Job summary
St Bartholomew's Hospital is pleased to offer the opportunity to join our dynamic and innovative Thoracic surgical team as a Surgical First Assistant (SFA). This post will be offered as a Band 7 for suitably qualified and experienced candidates or as a trainee post at Band 6 for individuals without the required qualifications and experience.The SFA will act as first assistant for Robotic surgical procedures in the operating theatre and be responsible for carrying out specific procedures during operations under the supervision of the consultant surgeon.Applicants should have extensive thoracic surgical scrub experience, including experience in robotic thoracic surgery. The post holder will be responsible for the provision of a high-quality patient focused service, as a skilled member of the operating department team, providing expert guidance and support based on advanced knowledge and experience.Barts Thorax centre specialises in the full range of chest conditions, from lung and airway conditions to chest wall conditions. We are one of the few international centres performing cancer treatment with navigation bronchoscopy and have recently invested in an additional robot with generous support from Barts Charity. St Bartholomew's Hospital is one of the national centres performing surgery to correct pectus deformities. We have an active research programme, from improving current treatments to developing new treatments.Full advert attached
Main duties of the job
The post holder will perform these duties with a high degree of clinical skill and knowledge in accordance with the NMC/HPC codes of conduct, and practice within the limits of Trust policies and guidelines and not undertake elements if they are not competent or clearly identified as outside their individual scope of practice
To provide expert assistance and support in robotic surgery to the Consultant Surgeons, SpRs, theatre staff and patients undergoing robotic surgery including troubleshooting, theatre setup, ordering and monitoring robotic surgical instrumentation levels.
You will be self-directed, providing development and leadership to medical and nursing staff, and disseminate your knowledge and skills to others. You will maintain a high level of skill and professionalism, develop and maintain portfolio evidence, supporting Royal College of Surgeons accreditation.
About us
Barts Health is one of the largest NHS trusts in the country, and one of Britain's leading healthcare providers.
The Barts Health group of NHS hospitals is entering an exciting new era on our improvement journey to becoming an outstanding organisation with a world-class clinical reputation. Having lifted ourselves out of special measures, we now have the impetus and breathing space to chart a fresh course in which we are continually striving to improve all our services for patients.
Our vision is to be a high-performing group of NHS hospitals, renowned for excellence and innovation, and providing safe and compassionate care to our patients in east London and beyond. That means being a provider of excellent patient safety, known for delivering consistently high standards of harm-free care and always caring for patients in the right place at the right time. It also means being an outstanding place to work, in which our WeCare values and behaviours are visible to all and guide us in how we work together.
We strive to live by our WeCare values and are committed to promoting inclusion, where every staff member has a sense of belonging. We value our differences and fully advocate, cultivate and support an inclusive working environment.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The full job description provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience, and knowledge required. For both documents, please view the attachment
We are dedicated to being an outstanding place to work and will work with you to get the best experience. We know flexible working is not a one size fits all and will mean something different to everyone. We are inclusive, so if you are interested in flexible working, please speak to the recruiting manager.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The full job description provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience, and knowledge required. For both documents, please view the attachment
We are dedicated to being an outstanding place to work and will work with you to get the best experience. We know flexible working is not a one size fits all and will mean something different to everyone. We are inclusive, so if you are interested in flexible working, please speak to the recruiting manager.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- NMC Registered Nurse at Level or Registered Operating Department Practitioner
- Evidence of Continuous Professional Development (CPD) at degree level (peri-operative qualification)
Desirable
- Surgical First Assistant University Module at Level 6/7 (Requirement for Band 7)
- Masters level qualification
- Teaching and mentoring qualification
Experience
Essential
- Significant experience as a Senior Thoracic scrub practitioner
- Experience of scrubbing in Thoracic robotic and open major surgery
- Experience in the assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of perioperative care, using an evidence-based approach
- Experience supporting others/mentoring and facilitating learning in the perioperative environment.
Desirable
- Evidence of leading service change.
Knowledge
Essential
- Demonstrate understanding of procurement process
- Knowledge and understanding of patient pathways
- Up to date knowledge of relevant local and national guidance / perioperative standards
- Theoretical knowledge / understanding of the Surgical First Assistant role and scope of Practice
Desirable
- Knowledge and experience of managing and leading a team.
Skills
Essential
- Proven ability to manage and progress own professional development.
- Ability to work collaboratively as part of the multidisciplinary team to meet the needs of all service users.
- Demonstrates effective written and verbal communication skills, particularly where there are barriers to understanding
- Evidence of supporting colleagues / mentoring learners / facilitating learning within the perioperative environment
Desirable
- Management training and leadership development.
- Basic Surgical Skills training (RCS)
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- NMC Registered Nurse at Level or Registered Operating Department Practitioner
- Evidence of Continuous Professional Development (CPD) at degree level (peri-operative qualification)
Desirable
- Surgical First Assistant University Module at Level 6/7 (Requirement for Band 7)
- Masters level qualification
- Teaching and mentoring qualification
Experience
Essential
- Significant experience as a Senior Thoracic scrub practitioner
- Experience of scrubbing in Thoracic robotic and open major surgery
- Experience in the assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of perioperative care, using an evidence-based approach
- Experience supporting others/mentoring and facilitating learning in the perioperative environment.
Desirable
- Evidence of leading service change.
Knowledge
Essential
- Demonstrate understanding of procurement process
- Knowledge and understanding of patient pathways
- Up to date knowledge of relevant local and national guidance / perioperative standards
- Theoretical knowledge / understanding of the Surgical First Assistant role and scope of Practice
Desirable
- Knowledge and experience of managing and leading a team.
Skills
Essential
- Proven ability to manage and progress own professional development.
- Ability to work collaboratively as part of the multidisciplinary team to meet the needs of all service users.
- Demonstrates effective written and verbal communication skills, particularly where there are barriers to understanding
- Evidence of supporting colleagues / mentoring learners / facilitating learning within the perioperative environment
Desirable
- Management training and leadership development.
- Basic Surgical Skills training (RCS)
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
