Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital

Band 3 Theatre Assistant

The closing date is 18 September 2025

Job summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen for you to join a highly motivated multidisciplinary team delivering patient-centred care, with emphasis on quality and patient safety. We are looking for enthusiastic, motivated and staff willing to learn a wide range of skills. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills are required along with the ability to work as part of a team.

Applicants should be able to demonstrate a willingness and capability to learn new skills and work in a wide range of theatres

Main duties of the job

We are looking for enthusiastic, motivated staff to join our highly skilled team as a band 3 theatre assistant who will work predominantly in theatres as a circulating practitioner.

We have 8 cardiac/thoracic theatres, a pacing theatre, endoscopy room and a recovery unit. We are an incredibly busy unit with both elective and emergency pathways and cover various specialities including Cardiac, Thoracic, Aortic, Vascular, ACHD, etc. Candidates who apply must be able to work in a fast-paced environment and be able to communicate and work with all members of MDT.

About us

As the largest single site specialist heart and chest hospital in the UK, we, at Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, have a clear vision 'to be the best cardiothoracic integrated healthcare organisation'.

We provide specialist services in cardiothoracic surgery, cardiology, respiratory medicine both in the hospital and out in the community.

We serve a catchment area of 2.8 million people, spanning Merseyside, Cheshire, North Wales and the Isle of Man, and increasingly we receive referrals from outside these areas for highly specialised services such as aortics.

Our reputation for strong performance is important in delivering the best care for our patients and high quality clinical services. This is underpinned by a culture of research and innovation, delivered in modern estate and our encouragement of flexible working in a variety of forms.

Please visit our website - https://www.lhch.nhs.uk/

Please follow this link for a tour of our site - https://bit.ly/36ylsoq

Details

Date posted

11 September 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,937 to £26,598 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Flexible working

Reference number

410-SUR-7460949

Job locations

Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital Theatres

Thomas Drive

Liverpool

L14 3PE


Job description

Job responsibilities

With support from the Registered Nurse/ ODP, participate fully in the delivery of planned nursing care, inc all aspects of nursing care

Will rotate through all areas of theatre including and not limited to Cardiac, thoracic, pacing, forward wait, Endoscopy room and various specialities (vascular, aortic, ACHD)

Participate in the assessment of health care needs through the completion and interpretation of assessment tools documentation.

Undertake general patient observations inc temp, pulse, blood pressure, Oxygen saturation levels, general appearance and fluid balance and report anything untoward to Registered Nursing Staff/ ODP

Able to wear appropriate safety attire (e.g. Lead apron, FFP3 masks, etc)

At the direction of the Registered Nurse/ ODP, undertake a range of clinical duties and skills (including safe positioning of patients, preparation of surgical/anaesthetic equipment, swab/needle/instrument counts, collection of patient specimens for laboratory testing, preparation and assistance in clinical procedures inc insertion of intravenous lines, urinary catheter etc)

Participate in the decontamination and reprocessing of surgical instruments/ equipment.

Assist the Registered Nurse/ ODP in the evaluation of care and completion of patient documents and ensure all entries in patients records have been countersigned by the Registered Practitioner

Involve patients and carers/relatives in the delivery of care.

Provide reassurance and support to patients.

Work collaboratively with others in the Operating Theatre to ensure that patients needs are met.

Recognise and respond appropriately to urgent and emergency situations.

Undertake transfer and escort of patients with moderate dependency, as directed to Theatres, Catheter Labs and other Clinical Departments.

Undertake safe disposal of waste and sharps as per Trust policy

Care of patients property and valuables in accordance with Trust policy

Ensure theatres are cleaned and stock after each case to ensure safety and cleanliness for next case

Partake in all stages of the WHO Checklist

Job description

Job responsibilities

With support from the Registered Nurse/ ODP, participate fully in the delivery of planned nursing care, inc all aspects of nursing care

Will rotate through all areas of theatre including and not limited to Cardiac, thoracic, pacing, forward wait, Endoscopy room and various specialities (vascular, aortic, ACHD)

Participate in the assessment of health care needs through the completion and interpretation of assessment tools documentation.

Undertake general patient observations inc temp, pulse, blood pressure, Oxygen saturation levels, general appearance and fluid balance and report anything untoward to Registered Nursing Staff/ ODP

Able to wear appropriate safety attire (e.g. Lead apron, FFP3 masks, etc)

At the direction of the Registered Nurse/ ODP, undertake a range of clinical duties and skills (including safe positioning of patients, preparation of surgical/anaesthetic equipment, swab/needle/instrument counts, collection of patient specimens for laboratory testing, preparation and assistance in clinical procedures inc insertion of intravenous lines, urinary catheter etc)

Participate in the decontamination and reprocessing of surgical instruments/ equipment.

Assist the Registered Nurse/ ODP in the evaluation of care and completion of patient documents and ensure all entries in patients records have been countersigned by the Registered Practitioner

Involve patients and carers/relatives in the delivery of care.

Provide reassurance and support to patients.

Work collaboratively with others in the Operating Theatre to ensure that patients needs are met.

Recognise and respond appropriately to urgent and emergency situations.

Undertake transfer and escort of patients with moderate dependency, as directed to Theatres, Catheter Labs and other Clinical Departments.

Undertake safe disposal of waste and sharps as per Trust policy

Care of patients property and valuables in accordance with Trust policy

Ensure theatres are cleaned and stock after each case to ensure safety and cleanliness for next case

Partake in all stages of the WHO Checklist

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • NVQ Level 3 or equivalent
  • Care Certificate
  • demonstrate proficiency in numeracy and literacy skills at level one or above

Desirable

  • Any relevant theatre course

Experience

Essential

  • Experience as a nursing assistant in an acute health care setting or experience of working in an operating theatre

Skills and Attributes

Essential

  • Understanding of quality and change in the clinical setting.
  • Ability to communicate in a variety of settings with patients of varying levels of understanding.
  • Able to present factual information and refer questions to others where appropriate.
  • Able to deal with sensitive issues with tact and diplomacy.
  • An understanding of organisation of operating theatre practice and nursing care.
  • Able to prioritise and organise workload and respond appropriately to sudden changes and demands.
  • Able to demonstrate an understanding of teamwork.
  • Basic IT skills in E mail.
  • Basic understanding of NHS issues.
  • Ability to develop effective interpersonal relationships with colleagues in the health care setting
  • Able to work in emergency and fast paced environment

Physical Requirements

Essential

  • Able to perform a range of duties including working in wide range of theatres and procedures where PPE are required (e.g. FFP3 masks, visors, lead aprons, etc)
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • NVQ Level 3 or equivalent
  • Care Certificate
  • demonstrate proficiency in numeracy and literacy skills at level one or above

Desirable

  • Any relevant theatre course

Experience

Essential

  • Experience as a nursing assistant in an acute health care setting or experience of working in an operating theatre

Skills and Attributes

Essential

  • Understanding of quality and change in the clinical setting.
  • Ability to communicate in a variety of settings with patients of varying levels of understanding.
  • Able to present factual information and refer questions to others where appropriate.
  • Able to deal with sensitive issues with tact and diplomacy.
  • An understanding of organisation of operating theatre practice and nursing care.
  • Able to prioritise and organise workload and respond appropriately to sudden changes and demands.
  • Able to demonstrate an understanding of teamwork.
  • Basic IT skills in E mail.
  • Basic understanding of NHS issues.
  • Ability to develop effective interpersonal relationships with colleagues in the health care setting
  • Able to work in emergency and fast paced environment

Physical Requirements

Essential

  • Able to perform a range of duties including working in wide range of theatres and procedures where PPE are required (e.g. FFP3 masks, visors, lead aprons, etc)

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

Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital

Address

Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital Theatres

Thomas Drive

Liverpool

L14 3PE


Employer's website

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

Employer details

Employer name

Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital

Address

Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital Theatres

Thomas Drive

Liverpool

L14 3PE


Employer's website

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

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Theatre Team Manager

Emma Long

emma.reid@lhch.nhs.uk

01516001295

Details

Date posted

11 September 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,937 to £26,598 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Flexible working

Reference number

410-SUR-7460949

Job locations

Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital Theatres

Thomas Drive

Liverpool

L14 3PE


Supporting documents

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