The post holder will work as a member of the theatre team, providing valuable assistance to the surgical team, directly contributing to the safe and efficient care of patients within the operating theatres.
They will participate in delivering a high standard of care, ensuring patient privacy and dignity and an excellent patient experience.
Theatre Support Worker (TSW) – Trauma & Orthopaedics
Main Duties and Responsibilities
Assist qualified theatre practitioners in cleaning, stocking, and preparing operating theatres for surgical procedures.
Support the theatre team by acting as a circulator during surgery, providing assistance to the scrub practitioner and surgeon as required.
Ensure theatres are fully equipped and ready for safe and efficient patient care.
Provide support, reassurance, and compassionate care to patients throughout their theatre journey.
Maintain high standards of cleanliness, infection prevention, and patient safety within the operating environment.
Work effectively as part of the multidisciplinary Trauma and Orthopaedic theatre team.
Working Pattern
Monday to Sunday
Between 8:00am and 6:30pm
150 hours over 4 weeks (average 37.5 hours per week )
Theatre Support Worker (TSW) – Trauma & Orthopaedics
Main Duties and Responsibilities
Assist qualified theatre practitioners in cleaning, stocking, and preparing operating theatres for surgical procedures.
Support the theatre team by acting as a circulator during surgery, providing assistance to the scrub practitioner and surgeon as required.
Ensure theatres are fully equipped and ready for safe and efficient patient care.
Provide support, reassurance, and compassionate care to patients throughout their theatre journey.
Maintain high standards of cleanliness, infection prevention, and patient safety within the operating environment.
Work effectively as part of the multidisciplinary Trauma and Orthopaedic theatre team.
Working Pattern
Monday to Sunday
Between 8:00am and 6:30pm
150 hours over 4 weeks (average 37.5 hours per week )
Key Skills
Excellent communication and teamwork skills
Ability to work in a busy theatre environment
Compassionate and patient-centred approach
Good organisational skills and attention to detail
Commitment to maintaining high standards of safety and care
This role offers the opportunity to contribute directly to patient care while supporting surgical teams within a fast-paced Trauma and Orthopaedic theatre setting.
Northampton General Hospital is one of the largest employers in the area and we are on an exciting journey. All of our divisions are committed to doing things better, with more efficiency as we update, modernise, and advance. We have also entered into a Group Model with neighbouring Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and become University Hospitals of Northamptonshire.
Our Excellence Values
Compassion
Accountability
Respect
Integrity
Courage
We want to recruit the best people to deliver our services across the University Hospitals of Northamptonshire and help to unleash everyone’s full potential. As an organisation, we value how we communicate and promote our vacancies to all communities.
We are a Defence positive trust, supporting our reservists, veterans, spouses and partners.
The Hospital Group encourages applications from people who identify from all protected groups, especially those from BAME, Disabled and LGBTQ+ backgrounds as these are underrepresented in our hospitals.
We understand that we need to work with colleagues from diverse backgrounds and make sure the environment they work in is inclusive and collaborative.
We have active Networks that promote and support colleagues from all backgrounds. This ensures everyone feels supported and has a sense of belonging working for Kettering and Northampton General Hospitals.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
The post holder will work as an integral member of the Trauma and Orthopaedic theatre team, providing valuable assistance to the surgical team and contributing directly to the safe, effective, and efficient care of patients within the operating theatre environment.
Key responsibilities include:
Assisting qualified theatre practitioners in cleaning, stocking, and preparing operating theatres ready for surgical procedures.
Acting as a circulator during surgical procedures, supporting the scrub practitioner and surgeon by obtaining equipment and supplies as required.
Maintaining a clean, safe, and organised theatre environment in accordance with infection prevention and health and safety policies.
Participating in the delivery of a high standard of patient care throughout the perioperative journey.
Providing support, reassurance, and compassionate care to patients, ensuring their privacy, dignity, and comfort are maintained at all times.
Supporting the theatre team to ensure efficient patient flow and theatre utilisation.
Handling equipment, instruments, and consumables safely and appropriately.
Contributing to a positive patient experience by demonstrating excellent communication and a caring, professional approach.
Working collaboratively with the multidisciplinary team to promote high-quality patient outcomes and maintain patient safety.
Supporting Clinical Excellence
To provide a high standard of care as set out in Theatre Standards and Trust guidelines.
To participate in the safe movement and handling of patients within the operating department, and between other departments within the Trust.
Undertake the duties of “runner” in theatre.
Maintain patient privacy and dignity at all times.
Assist in governance procedures to ensure patient safety. This will include: - checking patients in to the department - swab, sharps and instrument checks - checking of consent for surgery - participating in a range of safety checks - participating in all departmental audits
Participate in the preparation of the operating theatre, including organisation of sets, consumables and equipment.
Ensure adequate supplies of consumables are available for each list.
Provide support and reassurance to all patients undergoing regional or local anaesthesia.
Safe and sensitive escorting of patients, relatives and carers.
Help maintain high standards of cleanliness expected within a surgical environment.
Participate in stock control/rotation and order. Restocking of theatres and other adjoining areas as required.
Assist with the maintenance of equipment and report any faults to senior members of staff.
Carry out errands when requested.
Maintain patient confidentiality at all times.
At no time will a clinical procedure be carried out until clinical instruction has been received and competence has been demonstrated by collection of supporting evidence and underpinning knowledge, adhering to the HCA code of conduct.
This job description is not a rigid/inflexible document but acts to provide the post holder with guidance as to the expectations of the role. Whilst in post, these expectations may change in order to meet service needs.
Communication
Recognise and maintain confidentiality of information relating to patients/clients and their records.
Maintain accurate documentation of any clinical notes or IT systems used in theatre.
Ensure clarity in communicating with patients, relatives and carers as well as other team members. Answer questions within the sphere of one’s own knowledge.
Answer the telephone on a clear, friendly, helpful and professional manner. Take any messages accurately and refer to a registered nurse/midwife as necessary.
Demonstrate a caring approach to patients/clients, their families and visitors and to have good verbal and non-verbal communication skills.
To attend and participate in departmental meetings, helping to implement change as required.
Leadership
Lead by example with drive and enthusiasm, responding appropriately to the needs of patients, families and carers
People/Management Excellence
Have the ability and knowledge to competently deal with an emergency situation.
Manage his/her time effectively and perform allocated tasks within a reasonable time frame, knowing when to seek support, assistance and advice from other team members.
Assist in the maintenance of ward/department equipment and stock levels, e.g. equipment, linen, catering supplies, sterile services, consumables etc.
Please see attached Job Description and Person Specification for a full list of all Roles and Responsibilities
