Job summary
Join Our Team at DBTH as a Surgical First Assistant
Are you a registered practitioner with a passion for surgery? Don't miss the opportunity to join Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals (DBTH) as a Surgical First Assistant (SFA).
In this role, you will provide continuous, competent, and dedicated surgical assistance to the operating surgeon throughout procedures, working closely as an essential member of the surgical team under direct supervision.
Make a real impact in patient care and advance your surgical career with DBTH.
Main duties of the job
- Perform skin preparation and draping prior to surgery.
- Retract superficial tissue and cut superficial sutures.
- Handle tissue and manipulate organs for exposure and access.
- Use nerve and deep tissue retractors under surgeon supervision.
- Cutsutures and ligatures under supervision.
- Assist with haemostasis to maintain a clear operating field, including indirect diathermy application.
- Operate suction as directed by the surgeon.
- Manipulate camera for minimally invasive surgery.
- Apply dressings as required.
- Maintain knowledge of surgical instruments, equipment, and laparoscopic systems.
- Demonstrate extensive knowledge of anatomy, physiology, aseptic technique, and infection control.
- Gown and glove using open or closed techniques.
- Comply with Trust policies, best practice guidelines, and legislation to deliver safe, evidence-based surgery within scope of practice.
About us
DBTH is one of Yorkshire's Leading acute trusts, serving a population of more than 440,000. Our services are based over three main hospital sites and several additional services employing over 7,000 colleagues.
At DBTH we have a comprehensive framework of behaviours that guide us in our daily working lives, these form the DBTH Way. We pride ourselves on our commitment to the values of We Care and now the DBTH Way builds upon these foundations, providing further clarity on what it means to embody these values in our everyday interactions.
As an organisation that supports flexible working, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for us and for our patients, and for you. Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement. If it works for the service, we will do our best to make it work for you.
As an equal opportunities employer, we encourage applicants from all sectors of the community, particularly from under-represented groups including those with disabilities, members of our ethnic minorities and LGBTQ+ communities.
We offer a range of benefits to support our people including:o Extensive range of learning opportunitieso NHS Pension Schemeo Generous holiday entitlement in line with Terms & Conditionso Comprehensive health and wellbeing supporto NHS Car Lease schemes and a range of salary sacrifice schemeo Discounts on restaurants, getaways, shopping and finance through external providers.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see attached to the advert a job description and person specification for further details. Please ensure you read this document carefully.Please note, if your application is successful you will be required to present original certificates of qualifications that are listed in the person specification under essential.
Certificate of sponsorship
For individuals who may require sponsorship under the skilled worker or health & care visa route please use the link below to check your eligibility. Check if you need a UK visa - GOV.UK
Please note that from 9th April2025, band 2 & 3 entry roles are no longer eligible for sponsorship.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see attached to the advert a job description and person specification for further details. Please ensure you read this document carefully.Please note, if your application is successful you will be required to present original certificates of qualifications that are listed in the person specification under essential.
Certificate of sponsorship
For individuals who may require sponsorship under the skilled worker or health & care visa route please use the link below to check your eligibility. Check if you need a UK visa - GOV.UK
Please note that from 9th April2025, band 2 & 3 entry roles are no longer eligible for sponsorship.
Person Specification
Personal Skills and Attributes
Essential
- Understanding of WHO Surgical Safety Checklist
- Maintain sterile field and ensure compliance with safety protocols
- Ability to work under pressure and adapt to changing priorities
- Commitment to patient safety and clinical governance
Knowledge & Experience
Essential
- Minimum 12 months perioperative experience in scrub role
- Demonstrated experience assisting in surgical procedures
Desirable
- Experience in Breast speciality
Qualifications & Training
Essential
- Current registration with NMC or HCPC
- Degree-level qualification or equivalent experience
- Completion of accredited Surgical First Assistant course (AfPP/RCS/CODP)
Person Specification
Personal Skills and Attributes
Essential
- Understanding of WHO Surgical Safety Checklist
- Maintain sterile field and ensure compliance with safety protocols
- Ability to work under pressure and adapt to changing priorities
- Commitment to patient safety and clinical governance
Knowledge & Experience
Essential
- Minimum 12 months perioperative experience in scrub role
- Demonstrated experience assisting in surgical procedures
Desirable
- Experience in Breast speciality
Qualifications & Training
Essential
- Current registration with NMC or HCPC
- Degree-level qualification or equivalent experience
- Completion of accredited Surgical First Assistant course (AfPP/RCS/CODP)
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
