Job Description

We are currently recruiting for Theatre Support Workers to join our dynamic and dedicated team within the following specialties:

• Trauma & Orthopaedics
• Urology
• Obstetrics & Gynaecology

Are you passionate about providing exceptional care in a dynamic, patient-centred environment? Join us at South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust as a Theatre Support Worker.
We are seeking enthusiastic individuals to play a pivotal role in delivering high-quality patient care within our operating departments, working closely with a multi-disciplinary team to ensure the best possible outcomes for our patients.
This is an exciting opportunity to develop your skills in a fast-paced, supportive setting with a strong focus on professional development and learning. We offer a wide range of training opportunities to enhance your practice, including completion of Trust-specific development programmes and potential for career progression such as Apprentice Operating Department Practitioner.
Joining our team means becoming part of an operating department that values its people, promotes staff wellbeing, and delivers the highest standards of patient care. If youre looking for an opportunity where you can make a real difference, work in a collaborative and supportive environment, and continue to grow professionally, this is the perfect role for you.
This vacancy is for three permanent posts and one fixed term post until 30th May 2027.
Main duties of the job
As a Theatre Support Worker, your main duties will include assisting Operating Department Practitioners and Registered Nurses in providing outstanding care to patients throughout the operating department.
You will collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, including surgeons and anaesthetists, to deliver efficient, high-quality care. Youll be responsible for maintaining a safe and clean environment within the theatre, ensuring all equipment is prepared and patient information is accurately recorded.
To succeed in this role, you must possess excellent communication, organisational, and time-management skills. Relevant experience and a willingness to learn and expand your expertise are essential, along with a compassionate approach to patient care and the ability to work in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
Theatres provides a 24-hour service, with staff working on a rota system to meet the services needs. This role may require participation in on-call duties to ensure 24-hour patient care and support is provided.
This is a band 2 role rising to band 3 after 6 months once the successful candidate has completed the Care Certificate(within 3 months of start date) and consolidation of learning (3 months).
Please note the Trust are not able to offer Skilled Worker Sponsorship for this role as it does not meet the UKVI threshold requirements. Applicants are requested to consider this when making their application. Please visit Gov.UK for further information.
About us
Please help us by adding your telephone number to your application form this will allow us to contact you quickly if required.
One Team One Trust - There are many reasons to work at our Trust. From our commitment to putting people first to our accessible services and award winning teams. We have a passion for research, innovation and tackling inequalities. We are committed to respect, fairness and civility and promote a compassionate, caring and positive culture / working environment.
We welcome all applications irrespective of peoples race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion/belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity and in particular those from under- represented groups. Looking after our workforces health and wellbeing is a priority for STSFT. We also provide access to high quality education, training, career progression and support. Flexible working is supported via the Trust's Flexible Working Policy.
The Trust employs around 8,600 people and provides a range of hospital services to a local community of around 430,000 residents. We also provide a range of more specialised services outside this area, in some cases to a population as great as 860,000. We offer our staff outstanding benefits - Fitness Centre (SRH), libraries at both hospital sites, chaplaincy support and access to a Childcare Co-ordinator to help staff with childcare arrangements. The Trust will not accept applications which are found to be AI generated.
Details
Date posted
09 June 2025
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 2
Salary
24,169 a year 2025/26 pay award pending (24,465). Rising to band 3.
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time
Reference number
C9155-THNM-0625-13
Job locations
Sunderland Royal Hospital
Kayll Road
Sunderland
SR47TP
Job description
Job responsibilities
PLEASE REFER TO THE ATTACHED JOB DESCRIPTION FOR FULL DUTIES OF THE ROLE.

• Support the registered practitioners (ODP/RN) in providing high-quality compassionate perioperative care to patients, and assistance to patients/relatives and their carers, appropriate to their needs.
• Assist in preparing and maintaining the theatre environment, ensuring all necessary equipment is available, functional, and clean.
• Contribute to patient safety by participating in checks such as the WHO Surgical Safety Checklist and Local Safety Standards for Invasive Procedures (LocSSIPs).
• Participate in swab, needle, and instrument counts under the supervision of a registered practitioner (ODP/RN).
• Assist in the safe movement, transferring, and positioning of patients, ensuring safety, patient and dignity at all times.
• Monitor patients during preoperative and postoperative phases, providing reassurance and escalating concerns appropriately.
• Escort and transport patients to and from theatre, recovery, and other clinical areas as required.
• Maintain accurate records and documentation in compliance with Trust policies and procedures.
• Ensure safe handling and transport of clinical specimens, following infection control and safety protocols.
• Adhere to national and local infection prevention and control policies, ensuring a clean and safe environment.
• You will be expected to contribute to housekeeping and other duties in the operating theatre department as required, e.g. general tidiness, ensuring pre-determined stock levels are met and clinical equipment is clean, working and stored correctly. Reporting any equipment issues or shortages.
• Actively participate and instigate emergency procedures, including fire safety, cardiac arrests, and major incident responses.
• Engage in ongoing professional development, completing required training and competency assessments to support high quality safe care.
• Support junior staff, students, and new team members by providing guidance and mentoring as required.
• Be an effective part of the multi-disciplinary team contributing to the departmental objectives.
• Assist with administrative and clerical duties as required.
• To comply with the Trusts vision, values, behavioural compact, as well as policies and procedures.

Job description
Job responsibilities
PLEASE REFER TO THE ATTACHED JOB DESCRIPTION FOR FULL DUTIES OF THE ROLE.

• Support the registered practitioners (ODP/RN) in providing high-quality compassionate perioperative care to patients, and assistance to patients/relatives and their carers, appropriate to their needs.
• Assist in preparing and maintaining the theatre environment, ensuring all necessary equipment is available, functional, and clean.
• Contribute to patient safety by participating in checks such as the WHO Surgical Safety Checklist and Local Safety Standards for Invasive Procedures (LocSSIPs).
• Participate in swab, needle, and instrument counts under the supervision of a registered practitioner (ODP/RN).
• Assist in the safe movement, transferring, and positioning of patients, ensuring safety, patient and dignity at all times.
• Monitor patients during preoperative and postoperative phases, providing reassurance and escalating concerns appropriately.
• Escort and transport patients to and from theatre, recovery, and other clinical areas as required.
• Maintain accurate records and documentation in compliance with Trust policies and procedures.
• Ensure safe handling and transport of clinical specimens, following infection control and safety protocols.
• Adhere to national and local infection prevention and control policies, ensuring a clean and safe environment.
• You will be expected to contribute to housekeeping and other duties in the operating theatre department as required, e.g. general tidiness, ensuring pre-determined stock levels are met and clinical equipment is clean, working and stored correctly. Reporting any equipment issues or shortages.
• Actively participate and instigate emergency procedures, including fire safety, cardiac arrests, and major incident responses.
• Engage in ongoing professional development, completing required training and competency assessments to support high quality safe care.
• Support junior staff, students, and new team members by providing guidance and mentoring as required.
• Be an effective part of the multi-disciplinary team contributing to the departmental objectives.
• Assist with administrative and clerical duties as required.
• To comply with the Trusts vision, values, behavioural compact, as well as policies and procedures.

Person Specification
Experience
Essential

• Substantive customer services experience or experience of working in a caring role (paid or unpaid).

Desirable

• Previous experience of working in an operating theatre environment.

Skills and Knowledge
Essential

• Ability to communicate messages and instructions accurately
• to colleagues, both verbally and in writing.
• Demonstrate good customer care skills and the ability to
• communicate effectively with the patients, carers and visitors.
• Presents self as courteous, respectful and helpful.
• Basic keyboard and IT skills.
• Willingness to complete Competency Based Assessments
• and a Portfolio of evidence, in order to achieve the Care
• Certificate and any other training related to this role.
• Work effectively under direct supervision as part of a multi-disciplinary team.

Qualifications
Essential

• Maths and English at level 1 or above (GCSE AE or
• equivalent).

Desirable

• NVQ Level 2 qualification in health and social care/ customer care or equivalent in any subject.

Physical Skills
Essential

• Ability to assist patients to move, as per Trust Moving and
• Handling Policy.

Person Specification
Experience
Essential

• Substantive customer services experience or experience of working in a caring role (paid or unpaid).

Desirable

• Previous experience of working in an operating theatre environment.

Skills and Knowledge
Essential

• Ability to communicate messages and instructions accurately
• to colleagues, both verbally and in writing.
• Demonstrate good customer care skills and the ability to
• communicate effectively with the patients, carers and visitors.
• Presents self as courteous, respectful and helpful.
• Basic keyboard and IT skills.
• Willingness to complete Competency Based Assessments
• and a Portfolio of evidence, in order to achieve the Care
• Certificate and any other training related to this role.
• Work effectively under direct supervision as part of a multi-disciplinary team.

Qualifications
Essential

• Maths and English at level 1 or above (GCSE AE or
• equivalent).

Desirable

• NVQ Level 2 qualification in health and social care/ customer care or equivalent in any subject.

Physical Skills
Essential

• Ability to assist patients to move, as per Trust Moving and
• Handling Policy.