Health Care Assistant - Theatres inSouthampton inSouthampton PUBLISHED 28 JUN 2024

For an overview of the main duties of the role please see the ‘Job Description and Main Responsibilities’ section below.
Job Overview


University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust is delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity to work with us.

Please see below for a detailed job description of the role.

Main duties of the job

We have an exciting opportunity for healthcare assistants to work in our Theatre departments at University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust (UHS).

Whether you are an experienced healthcare assistant or just starting out – if you are caring, compassionate and looking for a new challenge, then we’ll have a role for you! Apply to join the team at UHS and take the next steps in your healthcare career.

Attached you will find the person specification document which provides more detail about the essential and desirable skills and experience needed for this role. We highly recommend you review this document and use it when completing your application as these criteria are used by hiring managers as guidance during shortlisting.

For an overview of the main duties of the role please see the ‘Job Description and Main Responsibilities’ section below. To understand the day-to-day responsibilities in more detail please read the full job description document attached.

Working for our organisation

As one of the largest acute teaching Trusts in England, we offer learning and development opportunities to help you achieve the career you aspire to.

All non-clinical roles may involve a mixture of on site and remote working, Specific details and flexible working options can be discussed as part of the interview process. UHS employees are able to access a range of NHS discounts, are entitled to a minimum of 35 days paid holiday (pro rata), and we offer a generous pension scheme.

Southampton is an attractive place to live and work situated on the south coast, with an international airport and direct trains to London. The New Forest National Park and beaches of the Jurassic coast are also right on our doorstep. The city offers living costs 20% lower than London and 14 schools rated outstanding by Ofsted.


Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities


We cover a wide variety of specialities such as: Orthopaedics, Neuro, Paediatrics, ENT Cardiac and mixed general surgical fields. We are a regional specialist centre and do many pioneering procedures.

We have the highest ratio of staff to patients in the hospital and TEAM working is key to our success.

The circulating role in theatre is vital to delivery of our service and you would be directly assisting the surgical team during the operation.

We support training in the initial phase of learning the role doubled up with an experienced member of staff and become independent when ready.

We encourage and assist staff through obtaining their functional skills level 2, level 3 health care and onwards to a Nursing or Operating Department Practitioner apprenticeship.

We are looking for individuals with the ability and attitude to grow and develop into a valued member of our team. Whatever level of skill or experience you currently have, if you can demonstrate drive and potential, our comprehensive induction and in-house training teams will help you to reach your full potential.

We consider part time application (minimum of 23 hours per week), however all applicants MUST be fully flexible to cover a variety of shifts including early, late, long days and nights – as our services operate 24 hours, 365 days a year.

We’re recruiting HCAs across all theatre departments at UHS and will allocate you to your department after successful interview.

Person specification


Qualifications / Training Required


Essential criteria

  • Completed care certificate or ability to complete within 6 months of appointment.

Desirable criteria

  • BTEC level 2 or above in health and social care. Interested in undertaking further training.
  • Level 3 qualification; BTEC, L3 diploma, A levels.

Previous or relevant experience necessary

Desirable criteria

  • Acute hospital setting
  • HCA experience
  • Volunteer sector
  • Teaching Assistant
  • Nursing home carer
  • Experience in a caring role
  • Understanding of acute hospital environment and the role of HCA

Values and behaviours

Essential criteria

  • Patients First
  • Always Improving
  • Working Together
Job Overview

University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust is delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity to work with us.

Please see below for a detailed job description of the role.

Main duties of the job

We have an exciting opportunity for healthcare assistants to work in our Theatre departments at University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust (UHS).

Whether you are an experienced healthcare assistant or just starting out – if you are caring, compassionate and looking for a new challenge, then we’ll have a role for you! Apply to join the team at UHS and take the next steps in your healthcare career.

Attached you will find the person specification document which provides more detail about the essential and desirable skills and experience needed for this role. We highly recommend you review this document and use it when completing your application as these criteria are used by hiring managers as guidance during shortlisting.

For an overview of the main duties of the role please see the ‘Job Description and Main Responsibilities’ section below. To understand the day-to-day responsibilities in more detail please read the full job description document attached.

Working for our organisation

As one of the largest acute teaching Trusts in England, we offer learning and development opportunities to help you achieve the career you aspire to.

All non-clinical roles may involve a mixture of on site and remote working, Specific details and flexible working options can be discussed as part of the interview process. UHS employees are able to access a range of NHS discounts, are entitled to a minimum of 35 days paid holiday (pro rata), and we offer a generous pension scheme.

Southampton is an attractive place to live and work situated on the south coast, with an international airport and direct trains to London. The New Forest National Park and beaches of the Jurassic coast are also right on our doorstep. The city offers living costs 20% lower than London and 14 schools rated outstanding by Ofsted.

Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities

We cover a wide variety of specialities such as: Orthopaedics, Neuro, Paediatrics, ENT Cardiac and mixed general surgical fields. We are a regional specialist centre and do many pioneering procedures.

We have the highest ratio of staff to patients in the hospital and TEAM working is key to our success.

The circulating role in theatre is vital to delivery of our service and you would be directly assisting the surgical team during the operation.

We support training in the initial phase of learning the role doubled up with an experienced member of staff and become independent when ready.

We encourage and assist staff through obtaining their functional skills level 2, level 3 health care and onwards to a Nursing or Operating Department Practitioner apprenticeship.

We are looking for individuals with the ability and attitude to grow and develop into a valued member of our team. Whatever level of skill or experience you currently have, if you can demonstrate drive and potential, our comprehensive induction and in-house training teams will help you to reach your full potential.

We consider part time application (minimum of 23 hours per week), however all applicants MUST be fully flexible to cover a variety of shifts including early, late, long days and nights – as our services operate 24 hours, 365 days a year.

We’re recruiting HCAs across all theatre departments at UHS and will allocate you to your department after successful interview.

Person specification

Qualifications / Training Required

Essential criteria

  • Completed care certificate or ability to complete within 6 months of appointment.

Desirable criteria

  • BTEC level 2 or above in health and social care. Interested in undertaking further training.
  • Level 3 qualification; BTEC, L3 diploma, A levels.

Previous or relevant experience necessary

Desirable criteria

  • Acute hospital setting
  • HCA experience
  • Volunteer sector
  • Teaching Assistant
  • Nursing home carer
  • Experience in a caring role
  • Understanding of acute hospital environment and the role of HCA

Values and behaviours

Essential criteria

  • Patients First
  • Always Improving
  • Working Together


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