Advanced Surgical First Assistant

Job responsibilities

Clinical Practice.

Deliver direct care to patients within their caseload in accordance with the trusts policies and NMC / HCPC guidelines.

Practice within the parameters of the Surgical first Assistant, adhering to the NMC / HCPC codes of clinical conduct and in accordance with trust policies, guidelines and specific practice requirements identified within this job description.

Maintain core and specific clinical competencies, recognising role / skill limitations identifying, additional training and education required to support continued safe practice and knowledge.

Participate in user groups, forums, and multidisciplinary team meetings weekly including specific clinical speciality meetings.

Participate and engage in research-based practice.

Provide a high standard of individualised care to patients and demonstrate knowledgeable clinical competence.

Undertake pre-operative assessment of the patient in-order to assess and identify the patients physical, psychological, and spiritual peri-operative needs.

Report and proactively initiate the management of the patients pre-operative concerns/needs reassuring and employing anxiety management therapies to the patient if necessary.

Possess advanced knowledge and understanding of stages of operative procedures, and of anatomy and physiology in-order to provide skilled anticipatory assistance to the surgeon.

2.a Core Clinical skills in practice gained from part 1 of SFA course.

Mark patients for surgery in accordance with safe site surgery policy, during pre-operative visit.

Advise and ensure the patients safe positioning for the surgical intervention.

Perform surgical skin preparation and application of surgical drapes.

Correctly handle and retract tissues, vessels and organs anticipating minute

stages of operative procedures and provide exposure and visual access tothe operating site.

Correctly handle and apply suction/irrigation.

Correctly and dexterously handle surgical instruments.

Assist with heamostasis, cutting sutures and ties.

Correctly prepare, handle, and operate endoscope camera and associated instruments.

Perform urethral catheterisation of male and female patients.

Apply surgical wound dressings and handover patient to PACU staff.

2.a Core Clinical skills in practice gained from part 2 of course extended skills and key instruction in surgical skills

Administer and infiltrate local anaesthetic agents.

Maintain haemostasis via knot tying and application of direct diathermy.

Perform closure of surgical wounds utilising a variety of suturing techniques.

Perform fixation of surgical wound drains.

Correctly use and maintain specialist equipment and accurately monitor,

record and interpret clinical observations.

Participate in the delivery of key performance issues by reducing delayed,

starts, increasing theatre utilisation and reducing unscheduled and

cancelled operations.

As part of the multi-disciplinary team, participate in the Who Five Steps to Safe Surgery Checklist for each patient.

2.b Speciality Clinical skills in practice.

Orthopaedics.

Report and proactively initiate the management of preoperative planning for the patient pathway through surgery, via bluespier, cito, liaising with CWLO and ward ACPs.

Have extensive knowledge of Orthopaedic surgery including upper limb, lower limb, foot and ankle, paediatric cases, soft tissue knee surgery, arthroplasty procedures both complex, revision and associated complications of such procedures.

Perform closure of the fascia layer in Hip Arthroplasty.

Perform closure of the capsule in Total Knee Replacement.

Perform preparation of the Hamstring Tendon graft for Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction.

Conformation of consent on the day of the procedure where previously taken in clinic by the operating surgeon.

Perform Orthopaedic templating as part of preoperative planning.

Perform non-medical referral for X-rays.

Perform the application of plaster back slabs at the request of the surgeon.

Edan discharge summaries.

Robotics and General surgery.

Have extensive knowledge of robotic surgery and how to trouble shoot the robot and be able to maintain this specialist equipment.

Intraoperative assistance with robot docking insufflation and robot monitoring / management.

Insertion of laparoscopic instrument (secondary) ports. This does not include the initial incision for the camera port.

Application of laparoscopic haemo-clips (metal and polymer).

Application and use of internal stapling devices.

Application and activation / utilisation of thermal / energy devices to deeper tissues / structures.

Application of staples during anterior resections and right hemicolectomy.

3. Quality and Governance.

lead and assist as required, with investigation of and response to complaints and datix incidents in a proactive manner meeting identified timelines as part of governance and delivery of a quality service.

Participate and lead as required, in audits, research and service / practice reviews to support and review quality service.

Demonstrate and practice understanding of risk management in relation to all aspects of healthcare within scope of practice.

The post holder is responsible for taking reasonable care with regard, to themselves as well as for any colleagues, patients or visitors who might be affected by any act or failure to act by the post holder in accordance with the Trusts policies on health and safety.

4. Education and training.

Participate in and achieve agreed nationally recognised and validated course(s), which will be underpinned by in-house training, validated by the local governance structure.

Maintain an awareness of Surgical First Assistant national and regional initiatives via SFA refresher courses, forums and the AFPP, also NMC or HCPC dependant on registration.

Maintain clinical competencies and professional educational, knowledge and skill requirements.

Participate in completion of annual appraisal and development plan with the theatre Band 7 for the trusts KSF knowledge and skill framework, and a surgical appraisal for clinical skills with a surgical appraiser such as the HOCS or delegate.

The trust will assist with agreed development to enable the post holder to achieve their objectives and standards in line with the development plan.

If the post holder feels they are not achieving their objectives as agreed in the development plan they will bring it to the attention of their line manager / HOCS or delegate at the earliest opportunity.

Maintain and meet annual MAST training performance as required.

other

Essential

• Flexibility within contracted hours to meet the demands of the department.
• Ability to meet the physical requirements of the role, able to stand and concentrate for prolonged periods.
• Able to access all trust sites.

Desirable

• Professional indemnity insurance

Experience

Essential

• Significant experience within the theatre environment
• Previous experience working in a Band 6 Perioperative Practitioner and Surgical first assistant role.
• Proven experience in specialty required skill
• Excellent knowledge of contemporary operating department practice, surgical procedures, instrumentation/equipment.
• Advanced knowledge of anatomy and applied physiology
• Evidence of implementing change in practice.

Desirable

• ILM level 5 Award in Management

Qualifications

Essential

• RGN/RODP
• Nationally recognized course for surgical first assistance with extended skills.
• ILM level 4 Award in Management
• SIPPs
• In-house training to meet extension of specialty skills.
• Mentor/Assessor qualification at honors level or equivalent
• Member of a professional practice body, e.g. RCN, HCPC, AfPP.

Desirable

• Healthcare related BSc

Knowledge and Awareness

Essential

• Essential knowledge of your specialties and current issues in health care
• Ability to demonstrate evidence-based practice.
• Continued professional development.
• Create and maintain effective working relationships.
• Demonstrate dexterous and knowledgeable assistance to the surgeon.
• Awareness of own limitations.

Skills and abilities

Essential

• An ability to work within the perioperative team and organize and prioritise own and others workload.
• Commitment to training.
• Assertive and confident.
• Calm, objective and decisive.
• Excellent and effective communicator.
• Ability to lead, motivate and influence others.
• IT Literate

Desirable

• Willing to train for additional skills as per role and scope of practice

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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).