(*) Advanced Surgical First Assistant

Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust; England; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust is recruiting an Advanced Surgical First Assistant. The post involves applying specialist clinical knowledge to provide autonomous practice across surgical settings and support the surgeon with operative procedures.

The role requires thorough NHS MDT collaboration, completion of specialist training, and adherence to NMC/HCPC guidelines. Closing date 11 November 2026 and the post is based in an NHS environment.

Qualifications

• NMC registered with active practice and specialist training.
• Evidence of completion of specialist training or equivalent.
• Broad training and experience in the specialty.
• Comprehensive knowledge of NHS structures, MDT roles and relationships.
• Knowledge of research/audit principles and applying outcomes.
• Ability to apply research to clinical/surgical problems.
• Excellent verbal and written skills.
• Advanced communication course completed.
• Able to develop effective working relationships across the MDT.
• Able to organise and prioritise workload.
• Ability to adapt to changing circumstances.
• Professional indemnity insurance.

Responsibilities

• Deliver direct care to patients within their caseload per policies and guidelines.
• Practice within Surgical First Assistant parameters, adhering to NMC/HCPC codes and trust policies.
• Maintain core and specific clinical competencies and pursue additional training as needed.
• Participate in user groups, forums and MDT meetings weekly.
• Engage in research-based practice.
• Undertake pre-operative assessment to identify peri-operative needs.
• Report and manage pre-operative concerns empathetically.
• Possess advanced knowledge of operative stages and anatomy to assist the surgeon.

Skills

Excellent verbal and written skills

Advanced communication course

Ability to develop effective working关系

Education

NMC Registered

Evidence of completion of specialist training or equivalent

Job description

Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust

(**) Advanced Surgical First Assistant

The closing date is 11 November 2026

This role is multi-dimensional and requires the post holder to apply specialist clinical knowledge and skill, to integrate and fulfil all the identified dimensions within it.

This includes specific clinical autonomous practice performing a degree of surgical intervention having gained the under-pinning knowledge and competence within an agreed core and individual clinical specialty scope of practice, which is identified within this job description.

Main duties of the job

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.

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.

About us

Our ambition is to deliver excellent local and specialist services, to improve the health and well being of our patients, and provide a vibrant place for staff to develop, innovate and build careers.

We aim to make the most of our skills and experiences so we can become the best we can be. As one organisation we will recruit the finest and retain more specialist staff due to more employment opportunities across our Trust.

Job responsibilities

Additional details on responsibilities and expectations of the role are included in the attached Job Description

Qualifications

• NMC Registered
• Evidence of completion of specialist training or equivalent.

Knowledge & Experience

• Evidence of thorough and broad training and experience in the specialty.
• Comprehensive knowledge in the specialty.
• Demonstrates good knowledge of the structures and culture of the NHS, roles, responsibilities and relationships across the MDT and the multi-professional team
• Knowledge of the principles of research/audit and ability to interpret and apply clinical research.
• Ability to apply research outcomes to clinical and surgical problems

Communication Skills

• Excellent verbal and written skills
• Ability to communicate effectively with clinical colleagues, other specialties and support staff
• Advanced communication course

Personal & People Development

• Ability to develop effective working relationships on an individual and multi-disciplinary basis with all levels of staff
• Able to organise and prioritise workload
• Ability to adapt and respond to changing circumstances
• Professional indemnity insurance

Physical Requirements

• Ability to work under pressure
• 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.
• Caring, honest and reliable

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.

Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust