Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust

Assistant Theatre Practitioner

This job is now closed

Job summary

To work as part of the Operating Department team, accepting patients for theatre, circulating within the theatre and assisting the theatre staff in the day to day work of the operating department. The role requires empathy, good communication and the ability to work under pressure. The post holder will be required to work unsocial hours, nights, weekends and on calls.

Main duties of the job

At all times treat patients, visitors and colleagues with dignity and respect, exercising discretion and behaving in a manner consistent with the CHFT standards of behaviour.

To maintain confidentiality in all aspects of work

Work in a collaborative and co-operative manner with other members of the care team.

To maintain Trust policy regarding Control of Infections

To undertake departmental training re Manual Handling and adhere to principals taught

To follow Health and Safety policies relevant to the operating department and attend mandatory updates in accordance with Trust policy

Undertake duties that you have received appropriate training for and have been deemed competent

To adhere to Trust policies and procedures

To establish and maintain effective communication and relationships with multi-disciplinary team within the operating department

Contribute to the development of theatres, through contribution of new ideas to improve patient care/experience

Attend regular team meetings

Undertake all such reasonable other duties as may be required as part of the role

About us

Why CHFT? Why Now?Join CHFT and be part of a team that's at the forefront of surgical excellence and innovation:o NHS Recognised: Our theatres have been celebrated for their post-pandemic achievements in an NHS Providers case study: "Providers Deliver: Achieving value for money."o National Spotlight: Our proactive approach to waiting list management has been featured by Sky News.o Award-Winning Performance: Shortlisted as a finalist for the 2023 Health Service Journal's Performance Recovery Award for our theatres and elective recovery work.o Pioneering Accreditation: One of the first trusts in England to be accredited as a GIRFT surgical hub.o Cutting-Edge Technology: We've recently launched robotic surgery at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary, demonstrating our commitment to advanced surgical techniques.

Date posted

18 March 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,937 to £26,598 a year per annum, pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Flexible working

Reference number

372-SURG2064

Job locations

CHFT

Acre Street

Huddersfield

HD3 3EA

Job description

Job responsibilities

Accepting patients prior to surgery

Chaperoning patients in the anaesthetic room

Undertake point of care testing (e.g., blood glucose level, arterial blood gases, pregnancy testing) following training and competency assessment.

Assisting the qualified theatre team

Observation of a patient during procedures (e.g., spinal/regional block, local anaesthetic) to assess physical state and well-being.

Circulating during theatre lists

Circulating in multiple specialties, demonstrating a broad knowledge base of instrumentation, equipment functionality, compatibility, and assessment for damage.

Cleaning theatres and other relevant areas

Preparing equipment for the following days surgery

Ordering equipment where necessary

Assist with maintenance of stock levels and stock rotation and knowledge of where equipment and stock are stored

Disposal of rubbish and clinical waste within Trust protocols

Assist in caring for patients post operatively in the Recovery room

Answer and take telephone messages for surgeons and theatre staff

Record care plans and interventions on the electronic record (Bluespier and WHO form) under supervision of the registered practitioner.

Actively participate in clinical audit programmes, including evaluation of new equipment, clinical audits, and contributing to National Joint Registry (NJR) data input.

Collecting blood when required from Path Lab

Collect, accurately label, and store tissue samples, ensuring anatomical site documentation and timely dispatch according to protocol.

Prepare injectable solutions under the supervision of the registrant.

Transfer patients between wards and departments once assessed as stable and appropriate for transfer by a registrant.

Measure, supply, and, when clinically required, fit and attach TED stockings or calf-stimulating medical devices.

This role requires moving patients and heavy trays and standing for long periods of time.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Accepting patients prior to surgery

Chaperoning patients in the anaesthetic room

Undertake point of care testing (e.g., blood glucose level, arterial blood gases, pregnancy testing) following training and competency assessment.

Assisting the qualified theatre team

Observation of a patient during procedures (e.g., spinal/regional block, local anaesthetic) to assess physical state and well-being.

Circulating during theatre lists

Circulating in multiple specialties, demonstrating a broad knowledge base of instrumentation, equipment functionality, compatibility, and assessment for damage.

Cleaning theatres and other relevant areas

Preparing equipment for the following days surgery

Ordering equipment where necessary

Assist with maintenance of stock levels and stock rotation and knowledge of where equipment and stock are stored

Disposal of rubbish and clinical waste within Trust protocols

Assist in caring for patients post operatively in the Recovery room

Answer and take telephone messages for surgeons and theatre staff

Record care plans and interventions on the electronic record (Bluespier and WHO form) under supervision of the registered practitioner.

Actively participate in clinical audit programmes, including evaluation of new equipment, clinical audits, and contributing to National Joint Registry (NJR) data input.

Collecting blood when required from Path Lab

Collect, accurately label, and store tissue samples, ensuring anatomical site documentation and timely dispatch according to protocol.

Prepare injectable solutions under the supervision of the registrant.

Transfer patients between wards and departments once assessed as stable and appropriate for transfer by a registrant.

Measure, supply, and, when clinically required, fit and attach TED stockings or calf-stimulating medical devices.

This role requires moving patients and heavy trays and standing for long periods of time.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

NVQ level 2 in Health/Care OR Care Certificate issued by an Employer
English & Math's GCSE grade 9-2 (A*-E) or equivalent
Healthcare experience
Willingness to undertake any training or development relevant to the role

Desirable

Moving and handling training
Infection control training
Resuscitation training

KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE & EXPERTISE

Essential

Experience of working within a care setting

Desirable

Care experience in a hospital setting
Experience of working in Operating Theatres
Experience of working in a customer service setting

COMMUNICATION AND RELATIONSHIPS (INCLUDING MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES)

Essential

Ability to work as a team member
Ability to work in a busy environment
Good communication skills
Able to work under direction
Ability to stand for long periods of time
Caring and Compassionate

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

NVQ level 2 in Health/Care OR Care Certificate issued by an Employer
English & Math's GCSE grade 9-2 (A*-E) or equivalent
Healthcare experience
Willingness to undertake any training or development relevant to the role

Desirable

Moving and handling training
Infection control training
Resuscitation training

KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE & EXPERTISE

Essential

Experience of working within a care setting

Desirable

Care experience in a hospital setting
Experience of working in Operating Theatres
Experience of working in a customer service setting

COMMUNICATION AND RELATIONSHIPS (INCLUDING MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES)

Essential

Ability to work as a team member
Ability to work in a busy environment
Good communication skills
Able to work under direction
Ability to stand for long periods of time
Caring and Compassionate

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Additional information

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

Certificate of Sponsorship

Employer details

Employer name

Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust

Address

CHFT

Acre Street

Huddersfield

HD3 3EA

Employer's website

https://www.cht.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust

Address

CHFT

Acre Street

Huddersfield

HD3 3EA

Employer's website

https://www.cht.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)