Role Summary
Dive into your new career in our Operating Theatres and make a difference to our patients. You don’t need previous experience, we’ll provide full training, development and support to help you start your career as part of our amazing operating theatre team!
Find out more about what at Theatre Support Worker does, below!
About the Role
For more information on the Job Description and Responsibilities please click the link below.
More information about the role
To assist and support all members of the theatre staff and multi-disciplinary team, in providing safe, effective and efficient care to all patients during their time in theatres and recovery. Undertaking movement of patients, cleaning and theatre circulating duties in accordance with the department’s requirements. To work flexibly as part of a team and to practice in accordance with the Trusts standards and statutory requirements. To work as part of a 24hr unit, including weekend working and night duty as required
What is a Theatre Support Worker?
This is an entry role into theatres that provides essential support to the surgical team by caring for the patient accompanying them throughout their surgical journey. You will support colleagues with tasks, essential to the smooth running of the theatre, and help to ensure each member of the team is able to do their job effectively.
You will be a friendly reassuring face, making a vital difference to patients by helping them to feel as calm, comfortable and prepared as possible when they may be anxious about going into the operating theatre.
Working flexibly as part of the team, you’ll be responsible for undertaking movement of patients, cleaning and general duties, helping to check the theatre and open equipment and items needed by the operating theatre team.
As a member of the theatre support staff, you'll also:
- move patients on trolleys
- reassure family members
- prepare patients for anaesthetic
- set out instruments and equipment ready for surgery
- make sure the department has stocks of items needed
- clean and tidy theatre areas after surgery
You'll be part of the supportive team of colleagues including; theatre nurses, anaesthetists, surgeons, operating department practitioners, and administrative staff.
Full training given
You don’t need experience, but need a good level of English and Maths. You will have the ability to remain calm and reassuring, be able to follow instructions and procedures, be organised, a good communicator and enjoy being part of a team but also able to take responsibility for your own work. We will teach you the rest.
We pride ourselves on our friendly working environment and our desire to lead on best practice in the hospital setting. If you have the drive that we are looking for to join our friendly and supportive team, then our Theatres department is the place for you.
Training, development and career progression
Within the department we offer great opportunities with an extensive educational program, to include the development of our Theatre Support Workers including Level 3 apprenticeships in Perioperative care (the time when a patient is in hospital for an operation) and Operative Department Apprenticeships.
This might include funding for a care certificate, a degree or further progression. We also provide days off to study, engage in CPD or rotational placements to help you hone your skills. Wherever you are heading in the NHS, we'll help you get there.
- General Theatres – Exeter (Wonford)
- Orthopaedic Theatres – Exeter (Wonford)
- Community Day Case Theatres – Exmouth, Sidmouth, Tiverton, Heavitree (Exeter)
- Ophthalmology Theatres – Axminster, Exeter (Wonford)
- Gynae Theatres – Exeter (Wonford)
- The Nightingale – Exeter (Sowton)
If you want to find out more about on what it’s like to work in an operating theatre, we are holding an Operating Theatres Event so come along, join a tour, view the equipment and hear straight from our theatre staff about what it’s really like at the sharp end of patient care!
Talk to us about our amazing learning, development and career opportunities and find out how we support you to deliver outstanding patient care.
Working Pattern: Various shifts as part of the role, dependant on the area you work in.
- General theatres; 08:00-18:00, 08:00-13:00, 11:30-21:00, 21:00-08:00 - 7 days a week
- Orthopaedic Theatres; 08:00-18:00, 10:00-08:00 and 08:00-06:00 on Saturdays.
- CWH theatres : To be confirmed
- Community theatres; 08:00-18:00, 08:00-19:00, Monday to Friday
Interview Date: To be confirmed
For further information please contact: Naomi Weaver Clinical Practice Education Lead, Naomi.weaver@nhs.net
Preference will be given to staff with ‘Priority’ and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon.
The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust reserves the right to close vacancy when sufficient applications have been received.
The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust was established in April 2022, bringing together the expertise of both the Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust and Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust.
About Us
Stretching across Northern, Eastern and Mid Devon, we have a workforce of over 15,000 staff, making us the largest employer in Devon. Our core services, which we provide to more than 615,000 people, cover more than 2,000 square miles across Devon, while some of our specialist services cover the whole of the peninsula, extending our reach as far as Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.
We deliver a wide range of emergency, specialist and general medical services through North Devon District Hospital and the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital (Wonford). Alongside our two acute hospitals, we provide integrated health and social care services across a variety of settings, including community inpatient hospitals, outpatient clinics, and within people’s own homes. We also offer primary care services, a range of specialist community services, and Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARC).
Our state-of-the-art equipment, leading technologies and strong links to local universities put us at the forefront of research and innovations, enabling us to provide world-class care to our local communities.
Our values are at the heart of everything we do, click here to find out more
It has never been a more exciting time to join the Royal Devon, as you will help to shape our services as we continue along our integration journey.
Benefits
Looking after you is important to us.
We strive to help our staff create a healthy work-life balance through flexible working schemes and our family friendly policies.
If you are starting out in the NHS, you’ll start with 27 days paid annual leave (plus bank holidays), rising to 33 days plus bank holidays.
You will benefit from access to our own comprehensive occupational health services, including counselling, onsite wellbeing activities and groups.
We will work together to maintain a culture that develops and supports you and your team.
This might include funding for a care certificate, a degree or leadership qualifications. Or it might include days off to study, engage in CPD or rotational placements to help you hone your skills. Wherever you are heading in the NHS, we will help you get there.
Salary is not the only financial benefit
You will have access to an extensive range of staff discounts on shopping, fitness and leisure options and you can spread the cost of technology and home appliance purchases from major retailers. You will also have access to other benefits including:
- National discount services such as the Blue Light Card and Health Service Discounts.
- Salary sacrifice options including our OFSTED rated outstanding nursery onsite at Exeter
- Car lease schemes.
- The NHS Pension scheme (one of the most generous and comprehensive in the UK).
- Cycle to work scheme
These are just a few of the benefits available – if the role is something you are interested in, we would love to hear from you.
