Theatre Support Worker - February 2026 (Eastern Services) in Exeter

Are you passionate about people and looking to continue a career in Healthcare in one of our operating theatres? Or maybe you have some Theatre experience and are keen to join an innovative and dynamic NHS Trust that’s really going places? Join us as a Theatre Support Worker (TSW), get paid while you learn and develop your career with the Royal Devon. Every day, you will make a huge difference to the lives of the people we care for, delivering a high standard of care alongside your colleagues.

Providing personal care, promoting nutritional needs, and assisting in the preparation, recovery and recuperation of patients on their journey to better health are just some aspects of this essential role. In particular we are recruiting for our Plastic Surgery Unit, supporting clinical activities across outpatient and minor procedures Theatres. Candidates must have experience working in a Theatre environment and clearly demonstrate this in their application.

Shifts are 4 long days per week, between Monday and Friday (8am-6pm), no nights/weekends. Interviews will be held on 12th and 13th March 2026.

Our Theatre Support Workers (TSWs) form an essential and well-respected part of our Theatre teams in our acute Hospitals. No previous experience or qualifications are required, just a desire to deliver excellent patient care with the support and guidance of your colleagues. You will quickly become a valued member of the team through our comprehensive training and induction programme and our commitment to learning and development will satisfy even the most ambitious person.

Once you have completed your training, and gained the necessary experience you will progress along the salary scale. If you have previous, related experience and can demonstrate the ability to meet the competencies of the role then you will join further up the salary scale and we will continue to invest in your development as you progress your career with us.

We are recruiting to both fixed term and substantive vacancies, for a minimum of 15 hours per week, up to 37.5 hours per week. If you are not fully flexible with the days/shifts that you are able to work, unfortunately, we will not be able to consider your application at this time.

Our teams are caring, compassionate and inclusive, so whatever your background, you will be made to feel very welcome. More information about the role, training and development and the experiences of our TSWs is included in the attached document.

At Royal Devon, we believe in compassion, integrity, teamwork, and striving for excellence in everything we do. We would love to hear about your experiences - whether in care or elsewhere - what inspires you to support others - and if there are particular wards or areas you are passionate about. In your supporting information please include the following:

• Why you would like to become a Theatre Support Worker
• Highlight any relevant qualifications or experience

It is recommended that you use at least 300 words as the detail you provide will be used for shortlisting purposes. Share your story and help us match you to a role where you will thrive and make a real difference.

Working patterns - We care for our patients around the clock so we will need you to work a range of shift patterns. These range from short shifts, day shifts between 7:30 and 20:00 and 12.5 hour day and night shifts with an hour break in the ward areas. Please do check this at your interview.

Interview date: Interviews will be arranged throughout March.

Working locations: We are recruiting to our Theatre services covering the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, Heavitree Hospital, and Nightingale.

Pay: The salary advertised for this position reflects the Agenda for Change 2026-7 rates, inclusive of a 3.3% pay award implemented from April 2026. If you join before this date, remuneration will be based on the 2025-6 pay bandings.

As an inclusive employer, the Royal Devon values diversity and is committed to creating a culture of inclusivity where everyone can be themselves and reach their full potential. We believe in fostering a sense of belonging and actively encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, cultures, and abilities.

The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust reserves the right to close this vacancy when sufficient applications have been received.

About Us: Stretching across Northern, Eastern and Mid Devon, we have a workforce of over 15,000 staff, making us the largest employer in Devon. Our core services, which we provide to more than 615,000 people, cover more than 2,000 square miles across Devon, while some of our specialist services cover the whole of the peninsula, extending our reach as far as Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

We deliver a wide range of emergency, specialist and general medical services through North Devon District Hospital and the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital (Wonford). Alongside our two acute hospitals, we provide integrated health and social care services across a variety of settings, including community inpatient hospitals, outpatient clinics, and within people’s own homes.

We also offer primary care services, a range of specialist community services, and Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARC). Our state-of-the-art equipment, leading technologies and strong links to local universities put us at the front of research and innovations, enabling us to provide world-class care to our local communities.

Looking after you is important to us. We strive to help our staff create a healthy work-life balance through flexible working schemes and our family friendly policies. If you are starting out in the NHS, you’ll start with 27 days paid annual leave (plus bank holidays), rising to 33 days plus bank holidays.

You will benefit from access to our own comprehensive occupational health services, including counselling, onsite wellbeing activities and groups. We will work together to maintain a culture that develops and supports you and your team.

Salary is not the only financial benefit. You will have access to an extensive range of staff discounts on shopping, fitness and leisure options and you can spread the cost of technology and home appliance purchases from major retailers. You will also have access to other benefits including:

• National discount services such as the Blue Light Card and Health Service Discounts.
• Salary sacrifice options including our OFSTED rated outstanding nursery onsite at Exeter.
• Car lease schemes.
• The NHS Pension scheme (one of the most generous and comprehensive in the UK).
• Cycle to work scheme.

These are just a few of the benefits available – if the role is something you are interested in, we would love to hear from you.