Employer Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site Doncaster Royal Infirmary Town Doncaster Salary £38,682 - £46,580 Pro Rata Per Annum Salary period Yearly Closing 04/02/2026 23:59
Surgical First Assistant
Band 6
Job overview
Join Our Team at DBTH as a Surgical First Assistant
Are you a registered practitioner with a passion for surgery? Don’t miss the opportunity to join Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals (DBTH) as a Surgical First Assistant (SFA).
In this role, you will provide continuous, competent, and dedicated surgical assistance to the operating surgeon throughout procedures, working closely as an essential member of the surgical team under direct supervision.
Make a real impact in patient care and advance your surgical career with DBTH.
Main duties of the job
* Perform skin preparation and draping prior to surgery.
* Retract superficial tissue and cut superficial sutures.
* Handle tissue and manipulate organs for exposure and access.
* Use nerve and deep tissue retractors under surgeon supervision.
* Cutsutures and ligatures under supervision.
* Assist with haemostasis to maintain a clear operating field, including indirect diathermy application.
* Operate suction as directed by the surgeon.
* Manipulate camera for minimally invasive surgery.
* Apply dressings as required.
* Maintain knowledge of surgical instruments, equipment, and laparoscopic systems.
* Demonstrate extensive knowledge of anatomy, physiology, aseptic technique, and infection control.
* Gown and glove using open or closed techniques.
* Comply with Trust policies, best practice guidelines, and legislation to deliver safe, evidence‑based surgery within scope of practice.
Working for our organisation
DBTH is one of Yorkshire’s Leading acute trusts, serving a population of more than 440,000. Our services are based over three main hospital sites and several additional services employing over 7,000 colleagues.
At DBTH we have a comprehensive framework of behaviours that guide us in our daily working lives, these form the DBTH Way. We pride ourselves on our commitment to the values of We Care and now the DBTH Way builds upon these foundations, providing further clarity on what it means to embody these values in our everyday interactions.
As an organisation that supports flexible working, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for us and for our patients, and for you. Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement. If it works for the service, we will do our best to make it work for you.
As an equal opportunities employer, we encourage applicants from all sectors of the community, particularly from under‑represented groups including those with disabilities, members of our ethnic minorities and LGBTQ+ communities.
We offer a range of benefits to support our people including:
* Extensive range of learning opportunities
* NHS Pension Scheme
* Generous holiday entitlement in line with Terms & Conditions
* Comprehensive health and wellbeing support
* NHS Car Lease schemes and a range of salary sacrifice scheme
* Discounts on restaurants, getaways, shopping and finance through external providers.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please see attached to the advert a job description and person specification for further details. Please ensure you read this document carefully.
Please note, if your application is successful you will be required to present original certificates of qualifications that are listed in the person specification under essential.
Certificate of Sponsorship
For individuals who may require sponsorship under the skilled worker or health & care visa route please use the link below to check your eligibility. Check if you need a UK visa - GOV.UK
Please note that from 9th April2025, band 2 & 3 entry roles are no longer eligible for sponsorship.
Person specification
Personal Skills and Attributes
* Understanding of WHO Surgical Safety Checklist
* Maintain sterile field and ensure compliance with safety protocols
* Ability to work under pressure and adapt to changing priorities
* Commitment to patient safety and clinical governance
Knowledge & Experience
* Minimum 12 months perioperative experience in scrub role
* Demonstrated experience assisting in surgical procedures
* Experience in Breast speciality
Qualifications & Training
* Current registration with NMC or HCPC
* Degree‑level qualification or equivalent experience
* Completion of accredited Surgical First Assistant course (AfPP/RCS/CODP)
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) when writing job applications
If you choose to use AI or other tools to assist in writing your application, it's essential to personalise this information, particularly your supporting statement.
While AI can help streamline the writing process, these tools cannot fully grasp the context or requirements of the job you’re applying for, nor can they accurately reflect your skills, knowledge, and experience. It is crucial that you personalise your supporting statement by articulating these in your unique voice.
Relying solely on AI to write your application or supporting statement is not advocated by DBTH and could negatively impact your chances of success in the application process.
1. Usually lack relevance and fail to address the key criteria outlined in the job description and person specification. May come across as generic and fail to distinguish you from other applicants.
2. May be ambiguous or open to misinterpretation. Without careful review and editing, the supporting statement could convey messages that are unclear or misconstrued by hiring managers.
3. May include qualifications, skills, knowledge or experience that you do not possess, potentially leading to misrepresentation.
* Please note that all correspondence will be sent you to via email. If you are offered a job, information will be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records system. In submitting an application form, you authorise our Trust to confirm any previous NHS service details via the ESR IAT process should you be appointed.
* We reserve the right to close down this advert early should there be a high number of applicants.
* The Trust is committed to its obligations in accordance with the Equality Act 2010, and we positively encourage applications from all sections of the community.
* All employment with the Trust is subject to a number of NHS Employment Checks being met to a satisfactory standard including verification of identity, eligibility to work in the United Kingdom, references and qualifications in addition to professional registration, a disclosure and barring records check and occupational health check if these are deemed to be a requirement for the position to be undertaken. The Trust is now passing the charge for undertaking a DBS check on to candidates in the event that they are successfully appointed into the post for which they have applied. Please note that this check will be charged for in two instalments when you commence employment with Doncaster & Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. By applying for this vacancy you are agreeing to this undertaking in the event you are successfully appointed.
Employer certification / accreditation badges
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.
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