Theatre Care Assistant - Emergency Theatre

Job summary

University Hospitals Dorset is looking to recruit motivated people, to join our expanding Theatre Department delivering a 24 hour service as a Theatre Care Assistant .

Within the department we offer great opportunities with an extensive educational program, to include the development of our Theatre Care Assistants including level 3 apprenticeships in Perioperative care and Operative Department Practitioner Apprenticeships.

We pride ourselves on our friendly working environment and our desire to lead on best practice in the perioperative setting. If you have the drive that we are looking for to join our friendly and supportive team, then our Theatres Department is the place for you.

We offer a range of specialities across both sites where you will become a valued member our team. Full training will be given and your peers, senior staff and the rest of the multidisciplinary team will support you to learn new skills and to expand your practice. After which, you will progress to a band 3 Theatre Care Assistant on completion of a care certificate.

Please be aware that this role is a support workers role and not a healthcare assistant role. It has limited patient contact and limited direct patient care responsibilities will involve supporting the theatre team within the circulating role and daily running of the theatre environment.

Informal visits are welcomed.

Base Location: Poole Hospital

Interview Date: 20th February 2026

Main duties of the job

To understand the role in more detail please read the full job description and person specification documents which are attached to this advert.

About us

UHD are investing,developingand transforming Trust services in line with the New Hospital Programme. As part of this, some services may move site this year or next, either temporarily or permanently. Recruiting Managers will be happy to answer any service-specific questions at interview.

This service has a planned move from Poole Hospital to Royal Bournemouth Hospital in July 2026.

If a role or servicerelocatesas part of a planned move, excess mileage will not be reimbursed. Travel from home to the new work base will be classed as a normal commute. Any other changes will be managed under Trust or national terms and conditions.

UHD has active networks including Women's, BAME, Pride, EU, Pro Ability, and Armed Forces. We support Disability Confident and Armed Forces Covenant interview schemes.

AI tools may be used, but applications must honestly reflect your own skills and experience. Integrity is key to our recruitment process.