Surgical First Assistant​/Senior Theatre Practitioner

Surgical First Assistant/ Senior Theatre Practitioner

Join a world-leader in cancer treatment and research.

Work with a successful operating team, and an award-winning organisation which invests in its staff. Awarded outstanding by CQC.

We are pleased to be able to offer an exciting opportunity for a Surgical First Assistant to join our surgical theatre team at The Christie. You will be a registered nurse with current NMC registration, or a qualified Operating Department Practitioner with HCPC registration. You will have completed a recognised university accredited course in surgical first assistance of operative procedures and have evidence of continual professional development.

We currently have seven operating theatres including two Da Vinci Robotic theatres and an Endoalpha Olympus Laparoscopic theatre. Speciality is to be determined; however, the Christie provides surgical oncology treatment to patients within the Urology, Gynaecology, Colorectal and Plastic patient groups. The post will include assistance in open and laparoscopic surgery and a dedicated in-house training programme to assist Robotic surgery with a consultant supervisor.

There will be opportunity to work with all specialities, providing learning opportunities and cross cover where required.

The successful applicant must have proven ability to support and work within the scrub team in a team leader capacity and will be expected to keep up skills within this area.

Work in accordance with the Perioperative Care Collaborative SFA scope of practice (2018) and job description. Including:

- Handling of tissue and manipulation of organs for exposure or access
- Nerve and deep tissue retraction (under the direct supervision of the operating surgeon)- Cutting of deep sutures and ligatures (under the direct supervision of the operating surgeon)- Assisting with haemostasis to secure and maintain a clear operating field including the application of indirect diathermy.

- Use of suction
- Camera manipulation during laparoscopic surgery
- Skin suturing (upon completion of SFA part 2 only or Basic surgical skills course)

Additional duties upon completion of in house Robotic programme:

- Responsibility for patient positioning
- Assist surgeon with port placement and safe removal of ports upon request from surgeon
- Operate robotic camera system
- To assist in the process of docking and undocking the robotic arms
- Insertion/ Removal of robotic instruments
- Application of ligaclips/ hem 'o' locks under supervision of operating surgeon
- Application of uterine manipulator
- Specimen extraction

Undertake risk assessment within the role and ensure log book of clinical practice is kept.

Support the theatre lead/team with efficient planning and delivery of patient care, pre, peri and postoperatively.

Work collaboratively with the multi-disciplinary team to provide high standards of care.

The Christie is one of Europe's leading cancer centres, treating over 60,000 patients a year. We are based in Manchester and serve a population of 3.2 million across Greater Manchester & Cheshire, but as a national specialist around 15% patients are referred to us from other parts of the country. We provide radiotherapy through one of the largest radiotherapy departments in the world;

chemotherapy on site and through 14 other hospitals; highly specialist surgery for complex and rare cancer; and a wide range of support and diagnostic services. We are also an international leader in research, with world first breakthroughs for over 100 years. We run one of the largest early clinical trial units in Europe with over 300 trials every year. Cancer research in Manchester, most of which is undertaken on the Christie site, has been officially ranked the best in the UK.

1. Clinical

Delivery of peri-operative patient care needs and planning of care delivery according to changing health care needs / technology and varying levels of complexity. Maintain accurate patient records and theatre documentation. Work collaboratively with other professionals and departments to ensure patient care needs are met. When undertaking the SFA role, a current Patient/Procedure Logbook must be maintained.

SFA skills:
The practitioner will provide competent assistance under the direct supervision of the operating surgeon, without clinical intervention. The scope of practice of the SFA is based upon the roles and responsibilities of the SFA as stipulated within Perioperative Care Collaborative Position statement 2018 (or subsequent amended versions). Which includes:
Assisting with patient positioning, including tissue viability assessment Skin preparation and draping prior to surgery. Superficial skin and tissue retraction with cutting of superficial sutures. Handling of tissue and manipulation of organs for exposure or access Nerve and deep tissue retraction (The SFA can only move or place retractors under the direct supervision of the operating surgeon) Cutting of deep sutures and…