Surgical First Assistant

NHS; Leeds; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in the United Kingdom is seeking a highly motivated Surgical First Assistant to join their dynamic surgical team. The role involves assisting in various colorectal procedures while leading and mentoring junior colleagues. Candidates should have relevant qualifications and possess strong communication skills to foster a supportive environment. The trust aims to maintain high professional standards and enhance patient care quality, making this a rewarding opportunity for skilled practitioners.

Qualifications

• Proven track record in surgical assistance.
• Ability to lead surgical teams.
• Commitment to quality improvement in patient care.

Responsibilities

• Assist in a wide range of colorectal procedures.
• Maintain clear communication with team members.
• Participate in clinical audits to evaluate outcomes.

Skills

Communication within a multi-disciplinary team

Patient care

Mentoring junior colleagues

Education

Registered Nurse (Level 1 or 2) or Registered Operating Department Practitioner

Recognised teaching/assessing qualification

Evidence of post registration training in surgical assistance

Tools

Da Vinci Robotic Surgery system

Job description

The Abdominal Medicine and Surgery (AMS) CSU isseeking a highly motivated and experienced Surgical First Assistant to join ourdynamic surgical team. Successful candidates will possess a proven track recordin surgical assistance, demonstrate a passion for patient care, a commitment toquality improvement, and the ability to lead and mentor junior colleagues.

Main duties of the job

The job holder will provide support within thesurgical team, assisting in a wide range of colorectal procedures, includingopen, laparoscopic, and robotic cases. Working collaboratively with bothconsultant and junior colleagues, they will play a pivotal role in ensuring thesuccessful execution of surgical interventions. The role demands exceptionalcommunication skills to maintain clear and effective communication with allteam members, fostering a safe and supportive environment for both patients andstaff.

About us

TheLeeds Teaching Hospitals is one of the biggest NHS Trusts in the country,offering a range of both general and specialist hospital services withexcellent clinical outcomes for patients. We have an international reputationfor excellence in specialist care, research and academic training.

Ourvision as a Trust is to be the best for specialist and integrated care. This isunderpinned by our values - The Leeds Way. The Leeds Way defines who we are,what we believe and how we will work together to deliver the best outcomes forour patients.

AMSis the largest CSU at Leeds Teaching Hospital NHS Trust, and we aim to deliverthe highest quality service for our patients. Leeds has a reputation forclinical excellence as the largest teaching hospital in Europe. We arecommitted to working in line with the values described in The Leeds Way to makework rewarding as well as challenging.

Leeds Teaching Hospitals is committed to our processof redeploying 'at risk' members of our existing workforce to new roles. Assuch, all our job adverts are subject to this policy and we reserve the rightto close, delay or remove adverts while this process is completed. If you doexperience a delay in the shortlisting stage of the recruitment cycle, pleasebear with us while this process is completed, and contact the named contact ifyou have any questions.

Job responsibilities

The colorectal team cover 6 theatres undertaking open, laparoscopic, and robotic procedures. AMS is the largest CSU at Leeds Teaching Hospital NHS Trust, and we aim to deliver the highest quality service for our patients. Leeds has a reputation for clinical excellence as the largest teaching hospital in Europe. We are committed to working in line with the values described in The Leeds Way to make work rewarding as well as challenging.

Candidates wishing to apply should possess a relevant surgical first assistant qualification, demonstrate excellent communication skills, and thrive in a fast-paced environment. A commitment to providing high-quality patient care and continuous professional development is essential to maintain our department's high standards.

If you require more information about the role, then please get in touch with Arron Gill, Surgical Care Practitioner via email on [e-mail]

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

Act in such a way that safeguards the health and wellbeing of children and vulnerable adults at all times. Is familiar with and adheres to, the LTHT safeguarding policies.

Raise concerns with regards to risk, danger, malpractice or wrong doing by following the LTHT Whistleblowing policy and supporting processes.

Clinical:

Maintain a high standard of patient focused care in accordance with Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust guidelines and policies

Act as a role model for the development of clinical skills and knowledge within the peri-operative team

Maintain and promote a clean, secure and safe working environment

Support the Team Leader in setting and monitoring standards and seek to continuously improve standards and the quality of patient care,

Provide assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of peri-operative care for patients, ensuring written records are kept

Acts in accordance with their professional code of conduct

Maintain professional registration through subscription and revalidation

In conjunction with the Team Leader ensure management of clinical services and efficient deployment of staff according to service needs.

Participate in the theatre on call rota, as required.

To provide skilled assistance to the surgeon throughout surgery in relation to surgical preparation, draping, tissue handling, retraction, haemostasis and wound closure.

To ensure adherence to aseptic technique throughout surgical procedure

Participate in clinical decisions throughout the surgical procedure

Participate in surgical audit as required to evaluate patient outcomes

Act in such a way that safeguards the health and wellbeing of children and vulnerable adults at all times. Is familiar with and adheres to, the LTHT safeguarding policies

Undertake duties on other wards or departments as and when required by service demands or patient need.

Raise concerns with regards to risk, danger, malpractice or wrong doing by following the LTHT Whistleblowing policy and supporting processes

Education and Training:

Contribute to the promotion of a positive learning environment within the clinical area

In conjunction with the Team Leader ensure all staff have an individual performance development plan

Participate and contribute to annual appraisals of self and team

Ensure both self and team members achieve mandatory training requirements at appropriate timescales

Participate in Preceptorship and mentorship programmes

Undertake continuous professional and clinical development, seeking opportunities to enhance skills

Participate in training and development of junior medical staff

Managerial:

Working with Team Leader to support leadership within the clinical team.

Support Team Leader in Investigating and responding to accidents, complaints, untoward incidents and other significant events with regard to theatre practice

Work with Matron, Team Leader to promote the further development of peri-operative practitioner roles as considered appropriate

Liaise with Speciality surgeon to ensure appropriate skill mix of surgical support

HEALTH AND SAFETY/RISK MANAGEMENT

All staff are responsible for working with their colleagues to maintain and improve the quality of services provided to our patients and other service users. This includes complying at all times with the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust Policies, including Health and Safety policies, in particular by following agreed safe working procedures, and reporting incidents using the Trust Incident Reporting system.

INFECTION CONTROL

The jobholder must comply at all times with the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust Infection Control policies, in particular by practising Universal Infection Control Precautions. Hand hygiene must be performed before and after contact with patients and their environment.

EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY

The jobholder must comply with all policies and procedures designed to ensure equality of employment and that services are delivered in ways that meet the individual needs of patients and their families. No person whether they are staff, patient or visitor should receive less favourable treatment because of their gender, ethnic origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, religion etc.

PATIENT AND PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT

The Trust has a statutory duty to involve patients and public in evaluating and planning services. All staff have a responsibility to listen to the views of patients and to contribute to service improvements based on patient feedback.

TRAINING AND PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT CONTINUOUS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

The jobholder must take responsibility, in agreement with his/her line manager, for his/her own personal development by ensuring that Continuous

Professional Development remains a priority. The job holder will undertake all mandatory training required for the role.

RESPECT FOR PATIENT CONFIDENTIALITY

The job holder should respect patient confidentiality at all times and not divulge patient information unless sanctioned by the requirements of the role.

COMMUNICATION AND WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

Theatre Manager/Matron

Theatre Co-ordinator

All grades peri-operative practitioner staff

Ward and department staff

Allied Health Professionals

Sterile Services Department

Theatre list schedulers

Medical staff

Facilities staff

WORKING CONDITIONS

Physical effort:

Daily frequent manoeuvring of patients to and from wheelchairs, beds, trolleys, operating tables etc

Frequent manoeuvring of equipment, linen and rubbish

Frequent standing for long periods in difficult positions e.g., holding equipment cameras, retractors, airways.

Wearing lead aprons between 2.5 kilos to 3.5 kilos

Frequent requirement for accurate dexterity when handling items of equipment, use of psychomotor skills.

Mental effort:

Frequent and prolonged periods of concentration which can be a mixture of high volume cases requiring intense concentration plus lengthy complicated procedures between 3 to 8 hours

Frequent requirement to change from one activity to another at the request of a third party which involves adapting to the needs of multiple users/client groups.

Emotional effort:

Regular direct exposure to distressed patients.

Dealing with the unexpected sudden deterioration in patients condition, e.g., cardiac arrest, failed intubation and sudden bleed, sudden death.

Dealing with relatives with bad news e.g. organ consent, post mortem

Occasional direct exposure to severely injured / deceased patients.

Working conditions:

Frequent exposure to unpleasant smells e.g. anaesthetic gases, urine, faeces, diathermy, cement.

Occasional exposure to aggressive patients.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Registered Nurse (Level 1 or 2) or Registered Operating Department Practitioner
• Recognised teaching/assessing qualification
• Relevant post basic clinical course
• Evidence of post registration training and assessment in surgical assistance
• Robotic side assistant course

Experience

• Clinical audit and standard setting
• Experience of the relevant surgical speciality
• Use of the Da vinic Robotic Surgery system

Skills & behaviours

• Ability to communicate effectively within a multi-disciplinary team

Other

• Professional adaptable and flexible.

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.