Skip to main content

This site is independent of the NHS and the Department of Health.

Please wait, loading

Job summary

Main area
Breast Surgical First Assistant
Grade
Band 6
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Part time - 26.45 hours per week
Job ref
264-7136135-SUR
Employer
Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Kettering General Hospital
Town
Kettering
Salary
£37,338 - £44,962 pro rata
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
29/05/2025 23:59

Employer heading

Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust logo

Surgical First Assistant

Band 6

Job overview

As a Surgical First Assistant (SFA) you will be a highly qualified NMC registered nurse/AHP registered Operating Department Practitioner. You will, in addition have completed a nationally recognised Surgical First Assistant University accredited programme or an in-house training package supported by the AfPP competency handbook. You will be able to demonstrate that you are an accountable practitioner with competence in enhanced surgical practice within the SFA role limits.

You will work closely alongside the Breast Surgery team  within the operating theatre providing continuous competent assistance to the operating surgeon during breast surgical procedures under their direct supervision, without performing any surgical intervention yourself.

You will also work under the direction of the Breast Nursing Leadership team.  

Main duties of the job

Provide skilled assistance under the direct supervision of the  surgeon in breast surgery  

Act as a theatre practitioner undertaking an advanced role within the theatre setting 

 Act as surgical assistant to the breast surgical team :  

Enhance the communication link between theatre, patient and ward 

Involved in the team completion of the WHO surgical safety checklist 

Position the patient, including tissue viability assessment 

Skin prep/ draping

 skin and tissue retraction with cutting of superficial sutures 

Handling of tissues for exposure of access 

Nerve and deep tissue retraction

Cutting  deep sutures and ligatures under direct supervision 

Assist with haemostasis,  maintain a clear operating field 

Use of suction guided by the operating surgeon 

Effective checking and ordering of equipment eg. breast implants

Lead in the planning and completion of patients discharge from the hospital

Minimise the risk of infection to patients and staff in accordance with national and Trust Policy

Manage own and the teams time effectively and ensuring high standards of care are achieved and maintained

Working for our organisation

**Please submit your application as soon as possible as we reserve the right to close any adverts before the closing date once we have received sufficient applications**

Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest employers in the area and we are on an exciting journey. All our divisions are committed to doing things better, with more efficiency as we update, modernise, and advance. We have also entered a Group Model with neighbouring Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust and become University Hospitals of Northamptonshire.

Our Excellence Values

  • Compassion
  • Accountability
  • Respect
  • Integrity
  • Courage

We want to recruit the best people to deliver our services across the University Hospitals of Northamptonshire and help to unleash everyone's full potential. 

The Hospital Group encourages applications from people who identify from all protected groups.  We understand that we need to work with colleagues from diverse backgrounds and make sure the environment they work in is inclusive and collaborative.

We recognise the valuable contribution that the Armed Forces community make to our organisation. We have signed the Armed Forces Covenant and achieved Silver Award under the Armed Forces Employer Recognition Scheme. 

We have active Networks that promote and support colleagues from all backgrounds. This ensures everyone feels supported and has a sense of belonging working for Kettering and Northampton General Hospitals.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

You will be a registered nurse or Allied Health Professional registered Operating Department Practitioner holding a nationally recognised programme of study as a Surgical First Assistant (SFA). Enabling you to perform as a Surgical First Assistant in Breast Surgery under the supervision of the breast surgeon.

You will assist with both elective and emergency surgery

You will perform and assist with wound closure, suturing, haemostasis, retraction of tissues, cutting of sutures and asepsis.

You will assist with preparation of patients for surgery, eg, catheterisation, positioning of patients, prepping and draping 

You will attend ward rounds with  the breast team and coordinate intraoperative treatment plans for patients

You will ensure all members of the wider health care team are kept informed of the changing needs of individual patients

You will request and follow-up appropriate patient investigations. 

Work closely with the theatre team and operator in relation to theatre scheduling, providing assurance that the correct kits and consumables are prepared and ordered.  

Work with the clinical and management team to support improvements in theatre utilisation.  

Analyse, interpret and compare the data of varying levels of complexity and use this to inform decision making.  

Plan  and complete electronic documentation regarding the discharge of patients post operatively from the hospital setting 

Validate the quality of data and information obtained using appropriate methods and provide feedback of the results to those responsible for the data and information. 

Communicate complex and sensitive information in an appropriate manner to patients and all levels of the multidisciplinary team following trust policies and procedures.  

Keep accurate and complete records of activities and communications consistent with legislation, policies and procedures.  

Conduct all procedures in line with standard protocols and within own scope of practice and maintain patient safety at all times. 

Take appropriate action to address any issues or risks that may arise from assessment of the patient, ensuring that wider discussion is undertaken with other team members and senior clinician where any doubt exists.  

Identify and manage actual and potential risks associated with surgical procedures, according to level of experience.   

Develop and contribute to the updating and revision of appropriate policies and guidelines 

Participate in formal and informal teaching to all levels of staff 

Value and take responsibility for your own professional development and that of others

Identify and participate in appropriate research and audit to help develop the First Assistant/breast service. 

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria
  • NMC registered nurse or AHP registered Operating Department Practitioner (ODP)
  • Have completed a nationally recognised programme of study as a Surgical First Assistant, such as a university accredited programme or an in-house training package supported by the AfPP competency toolkit
  • Enthusiasm for learning and a commitment to ongoing professional development (CPD)
Desirable criteria
  • Hold or be willing to undertake a mentorship/teaching qualification

Knowledge & Experience

Essential criteria
  • At least 2 years experience as a theatre practitioner
  • Awareness and understanding of current issues within nursing and the wider NHS specifically in theatre and breast care as a speciality
  • The ability to identify and manage risk
  • Able to assess, identify and address patient needs throughout their perioperative phase of care
Desirable criteria
  • Show evidence of the use of audit research to aid service improvement

Skills

Essential criteria
  • Demonstrate Key Leadership skills
  • Shows excellent organisation and time management skills
  • The ability to allocate and delegate workload responsibly and mentor the work of others, providing clinical supervision to junior staff
  • Excellent verbal, written, interpersonal and communication skills. With the ability to communicate with patients and their families/carers during a highly stressful time, being able to alter communication strategies dependent on the situation and the patients status
  • Demonstrates a high level of IT competence

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Veteran AwareApprenticeships logoNo smoking policyMenopause Friendly EmployerAge positiveDisability confident leaderInvestors in People: GoldImproving working livesArmed Forces Covenant (Silver Award)Mindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.National Preceptorship for Nursing Quality Mark

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Michelle Wright
Job title
Nursing Lead and ANP- Breast Service
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
01536 491509
Apply online nowAlert me to similar vacancies