and non-clinical tasks within the theatre support worker role adhering to local and national policies and guidelines
Guide and support less experienced support workers, students and newly qualified theatre staff within the scope of the Theatre Support Worker role
Complete required documentation, including theatre records, cleaning logs and specimen records and preparing the Theatre for daily activities including managing stock levels and efficient use of resources
Work within a patient facing role communicating within teams and with patients assisting with transfers while ensuring safety dignity and comfort in the department
Monitor and report patient conditions to appropriate team members
Assisting with and the safe use of appropriate medical devices within theatre
Responding to clinical emergencies as directed
Supporting scrub practitioners with swab sharps and instrument counts
Maintain a clean and safe clinical environment adhering to infection prevention protocols safe disposal of waste and reporting of faulty equipment
Report incidents accidents or complaints to the manager and via the Datix system
About us
Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust is a large acute and specialised hospital trust that provides a range of local acute services to the residents of Worcestershire and more specialised services to a larger population in Herefordshire and beyond.
The Trust operates hospital-based services from three sites in Kidderminster, Redditch and Worcester
Our workforce is more than 7,000 strong, and our caring staff are recognised as providing good and outstanding patient-centred care. You could be one of them.
We are committed to recruiting the best people to work with us. Our values, which we ask all staff to demonstrate, underpin our everyday work and remain firmly at the heart of all we do.
Being open and honest
Ensuring people feel cared for
Showing respect to everyone
We are committed to developing a culture of continuous improvement by embedding the principles of our Improvement System.
We are proud to have achieved Timewise accreditation - this means we are committed to embedding flexible working within our organisation as a flex positive employer.
DBS Checks and Costs
Any applicants who are offered posts requiring a DBS check as part of their employment check will have the cost of this check (at the current rate) deducted from their salary. Please see link in Supporting Information section for more details on DBS checks and costs.
Job description Job responsibilities
Senior Theatre Support Worker
Key Working Relationships:
Internal: Patients, theatre personnel, anaesthetists, surgeons and surgical teams.
External: Visitors to theatres, relatives, ward personnel, housekeeping, portering and estates Teams.
Liaises With: Theatre team leaders, theatre nurses/ODPs and senior theatre support workers.
Risk Assessment: This post involves manual handling activities and a risk of exposure to bodily fluids and chemicals, will involve some computer screen work and individuals may be required to work under pressure in emergency situations.
Job Purpose:
Support Registered staff in delivering high-quality patient care and maintaining a safe, effective environment, working under their guidance and supervision.
Participate as a team member in various clinical and non-clinical tasks within the theatre support worker role.
Guide and support less experienced support workers, students, and newly qualified theatre staff within the scope of the Theatre Support Worker role.
Key Duties:
Complete required documentation, including theatre records, cleaning logs, and specimen records.
Prepare the operating environment for clinical activities under professional direction.
Facilitate communication with patients, relatives, colleagues, and visitors.
Assist with patient transfers, ensuring safety, dignity, and comfort.
Monitor and report patient conditions to the appropriate team members.
Support stock rotation, equipment care, and efficient resource use.
Assist with applying tourniquets, diathermy ground plates, and other equipment.
Respond promptly to clinical emergencies as directed.
Support the Scrub Practitioner with swab, sharps and instrument counts.
Maintain a clean and safe clinical environment, adhering to infection control protocols.
Dispose of waste following trust policies and report faults to the team leader.
Greet and direct visitors, answer bleeps, and answer telephone calls professionally.
Participate in meetings, training, and development activities.
Report incidents, accidents, or complaints to the manager and via the Datix system.
Adhere to all trust policies to ensure a safe and effective work environment.
General duties:
Follow IT policies regarding email and internet usage.
Take responsibility for personal health and safety and that of others.
Participate in appraisals, training, and personal development activities.
Contribute to continuous improvement of services and team performance.
Engage in learning from incidents, complaints, and successes to enhance care quality.
Senior theatre support workers will be expected to take key link roles within the department and ensure that all skills and relevant information are communicated to the theatre team.
Assist in the care of theatre equipment, table fittings etc. reporting any faults to the team leader
To assist with the personal care and comfort of the patients and to maintain the patients safety, dignity and privacy at all times acting as the patients advocate during perioperative care
To act always in a manner which promotes positive working relationships and maintains the professional image of the trust
Vision and Values: As a representative of Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, you are expected to uphold our core values:
Being open and honest
Ensuring people feel cared for
Showing respect to everyone
These values guide daily conduct and ensure inclusive, compassionate service delivery, fostering a culture of transparency, empathy, and respect for all.
To assist with the personal care and comfort of the patients and to maintain the patients safety, dignity and privacy at all times acting as the patients advocate during perioperative care
To act always in a manner which promotes positive working relationships and maintains the professional image of the trust
For the comprehensive Job Description and Person Specification please see links on this page.
Person Specification
Skills/Knowledge Essential
Good verbal, literacy and communication skills Ability to maintain accurate and legible records Computer literate (use of IT software packages e.g. Word, Email) Understanding of manual handling practices and policies Awareness of Health and Safety
Desirable
Ability to anticipate the needs of the perioperative team Competence in handling and preparing surgical instruments Understanding of instrument sterilisation and de-contamination
Experience Essential
Experience of working within the peri-operative setting
Desirable
Experience of shift working Experience of supporting junior members of staff Participating in audit, stock control or quality improvement initiative.
Qualifications Essential
Basic standard of education including Maths and English Grade C GCSE or equivalent or willingness to complete Functional Skills Level 2 on appointment Good Mandatory training record e.g BLS and Manual Handling Completed National Care Certificate for healthcare workers
Desirable
Healthcare related qualification
Personal Qualities Essential
Good interpersonal skills Ability to work with a team Effective communication skills written and verbal Self-confidence with an approachable persona Self-awareness in assessing own knowledge, competence and boundaries Respectful of diversity and inclusion in care
Desirable
Ability to identify own personal development needs Flexible and adaptable to a change in clinical demands
Other Job Requirements Essential
Enhanced disclosure clearance Excellent attendance and time keeping Willing to work across hospital sites within scope of practice as and when required Able to work and cope with rotating shift patterns - early, late, night shifts over seven days of the week and on-call as necessary
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 details Employer name Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust
Address Alexandra Hospital
Woodrow Drive
Redditch
Worcestershire
B98 7UB
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.worcsacute.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)