Operations Assistant
Employment Type: Permanent Full Time
Position Classification: Operations Assistant - Others
Remuneration: $64,514.11 - $66,198.95 Per Annum + Super + Salary Packaging
Hours Per Week: 38
Requisition ID: REQ671577
Location: Manning Hospital
Closing Date: Thursday 9th July 2026
Be part of the team behind every successful procedure
Hunter New England Local Health District is seeking a motivated and dependable Operations Assistant to join our Perioperative Unit within a busy and dynamic surgical environment supporting a broad range of specialties.
This is an excellent opportunity to work within a collaborative and patient-centred team dedicated to delivering safe, efficient and high-quality perioperative care to our community. In addition to a rewarding career, you will be supported by a welcoming team culture and the warmth of country hospitality.
Our Perioperative Unit includes three operating theatres and one procedure room, providing care across a diverse surgical caseload. The successful applicant will work closely with multidisciplinary team members in a fast-paced environment where communication, professionalism, adaptability and teamwork are essential to maintaining safe patient care and efficient theatre operations.
About the Role
As an Operations Assistant, you will play a vital role in supporting the perioperative team and ensuring theatres are prepared and maintained to the highest standards.
A typical day may include:
- Preparing theatres for procedures
- Assembling, checking and transporting equipment and supplies
- Supporting nursing and surgical teams with patient positioning and transfers
- Cleaning and resetting theatres between cases
- Assisting with transport of patients, specimens and equipment across the unit
- Maintaining workflow efficiency within a fast-paced surgical environment
This role requires strong situational awareness, flexibility and the ability to anticipate the needs of the clinical team. No two days are the same, and you will often move between theatres depending on operational requirements.
About You
We are looking for someone who is proactive, calm under pressure, willing to learn and committed to working collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.
- Demonstrated experience as an Operations Assistant or willingness to learn
- Knowledge of infection prevention and control guidelines and policies
- Strong communication and teamwork skills
- Reliability, professionalism and commitment to safe patient care
- Physical capability and correct manual handling skills to support patient transfers and equipment movement
- Availability to work a 7-day rotating roster, including weekends and on-call periods
- Capacity to work at short notice due to unforeseen vacancies when required
- Training and Development Provided
Successful applicants will receive a structured orientation program including:
- Introduction to theatre layouts, workflows and key staff
- Hands-on mentoring with experienced Operations Assistants
- Infection prevention and control education
- Manual handling training
- Orientation to ACORN Standards
- Training in endoscope cleaning and equipment preparation
Ongoing support is provided through regular check-ins, in-service education sessions, annual mandatory training and opportunities for continued professional development within the perioperative environment.
Why Join HNE?
Joining Hunter New England Local Health District means becoming part of a supportive and collaborative multidisciplinary team committed to delivering high-quality patient care within a dynamic perioperative environment.
We offer:
- A welcoming and team-focused workplace culture
- Structured orientation and hands-on training with experienced mentors
- Opportunities to learn and develop new skills in a fast-paced surgical setting
- Ongoing professional development and career progression opportunities within NSW Health
- Salary packaging options to help increase your take-home pay
- Access to Fitness Passport and Employee Assistance Program (EAP) services to support your health and wellbeing
If you are motivated, adaptable and looking to build a rewarding career within perioperative services, we would love to hear from you.
What you'll be doing
Work as a multi-skilled member of the Operating Theatre Team to provide, non-clinical ancillary support to the theatre staff to complement the delivery of safe, effective and quality patient care. The position is also required to deliver services to the theatre campus & the general hospital as directed by facility management.
Need more information?
1) Click here for the Position Description
2) Find out more about applying for this position
For role related queries or questions contact Cheryl Tenbosch on Cheryl.Tenbosch@health.nsw.gov.au
Information for Applicants:
If you are currently employed with HNE Health in a position of the same grade, you may not need to submit an online application to be considered. Please contact the hiring manager to discuss your options first.
Applicants will be assessed against the essential requirements and selection criteria contained within the position description (link below). For assistance addressing selection criteria visit: https://bit.ly/3vL5fq2
Stepping Up Website is a resource designed to help indigenous job applicants apply for positions in NSW Health. For more information, please visit: https://bit.ly/HNEHealthSteppingUp
This is a Category A position. Recommended applicants will be reviewed for compliance with NSW Health policy directive PD2024_015: Occupational Assessment, Screening and Vaccination against Specified Infectious Diseases for Category A positions prior to offer. All new employees must agree to comply with the requirements outlined in the policy.
Hunter New England Health is dedicated to fostering a child-safe environment that respects and upholds the rights of children and young people, aligned with NSW Health’s commitment to implementing the Child Safe Standards. We aim to ensure that children and young people feel safe, supported, and included in their care. All current and prospective staff are expected to prioritise the safety, welfare, and well-being of children and young people, actively working to protect them from harm and abuse.
Salary Packaging: is beneficial to most Hunter New England Health employees and may increase your take-home pay! Salary package a range of personal expenses including novated motor vehicle leases, relocation expenses, and HECS/HELP debt. Find out more by contacting SalaryPackagingPLUS! via nswhealth@salarypackagingplus.com.au or 1300 40 25 23.
At Hunter New England Local Health District, we are an inclusive employer dedicated to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and welcoming workplace. Our commitment to a workforce that reflects the community we care for is essential for delivering the highest quality healthcare to our community. We encourage people with diverse lived experiences to apply. If you require any accommodations or adjustments to the recruitment process please let us know when you apply or at any stage of the process. We will work with you to meet your needs and create the best possible experience. Please contact HNELHD-Diversity@health.nsw.gov.au for confidential support.
At Hunter New England Local Health District, we pride ourselves on fostering a respectful, inclusive and highly supportive workplace culture where all staff are valued and encouraged to grow their knowledge and skills.
We are committed to continuous improvement, best practice and maintaining a positive team environment where everyone contributes to safe and compassionate patient care.To be eligible for permanent employment in this position you must be an Australian Citizen, or a permanent resident of Australia, or a New Zealand citizen with a current New Zealand Passport. Employment of a temporary visa holder may only occur if no suitable local candidate is identified for the position; in this instance, you may only be offered employment in line with the conditions and expiry date of your visa.
We are unable to accommodate visa sponsorship for applicants requiring a visa for this position.
Hunter New England Health employees may be eligible for a range of benefits such as allocated days off (ADO) for full time employees, long service leave, paid maternity leave, and salary packaging options including meal expenses.
An eligibility list will be created for future permanent full or part time and temporary full or part time vacancies.
Connect with us on Facebook and LinkedIn!
