Job summary
The post holder will primarily be involved in intra-operative work assessing, developing, implementing and evaluating care for patients undergoing thoracic surgery and providing skilled first/second assistance to the Thoracic Surgeon during a variety of thoracic operative procedure. The post holder will also provide day to day clinical supervision to junior staff within the working environment and act as an assessor/mentor. The area of practice will primarily be in the intra operative environment however, some aspects of pre and post operative care will also be part of the role.
The post holder must be prepared to meet the emerging demands and requirements of the post, ensuring these remain within the scope of practice of an SFA.
The post holder will be required to successfully complete the core and enhanced surgical first assistant training at an approved academic institution and undertake an internal training programme in line with the Royal College of Surgeons.
On successful completion of the training programme the trainee can progress to a Surgical First Assistant role at AFC Band 7.
Main duties of the job
Using clinical knowledge and experience provide a high standard of care to all patients, undergoing thoracic surgery, throughout the peri-operative period, based on assessment of individual requirements and in co-operation with the multidisciplinary team.
In collaboration with patients and the multi-disciplinary team devise, implement and evaluate complex care provision within the operative environment based on initial care plans.
Assist with patient positioning on the operating table, including tissue viability assessment.
Under supervision of the operating surgeon provide skilled continuous assistance during a range of thoracic procedures including, use and maintenance of specialised surgical equipment, tissue retraction, suction, haemostasis, cutting of deep sutures, insertion of drains and wound closure.
Assist with potential emergencies/risks during the operative procedure with an appropriate degree of urgency.
Monitor the availability of the relevant equipment required for the operative procedure and organise provision/repair if required.
Be personally accountable for own practice as a Registered Nurse and a Surgical First Assistant.
Work at all times within the scope of practice of a Surgical First Assistant supporting patients, their families, staff and other professionals.
About us
Royal Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is the UK's leading heart and lung hospital, delivering care to more than 50,000 patients a year in its new state-of-the-art hospital in Cambridge. We perform the most heart and/or lung transplants in the UK and carried out the UK's first successful heart transplant in 1979. It also offers emergency heart attack treatment, sleep centre care and is one of just five centres nationally for those in severe respiratory failure.
Based on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus the largest centre of medical research and health science in Europe the Trust is at the heart of treatments of the future. Royal Papworth became the first hospital trust in the country to be rated outstanding in all five areas assessed by the Care Quality Commission - a rating it still holds today. The Trust holds its values of compassion, excellence & collaboration at its core, and all colleagues joining the team are expected to uphold these in their day-to-day roles & interactions. Royal Papworth is proud of its diverse workforce and encourages people to embrace their individuality.
The Trust values difference and welcomes all applications irrespective of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy & maternity, race, religion & belief, sex and sexual orientation. Providing they meet the minimum post criteria, applicants with disabilities will be offered an interview.
For a street view tour: https://royalpapworth.nhs.uk/virtual-tour
Job description
Job responsibilities
On this page you will find a Role Profile which provides information about the hospital and full details about the role. We recommend that you review this and refer to it as you complete your application. Please include how you will meet the Trust Values Compassion, Excellence and Collaboration. If you would like more information about the role or working at Royal Papworth Hospital, please get in touch with the contact for this role.
Job description
Job responsibilities
On this page you will find a Role Profile which provides information about the hospital and full details about the role. We recommend that you review this and refer to it as you complete your application. Please include how you will meet the Trust Values Compassion, Excellence and Collaboration. If you would like more information about the role or working at Royal Papworth Hospital, please get in touch with the contact for this role.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Registered Healthcare Professional with the NMC or HCPC.
- Diploma level or above in adult nursing and proven operating theatre experience.
- Thoracic Surgery experience preferable.
- Current experience in the scrub role.
- Proven ability to problem solve and deal with complex issues
Experience
Essential
- Able to communication complex, confidential and/or sensitive information through a range of interpersonal skills to patients, colleagues and families(e.g. educational support, diagnostic information).
- Undertake complex peri-operative interventions including male catheter insertion, skilled inter-operative surgical assistance, skin closure.
- Ability to undertake frequent moving and handling tasks related to patient care using mechanical aids and heavy operative equipment and ability to stand at the operating table for long periods of time.
- Flexible approach to working hours and practice to meet the changing demands of the service.
- The post holder will have exposure to body fluids (blood, urine, faeces) within the operative environment.
- Evidence of using a range of judgement and assessment skills in planning, delivering and evaluating specialist patient care whilst communicating with patients, families and the multidisciplinary team.
- Ability to alter priorities and care based upon patient/service need in a busy clinical environment.
- To be responsible for day to day clinical supervision of staff within the operative theatre.
- Deliver patient care through appropriate delegation responding to changes in needs/environment including coordination with other professionals and departments.
- Act in a professional manner and as a role model to other staff members providing clinical supervision of junior staff.
- Manage own workload in terms of prioritisation of need and escalating as required while supporting team members with their own escalation needs.
- Act independently within the NMC code of conduct, scope of practice for the Surgical First Assistant and trust policies and procedures and knowing when to appropriately escalate.
Additional Criteria
Essential
- Please provide evidence of your commitment to uphold the Trust's values: Compassion, Excellence, Collaboration
- Currently there is no requirement to undertake an on call commitment however, this is subject to change in line with the changing demands of the service.
- The post holder will have exposure to difficult or emotional circumstances.
- It is a requirement for the post holder to complete a 1 year term as an SFA post qualification. Failure to complete this term may result in all or partial re-payment of training fees back to the Trust.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Registered Healthcare Professional with the NMC or HCPC.
- Diploma level or above in adult nursing and proven operating theatre experience.
- Thoracic Surgery experience preferable.
- Current experience in the scrub role.
- Proven ability to problem solve and deal with complex issues
Experience
Essential
- Able to communication complex, confidential and/or sensitive information through a range of interpersonal skills to patients, colleagues and families(e.g. educational support, diagnostic information).
- Undertake complex peri-operative interventions including male catheter insertion, skilled inter-operative surgical assistance, skin closure.
- Ability to undertake frequent moving and handling tasks related to patient care using mechanical aids and heavy operative equipment and ability to stand at the operating table for long periods of time.
- Flexible approach to working hours and practice to meet the changing demands of the service.
- The post holder will have exposure to body fluids (blood, urine, faeces) within the operative environment.
- Evidence of using a range of judgement and assessment skills in planning, delivering and evaluating specialist patient care whilst communicating with patients, families and the multidisciplinary team.
- Ability to alter priorities and care based upon patient/service need in a busy clinical environment.
- To be responsible for day to day clinical supervision of staff within the operative theatre.
- Deliver patient care through appropriate delegation responding to changes in needs/environment including coordination with other professionals and departments.
- Act in a professional manner and as a role model to other staff members providing clinical supervision of junior staff.
- Manage own workload in terms of prioritisation of need and escalating as required while supporting team members with their own escalation needs.
- Act independently within the NMC code of conduct, scope of practice for the Surgical First Assistant and trust policies and procedures and knowing when to appropriately escalate.
Additional Criteria
Essential
- Please provide evidence of your commitment to uphold the Trust's values: Compassion, Excellence, Collaboration
- Currently there is no requirement to undertake an on call commitment however, this is subject to change in line with the changing demands of the service.
- The post holder will have exposure to difficult or emotional circumstances.
- It is a requirement for the post holder to complete a 1 year term as an SFA post qualification. Failure to complete this term may result in all or partial re-payment of training fees back to the Trust.
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).
