Job summary
The post holder is directly responsible
to the Lead Surgical Care Practitioner (SCP). The postholder will participate
in operative procedures under direct supervision of the Orthopedic, General and
Gynecological consultants and aspects of pre and post-operative care of
surgical patients. The role encompasses multi-specialty aspects covering all
institutes at Cleveland Clinic London, including Orthopaedics, Digestive Disease,
Heart, Vascular & Thoracic and Neurosciences.
Main duties of the job
The postholder will be expected to undertake duties with a high level of clinical skills and knowledge under direct supervision of the Consultant surgeon in a theatre setting. As a cross Specialty Surgical First Assistant (SFA), the postholder will be focused on providing exceptional assistance to a variety of Consultants perioperatively. The postholder will be actively engaged in shared learning projects and opportunities to share knowledge with the wider SCP and SFA Team. The successful postholder will work closely with the Lead SCP and liaise with the wider multi-disciplinary team. The SFA will collaborate with perioperative nursing teams, caring for patients undergoing a range of procedures, ensuring availability of equipment to provide excellent patient care and appropriate preparation of the surgical patient. The SFA will engage development for their professional practice and team via education, resources and participate with audit.
About us
Cleveland Clinic is one of the leading
providers of specialised medical care in the world, focused on providing
clinical excellence and superior patient outcomes for almost 6 million patient
visits per year across more than 200 locations.
We employ over 65,000
caregivers worldwide and continue to drive innovation in healthcare.
We opened our first healthcare facility in
London in 2021 and our state-of-the art 184 bed hospital in 2022. With over 100
years of history, our Patients First philosophy will be at the heart of
Cleveland Clinic London and the goal of our team is to create an environment
that continues to delivers world-class clinical care.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- Act as a role model to all members of the team.
- Demonstrate an advanced level of evidence-based theory and practice, with a proven record of clinical decision-making.
- Work closely with the Lead SCP and the theatre scheduling team to ensure appropriate provision of theatre services, staffing provision and equipment.
- Act as a present and recognized point of contact within theatres for Consultants for the wider theatre and clinical team to help facilitate excellent surgical care, including maintaining consultant preferences.
- Help assist the wider SCP and SFA teams clinical development within multiple specialties and participate in sharing knowledge.
- Participate in team education days, engaging with learning and enthusiasm to present self-directed projects and with the wider theatre team.
- Participate in quality improvement initiatives as they relate to surgery and services.
- Take individual responsibility to be up to date with current research, developing techniques and facilitate implementation of new practice initiatives with support of the Lead SCP.
- Identify research opportunities within the department and audit practice.
- Maintain a continuing personal development (CPD) portfolio and appraisal targets.
- To submit relevant audit at a departmental level or research for feedback, publication or presentation.
- Engage in collaborating competency frameworks and action plans to ensure continued development of the team and cross specialist model.
- Participate in theatre audits to ensure compliance with policies and procedures.
- Liaise with the wider theatre team to identify opportunities for further service development.
- Assume responsibility for their own practice.
- Act as mentor to staff of all grades.
- Acquire, develop and maintain advanced knowledge within the Surgical First Assistant role.
- Liaise with other hospitals regarding potential new procedures and practices to ensure ongoing development to optimize Surgery practice at Cleveland Clinic London including feedback to theatre team and ensure specific case requirements are met.
- Attend relevant Forums or multidisciplinary team meetings.
- To assist in evaluation of patient care.
- Understand and recognise legal implications and competence levels of the SFA to the Surgeon, acting according to policy.
- This includes the appropriate assessment and evaluation of care in keeping with:
- The Philosophies and values of Cleveland Clinic London
- The NMC Code of Professional Conduct
- The HCPC Code of Conduct
- Cleveland Clinic London Policies and Protocols
- Demonstrate ability to work to deadlines.
- Actively participate in surgical procedures under the direct supervision of Consultant surgeon.
- Build and maintain an effective link of communication between areas caring for surgical patients.
- Being present in the Anaesthetic room, preparing patients for surgery including catheterising, marking and positioning in line with Consultant preferences and patients needs.
- Act as a SFA as required, across specialties as directed by the supervising surgeon.
- Be accessible and visible to staff, patients and visitor.
- Be wholly accountable for ones own practice.
- Provide high level experience in, patient positioning, prepping and draping, instrumentation knowledge, tissue handling, maintaining a clear operative field, VATS assistance, assisting wound closure and applying appropriate dressings.
- Experience in assisting a range of Orthopaedic surgeries.
- Experience in minimally invasive procedure techniques inclusive of handling of 0 and 30 degree scopes.
- Ensure preparation, checking and maintenance of surgical equipment as per guidelines before and after procedures.
- Ensure that appropriate instruments, prosthetics/implants, consumables and any necessary equipment is secured for procedures.
- Ensure faulty equipment is isolated from use, using the appropriate label, and report to a responsible person.
- Help to ensure that only sterilized items are used, ensuring that the integrity of the packaging is intact and that expiry dates on all products are checked. Products must only be used in accordance with the manufacturers or suppliers written instruction.
- Assemble and prepare appropriate and essential disposable/reusable items for surgical procedures using the aseptic technique if required, checking sterility and expiry date of packing.
- Adhere to appropriate safety precautions, as established within the theatres/Clinic to minimize the risks of fire, explosion, electrical shock, contamination, accident and equipment malfunction.
- Take ultimate responsibility for the ensuring the standard of the environment within his/her identified area of responsibility.
- Ensure patients needs are met and staff maintain cleanliness as defined by national standards.
- Advocate for patients.
- Provide flexible approach to working with a variety of shifts required, including on-call and weekend shifts as needed.
- Work as an adaptable member of the SCP and SFA team, covering cross specialties when required, with appropriate support and training where necessary.
- Anticipate specific consultant surgeons requirements before and during the procedure.
- Assist other team members to participate in the safe transferring and positioning of the patient.
- Assist during emergency situations within appropriate level of training and guidance of practice.
- Ensure that excellent infection control practice and high standards of clinical care are given, to minimize risk of patient infections and protection for the clinical staff and areas.
- Ensure team and consultant compliance with the WHO check list and time out before surgery.
- Actively participate in the pre-operative team brief and other quality and safety checklists, while ensuring that this is documented accordingly when appropriate.
- Ensure the safe and confidential transit of patient notes from the operating theatre to other departments.
- Help to ensure caregivers across perioperative services adhere to policies and procedures.
- Maintain & monitor legibility and accuracy of nursing records and be aware of the legal implications of these documents.
- Document any incidents within quality and safety systems. Actively participate in the investigation and management of reported incidents, while encouraging a culture of openness and psychological safety.
- Ensure a clean, tidy and risk free clinical workplace.
- The post holder is expected to work flexibly with varying shift patterns (nights/days/weekends/on calls) and is expected to work full-time.
- The post holder will always be under the supervision of the consultant surgeon who has overall responsibility for the surgical care provided to and received by the patient.
This job description is a general guide to the clinical scope of the post but is not exhaustive and may change in line with the needs of the department or at the request of the Lead Surgical Care Practitioner and/or the Critical Care & Anaesthesia, HVTI Institute Manager.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- Act as a role model to all members of the team.
- Demonstrate an advanced level of evidence-based theory and practice, with a proven record of clinical decision-making.
- Work closely with the Lead SCP and the theatre scheduling team to ensure appropriate provision of theatre services, staffing provision and equipment.
- Act as a present and recognized point of contact within theatres for Consultants for the wider theatre and clinical team to help facilitate excellent surgical care, including maintaining consultant preferences.
- Help assist the wider SCP and SFA teams clinical development within multiple specialties and participate in sharing knowledge.
- Participate in team education days, engaging with learning and enthusiasm to present self-directed projects and with the wider theatre team.
- Participate in quality improvement initiatives as they relate to surgery and services.
- Take individual responsibility to be up to date with current research, developing techniques and facilitate implementation of new practice initiatives with support of the Lead SCP.
- Identify research opportunities within the department and audit practice.
- Maintain a continuing personal development (CPD) portfolio and appraisal targets.
- To submit relevant audit at a departmental level or research for feedback, publication or presentation.
- Engage in collaborating competency frameworks and action plans to ensure continued development of the team and cross specialist model.
- Participate in theatre audits to ensure compliance with policies and procedures.
- Liaise with the wider theatre team to identify opportunities for further service development.
- Assume responsibility for their own practice.
- Act as mentor to staff of all grades.
- Acquire, develop and maintain advanced knowledge within the Surgical First Assistant role.
- Liaise with other hospitals regarding potential new procedures and practices to ensure ongoing development to optimize Surgery practice at Cleveland Clinic London including feedback to theatre team and ensure specific case requirements are met.
- Attend relevant Forums or multidisciplinary team meetings.
- To assist in evaluation of patient care.
- Understand and recognise legal implications and competence levels of the SFA to the Surgeon, acting according to policy.
- This includes the appropriate assessment and evaluation of care in keeping with:
- The Philosophies and values of Cleveland Clinic London
- The NMC Code of Professional Conduct
- The HCPC Code of Conduct
- Cleveland Clinic London Policies and Protocols
- Demonstrate ability to work to deadlines.
- Actively participate in surgical procedures under the direct supervision of Consultant surgeon.
- Build and maintain an effective link of communication between areas caring for surgical patients.
- Being present in the Anaesthetic room, preparing patients for surgery including catheterising, marking and positioning in line with Consultant preferences and patients needs.
- Act as a SFA as required, across specialties as directed by the supervising surgeon.
- Be accessible and visible to staff, patients and visitor.
- Be wholly accountable for ones own practice.
- Provide high level experience in, patient positioning, prepping and draping, instrumentation knowledge, tissue handling, maintaining a clear operative field, VATS assistance, assisting wound closure and applying appropriate dressings.
- Experience in assisting a range of Orthopaedic surgeries.
- Experience in minimally invasive procedure techniques inclusive of handling of 0 and 30 degree scopes.
- Ensure preparation, checking and maintenance of surgical equipment as per guidelines before and after procedures.
- Ensure that appropriate instruments, prosthetics/implants, consumables and any necessary equipment is secured for procedures.
- Ensure faulty equipment is isolated from use, using the appropriate label, and report to a responsible person.
- Help to ensure that only sterilized items are used, ensuring that the integrity of the packaging is intact and that expiry dates on all products are checked. Products must only be used in accordance with the manufacturers or suppliers written instruction.
- Assemble and prepare appropriate and essential disposable/reusable items for surgical procedures using the aseptic technique if required, checking sterility and expiry date of packing.
- Adhere to appropriate safety precautions, as established within the theatres/Clinic to minimize the risks of fire, explosion, electrical shock, contamination, accident and equipment malfunction.
- Take ultimate responsibility for the ensuring the standard of the environment within his/her identified area of responsibility.
- Ensure patients needs are met and staff maintain cleanliness as defined by national standards.
- Advocate for patients.
- Provide flexible approach to working with a variety of shifts required, including on-call and weekend shifts as needed.
- Work as an adaptable member of the SCP and SFA team, covering cross specialties when required, with appropriate support and training where necessary.
- Anticipate specific consultant surgeons requirements before and during the procedure.
- Assist other team members to participate in the safe transferring and positioning of the patient.
- Assist during emergency situations within appropriate level of training and guidance of practice.
- Ensure that excellent infection control practice and high standards of clinical care are given, to minimize risk of patient infections and protection for the clinical staff and areas.
- Ensure team and consultant compliance with the WHO check list and time out before surgery.
- Actively participate in the pre-operative team brief and other quality and safety checklists, while ensuring that this is documented accordingly when appropriate.
- Ensure the safe and confidential transit of patient notes from the operating theatre to other departments.
- Help to ensure caregivers across perioperative services adhere to policies and procedures.
- Maintain & monitor legibility and accuracy of nursing records and be aware of the legal implications of these documents.
- Document any incidents within quality and safety systems. Actively participate in the investigation and management of reported incidents, while encouraging a culture of openness and psychological safety.
- Ensure a clean, tidy and risk free clinical workplace.
- The post holder is expected to work flexibly with varying shift patterns (nights/days/weekends/on calls) and is expected to work full-time.
- The post holder will always be under the supervision of the consultant surgeon who has overall responsibility for the surgical care provided to and received by the patient.
This job description is a general guide to the clinical scope of the post but is not exhaustive and may change in line with the needs of the department or at the request of the Lead Surgical Care Practitioner and/or the Critical Care & Anaesthesia, HVTI Institute Manager.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- RGN /ODP Level 3
- Surgical First Assistant course level 1 as minimum
Desirable
- Previous Orthopeadic Surgical First Assistant experience
- Perioperative experience
- Handling of scopes to assist minimally invasive /VATS including a 0 and 30 degree scope
Experience
Essential
- Significant experience as a Surgical First Assistant.
- Current experience as a full time surgical first assistant is desirable.
- Previous experience as a Theatre Practitioner or Senior Scrub Nurse is desirable.
- Experience in audit and reviewing practice
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- RGN /ODP Level 3
- Surgical First Assistant course level 1 as minimum
Desirable
- Previous Orthopeadic Surgical First Assistant experience
- Perioperative experience
- Handling of scopes to assist minimally invasive /VATS including a 0 and 30 degree scope
Experience
Essential
- Significant experience as a Surgical First Assistant.
- Current experience as a full time surgical first assistant is desirable.
- Previous experience as a Theatre Practitioner or Senior Scrub Nurse is desirable.
- Experience in audit and reviewing 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.
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
