Job summary
- Main area
- Surgery
- Grade
- Band 3
- Contract
- Permanent: Weekends and on call
- Hours
- Full time
- Part time
- Job ref
- 279-7367120-JUL25
- Employer
- 279 University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Worthing
- Town
- Worthing
- Salary
- £24,937 - £26,598 per annum pro rata
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 10/08/2025 23:59
Employer heading

Senior Healthcare Assistant
Band 3
About our Trust
At UHSussex we’re proud to be at the heart of the NHS. As one of the UK’s largest acute Trusts, we’re a leading example of the excellence, the ambition and the values that have embodied the NHS for over 70 years.
Our hard-working, talented and dedicated people work together towards a common goal – to always put our Patient First . In fact our mission is summed up by our ‘where better never stops’ motto and you will play a part in driving us forwards and in improving the lives of patients across Sussex.
At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust.
We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We’re here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our Wellbeing Programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work life balance - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.
As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.
We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.
Job overview
We are looking for enthusiastic and motivated people to join our dynamic and skilled team dedicated to the provision of high standards of care and attention within the Operating department.
The department at Worthing comprises of eight main theatres undertaking the following surgical specialties: General, Urology, Breast, Maxillo-Facial, ENT, minor Vascular, Orthopaedic Trauma and Gynaecology. We also staff the Obstetric theatre in Delivery Suite. At Southlands, Day Surgery cases are carried out in two main theatres, alongside our Ophthalmology department with two, day surgery theatres.
As a Theatre HCA you will be supported through an internal staff training and rotation programme which will cover all aspects of the Theatre HCA role within the Department.
As part of a busy departmental team you can expect to develop your skills within a range of specialities since the department provides 24-hour emergency cover.
Main duties of the job
Theatre HCAs are skilled practitioners working in the circulating or recovery role for elective operating lists, acute emergencies, acute trauma and obstetrics.
This is a busy operating department offering a wide variety of acute theatre care. There is an in-house training and rotation programme, to equip you with skills and knowledge through sets of competencies to work towards supporting excellence in patient care, along with opportunities for career development.
Working for our organisation
At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust.
We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We’re here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our Wellbeing Programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work life balance - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.
As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.
We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.
Candidate Information Pack: https://www.uhsussex.nhs.uk/resources/candidate-information-pack/
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
- Be a skilled circulating practitioner during an operating list, assisting the scrub practitioner and all members of the theatre team as needed
- Accurately enter patients details in the theatre register and on the theatre electronic systems
- Act as a circulating practitioner in theatre
- Work in a support role in the recovery area
- Assist in the setting up of theatres, checking equipment and instruments for the session, liaising with the person in charge
- Maintain stock levels in theatres
- Assisting with the daily checks in theatres
- Assist as delegated in an emergency situation
- Operate complex medical devices and troubleshooting
- Supporting learners and new starters
- Processing the collection of complex specimens, ensuring accurate documentation
- Being part of complex procedures requiring two circulating practitioners, managing additional equipment and resources
- Working in environments with radioactive waste and managing the risk
Please see Job Description and Person Specification for full details.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- Care certificate
Desirable criteria
- English GCSE or equivalent at grade C/4 or above
- Maths GCSE or equivalent at grade C/4 or above
- Evidence of Level 3 qualification(s)
Experience
Essential criteria
- Evidence of working in a health care setting
Desirable criteria
- Evidence of working in an operating department
Skills
Essential criteria
- Evidence of good team work and communication skills
Desirable criteria
- Evidence of good administrative / IT skills
- Evidence of policy / procedure adherence
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
Essential criteria
- Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
- Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role)
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.
Application numbers
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Tracey Geralds
- Job title
- Perioperative Practice Development Lead
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 01903 205111
- Additional information
For questions or informal visits please contact Tracey Geralds, via email, [email protected] or on extension 85955.
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