About this role
Job summary
OHG PLC is seeking an experienced and motivated Surgical First Assistant (SFA) to join our brand-new Elective Surgery Hub in Scunthorpe.
This is an exciting opportunity to become part of a highly skilled multidisciplinary team delivering high-quality elective orthopaedic and spinal surgery in a modern, purpose-built facility.
As a Surgical First Assistant, you will work alongside Consultant Surgeons, Anaesthetists and Theatre Practitioners, providing expert intra-operative assistance while contributing to safe, effective and efficient patient care.
Main duties of the job
- Act as a Surgical First Assistant during elective orthopaedic and spinal procedures.
- Assist surgeons with hip and knee replacements, spinal surgery, and other elective procedures.
- Prepare theatres, instruments, equipment and implants for surgery.
- Support patient positioning, skin preparation and draping.
- Provide intra-operative assistance, including retraction, suction, haemostasis and wound closure where competent.
- Maintain patient safety and complete the WHO Surgical Safety Checklist.
- Ensure accurate implant traceability and clinical documentation.
- Work collaboratively with the wider multidisciplinary team.
- Report safety concerns and equipment issues promptly.
- Participate in audits, governance activities and continuous quality improvement.
- Maintain professional registration and Surgical First Assistant competency.
About us
One Health Group was established in Sheffield in 2004 and has steadily and successfully grown to become a significant healthcare provider in the region. Commissioned by the NHS, we provide services for patients referred for Orthopaedics, General Surgery, Spine, Urology and Gynaecology and with clinics located in over 30 locations across Yorkshire, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire and Lincolnshire, we bring healthcare closer to where people live. We are committed to clinical excellence, and our mission is to provide innovative, high quality medical and clinical services for our patients, optimising outcomes so they can quickly continue healthy lives.
The One Health Group PLC Elective Surgery Hub is a specialist purpose-built elective surgical facility providing high-quality care for patients undergoing major orthopaedic and spinal procedures.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Planned Start Date: 01 April 2027
Join Our Team
Main Responsibilities
- Act as the Surgical First Assistant during elective orthopaedic and spinal procedures within the scope of your training, competence and local policies.
- Assist Consultant Surgeons during major orthopaedic procedures, including primary hip and knee replacements.
- Assist during elective spinal procedures, including anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF), cervical and lumbar decompressions, spinal fusions, discectomies and other spinal procedures undertaken at the Surgical Hub.
- Maintain patient safety throughout the perioperative pathway.
- Prepare the operating theatre, instruments, equipment and implants for surgical procedures.
- Assist with patient positioning, skin preparation and draping in accordance with best practice.
- Provide intra-operative assistance including tissue retraction, suction, haemostasis, wound irrigation and wound closure where competent and authorised.
- Ensure accurate completion of the WHO Surgical Safety Checklist.
- Maintain accurate implant traceability and documentation.
- Work closely with Scrub Practitioners, Anaesthetic Practitioners and the wider multidisciplinary team.
- Report equipment faults or patient safety concerns promptly.
- Participate in clinical audits, governance activities and quality improvement initiatives.
- Maintain professional registration and Surgical First Assistant competence.
- Participate in the on-call rota if introduced in the future (where applicable).
Essential Requirements
- Registered Nurse (NMC) or Operating Department Practitioner (HCPC).
- Recognised Surgical First Assistant qualification.
- Current professional registration without restrictions.
- Significant experience working within an operating theatre environment.
- Experience assisting in major orthopaedic surgery.
- Knowledge of aseptic technique and infection prevention.
- Excellent communication and teamwork skills.
- Commitment to delivering safe, patient-centred care.
Desirable Requirements
- Experience assisting with elective spinal surgery, including ACDF, spinal decompression, spinal fusion and discectomy procedures.
- Immediate Life Support (ILS) certification.
- Advanced knowledge of orthopaedic instrumentation and implants.
- Experience participating in clinical audit and quality improvement.
- Understanding of CQC standards and clinical governance.
- Teaching or mentoring experience.
Personal Qualities
We are looking for someone who
- Demonstrates excellent clinical judgement.
- Works calmly and effectively under pressure.
- Has exceptional attention to detail.
- Is professional, reliable and accountable.
- Builds positive relationships with colleagues and Consultants.
- Is committed to continuous professional development.
- Takes pride in delivering outstanding patient care.
- Shares the values of OHG PLC.
What We Offer
- Competitive salary.
- Supportive and friendly multidisciplinary team.
- Modern purpose-built elective surgical environment.
- Opportunities for professional development.
- Funded mandatory training.
- Company pension.
- Generous annual leave.
- Paid 30-minute break on every shift.
- Free onsite parking.
- Employee wellbeing support.
- Opportunity to help develop a new specialist elective surgical service.
Why Join OHG?
At OHG PLC, patient safety and clinical excellence are at the heart of everything we do. As a Surgical First Assistant, you will play an integral role in supporting Consultant Surgeons and the theatre team to deliver outstanding outcomes for patients undergoing elective orthopaedic and spinal surgery.
If you are an experienced Surgical First Assistant looking to join an ambitious new elective surgical service, we would be delighted to hear from you.
Apply today and help shape the future of the OHG PLC Elective Surgery Hub.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Registered Nurse (NMC) or Operating Department Practitioner (HCPC).
- Recognised Surgical First Assistant qualification.
Experience
Essential
- NMC or HCPC registration currently unrestricted and in good standing.
- At least 2 years' experience working within an operating theatre environment.
- Experience assisting during major orthopaedic procedures, including total hip replacements and total knee replacements.
- Experience undertaking Surgical First Assistant duties during operative procedures, including tissue retraction, suction, haemostasis, wound irrigation, or wound closure.
- Experience preparing theatre equipment, instrumentation and implants for surgical procedures.
- Experience working in accordance with aseptic technique and infection prevention principles within an operating theatre environment.
- Able to work the contracted hours required for this role (40 hours per week).
- Able to reliably travel to and work from the OHG PLC Elective Surgery Hub, Scunthorpe, for all scheduled shifts.
- Legal right to work in the UK.
- Able to provide satisfactory employment references and complete the required pre-employment checks, including a DBS check.
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.
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
One Health Group
Address
One Health Group PLC
Warren Road
Scunthorpe
DN15 6XH
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://onehealth.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)