Senior Healthcare Assistant

The closing date is 03 March 2026

Are you interested in working in a busy and challenging Operating Theatre department? We would love you to come and join our fantastic Theatre Team at Milton Keynes University NHS Hospital (MKUH).

Are you a caring, motivated individual looking for a rewarding role in a dynamic and fast-paced environment? We are seeking enthusiastic Theatre Health Care Assistants to become a vital part of our dedicated and friendly team at Milton Keynes University Hospital.

MKUH is a forward-thinking, medium-sized hospital with approximately 500 beds. Our busy and diverse Operating Theatre department features 12 theatres, supporting both elective and emergency procedures.

We're seeking individuals who are:

• Kind, compassionate, and patient-focused
• Reliable team players with strong communication skills
• Willing to learn and adapt in a busy clinical setting
• Committed to maintaining high standards of hygiene and safety
• Previous healthcare experience is desirable but not essential--we value a positive attitude and a genuine desire to make a difference.

If you do not have an NHS Care Certificate, the successful postholders will be Band 2 and required to undertake the Care Certificate within the first 12 weeks of employment. Once your 6-month probation has completed, you will be a Band 3 (subject to passing probationary period).

We are unable to offer sponsorship for this role

Interview date: 10.03.2026

Main duties of the job

"-NHS Survey, 2024'' This team always knows what their work responsibilities are, scoring 93%.

The theatres at MKUH are split into 2 suites with a total of 12 operating theatres, and a procedure room suite which undertake both elective and emergency work. The role of the HCA is to assist the theatre team in the delivery of safe and effective care to the patient. The post holder will be expected to work competently and flexibly across all surgical specialities as part of the multidisciplinary team, including a variety of shifts including nights, twilights and on-call shifts.

As a Theatre Health Care Assistant, you will play an essential role in supporting our surgical teams and ensuring the theatres are fully prepared for each procedure. Your responsibilities will include:

• Assisting with setting up and maintaining equipment and supplies
• Supporting patients pre- and post-operatively with dignity and care
• Helping maintain a clean, safe, and efficient theatre environment
• Working closely with clinical staff to provide seamless, high-quality care

You’ll receive comprehensive support and training, with opportunities for continuous learning and professional development.

About us

Milton Keynes University Hospital, in proud partnership with the University of Buckingham, is a University Teaching Hospital committed to advancing patient care through cutting-edge research and education. With a "Good" rating from the CQC and significant investment underway, this is an exciting time to join our team and grow your career.

As a medium sized general hospital, we provide a full range of general medical and surgical services, including a busy Emergency Department, Maternity, and Paediatrics. As the population of our city and surrounding areas continues to grow rapidly, we are expanding and enhancing our facilities to meet rising demand and improve access to care for all our communities.

We are also proud to offer a growing portfolio of specialist services. In January 2025 we opened our state-of-the-art Radiotherapy Centre, bringing advanced cancer treatment closer to home. Our services also include neonatology, specialist surgical care, and a wide range of diagnostics, supported by the new Community Diagnostic Centre at Whitehouse Health Centre.

Further investment is underway, including the construction of Oak Wards - a new ward block featuring two 24-bed wards - and the recently approved Women and Children's Centre, set to open by 2030.

Job responsibilities

Be a safe and effective member of the theatre team during a list providing high standards of care Be able to begin to anticipate and have some solutions to solve problems as they occur. To have a knowledge of the Health & Safety at work Act, and its implications for themselves and others. To maintain a high standard of hygiene at all times, be familiar with, and contribute to the control of infection within areas of work. Undertake duties of runner in theatres.

Communication Skills Communicate effectively with the multidisciplinary team receiving and conveying complex and sensitive information. Ensure that the confidentiality of information is maintained at all times, pertaining to both patients and staff Maintain effective communication with patients, relatives and members of the Multidisciplinary team regarding all aspects of care demonstrating a variety of communication skills in accordance with the patient group.

Leadership To develop own practice and offer service improvements To be familiar with trust polices and procedures Act within limits of own competence, ensuring actions support care, protection and wellbeing of others. Maintain responsibility for the identification of own continuing educational and development needs, including audits of own work practice. Formulate a personal development plan and participate in the annual appraisal process.

Please refer to the job description for further details.

Person Specification

Qualifications and knowledge

• GCSE level or Functional Skills in Maths & English or equivalent knowledge
• NVQ Level 3 or equivalent experience
• NHS CARE Certificate
• Awareness of importance of infection prevention & control
• Understanding of the importance of safe working practices
• Awareness of NHS policies
• Understand the role of the Theatre Health Care Assistant
• Willing to undertake the Senior Healthcare Support Worker - Theatre Support Worker Course
• Knowledge of personal care and activities of daily living
• Studying Nursing or Midwifery or similar at university
• Assessors training/certificate

Experience

• Experience working in a care setting
• Experience of working in a team
• Previous NHS experience
• Experience in supporting junior staff
• Experience of circulating in a theatre

Skills

• Ability to demonstrate commitment to high standards of care
• Ability to work under pressure
• Ability to prioritise tasks effectively at short notice
• Caring in a professional manner towards patients and their relatives.
• Good time management
• Ability to induct, support, assess and develop junior members of staff.
• Ability to undertake clinical observations and other clinical tasks
• IT Skills

Personal and people development

• Commitment to Safeguarding
• Presents a professional appearance
• Ability to work within a team
• Self-motivated and enthusiastic
• Commitment to working in a caring environment with people of all ages

Communication

• Clear spoken and written English
• Able to show care, empathy and respect to patients and their families
• Able to communicate with team members, carrying out instructions and feeding back information.
• Able to record care provided using MKUH documentation and complying with MKUH policies and guidelines.
• Able to feedback to staff on safe and effective practice.
• Able to feedback on assessments undertaken.

Specific requirements

• Able to perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptations.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust