Health Care Support Worker - Theatre

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) is one of the largest healthcare systems in the United Kingdom, employing approximately 40,000 staff across a wide range of clinical and non-clinical professions and roles. We deliver acute hospital, primary, community and mental health services to a population of over 1.15 million people, and to a wider population of 2.2 million when regional and national services are included.

The Role

Band 3 post Theatres/Recovery, Royal Hospital for children

The Royal Hospital for Children, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, are delighted to advertise band 3 Health Care Support Worker roles within the perioperative department as part of the theatre and recovery team.

The successful candidates would be expected to cover a variety of shifts including early, late, nightshift and weekends. The posts are full-time and offer 37 hours per week.

The suite of 11 theatres encompasses a variety of specialties, inclusive of trauma, orthopaedics, neurology, cardiac, ENT, general and urology, with some patients having multiple complex conditions.

The role comprises being part of the multi-disciplinary theatre or recovery team, delivering compassionate person-centred care to children undergoing surgery, support to their families/carers, using technical skills with regards to equipment and maintaining a safe, clean environment for all patients and staff.

The ideal candidate would evidence excellent communication, a caring attitude, be adaptable and flexible and have a desire to learn new skills. Experience of working within healthcare or with children is preferred but not essential.

The post might appeal to someone who is considering a role within a busy and dynamic, family-focussed setting. An induction programme is offered with on-the job training.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) may be able to provide visa sponsorship for certain roles, subject to the post meeting the relevant eligibility criteria. Sponsorship is not guaranteed and will be determined on a case-by-case basis following interview and during the pre-employment verification process. Applicants must state their current right to work in their application.

Please See Below For More Details

Skilled Worker visa and Health and Care Worker visa

Duration, Location, and Working Pattern:

This post is permanent, full-time 36 hours per week.

The role is based at the Royal Hospital for Children.

The shift pattern is variable.

Key Responsibilities

• Assists the registered practitioner and the multidisciplinary team with the care and positioning of patients in the pre, intra and post operative period, lift and hold limbs to assist in their preparation for surgery during planned and emergency procedures and reports any change in patient condition to the senior registered practitioner.
• Assists registered practitioner with the transfer of patients on patient trolley, from reception to theatre and back to recovery post operatively. May on occasion also assist with the transfer of patients to and from the ward.
• May prepare equipment and connect/disconnect cabling. This may include the positioning, cleaning and wiping down of theatre equipment such as laparoscopic stacks, electrosurgical equipment, and harmonic scalpels.
• When requested, contact reception recovery to initiate transfer of patient from surgical wards to theatre reception area. This involves phone calls to reception staff giving accurate details re patient identity and the theatre the request is being made from.
• Using the surgeons’ preference cards, identify and locate stock, non stock and sundries items in preparation for the next day’s surgical list. Overall knowledge of stock and set up may extend beyond one theatre speciality.
• As directed by a registered practitioner, communicate effectively with Theatre departments within and out with the organisation to borrow instruments or equipment if needed for a theatre list. Document in the appropriate diary for audit purposes.
• Perform checks on patient trolleys daily before the commencement of theatre lists to ascertain they are clean and in working order and report any faults to the registered practitioner in charge.
• Ensure that portable oxygen cylinders are available and functional by switching the valve and checking the level on the flow meter before commencement of theatre lists and report any problems to the registered practitioner in charge.
  
  

Knowledge, training, qualifications and/or experience required to do the job:

Training And/or Qualification(s) Required

• No formal qualification required for this post. Completion of in house training programme.
• Effective written and verbal communication, literacy, numeracy and IT skills are desirable.
• A demonstration of caring and compassionate attributes.
• Ability to work as part of the multidisciplinary team.
• Understands and complies with HCSW mandatory induction standards and code of conduct.
• The registered practitioner will determine the knowledge and skill level required by the HCSW to perform a delegated task The HCSW is responsible for accepting delegated tasks.
• from the registered practitioner and is accountable for undertaking them.
• Awareness and understanding of policies and practices e.g. Accountable items SOP, Prevention and control of infection, Health and Safety and BLS.
• This post holder is therefore able to work within the scope of their practice under direct and indirect supervision by the registered practitioners.
• Develop knowledge and practice through a combination of instruction, on the job learning , attending teaching sessions and study days.
• Develop a range of core transferrable skills to undertake routine activities within different theatre specialties.
• Develop an enhanced skill level within own specialty.
  
  

What We Offer

We offer a wide range of supportive policies designed to enhance your employee journey, including a comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme, Cycle to Work Scheme, bursary scheme and extensive learning and development opportunities.

As an NHS Scotland employee, you will be entitled to:

• A minimum of 27 days annual leave, increasing with length of service, plus public holidays
• Membership of the NHS Pension Scheme, including life insurance benefits
• Salary Sacrifice Car Benefit Scheme
• Development opportunities including study bursaries, e-learning and classroom-based courses
• Enhanced pay for working public holidays
• NHS discounts on a wide range of goods and services
• Confidential employee support and assistance, including counselling and psychological therapies
  
  

Interested?

If you would like to find out more, we would love to hear from you.

For An Informal Discussion, Please Contact

Andy Ross, Designated Senior Charge ODP, 0141 452 4380, andy.ross@nhs.scot

Details on how to contact the Recruitment Service and the Recruitment Process: Information for candidates

This post may close early due to the volume of response. Please submit your application form as soon as possible.

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• Show us the real you: Your application should reflect your skills, experience, and motivations authentically.
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• Why this matters: Applications that rely on AI-generated content may be withdrawn. By applying, you confirm your responses are based on your own knowledge and achievements.
  
  

Tip: Think of AI as a helper, not a substitute. We want to understand you, not an AI tool.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) recognises the importance of work-life balance and is committed to offering a range of flexible working options where service needs allow. For roles where less than full-time hours can be accommodated, and where the tenure is listed as “various”, we encourage applications from individuals seeking flexible working arrangements. Flexible working will be included as a topic for discussion during the recruitment process.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde encourages applications from all sections of the community. We are committed to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion and are proud of the diverse workforce we employ.

By signing the Armed Forces Covenant, NHSGGC has pledged its commitment to being a Forces Friendly Employer. We welcome applications from across the Armed Forces Community and recognise military skills, experience and qualifications throughout the recruitment and selection process.

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