Job summary
- Main area
- Elective Orthopaedic Theatres (Bigbury Orthopaedic Surgical Suite)
- Grade
- NHS AfC: Band 3
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time
- Part time
- Job share
- Job ref
- 216-SF-S7198790
- Employer
- University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Derriford Hospital
- Town
- Plymouth
- Salary
- £24,625 - £25,674 Per Annum, Pro Rata
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 29/06/2025 23:59
Employer heading

Health Care Assistant/Patient flow coordinator
NHS AfC: Band 3
Job overview
We have exciting times ahead within Elective Orthopaedics in Derriford Hospital as we a new theatre suite which will soon have it's first year of opening in June 2025 .We are an established dynamic team and looking for a likeminded applicant to join us. Bigbury is a self-contained Unit with admissions area and state of the art medi-rooms for optimum patient experience.
We are looking for Band 3 Senior Health Care Assistants to join our team - working in the admission and recovery areas. Successful candidates will be patient orientated, enthusiastic and able to work in a dynamic, ever developing environment.
We are working towards enhanced patient pathways and have a fantastic opportunity to join a forward-thinking dynamic team to take this forwards.
Experience in theatres and or recovery areas is desirable however full training will be provided via a Recovery Foundations Programme and ongoing Competency Training.
***Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as ‘Priority’ and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon who are able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification.***
Main duties of the job
This role will involve supporting registered practitioners in admitting, recovering and discharging patients as well as recovering your own patients and undertaking some administrative duties.
Working for our organisation
We are a people business – where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff, who are committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence and great customer care. The Trust has great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment. We offer all of this in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure.
PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION WILL BE ELECTRONIC, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY. If you have any issues with applying online and need additional support including reasonable adjustments with the application process please contact the recruitment team on 01752 432100. We recognise that work life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants around less than full time/flexible working for our advertised roles. Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss this prior to your application submission.
We commit to giving this full consideration in each case. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, as diversity strengthens our teams. It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
- To assist in the preparation of the admissions and recovery areas prior to operations and to carry out cleaning of designated areas as directed.
- To be able to recognise and meet the specific needs of patients undergoing surgery/ recovery.
- To maintain a safe environment for patients and staff.
- To implement care packages for patients undergoing general and local anaesthesia post-surgery. Support patients during their recovery phase post-surgery.
- To escort patients as required in accordance with Hospital policy.
- To assist, under supervision of a Registered Practitioner, in Stage 1 recovery for patients having had surgical interventions or procedures carried out on them. To implement the care pathway for patients in stage 2 of their recovery as a designated practitioner.
- To perform clinical observations on patients under the supervision of Registered Practitioners, being able to recognise, record and escalate changes in patients’ normal parameters to Registered Practitioner’s/Medical staff.
- To update patient information systems to allow for a bigger picture view of any and all patients who have been through the Recovery area. To accurately maintain records relating to patient care.
- To plan ahead to avoid potential issues with patient flow through the unit. To escalate any potential issues and liaise with Site/Bed manager to ascertain bed availability and location.
- The post holder will be expected to be familiar with and contribute to the control of infection within areas of work to maintain a high standard of hygiene at all times.
- To complete accurate and detailed documentation of individual patient care pathways.
- To participate in the ordering of and maintenance of equipment used in Recovery and be able to use it under supervision.
- To continually evaluate personal performance and development, maintaining and updating clinical skills and knowledge.
- To undertake training for new equipment or service developments as required.
- To actively participate in department based continuing education, assisting in mentoring and facilitating junior support junior support worker/HCA’s and providing support for students, visitors and new members of the team.
Person specification
Knowledge & Experience
Essential criteria
- Demonstrable experience within a similar role with transferable skills to the theatre environment.
Desirable criteria
- Demonstrable experience at HCA /NVQ Level 3.
- Demonstrable IT experience working with Windows based programmes.
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- GCSEs Grades A-D or Levels 3-9 in Maths and English or Functional Skills Levels 2 in Maths and English
- NVQ level 3 in Health & Social Care or HCA UHP Level 3 or definitive evidence of working towards – 75% completed (or equivalent transferable qualification)
- Undertake and complete the Care Certificate training program offered in-house
Aptitude & Abilities
Essential criteria
- Effective verbal and non -verbal communication skills
- Ability to prioritise workload
- Good time management.
Applicant requirements
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Ronda Barlow
- Job title
- Recovery Team Leader /Sister
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 01752 439264
- Additional information
Ronda Barlow, Recovery sister
T: 01752 439264
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