Surgical First Assistant

The Christie NHS Foundation Trust; Manchester; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading cancer treatment center in Manchester is looking for a Surgical First Assistant to join their surgical theatre team. The ideal candidate is a registered nurse or a qualified Operating Department Practitioner with a recognised surgical assistance course. Responsibilities include assisting in open and laparoscopic surgeries, with opportunities for robotic surgery training. Join a collaborative multi-disciplinary team dedicated to high standards of patient care and surgical excellence.

Qualifications

• Must be a registered nurse or qualified Operating Department Practitioner.
• Completed an accredited course in surgical first assistance.
• Current NMC or HCPC registration required.

Responsibilities

• Support and work within the scrub team in a team leader capacity.
• Assist in open and laparoscopic surgery.
• Operate robotic camera system after training.

Skills

Registered nurse

Operating Department Practitioner

Surgical first assistance

Continuing professional development

Team leadership

Education

Recognised university accredited course in surgical first assistance

Job description

About the Role

We are pleased to be able to offer an exciting opportunity for a Surgical First Assistant to join our surgical theatre team at The Christie. You will be a registered nurse with current NMC registration, or a qualified Operating Department Practitioner with HCPC registration. You will have completed a recognised university accredited course in surgical first assistance of operative procedures and have evidence of continual professional development.

We currently have seven operating theatres including two Da Vinci Robotic theatres and an Endoalpha Olympus Laparoscopic theatre. Speciality is to be determined; however, the Christie provides surgical oncology treatment to patients within the Urology, Gynaecology, Colorectal and Plastic patient groups. The post will include assistance in open and laparoscopic surgery and a dedicated in-house training programme to assist Robotic surgery with a consultant supervisor.

There will be opportunity to work with all specialities, providing learning opportunities and cross cover where required.

Key Responsibilities

The successful applicant must have proven ability to support and work within the scrub team in a team leader capacity and will be expected to keep up skills within this area. Work in accordance with the Perioperative Care Collaborative SFA scope of practice (2018) and job description. Including:

• Handling of tissue and manipulation of organs for exposure or access
• Nerve and deep tissue retraction (under the direct supervision of the operating surgeon)
• Cutting of deep sutures and ligatures (under the direct supervision of the operating surgeon)
• Assisting with haemostasis to secure and maintain a clear operating field including the application of indirect diathermy
• Use of suction
• Camera manipulation during laparoscopic surgery
• Skin suturing (upon completion of SFA part 2 only or Basic surgical skills course)

Additional duties upon completion of in house Robotic programme:

• Responsibility for patient positioning
• Assist surgeon with port placement and safe removal of ports upon request from surgeon
• Operate robotic camera system
• To assist in the process of docking and undocking the robotic arms
• Insertion/ Removal of robotic instruments
• Application of ligaclips/ hem 'o' locks under supervision of operating surgeon
• Application of uterine manipulator
• Specimen extraction

Undertake risk assessment within the role and ensure log book of clinical practice is kept.

Support the theatre lead/team with efficient planning and delivery of patient care, pre, peri and postoperatively.

Work collaboratively with the multi-disciplinary team to provide high standards of care.

About The Christie

The Christie is one of Europe's leading cancer centres, treating over 60,000 patients a year. We are based in Manchester and serve a population of 3.2 million across Greater Manchester & Cheshire, but as a national specialist around 15% patients are referred to us from other parts of the country. We provide radiotherapy through one of the largest radiotherapy departments in the world; chemotherapy on site and through 14 other hospitals; highly specialist surgery for complex and rare cancer; and a wide range of support and diagnostic services. We are also an international leader in research, with world first breakthroughs for over 100 years. We run one of the largest early clinical trial units in Europe with over 300 trials every year. Cancer research in Manchester, most of which is undertaken on the Christie site, has been officially ranked the best in the UK.