Job Description

County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust invite applications for the position of Theatre Healthcare Assistant at Darlington Memorial Hospital. We currently have both substantive and bank posts available.
The pandemic has demonstrated the value of our greatest asset our employees. The dedication and support that our workforce have provided has been second to none and here at CDDFT we are extremely proud of them.
We care for our colleagues, and as a modern day employer in the NHS we realise that prospective employees can choose where they wish to work. That is why in our opinion, the health and wellbeing support we offer our staff is second to none.
Our Theatre team are friendly and supportive, encouraging professional development to enhance skills and professional competence. The departmental Practice Development team, in coordination with the Theatre Management team, support the staff members to identify and realise areas for career progression, both on an individual basis and also as a team approach to achieving their highest potential
Main duties of the job
Support qualified staff in the provision of a high standard of efficient and cost-effective care while maintaining the patients privacy and dignity at all times.
Ability to fully prepare theatres with the correct equipment and stock according to the speciality and the surgeons preferences in all specialities including emergency surgery, supervised and unsupervised.
Cleaning of theatres and equipment ensuring high levels and standards of cleanliness
To have a working knowledge of equipment used in theatres, e.g. diathermy, operating tables and attachments, application of tourniquet, cameras and microscopes
Undertake decontamination of equipment as required, e.g. endoscopy.
Assist with positioning of the patient for different surgical/anaesthetic procedures
Complete all relevant documentation accurately including use of the computerised theatre system
Act as circulating or count nurse as required for each speciality within the department
Measure and record patients body fluid output.
Ability to test medical devices and complete relevant documentation
About us
If you are being interviewed you must accept an interview slot in the system to continue, even if you have arranged with the manager
You must be able to produce ALL certificates stated essential in the person specification or you will not be able to complete pre-employment checks
We provide hospital services from two acute sites - Darlington Memorial Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham. We have a centre for planned care in Bishop Auckland and provide care from community hospitals in Chester-le-Street, Shotley Bridge, Barnard Castle, Sedgefield and Weardale as well as over 80 other community based settings and providing care in patients' homes.
We particularly welcome applications from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as BAME and disabled people are currently under-represented
Full s can be found in the adverts supporting documents
Over reliance on AI-generated content is discouraged and may diminish the applicant's chances of success
For the most up-to-date information on visa requirements and eligibility, please check online to determine whether you can apply.
From April 9th 2025 - Healthcare assistants - You must have a minimum of two years of experience working within the NHS as a HCA for the Trust to consider sponsorship (we will only consider sponsorship if you meet this criteria and have a current visa expiring within 3 months)
Details
Date posted
15 September 2025
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 3
Salary
24,465 to 26,598 a year PRO RATA
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time
Reference number
C9439-2526-0748
Job locations
Darlington Memorial Hospital NHS Trust
Hollyhurst Road
Darlington
County Durham
DL3 6HX
Job description
Job responsibilities
To provide patient care within the perioperative environment and act as a skilled member of the multidisciplinary team.
DIMENSIONS OF THE JOB
To provide perioperative care within the theatre environment, across the range of specialities offered by the Trust.
The care to be delivered in line with both local and national policies, procedures and guidelines.
TRUST BEHAVIOURS FRAMEWORK
Patients, public and staff have helped develop the Trusts Behaviours Framework of Values that inspire passion in the NHS and that should underpin everything it does. The NHS values provide common ground for co-operation to achieve shared aspirations, at all levels of the NHS. The post holder is required to commit to delivering the actions in the Trusts Behaviours Framework:
Working together for patients
Patients come first in everything we do. We fully involve patients, staff, families, carers, communities, and professionals inside and outside the NHS. We speak up when things go wrong.
Respect and Dignity. We value every person whether patient, their families or carers, or staff as an individual, respect their aspirations and commitments in life, and seek to understand their priorities, needs, abilities and limits.
Commitment to quality of care. We earn the trust placed in us by insisting on quality and striving to get the basics of quality of care safety, effectiveness and patient experience right every time.
Compassion. We ensure that compassion is central to the care we provide and respond with humanity and kindness to each persons pain, distress, anxiety or need.
Improving lives. We strive to improve health and wellbeing and peoples experiences of the NHS.
Everyone counts. We maximise our resources for the benefit of the whole community, and make sure nobody is discriminated against or left behind. All employees are required to promote high quality care and good health and wellbeing through the enduring values described by the Department of Health: The 6Cs care, compassion, competence, communication, courage and commitment.
Duty of Candour
All employees are required to comply with the Statutory Duty of Candour: The volunteering of all relevant information to persons who have or may have been harmed by the provision of services, whether or not information has been requested and whether or not a complaint or a report of that provision has been made Job description
Job responsibilities
To provide patient care within the perioperative environment and act as a skilled member of the multidisciplinary team.
DIMENSIONS OF THE JOB
To provide perioperative care within the theatre environment, across the range of specialities offered by the Trust.
The care to be delivered in line with both local and national policies, procedures and guidelines.
TRUST BEHAVIOURS FRAMEWORK
Patients, public and staff have helped develop the Trusts Behaviours Framework of Values that inspire passion in the NHS and that should underpin everything it does. The NHS values provide common ground for co-operation to achieve shared aspirations, at all levels of the NHS. The post holder is required to commit to delivering the actions in the Trusts Behaviours Framework:
Working together for patients
Patients come first in everything we do. We fully involve patients, staff, families, carers, communities, and professionals inside and outside the NHS. We speak up when things go wrong.
Respect and Dignity. We value every person whether patient, their families or carers, or staff as an individual, respect their aspirations and commitments in life, and seek to understand their priorities, needs, abilities and limits.
Commitment to quality of care. We earn the trust placed in us by insisting on quality and striving to get the basics of quality of care safety, effectiveness and patient experience right every time.
Compassion. We ensure that compassion is central to the care we provide and respond with humanity and kindness to each persons pain, distress, anxiety or need.
Improving lives. We strive to improve health and wellbeing and peoples experiences of the NHS.
Everyone counts. We maximise our resources for the benefit of the whole community, and make sure nobody is discriminated against or left behind. All employees are required to promote high quality care and good health and wellbeing through the enduring values described by the Department of Health: The 6Cs care, compassion, competence, communication, courage and commitment.
Duty of Candour
All employees are required to comply with the Statutory Duty of Candour: The volunteering of all relevant information to persons who have or may have been harmed by the provision of services, whether or not information has been requested and whether or not a complaint or a report of that provision has been made
Person Specification
Experience
Essential

• Computer skills.
• Ability to learn new skills.

Desirable

• Previous experience in caring for others.

Special Requirements
Essential

• Self-motivated and able to motivate others.
• Excellent communication & interpersonal
• skills.
• Reflective practitioner.
• Ability to work in a busy and varied work
• environment and respond to change.

Desirable

• Be able to offer pastoral care to mentors and students when providing feedback on performance.

Qualifications
Essential

• Relevant NVQ Level 3 or equivalent relevant experience.
• Care Certificate or willingness to complete within first 6 months of commencement in post.
• GCSE equivalent in English and Mathematics.

Desirable

• Short courses relevant to undertake patient and clinical care duties

Personal Attributes
Essential

• Good interpersonal skills.
• Able to engage and build effective relationships at all levels.
• Understanding of the role of HCSW.
• Able to work as part of a team.
• Knowledge and understanding of the need for confidentiality.

Special Skills & Knowledge
Essential

• Good verbal and written command of
• English.
• Ability to act upon own initiative.
• Good communication skills.
• Able to work under some pressure.
• Ability to show leadership
• Ability to plan own work.
• Ability to work calmly under pressure.
• Willing to take and record patient
• observations.

Desirable

• Knowledge of care and related procedures, clinical observations, relevant legislation.

Person Specification
Experience
Essential

• Computer skills.
• Ability to learn new skills.

Desirable

• Previous experience in caring for others.

Special Requirements
Essential

• Self-motivated and able to motivate others.
• Excellent communication & interpersonal
• skills.
• Reflective practitioner.
• Ability to work in a busy and varied work
• environment and respond to change.

Desirable

• Be able to offer pastoral care to mentors and students when providing feedback on performance.

Qualifications
Essential

• Relevant NVQ Level 3 or equivalent relevant experience.
• Care Certificate or willingness to complete within first 6 months of commencement in post.
• GCSE equivalent in English and Mathematics.

Desirable

• Short courses relevant to undertake patient and clinical care duties

Personal Attributes
Essential

• Good interpersonal skills.
• Able to engage and build effective relationships at all levels.
• Understanding of the role of HCSW.
• Able to work as part of a team.
• Knowledge and understanding of the need for confidentiality.

Special Skills & Knowledge
Essential

• Good verbal and written command of
• English.
• Ability to act upon own initiative.
• Good communication skills.
• Able to work under some pressure.
• Ability to show leadership
• Ability to plan own work.
• Ability to work calmly under pressure.
• Willing to take and record patient
• observations.

Desirable

• Knowledge of care and related procedures, clinical observations, relevant legislation.

Skills Required