Bank Health Care Assistant - Ward/ Theatres

At Optimised Care, we are looking for enthusiastic, experienced Health Care Assistants to work either on our ward or theatre department as part of our pool of bank staff. The specialities we currently provide to both NHS and private patients include Orthopaedics, ENT, Gynae, Urology, Plastics and General Surgery. We are looking to grow the team to allow flexible ad-hoc work provided across 7 days of the week including a variety of shift patterns.

The Health Care Assistant (HCA) will provide high-quality, compassionate support to patients throughout their elective surgical journey, assisting the multidisciplinary team both in the operating theatres and on the surgical ward. The role involves delivering safe, patient-centred care before, during, and after surgery, ensuring comfort, dignity, and efficiency in all aspects of the patient experience.

• Circulating in theatre to assist the theatre team in maintaining a sterile field whilst taking care of patients in a vulnerable setting
• Meeting and greeting patients
• Transferring patients to and from theatres and the ward
• Acting as a patient advocate
• Patient observations
• Assisting in clinics
• Assisting the nursing team with general ward duties
• Assisting with patient care and activities of daily living

Job responsibilities include:

• Assist in preparing patients for surgery, including pre-operative checks, mobility support, and personal care.
• Support theatre staff with patient positioning, transfer, and preparation of the operating environment.
• Maintain cleanliness and availability of equipment, ensuring infection control standards are met.
• Assist scrub and circulating staff as directed, maintaining aseptic technique at all times.
• Provide post-operative care under supervision, including vital signs monitoring, hygiene needs, and mobility assistance.
• Support safe discharge planning by reinforcing patient information and ensuring readiness for home recovery.
• Deliver person-centred care in line with hospital values, maintaining dignity, privacy, and respect at all times.
• Act as a reassuring presence for patients undergoing elective procedures, relaying concerns promptly to registered staff.
• Contribute to effective communication within the multidisciplinary team, attending briefings and debriefs as required.
• Assist with stock control, restocking clinical areas, and safe disposal of consumables.
• Accurately document care activities and observations in patients records or electronic systems.
• Support the smooth flow of patients between theatres, recovery, and wards.
• Adhere to all hospital and statutory health and safety policies, including manual handling and infection prevention.

At Optimised Care, we have a close-knit team that strives to give the best possible care to all of our patients. We are all inclusive and provide a busy but friendly working environment that prides itself on our theatre productivity and turnaround, alongside our recent CQC Good rating.

Experience & Qualifications:

• Essential: Care Certificate or equivalent experience in a hospital or clinical setting.
• Knowledge of basic clinical care procedures and infection control.
• Ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary team.
• Commitment to maintaining high standards of patient care and confidentiality.
• Desirable: Previous experience in a surgical ward or operating theatre.
• Basic understanding of surgical instruments or perioperative care pathways.
• NVQ Level 2/3 in Health and Social Care or equivalent.

Personal Attributes:

• Compassionate and empathetic.
• Reliable, adaptable, and able to manage changing priorities.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills.
• Calm under pressure and attentive to detail.

Working Pattern: Ad-hoc covering early, late, and weekend shifts as required across ward and theatre departments.

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.