Surgical First Assistant - Plastic Surgery

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., + 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 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.
+ Cut sutures and ties.
+ 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
+ Knot tying
+ Superficial wound closure - Suture/Skin Glue/Skin Clips
+ Securing Drains
+ Direct Diathermisation
+ 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 patient's 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
+ Share new knowledge
Transitional arrangements are in place for EU,EEA and Swiss Citizens following the UK's withdrawal from the EU. Should you this apply to you, you are advised to familiarise yourself with these arrangements to ensure you continue to have right to work in the UK and how to evidence that right in the future. Please see the document attached to this vacancy. This requirement does not apply to Irish citizens, who can continue to freely enter, live and work in the UK.
The Trust is a non-smoking site. Failure to follow this rule could lead to disciplinary action.
Please be aware, that we may close a vacancy earlier than stated, should a sufficient number of applications be received from which a shortlist can be confirmed therefore you are advised to apply at your earliest convenience. The Trust may contact you during the recruitment process for your feedback on your experience.
We actively cultivate a professional environment of fairness, equality, dignity, and respect for all individuals. We welcome individuals from all backgrounds and value the unique skills, perspective and experience you bring. We are grounded in the belief that diversity enhances our collective strength, fostering innovation and excellence within our workforce.
As a Disability Confident Leader, we commit to offering an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the job (the essential criteria) listed in the personal specification. If you wish to apply under this Guaranteed Interview Scheme, please indicate this on the online application form.
If you are having difficulty completing an online application, or require any disability reasonable adjustments, to the application process, please contact [email protected]
We also commit to offering an interview to all armed forces veterans who meet the minimum criteria for the job (the essential criteria) listed in the personal specification. If you wish to apply under this Guaranteed Interview Scheme, please indicate this on the online application form.
The Trust operates anonymous shortlisting where no personal information about you, including your name or personal details are shared with the recruiting manager. No equality information is shared at any time during the recruitment process with the recruiting manager or other people involved in the decision making process.
The equality monitoring information you provide is used in the following situations: to review our recruitment practices; where a job is limited to a specific person to verify their eligibility to apply; and to offer disability reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process.
Changes have been made to the NHS Terms and Conditions of Service Handbook which mean that:
+ All employees have the right to request flexible working from day one of employment.
+ There is no limit on the number of requests they can make.
+ Employees have the right to make requests, have them considered, regardless of the reason.
At Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, we will consider requests for flexible working.
Please be advised that the use of Artificial Intelligence on applications is monitored and if you choose to use this, you must declare this on your application form.

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