Overview
Join our dynamic General Surgery team at Stepping Hill Hospital as a Surgical First Assistant (SFA) and take a leading role in the theatre, promoting patient safety and high‑quality practice. You will provide expert support to the operating surgeon, ensuring seamless peri‑operative care, while fostering collaboration, communication, and teamwork across the theatre and surgical teams. Acting as a clinical resource and role model, you will support and mentor junior staff, contribute to theatre operations when not scheduled as SFA, and take responsibility for coordinating and managing the smooth running of the departmental team. This is a unique opportunity to combine clinical expertise, leadership, and professional development in a supportive and high‑performing environment.
You will adhere to the NMC/HCPC Code of Professional Conduct at all times and competently perform non‑interventional clinical tasks in surgical assistance under the direct supervision of the operating surgeon. You will contribute to effective communication within the peri‑operative environment and actively participate in peri‑operative safety checks for all surgical interventions. You will support the development and maintenance of a high‑quality clinical learning environment, fostering the professional development of staff and students. You will ensure compliance with the Trust's Equality and Diversity Policy, actively supporting the Race Equality Scheme and promoting equality of opportunity for all, including disabled people, while ensuring services meet the needs of diverse equality groups. Additionally, you will remain aware of wider Trust objectives, as well as regional and national policy, and understand their impact on local service delivery.
Main Responsibilities
Clinical Practice
* Provide continuous, competent, and dedicated surgical assistance to the operating surgeon throughout procedures, without performing independent surgical interventions.
* Undertake non‑interventional clinical tasks in surgical assistance competently and safely under the supervision of the operating surgeon, including suturing, incision support, and supervised diathermy use.
* Contribute to pre‑ and post‑operative patient care, including wound assessment, initial treatment, patient positioning, and preparation for surgery, ensuring patient safety and high standards of care.
* Actively participate in peri‑operative safety checks and assist in maintaining the smooth running of theatre lists.
Leadership and Teamwork
* Act as first or second assistant under the consultant's direction and lead or coordinate theatre staff as required, ensuring effective team organisation and theatre utilisation.
* Foster effective communication and collaboration across the peri‑operative, theatre, and surgical teams.
* Serve as a clinical resource and role model, supporting and mentoring junior staff and students, promoting a culture of learning and professional development.
* Deputise for the Team Manager/Team Leader as required, maintaining continuity and operational efficiency.
* Support the development and maintenance of a high‑quality clinical learning environment for staff and students.
* Maintain professional skills and knowledge in line with NMC/HCPC standards and develop a portfolio of evidence to support RCS Accreditation.
* Engage in continuing professional development and reflective practice to maintain expertise within the specialist field.
Governance, Policy, and Compliance
* Adhere to the NMC/HCPC Code of Professional Conduct and operate within the Trust's policies and guidelines at all times.
* Ensure accurate, timely, and confidential documentation of clinical activity, complying with statutory and hospital requirements.
* Promote and implement the Trust's Equality and Diversity Policy, actively supporting race equality and equality of opportunity for all staff and patients.
* Remain aware of wider Trust objectives, regional, and national policies and understand their impact on local service delivery.
The ideal candidate will demonstrate advanced clinical knowledge, leadership skills, and professional integrity. They will be an effective communicator, able to work collaboratively in a high‑pressure environment, and committed to delivering safe, high‑quality patient care while supporting the development of colleagues and the wider surgical team.
If successful, this vacancy will require an enhanced DBS check at a cost of £54.90. This cost will be deducted from your first Trust salary and is a condition of employment. In addition, you will join the DBS update service and pay the annual subscription fee of £16.
About the Employer
Stockport NHS Foundation Trust is a dynamic integrated Trust with integrity and vision. It is one of four specialist hospital sites in Greater Manchester, enhancing general surgery, anaesthetics, critical care and emergency medicine for the benefit of people in Stockport, High Peak, Cheshire and across Greater Manchester. Stockport NHS Foundation Trust aims to be the organisation of choice for patients and an employer of choice for staff. In order to continually improve all aspects of our patient experience, we rely upon having a highly skilled, motivated, diverse, productive and patient‑focused workforce.
We hold a unique position in the Stockport community as a provider of healthcare and are one of its largest employers. We believe that the best organisations are those that reflect the communities they serve; therefore we seek to improve the diversity of our workforce to make it truly representative of our local population. Stockport NHS Foundation Trust is committed to promoting and championing a culture of diversity, fairness and equality for all applicants and employees. Applications are welcomed from all backgrounds and we strive to reflect the community we serve in our diverse workforce. Our two‑tick kite mark guarantees a candidate with a disability, who fulfils the essential criteria, an interview at the Trust. We can make reasonable adjustments and offer support and advice in a variety of ways on request.
If you require support with your application please contact a member of the recruitment team, who can discuss alternative application methods. We recognise that flexible working is important. We take requests for flexible working seriously, consider any request we receive and try to work with you, so we can explore if your request may fit with the needs of the service.
Benefits we offer to you
* Between 27‑33 days of annual leave plus bank holidays
* NHS pension scheme membership
* Salary sacrifice schemes for lease cars, home electronics and more, to make your salary go further
* NHS Staff discounts
* Cycle to work scheme
* Salary finance – for loans, savings, budget planning and tips on managing debt
* Stockport Credit Union – for local financial advice
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