Specialist Assistant Theatre Practitioner

Specialist Assistant Theatre Practitioner

The closing date is 28 January 2026

Assistant Theatre Practitioners (ATP) are an integral part of the Surgical team. They perform circulating and scrub roles for a specific range of surgical cases. They work alongside Surgeons, Anaesthetists, Operating Department Practitioners and Theatre Nurses to ensure that every operation is safe and as effective as possible. They perform in a scrub role to exactly the same standard as a registered ODP or Theatre Nurse.

This role includes preparing and maintaining a sterile surgical field, assembling surgical instruments, supporting the surgeon throughout the operation and ensuring that patient is safely handed over to the theatre post-operative recovery staff and that the operating theatre and all equipment is checked and cleaned ready for use.

The ATP needs a broad knowledge and skill base including communication, literacy and team working skills so as to contribute to the smooth running of the theatre department.

It is anticipated that this role will continue to develop through the acquisition of further skills, knowledge and competencies to be determined within the clinical teams.

The post holder will provide support for procedures in which they have been assessed as competent after completion of a nationally recognised ATP qualification.

The Day Surgery Unit is a very busy department and is expanding its services constantly. It is a dedicated unit which has three operating theatres, two recovery areas and a ward. There is also an ophthalmic department within the unit.

The department manages day case elective surgery for adults and paediatric cases. It provides a service for elective surgical specialities which include;

• General Surgery
• Orthopaedics
• Gynaecology
• Urology
• Ophthalmic
• ENT
• Oral and Max Fax
• Hand Trauma

Day Surgery encompasses the whole patient surgical journey from admission to discharge. Our goal is to provide high quality individualised care, in a timely manner, to a range of patients undergoing elective day case procedures.

Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust (HDFT) cares for the population in Harrogate and the local area, as well as across North Yorkshire, Leeds and parts of the North East.

At HDFT we provide outstanding care to both our patients and our staff and we value Kindness, Integrity, Teamwork and Equality. If you're looking for an interesting and rewarding career in the NHS, where you can make a real difference to patients' lives, HDFT could be the place for you!

We offer colleagues:

• A supportive culture so colleagues can bring their whole selves to work.
• Staff Recognition - as well as regular appraisals, we recognise achievements with our Making a Difference & Team of the Month Awards, along with annual Colleague Recognition Awards.
• Employee Support and wellbeing - we offer a wide range of staff benefits including an Employee Assistance Programme, counselling service and a fast-track Physiotherapy service.

Please note:

• Due to high levels of interest, posts may close early if we reach a sufficient number of applications
• Visa sponsorship is only available for certain roles. Please ensure the role you are interested in meets the criteria for a visa before submitting your application.
• Please also be aware that the Trust does not offer relocation packages for Agenda for Change roles.
• All job offers are subject to satisfactory pre-employment checks.

The ATP will support the delivery of high quality, evidence based care across the pre-operative, intra operative and post-operative phases of the Patients perioperative journey. This will include:

To develop and maintain the skills required to assist with:

To support the surgical team in the performance of surgical procedures ensuring that safe high quality care is delivered.

To always work to agreed policies and procedures as identified for the assistant practitioner role.

To maintain the patients dignity and self-respect at all times whilst providing a high standard of care.

To be aware of the Health and Safety requirements of staff and patients, and assist in maintaining a safe…