Theatre Practitioner - Surgical First Assistant - Circle Health Group

Circle Health Group; Reading; On-site; GBP 41,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days holiday per year + bank hols

Private Pension Scheme

Private Healthcare Scheme

Friends & Family Hospital Discounts

Employee wellbeing resources

Job summary

Circle Reading Hospital, part of Circle Health Group, is recruiting a Theatre Practitioner - Surgical First Assistant to join the Theatre team on a 37.5-hour-per-week, permanent basis. The role provides skilled operating room support and is focused on patient safety and dignified care.

Applicants must be a registered healthcare professional (NMC/HCPC) with a post‑registration Surgical First Assistant qualification and demonstrable perioperative experience, aseptic technique, and strong teamwork.

Qualifications

• Registered healthcare professional (NMC or HCPC) with post-registration qualification as Surgical First Assistant.
• Significant perioperative experience and competence in surgical assistance and aseptic technique.
• Good understanding of surgical anatomy, patient positioning and safety protocols.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with a patient-focused approach.
• Commitment to delivering safe, high-quality and compassionate care.
• ILS

Responsibilities

• Provide skilled assistance to the surgeon during operations, including tissue retraction and haemostasis.
• Support safe patient positioning per the surgeon’s requirements and safety protocols.
• Promote dignity, empathy and respect for patients throughout their theatre experience.
• Communicate pre- and post-operatively with patients and families to ensure comfort and reassurance.
• Maintain sterile field and assist with drapes during procedures.

Skills

Perioperative experience

Surgical assistance

Communication skills

Team-oriented

Education

NMC/HCPC registration

Post-registration qualification as Surgical First Assistant

Job description

Overview

Theatre Practitioner - Surgical First Assistant

Circle Reading Hospital

37.5 Hours & Permanent

Salary: Up to £45,000.00 per year (depending on level of experience, training and qualification)

Circle Reading Hospital is part of Circle Health Group, Britain's leading provider of independent healthcare with a nationwide network of hospitals & clinics, performing more complex surgery than any other private healthcare provider in the country.

We have an opportunity for a Theatre Practitioner - Surgical First Assistant to join their team of staff in the Theatre department.

This is a full time role for 37.5 hours a week. The role holder will be required to cover a flexible shift pattern.

Duties Of This Role Include

• Provide skilled assistance to the surgeon during operations, including tissue retraction, haemostasis, suctioning, and wound management where trained and competent.
• Support safe patient positioning prior to the surgical procedure in accordance with the surgeon’s requirements and patient safety protocols.
• Support patients by promoting dignity, empathy, and respect throughout their theatre experience.
• Communicate effectively with patients and their families pre- and post-operatively to ensure comfort and reassurance, where appropriate.
• Demonstrate sensitivity to patients’ needs, concerns, and cultural preferences, contributing to a safe and compassionate environment.
• Assist with the application of sterile drapes and ensure the surgical field is maintained throughout the procedure.

Applicants Should Meet The Following Criteria

• Registered healthcare professional (e.g. NMC or HCPC) with post-registration qualification as a Surgical First Assistant.
• Demonstrable perioperative experience, with competence in surgical assistance tasks and aseptic technique.
• Good understanding of surgical anatomy, patient positioning, and safety protocols.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with a team-oriented, patient-focused approach.
• Commitment to delivering safe, high-quality, and compassionate care.
• ILS

Salary & Benefits

Circle Health Group is committed to offering competitive starting salaries and access to a wide range of employee benefits, including:

• 25 days holiday per year + bank holidays, increasing to 30 days with service
• Private Pension Scheme
• Private Healthcare Scheme for treatment at our hospitals, covering pre-existing medical conditions
• Friends & Family Hospital Discounts
• Family Friendly policies, including enhanced Maternity, Paternity & Adoption pay
• Non-contributory life insurance
• Staff engagement hub with access to discounts and extensive rewards and voluntary benefits
• Access to resources, tools and services to support your wellbeing
• Employee recognition programmes
• Industry leading training and development opportunities

and much more!

Circle Health Group is committed to creating a diverse workforce offering inclusive opportunities for all our colleagues. Our definition of diversity goes beyond the established characteristics protected by the Equality Act, as we strive to attract candidates with diverse experiences, backgrounds, identities or expressions, skills, work styles and more.

We’re passionate about creating an environment where our people can thrive, grow and develop professionally and personally. Our principles and values guide our colleagues to be selfless, compassionate, committed, collaborative, brave, agile, tenacious and creative and are at the core of our purpose and culture.

To find out more about the Circle Health Group Philosophy: https://careers.circlehealthgroup.co.uk/why-circle/our-philosophy