Health Care Support Worker - Theatres

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:

An exciting opportunity has arisen to work in Day Surgery Unit at the IRH. Band 3 Health care support worker.

We are looking for an enthusiastic Health Care Support Worker band 3 to join our team within Day Surgery Unit and In- patient theatre. The Day Surgery Unit consists of one theatre, one minor room, recovery and ward area. In Patient unit consists of 6 operating theatres, and a recovery room. The unit provides peri- op care for patients undergoing a range of surgical procedures including General Surgery, elective Orthopaedics, ophthalmology and cardiology. Within Day Surgery Unit surgeries consist of gynaecology, urology, dental, orthopaedics, ent and plastic surgery.

As part of the multidisciplinary team, the Post Holder will provide care to patients before, during and after surgical procedures in support of the trained nurse. You will be required to perform physical, technical and emotional aspects of patient care in an efficient, effective and responsible manner, in a busy acute environment. Previous experience of working within a hospital environment is an advantage.

The successful candidate is required to demonstrate flexibility by working within a service which currently runs over a 7-day week. Furthermore, the successful candidate will be expected where necessary to engage in multi-site working within NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde to achieve the needs of the service.

This post requires PVG Scheme membership /Disclosure Scotland Check.

This role does not meet the eligibility criteria for a Skilled Worker visa or a Heath and Care Worker visa. NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) is unable to provide candidates or employees with a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS).

Duration, Location, and Working Pattern:

• Location based in Inverclyde Royal Hospital
• Permanent Contract
• Full-time position (37 hours per week)
• Shift pattern for this post are Varied work pattern Working 36 Hours over the week, day shift, late shift at present or Long Day. Examples 0800-1800, 0800-2000 and 0800-1700 with slight variations on this.

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 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.
• 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.
• Open sterile packs and sundries in conjunction with Registered Practitioner performing a swab, needle and instrument count. Should be able to recognise and indentify instruments and medical devices in use in accordance with the Accountable Items SOP (standard operating procedure)
• May be required to update/contribute to the perioperative care plan as appropriate. May also be required to record blood loss by weighing swabs.
• Please refer to the job description and person specification for further details.

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.

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:
Lead Senior Charge Nurse, Melinda Devlin, melinda.devlin@nhs.scot, 0141 314 6676

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. Due to the volume of applications that we receive, we will not be able to provide shortlisting feedback.  

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From 1 April 2026, the Agenda for Change full-time working week will reduce from 37 hours to 36 hours. Part-time working hours will be reduced on a pro-rata basis. A corresponding increase in the hourly rate will apply, ensuring that overall pay remains unchanged.

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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