Wrightington Wigan & Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Clinical Support Assistant Post Anaesthetic Care Unit

The closing date is 25 July 2025

Job summary

This advert is for a clinical support assistant in the post anaesthetic care unit/recovery and theatre patient reception at the Royal Albert Edward Infirmary, Wigan.

Previous applicants need not apply.

To be eligible for this post you must meet the job specification, having an NVQ level 3 in healthcare. You must be already working towards a level 3 diploma in perioperative care or willing to work towards it, and you will ideally have theatre experience. You will be enthusiastic, dynamic, motivated and have excellent communication and interpersonal skills. The post will involve a working pattern of Monday to Friday with shifts ranging start and finish times of 08:00 - 20:45.

We are the acute site providing a 24-hour emergency service for both adult and paediatric patients. We have seven main theatres covering specialities such as laparoscopic surgery, ENT, urology, gynaecology, orthopaedic trauma, emergencies, general surgery and obstetrics.

This post involves face to face contact with patients. Therefore, it cannot be ruled out that the post holder may come in to contact with people who have COVID-19.

Main duties of the job

Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust are an innovative and forward thinking organisation. We are committed to placing the patient at the heart of everything we do, and in the provision of safe, effective care.

You will be working as part of a diverse and inclusive workforce, being part of a multi-disciplinary team. You will take direction from registered practitioners in supporting face to face patient care both before surgery and after surgery.

About us

Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust are the proud providers of acute hospital and community services to the people of the Wigan Borough and surrounding areas. At WWL, we value our staff believing that 'happy staff, makes for happy patients'. We have a recognised track record in staff engagement, and living our values.

WWL are committed to placing the patient at the heart of everything we do, and in the provision of safe, effective care that acknowledges and ensures dignity. With this in mind we are seeking to recruit people who share our values and beliefs.

At WWL we value the benefits a rich and diverse workforce brings to our community and therefore welcome applications from all sections of society.

Details

Date posted

23 July 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,625 to £25,674 a year per annum, pro-rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Flexible working

Reference number

302-25-7235722S

Job locations

Royal Albert Edward Infimary

Wigan Lane

Wigan

WN1 2NN


Job description

Job responsibilities

  • Have proficient attitudes and behaviours compatible with NHS and Trust values.
  • Work as part of a designated clinical team providing care that focuses on the needs of the individual.
  • Support moving and handling, correct patient positioning, and assess pressure areas and skin integrity.
  • At the direction of the Registered PACU Practitioner / medical staff, participate fully in the delivery of planned nursing care, applying and evaluating agreed clinical skills to ensure a seamless patient journey through the operating department.
  • Participate in the assessment of health care needs through the completion and interpretation of assessment tools and PARS documentation.
  • Work collaboratively with others in the clinical area/PACU to ensure that patients needs are met and contribute to effective lines of communication between medical, nursing, and administrative staff.
  • Independently undertake 12 lead ECGs.
  • Perform bladder scans and escalate appropriately.
  • Independently record and interpret vital signs and other clinical observations and escalate concerns appropriately.
  • Recognise and respond appropriately to urgent and emergency situations.
  • Undertake transfer and escort of patients with a registered practitioner.
  • Assist in receiving and providing handover, demonstrating clear effective communication.
  • Contribute to the development of services and ensure the effective and efficient use of resources.

Job description

Job responsibilities

  • Have proficient attitudes and behaviours compatible with NHS and Trust values.
  • Work as part of a designated clinical team providing care that focuses on the needs of the individual.
  • Support moving and handling, correct patient positioning, and assess pressure areas and skin integrity.
  • At the direction of the Registered PACU Practitioner / medical staff, participate fully in the delivery of planned nursing care, applying and evaluating agreed clinical skills to ensure a seamless patient journey through the operating department.
  • Participate in the assessment of health care needs through the completion and interpretation of assessment tools and PARS documentation.
  • Work collaboratively with others in the clinical area/PACU to ensure that patients needs are met and contribute to effective lines of communication between medical, nursing, and administrative staff.
  • Independently undertake 12 lead ECGs.
  • Perform bladder scans and escalate appropriately.
  • Independently record and interpret vital signs and other clinical observations and escalate concerns appropriately.
  • Recognise and respond appropriately to urgent and emergency situations.
  • Undertake transfer and escort of patients with a registered practitioner.
  • Assist in receiving and providing handover, demonstrating clear effective communication.
  • Contribute to the development of services and ensure the effective and efficient use of resources.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

  • Evidence of working in a healthcare setting
  • Previous experience of being a healthcare support worker
  • Demonstrate a range of procedures and practices, based on level of theoretical knowledge.
  • Demonstrate through previous experience the ability to escalate concerns.
  • Ability to work in a multi-agency team.
  • Ability to work alone or in a small team.
  • Ability to work with staff from a diverse range of backgrounds.
  • Good level of written language and IT skills.

Desirable

  • Experience of working in a post anaesthetic care unit/recovery.
  • Evidence of working in a theatre setting

Skills

Essential

  • Ability to support patients and families.
  • Plan and prioritise own workload.
  • Able to manage and organise own time effectively.
  • Ability to undertake extended tasks appropriate to competence.
  • Undertake A to E assessment.
  • Confidence to work flexibly and challenge established ways of working and organisational structures.
  • Contribute to the ongoing assessment and planning during the patients care episode.
  • Demonstrate the promotion of equality, diversity, and rights of others.
  • Ability to complete patient records in accordance with policies and procedures.
  • Demonstrate understanding of health and safety including risk assessment procedures as application to role/environment.
  • Ability to work in challenging situations.

Desirable

  • Phlebotomy and cannulation.

Knowledge

Essential

  • Knowledge of working with adults and their families.
  • Identify baseline clinical observations and recognise deviation.
  • Understanding of quality and change in the clinical setting.
  • Willingness to undertake clinical skills required for the speciality
  • Basic understanding of NHS issues.

Desirable

  • Knowledge of working with children and their families.

Additional

Essential

  • Approachable and friendly manner.
  • Willingness to train and develop.
  • Demonstrate the application of confidentiality and data protection legislation.
  • Speak English to an appropriate standard

Desirable

  • Ability to work in different locations and settings.

Qualifications

Essential

  • GCSE English language and Maths A - C/ 4 - 9, or functional skills or equivalent
  • NVQ level 3 or equivalent in healthcare.
  • Cavendish care certificate
  • Evidence of ongoing CPD

Desirable

  • Level 3 Diploma in Perioperative care.
  • HCA Acute Illness Management (AIMs) course
Person Specification

Experience

Essential

  • Evidence of working in a healthcare setting
  • Previous experience of being a healthcare support worker
  • Demonstrate a range of procedures and practices, based on level of theoretical knowledge.
  • Demonstrate through previous experience the ability to escalate concerns.
  • Ability to work in a multi-agency team.
  • Ability to work alone or in a small team.
  • Ability to work with staff from a diverse range of backgrounds.
  • Good level of written language and IT skills.

Desirable

  • Experience of working in a post anaesthetic care unit/recovery.
  • Evidence of working in a theatre setting

Skills

Essential

  • Ability to support patients and families.
  • Plan and prioritise own workload.
  • Able to manage and organise own time effectively.
  • Ability to undertake extended tasks appropriate to competence.
  • Undertake A to E assessment.
  • Confidence to work flexibly and challenge established ways of working and organisational structures.
  • Contribute to the ongoing assessment and planning during the patients care episode.
  • Demonstrate the promotion of equality, diversity, and rights of others.
  • Ability to complete patient records in accordance with policies and procedures.
  • Demonstrate understanding of health and safety including risk assessment procedures as application to role/environment.
  • Ability to work in challenging situations.

Desirable

  • Phlebotomy and cannulation.

Knowledge

Essential

  • Knowledge of working with adults and their families.
  • Identify baseline clinical observations and recognise deviation.
  • Understanding of quality and change in the clinical setting.
  • Willingness to undertake clinical skills required for the speciality
  • Basic understanding of NHS issues.

Desirable

  • Knowledge of working with children and their families.

Additional

Essential

  • Approachable and friendly manner.
  • Willingness to train and develop.
  • Demonstrate the application of confidentiality and data protection legislation.
  • Speak English to an appropriate standard

Desirable

  • Ability to work in different locations and settings.

Qualifications

Essential

  • GCSE English language and Maths A - C/ 4 - 9, or functional skills or equivalent
  • NVQ level 3 or equivalent in healthcare.
  • Cavendish care certificate
  • Evidence of ongoing CPD

Desirable

  • Level 3 Diploma in Perioperative care.
  • HCA Acute Illness Management (AIMs) course

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

Wrightington Wigan & Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Royal Albert Edward Infimary

Wigan Lane

Wigan

WN1 2NN


Employer's website

http://www.wwl.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

Wrightington Wigan & Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Royal Albert Edward Infimary

Wigan Lane

Wigan

WN1 2NN


Employer's website

http://www.wwl.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Senior Team Leader Theatre Recovery

Catherine McSorley-Read

catherine.mcsorley-read@wwl.nhs.uk

01942822202

Details

Date posted

23 July 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,625 to £25,674 a year per annum, pro-rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Flexible working

Reference number

302-25-7235722S

Job locations

Royal Albert Edward Infimary

Wigan Lane

Wigan

WN1 2NN


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

Wrightington Wigan & Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)