Job summary
This post may be offered under Annex 21 AfC Terms & Conditions, subject to experience, competency and suitability.
An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the Mersey Regional Plastic Surgery Team as a Surgical First Assistant at Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals with a base location at Southport Hospital.
Appropriate training and mentorship will be offered by Consultant Colleagues to ensure you become fully competent in the role.
The successful candidate will be expected to demonstrate skills in communication, co-ordination of care and an ability to work flexibly within a multi-disciplinary team. Providing excellent patient experience is critical for all our patients and you will play a key role in ensuring that experience is optimised through accessible and effective communication with compassion and empathy.
The hours of work will be 37.5 per week, over 4 days, work pattern will be agreed with the successful post holder on appointment.
Interviews for this position will be competency based, and applicants will be required to complete a presentation relevant to the the role, with the topic unseen until the interview day.
An Enhanced DBS with barred lists for both Adults & Children is required for this post.
Main duties of the job
- To assess, plan, implement and evaluate specialist treatment and care to patients; promoting independence and autonomy; working within a multi-disciplinary team.
- To provide highly specialised surgical assistance in all aspects of Plastic Surgery to Consultant Surgeons and junior medical staff in the operating theatres
- To understand advanced surgical techniques and make professional and clinical decisions for which the surgical first assistant is accountable
- To have an advanced knowledge of anatomy and physiology
- To have an advanced knowledge of current elective and emergency surgical techniques and equipment required to achieve the optimal outcomes in surgery
- To understand the principles of surgical technique required for plastic surgery
- Assist with the co-ordination and smooth running of the operating session by liaising with theatre and other personnel as appropriate
About us
Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust serves a population of over 600,000 with a workforce of over 9000 dedicated and skilled staff across 21 sites.
We strongly believe that the communities we serve should all have access to Five Star Patient Care.
Our Services:
Acute Care
Providing emergency and maternity services at Whiston, Southport and Ormskirk hospitals, and medical and surgical specialties across all our sites.
Primary Care
Providing primary care services at Marshalls Cross Medical Centre situated in St Helens Hospital.
Community Services
Providing adult community services for St Helens and a wheelchair service in Chorley, South Ribble, and West Lancashire. Our inpatient unit at Newton Community Hospital is where patients needing acute hospital beds can continue rehabilitation, freeing up space for more unwell patients. We also provide urgent care at our Urgent Treatment Centre located in St Helens town centre.
Specialist Regional Services
We provide the Mersey Regional Burns & Plastic Surgery Unit at Whiston Hospital and the Spinal Injuries Unit at Southport Hospital to more than 4 million people across the whole of Merseyside, West Lancashire, Cheshire, Isle of Man and North Wales.
Achievements:
- Rated Outstanding by CQC Inspection August 2018
- Top 100 places to work in the NHS (NHS Employers & Health Service Journal)
- National Preceptorship Accreditation (2023) for Nursing & AHP Preceptorship Programme
Job description
Job responsibilities
KEY DUTIES
- To assess, plan, implement and evaluate specialist treatment and care to patients; promoting independence and autonomy; working within a multi-disciplinary team.
- To provide highly specialised surgical assistance in all aspects of Plastic Surgery to Consultant Surgeons and junior medical staff in the operating theatres
- To understand advanced surgical techniques and make professional and clinical decisions for which the surgical first assistant is accountable
- To have an advanced knowledge of anatomy and physiology
- To have an advanced knowledge of current elective and emergency surgical techniques and equipment required to achieve the optimal outcomes in surgery
- To understand the principles of surgical technique required for plastic surgery
- Assist with the co-ordination and smooth running of the operating session by liaising with theatre and other personnel as appropriate
- To assist in the development of new equipment for surgery and the maintenance of such equipment in conjunction with theatre personnel
- To ensure patients are aware of your involvement in their care by visiting them pre and post operatively
- Advance own clinical knowledge, skill and competence based on current evidence through advanced educational programmes
- Provide highly specialist advice to others regarding the management and care of patients/service users
- To demonstrate clinical effectiveness by use of evidence-based practice and outcome measures.
- Recognise, assess and manage risk across the immediate and wider working environment and make appropriate decision autonomously ensuring statutory requirements are met.
- Attend and actively participate in team meetings.
CLINICAL & PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES
- Under supervision, the SFA will competently and safely carry out skilled procedures within the role when assisting the Surgeon in the operating theatre. The post holder is expected to be willing to work towards or have successfully completed a recognised SFA course and will have the following responsibilities:
- Enhance the communication link between theatre, patient and ward including pre-operative assessment and post-operative evaluation.
- Assist with the patients positioning, including tissue viability assessment.
- Assist with skin preparation and draping prior to surgery.
- Assist with skin and tissue retraction.
- Handling of tissue and manipulation of organs for exposure of access.
- Undertake male/female catheterisation.
- Assisting with haemostasis in order to secure and maintain a clear operating field including indirect use of electrocautery under supervision and use of suction.
- Camera holding for minimal invasive assess surgery.
- Assist with wound closure and application of dressings
- Transfer of patient to recovery
- Superficial wound closure Suture/Skin Glue/Skin Clips
- Wound Infiltration with Local Anaesthetic when prescribed
- Ensure that clinical practice and the development of clinical guidelines adhere to the guidelines produced by regulatory bodies.
- Ensure the dissemination of national and local policy and strategy for nursing and theatre practitioners.
- Facilitate the local nursing strategy, skills and practice in line with national and local policy.
- Report issues regarding poor practice and address poor performance of colleagues in partnership with the lead nurse.
- Report clinical incidents and provide specialist advice to the lead nurse during investigation of clinical incidents.
- To ensure the privacy and dignity of patients is paramount and not compromised.
- To ensure the security and confidentiality of patient information according to Caldicott Guardian guidelines and data protection.
- To ensure that all records are managed in accordance with good record keeping guidelines (NMC/HPC).
- Contribute to professional regulation of nurses and theatre practitioners by monitoring practice and facilitating the achievement of personal development plans in liaison with the MDT.
- Identify and act appropriately regarding incidents of poor practice through clinical supervision, clinical incident reporting, audit and research.
- Develop strong clinical relationships with core professionals to ensure the appropriate development of clinical practice, such as consultants, theatre practitioners and general practitioners.
- Maintain and advance their own clinical skills as appropriate, identified through clinical supervision and personal development plan.
- Undertake annual appraisal of the role and function with the lead nurse and clinical director to ensure the role remains dynamic and sensitive to the needs of service users.
- Responsible for the safe and effective use of resources.
- Develop the skills to manage self and others to ensure that the service is covered including provision made for sickness, absence and annual leave.
- Work as part of the multidisciplinary team in specified surgery contributing to team working and harmonious working relationships.
ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES
- Recording of operating notes to include surgery performed post-operative instructions and follow up referral requests including clinics.
LINE MANAGEMENT/SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Co-ordinate and liaise with theatre staff and other disciplines on patient care and theatre preparation for each procedure
- Promote effective communication methods and ensure good communication throughout the surgical team and with theatre staff
- Help create and maintain positive working relationships with surgical team colleagues and all members of the multi-disciplinary team
- Effectively utilise time management skills to address service needs
- Utilise/develop change management skills to promote efficient/effective change/developments within the service
- Ensure Trust policies and Directorate and Theatre protocols are adhered to
- Ensure safety for patients, staff and self in accordance with Health & Safety at Work Act and COSHH Regulations and accurately record and report any accidents or incidents
- To be aware of the Date Protection Act and maintain patient confidentiality as well as maintaining the patients privacy and dignity, whilst always ensuring that record keeping is of the highest standard
TEACHING & TRAINING RESPONSIBILITIES
- Participate in clinical audit and research as required.
- Participate in the training and education of students of nursing, medicine and theatre practitioners.
- Ensure that clinical practice is supported by the NMC/HPC codes of professional conduct.
- Represent the trust at professional and academic forum on their specialist area.
- Ensure appropriate responses to national and local guidelines such as NICE.
- Completion of patient documentation for clinical and audit purposes.
- Attending audit meetings as appropriate.
- Assist in research projects within plastic surgery as appropriate.
- To maintain and increase surgical knowledge and techniques by attending appropriate training courses and meetings
- Teach other health professionals in the theatre regarding plastic surgery procedures
- Ensure personal and professional development through commitment to lifelong learning
FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
- Be aware of budgetary implications when ordering and using stores/equipment
RESEARCH & AUDIT
- Demonstrate a commitment to the values of research within the clinical practice
- Undertake clinical audit as required to demonstrate the impact of the advanced practitioner role
- Record audit information in a timely, reliable and accurate manner
- Utilise audit and audit results to identify areas for improvement and initiate change
Job description
Job responsibilities
KEY DUTIES
- To assess, plan, implement and evaluate specialist treatment and care to patients; promoting independence and autonomy; working within a multi-disciplinary team.
- To provide highly specialised surgical assistance in all aspects of Plastic Surgery to Consultant Surgeons and junior medical staff in the operating theatres
- To understand advanced surgical techniques and make professional and clinical decisions for which the surgical first assistant is accountable
- To have an advanced knowledge of anatomy and physiology
- To have an advanced knowledge of current elective and emergency surgical techniques and equipment required to achieve the optimal outcomes in surgery
- To understand the principles of surgical technique required for plastic surgery
- Assist with the co-ordination and smooth running of the operating session by liaising with theatre and other personnel as appropriate
- To assist in the development of new equipment for surgery and the maintenance of such equipment in conjunction with theatre personnel
- To ensure patients are aware of your involvement in their care by visiting them pre and post operatively
- Advance own clinical knowledge, skill and competence based on current evidence through advanced educational programmes
- Provide highly specialist advice to others regarding the management and care of patients/service users
- To demonstrate clinical effectiveness by use of evidence-based practice and outcome measures.
- Recognise, assess and manage risk across the immediate and wider working environment and make appropriate decision autonomously ensuring statutory requirements are met.
- Attend and actively participate in team meetings.
CLINICAL & PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES
- Under supervision, the SFA will competently and safely carry out skilled procedures within the role when assisting the Surgeon in the operating theatre. The post holder is expected to be willing to work towards or have successfully completed a recognised SFA course and will have the following responsibilities:
- Enhance the communication link between theatre, patient and ward including pre-operative assessment and post-operative evaluation.
- Assist with the patients positioning, including tissue viability assessment.
- Assist with skin preparation and draping prior to surgery.
- Assist with skin and tissue retraction.
- Handling of tissue and manipulation of organs for exposure of access.
- Undertake male/female catheterisation.
- Assisting with haemostasis in order to secure and maintain a clear operating field including indirect use of electrocautery under supervision and use of suction.
- Camera holding for minimal invasive assess surgery.
- Assist with wound closure and application of dressings
- Transfer of patient to recovery
- Superficial wound closure Suture/Skin Glue/Skin Clips
- Wound Infiltration with Local Anaesthetic when prescribed
- Ensure that clinical practice and the development of clinical guidelines adhere to the guidelines produced by regulatory bodies.
- Ensure the dissemination of national and local policy and strategy for nursing and theatre practitioners.
- Facilitate the local nursing strategy, skills and practice in line with national and local policy.
- Report issues regarding poor practice and address poor performance of colleagues in partnership with the lead nurse.
- Report clinical incidents and provide specialist advice to the lead nurse during investigation of clinical incidents.
- To ensure the privacy and dignity of patients is paramount and not compromised.
- To ensure the security and confidentiality of patient information according to Caldicott Guardian guidelines and data protection.
- To ensure that all records are managed in accordance with good record keeping guidelines (NMC/HPC).
- Contribute to professional regulation of nurses and theatre practitioners by monitoring practice and facilitating the achievement of personal development plans in liaison with the MDT.
- Identify and act appropriately regarding incidents of poor practice through clinical supervision, clinical incident reporting, audit and research.
- Develop strong clinical relationships with core professionals to ensure the appropriate development of clinical practice, such as consultants, theatre practitioners and general practitioners.
- Maintain and advance their own clinical skills as appropriate, identified through clinical supervision and personal development plan.
- Undertake annual appraisal of the role and function with the lead nurse and clinical director to ensure the role remains dynamic and sensitive to the needs of service users.
- Responsible for the safe and effective use of resources.
- Develop the skills to manage self and others to ensure that the service is covered including provision made for sickness, absence and annual leave.
- Work as part of the multidisciplinary team in specified surgery contributing to team working and harmonious working relationships.
ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES
- Recording of operating notes to include surgery performed post-operative instructions and follow up referral requests including clinics.
LINE MANAGEMENT/SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Co-ordinate and liaise with theatre staff and other disciplines on patient care and theatre preparation for each procedure
- Promote effective communication methods and ensure good communication throughout the surgical team and with theatre staff
- Help create and maintain positive working relationships with surgical team colleagues and all members of the multi-disciplinary team
- Effectively utilise time management skills to address service needs
- Utilise/develop change management skills to promote efficient/effective change/developments within the service
- Ensure Trust policies and Directorate and Theatre protocols are adhered to
- Ensure safety for patients, staff and self in accordance with Health & Safety at Work Act and COSHH Regulations and accurately record and report any accidents or incidents
- To be aware of the Date Protection Act and maintain patient confidentiality as well as maintaining the patients privacy and dignity, whilst always ensuring that record keeping is of the highest standard
TEACHING & TRAINING RESPONSIBILITIES
- Participate in clinical audit and research as required.
- Participate in the training and education of students of nursing, medicine and theatre practitioners.
- Ensure that clinical practice is supported by the NMC/HPC codes of professional conduct.
- Represent the trust at professional and academic forum on their specialist area.
- Ensure appropriate responses to national and local guidelines such as NICE.
- Completion of patient documentation for clinical and audit purposes.
- Attending audit meetings as appropriate.
- Assist in research projects within plastic surgery as appropriate.
- To maintain and increase surgical knowledge and techniques by attending appropriate training courses and meetings
- Teach other health professionals in the theatre regarding plastic surgery procedures
- Ensure personal and professional development through commitment to lifelong learning
FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
- Be aware of budgetary implications when ordering and using stores/equipment
RESEARCH & AUDIT
- Demonstrate a commitment to the values of research within the clinical practice
- Undertake clinical audit as required to demonstrate the impact of the advanced practitioner role
- Record audit information in a timely, reliable and accurate manner
- Utilise audit and audit results to identify areas for improvement and initiate change
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Registered General Nurse or Operating Department Practitioner
- Educated to degree level, or equivalent Theatre experience
- Evidence of continued professional development
Desirable
- Enhanced Plastic Surgery Surgical Skills Course, or working towards
- Recognised teaching qualification
- Leadership Course
- Advanced or Intermediate Life Support Training
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Clinical supervision and clinical education experience
- Advanced clinical knowledge in field of Plastic Surgery
- Knowledge of legal and ethical issues surrounding extended roles
- Knowledge of strategic issues which influence area of practice at a local/national level
- Knowledge of change management
Desirable
- Post registration experience in plastic reconstructive surgical environment
Skills
Essential
- Excellent clinical skills
- Excellent organisational and time management skills
- Excellent communication skills
- Presentation skills
- Leadership and management skills
- Ability to prioritise effectively
- Ability to research outcomes to Clinical and Surgical problems
- Ability to work as autonomously using own initiative, and as part of a multi-disciplinary team
- Computer literate
- Ability to identify own learning needs and professional development in liaison with Matron, Clinical Director & development in liaison with Matron, Clinical Director & Directorate Manager
- Ability to assist in facilitating a learning environment conductive to the acquisition of further knowledge and skills
- Ability to share knowledge and expertise with other areas
- Excellent problem solving/conflict resolution skills
- Ability to contribute to the development of teaching strategies appropriate to the learning needs of junior medical staff/colleagues
Other
Essential
- Flexible approach to working pattern
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Registered General Nurse or Operating Department Practitioner
- Educated to degree level, or equivalent Theatre experience
- Evidence of continued professional development
Desirable
- Enhanced Plastic Surgery Surgical Skills Course, or working towards
- Recognised teaching qualification
- Leadership Course
- Advanced or Intermediate Life Support Training
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Clinical supervision and clinical education experience
- Advanced clinical knowledge in field of Plastic Surgery
- Knowledge of legal and ethical issues surrounding extended roles
- Knowledge of strategic issues which influence area of practice at a local/national level
- Knowledge of change management
Desirable
- Post registration experience in plastic reconstructive surgical environment
Skills
Essential
- Excellent clinical skills
- Excellent organisational and time management skills
- Excellent communication skills
- Presentation skills
- Leadership and management skills
- Ability to prioritise effectively
- Ability to research outcomes to Clinical and Surgical problems
- Ability to work as autonomously using own initiative, and as part of a multi-disciplinary team
- Computer literate
- Ability to identify own learning needs and professional development in liaison with Matron, Clinical Director & development in liaison with Matron, Clinical Director & Directorate Manager
- Ability to assist in facilitating a learning environment conductive to the acquisition of further knowledge and skills
- Ability to share knowledge and expertise with other areas
- Excellent problem solving/conflict resolution skills
- Ability to contribute to the development of teaching strategies appropriate to the learning needs of junior medical staff/colleagues
Other
Essential
- Flexible approach to working pattern
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).
