About this role
Job summary You will support a varied and complex caseload across specialties including general surgery, vascular, gynaecology and robotic surgery. You will use your clinical judgement and specialist SFA expertise to anticipate the needs of the surgeon, support procedures to run safely and efficiently, and help achieve the best possible outcomes for our patients.
Main duties of the job As a Surgical First Assistant, you will:
Work directly with consultants to provide skilled assistance throughout surgical procedure Anticipate the needs of the surgeon and wider theatre team to support safe and efficient operating lists Use your scrub expertise across general surgery, vascular, gynaecology, robotic surgery and other specialties as required Complete surgical safety checks and maintain accurate perioperative documentation Coordinate operating lists and support the safe and effective flow of patients through theatres Ensure the correct instruments, equipment, implants and consumables are available for each procedure Share your SFA knowledge with colleagues and support the development of clinical skills and confidence across the team Contribute to clinical governance, audit, infection prevention and service improvement Act as a positive role model and uphold the highest standards of patient safety and personalised care
About us As one of the UK's largest independent charitable hospitals, we care for more than 120,000 patients each year. We reinvest our surplus into our services, technology, facilities and, most importantly, our people.
Our Main Theatres Department consists of 10 operating theatres delivering a broad range of elective and complex procedures. You will work alongside experienced scrub practitioners, anaesthetic practitioners, recovery colleagues, nurses and some of the UK's leading consultant surgeons.
The department supports a diverse surgical caseload across specialties including general surgery, vascular, gynaecology, orthopaedics, spinal surgery and robotic surgery. This breadth of work will give you the opportunity to use your existing SFA expertise while gaining exposure to complex cases, advanced surgical techniques and emerging technology.
Our main hospital has 234 beds and a 13-bed Intensive Care Unit. Across The London Clinic, more than 1,300 colleagues and over 700 consultants are united by a shared commitment to safe, compassionate and personalised care.
Job description Job responsibilities Job Title: Surgical First Assistant | SFA qualified Theatre Practitioner Department: Main Theatres Location: 20 Devonshire Place, London Salary: Competitive salary, reflective of your experience and specialist SFA expertise - Band 6 Job type: Permanent Hours: Full time, 37.5 hours per week, early and late shifts, plus on-call participation. No night shifts Why consider this opportunity?
No night shiftsExposure to robotic and complex surgeryA varied caseload across general surgery, vascular, gynaecology and other specialtiesThe opportunity to work alongside some of the UK's leading consultant surgeonsAdvanced surgical technology and evolving approaches to patient careA permanent position within one of the UK's largest independent charitable hospitalsOngoing professional development and opportunities to expand your specialist experience A little about the role As a Surgical First Assistant, you will work closely with our consultants and wider theatre team to deliver safe, high quality and personalised care throughout each patient's surgical journey. You will support a varied and complex caseload across specialties including general surgery, vascular, gynaecology and robotic surgery. You will use your clinical judgement and specialist SFA expertise to anticipate the needs of the surgeon, support procedures to run safely and efficiently, and help achieve the best possible outcomes for our patients. This is an exciting time to join our Theatre team. We continue to invest in advanced surgical technology and innovative approaches to care. In March 2026, The London Clinic became the first hospital in the UK to successfully perform remote robot assisted telesurgery, with a surgeon in London operating on a patient in Gibraltar more than 2,400 kilometres away. You will be joining a department that is actively developing its surgical services, giving you valuable exposure to complex procedures, robotic surgery and emerging technology. A recognised Surgical First Assistant qualification is essential for this position. What you'll be doing As a Surgical First Assistant, you will: Work directly with consultants to provide skilled assistance throughout surgical procedureAnticipate the needs of the surgeon and wider theatre team to support safe and efficient operating listsUse your scrub expertise across general surgery, vascular, gynaecology, robotic surgery and other specialties as requiredComplete surgical safety checks and maintain accurate perioperative documentationCoordinate operating lists and support the safe and effective flow of patients through theatresEnsure the correct instruments, equipment, implants and consumables are available for each procedureShare your SFA knowledge with colleagues and support the development of clinical skills and confidence across the teamContribute to clinical governance, audit, infection prevention and service improvementAct as a positive role model and uphold the highest standards of patient safety and personalised care What we're looking for Current NMC or HCPC registrationA degree in nursing, operating department practice or another relevant healthcare subjectA recognised Surgical First Assistant qualificationAt least three years' post registration experience within operating theatresExtensive scrub experience and strong knowledge within your clinical specialityThe confidence and clinical judgement to practise safely within your professional scopeExperience supporting and developing colleagues within a theatre environmentA strong understanding of clinical governance, patient safety and evidence-based theatre practiceExcellent communication, organisation and interpersonal skills What you'll be part of At The London Clinic, everything starts with our people. Whether you are at the bedside or behind the scenes, you are part of something bigger, making a real difference to patients and colleagues every day. As one of the UK's largest independent charitable hospitals, we care for more than 120,000 patients each year. We reinvest our surplus into our services, technology, facilities and, most importantly, our people. Our Main Theatres Department consists of 10 operating theatres delivering a broad range of elective and complex procedures. You will work alongside experienced scrub practitioners, anaesthetic practitioners, recovery colleagues, nurses and some of the UK's leading consultant surgeons. The department supports a diverse surgical caseload across specialties including general surgery, vascular, gynaecology, orthopaedics, spinal surgery and robotic surgery. This breadth of work will give you the opportunity to use your existing SFA expertise while gaining exposure to complex cases, advanced surgical techniques and emerging technology. Our main hospital has 234 beds and a 13-bed Intensive Care Unit. Across The London Clinic, more than 1,300 colleagues and over 700 consultants are united by a shared commitment to safe, compassionate and personalised care. We are incredibly proud to have been recognised in the Financial Times UK Best Employers Survey 2026. This reflects our commitment to creating a workplace where people feel recognised, supported and able to develop. What's in it for you Life insurance Private medical cover Pension Employee assistance programme Blue light card Cycle to work Electric car scheme Subsidised staff restaurant Recognition programmes How to find us: Our main hospital is based at: 20 Devonshire Place, London, W1G 6BW Located in central London near Harley Street, we are within walking distance of: Oxford CircusBond StreetBaker StreetGreat Portland Street We are committed to safeguarding and protecting all adults at risk, children and young people by implementing robust safer recruitment practices during our selection process. Pre-employment checks are undertaken in accordance with industry standards and regulations, and successful applicants may be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure via the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). If you would like further information about our safer recruitment policy, then please contact a member of our recruitment team. The London Clinic values a diverse workforce and welcomes applications from all backgrounds. If you have the skills and experience for the role, we encourage you to apply. We are committed to supporting candidates throughout the recruitment process and will make reasonable adjustments where needed - please let us know if there is anything we can do to support you.
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
A recognised Surgical First Assistant qualification
Experience Essential
At least three years' post registration experience within operating theatres Extensive scrub experience and strong knowledge within your clinical speciality
Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details Employer name The London Clinic
Address 20 Devonshire Place
West End
W1G 6BW
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.thelondonclinic.co.uk (Opens in a new tab)