Surgical First Assistants (SFAs) >
Description.
Provide advanced perioperative assistance to surgeons during operative procedures across NHS and private hospital theatres. Support safe surgical exposure, tissue handling, haemostasis, and operative continuity, working alongside surgeons, anaesthetists, and theatre teams to maintain high intraoperative standards.
Key Requirements.
Experience.
Minimum 1–2 years’ post-registration experience in theatres as a Nurse or ODP, with additional experience assisting in surgical procedures.
Skilled in first-assist duties including retraction, wound management, haemostasis, and supporting surgical instrumentation.
Experience working as part of multidisciplinary theatre teams across elective and emergency surgical lists.
Familiar with surgical safety standards, WHO checklists, aseptic technique, and perioperative governance.
Qualifications
Registered Nurse (NMC) or Operating Department Practitioner (HCPC).
Accredited Surgical First Assistant training or recognised perioperative first-assist qualification.
CPD in perioperative skills, surgical assistance, and theatre safety.
Compliance and Vetting.
Enhanced DBS on the Update Service.
Full identity and right-to-work verification.
Two recent clinical references.
Up-to-date NHS Statutory and Mandatory Training.
Immunisation compliance for theatre and clinical environments.
Full NMC or HCPC registration and fitness-to-practise check.
Verification of qualifications and employment history.