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Job overview

The Surgical/Robotic First Assistant is responsible for the provision of a high quality patient focused service, as a skilled member of the Operating Department team, based on the assessment of patient's needs. To supervise and support the teams and provide an effective and efficient service to Clinicians and other support staff.

The Surgical/Robotic First Assistant will act as first assistant to the surgeon, with autonomy in suturing. They will participate and assist in operative procedures and with pre and post-operative care as required. The Surgical/Robotic First Assistant will be expected to demonstrate a competent level of knowledge within the specialist field and always work within predetermined areas of competence in accordance with the NMC or HPC code of conduct and scope of professional practice. The post holder will practice within the limits of Trust policies and guidelines and will be expected to maintain a high level of skill and professionalism and develop a portfolio of evidence to support application of RCS Accreditation.

The Surgical/Robotic First Assistant will have leadership skills and qualities to guide and manage a team of theatre professionals whilst ensuring the appropriate, necessary surgical equipment and instrumentation is available and prepared in order to carry out surgical and robotic procedures safely and effectively.

Main duties of the job

• Assist with surgical procedures in theatre as part of the multi-disciplinary team for the surgical speciality under the supervision or direction of the consultant surgeon, including suturing, supervised diathermy use and incision making and undertake specific surgical     
• Assist with the preparation of patients for surgery including female catheterisation and patient positioning and preparation.
• Contribute to the clinical post-operative care, including wound assessment, initial treatment and detection of surgical problems
• Provide information and advice to management and theatre personnel on specialised surgical procedures and equipment.
• Act as a formal link between surgical and theatre personnel for co-ordination of theatre usage and effectiveness.
• To be responsible for timely, accurate and complete records both manually and electronically ensuring safety and confidentiality of information and any hospital and  statutory requirement are met.
• Assist in leading a team supporting the Sister in the effective management and utilisation of the theatre/recovery/anaesthetic resources when not in the position of SFA.
• To monitor and manage the care of the patient during pre, peri and post-operative / anaesthetic procedures.
• To perform competently over a broad range of complex technical and professional work activities, in a wide variety of contexts and with a substantial degree of personal  responsibility and autonomy.
• Assist with robotic surgery Gynaecology procedures

Working for our organisation

University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust is one of the largest and most modern in the country. Based across two sites, Royal Stoke in Stoke-on-Trent and County Hospital in Stafford, we are proud to serve around three million people and we're highly regarded for our facilities, teaching and research. We are the specialist centre for major trauma for the North Midlands and North Wales.

All of our employees make a valuable contribution regardless of role here at UHNM and we are proud of our wide range of development packages aimed at ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to fulfil their true potential. 

UHNM create and encourage a culture of inclusion, providing equal opportunities for career development that are fair and transparent. We are committed to being a diverse and inclusive employer and foster a culture in which all staff feel valued and respected. In return we ask all of our employees to make a commitment to the values, co-created by or staff, patients and carers, and that unite us as a Trust.

At University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust we know that investing in, supporting and developing our staff has a direct impact on the quality of care that we deliver. Our employees are as important as our patients and the population that we serve.