County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust

Healthcare Assistant - Theatres

The closing date is 22 September 2025

Job summary

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 Job Descriptions 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.

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

County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Darlington Memorial Hospital NHS Trust

Hollyhurst Road

Darlington

County Durham

DL3 6HX


Employer's website

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


Employer details

Employer name

County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Darlington Memorial Hospital NHS Trust

Hollyhurst Road

Darlington

County Durham

DL3 6HX


Employer's website

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


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

George Vickers

George.vickers@nhs.net

01913332363

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


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)