Surgical First Assistant/ Senior Theatre Practitioner | The Christie NHS Foundation Trust

Posting date:	23 January 2026
Salary:	Not specified
Additional salary information:	£38,682 - £46,580 Per annum, Pro rata
Hours:	Full time
Closing date:	22 February 2026
Location:	Manchester, M20 4BX
Company:	The Christie NHS Foundation Trust
Job type:	Permanent
Job reference:	7758171/413-102456-CSSS-DA

Summary

Full time Post 37.5 hours

Join a world-leader in cancer treatment and research.

Work with a successful operating team, and an award-winning organisation which invests in its staff. Awarded outstanding by CQC.

We are pleased to be able to offer an exciting opportunity for a Surgical First Assistant to join our surgical theatre team at The Christie. You will be a registered nurse with current NMC registration, or a qualified Operating Department Practitioner with HCPC registration. You will have completed a recognised university accredited course in surgical first assistance of operative procedures and have evidence of continual professional development.

We currently have seven operating theatres including two Da Vinci Robotic theatres and an Endoalpha Olympus Laparoscopic theatre. Speciality is to be determined; however, the Christie provides surgical oncology treatment to patients within the Urology, Gynaecology, Colorectal and Plastic patient groups. The post will include assistance in open and laparoscopic surgery and a dedicated in-house training programme to assist Robotic surgery with a consultant supervisor.

There will be opportunity to work with all specialities, providing learning opportunities and cross cover where required.

The successful applicant must have proven ability to support and work within the scrub team in a team leader capacity and will be expected to keep up skills within this area.

Work in accordance with the Perioperative Care Collaborative SFA scope of practice (2018) and job description. Including:
- Handling of tissue and manipulation of organs for exposure or access
- Nerve and deep tissue retraction (under the direct supervision of the operating surgeon)
- Cutting of deep sutures and ligatures (under the direct supervision of the operating surgeon)
- Assisting with haemostasis to secure and maintain a clear operating field including the application of indirect diathermy.
- Use of suction
- Camera manipulation during laparoscopic surgery
- Skin suturing (upon completion of SFA part 2 only or Basic surgical skills course)


Additional duties upon completion of in house Robotic programme:
- Responsibility for patient positioning
- Assist surgeon with port placement and safe removal of ports upon request from surgeon
- Operate robotic camera system
- To assist in the process of docking and undocking the robotic arms
- Insertion/ Removal of robotic instruments
- Application of ligaclips/ hem ‘o’ locks under supervision of operating surgeon
- Application of uterine manipulator
- Specimen extraction

Undertake risk assessment within the role and ensure log book of clinical practice is kept.

Support the theatre lead/team with efficient planning and delivery of patient care, pre, peri and postoperatively.

Work collaboratively with the multi-disciplinary team to provide high standards of care.

The Christie is one of Europe’s leading cancer centres, treating over 60,000 patients a year. We are based in Manchester and serve a population of 3.2 million across Greater Manchester & Cheshire, but as a national specialist around 15% patients are referred to us from other parts of the country.

We provide radiotherapy through one of the largest radiotherapy departments in the world; chemotherapy on site and through 14 other hospitals; highly specialist surgery for complex and rare cancer; and a wide range of support and diagnostic services. We are also an international leader in research, with world first breakthroughs for over 100 years.

We run one of the largest early clinical trial units in Europe with over 300 trials every year. Cancer research in Manchester, most of which is undertaken on the Christie site, has been officially ranked the best in the UK.

1. Clinical

• Delivery of peri-operative patient care needs and planning of care delivery according to changing health care needs / technology and varying levels of complexity.
• Maintain accurate patient records and theatre documentation.
• Work collaboratively with other professionals and departments to ensure patient care needs are met.
• When undertaking the SFA role, a current Patient/Procedure Logbook must be maintained.

SFA skills:
• The practitioner will provide competent assistance under the direct supervision of the operating surgeon, without clinical intervention.
• The scope of practice of the SFA is based upon the roles and responsibilities of the SFA as stipulated within Perioperative Care Collaborative Position statement 2018 (or subsequent amended versions). Which includes:
• Assisting with patient positioning, including tissue viability assessment
• Skin preparation and draping prior to surgery.
• Superficial skin and tissue retraction with cutting of superficial sutures.
• Handling of tissue and manipulation of organs for exposure or access
• Nerve and deep tissue retraction (The SFA can only move or place retractors under the direct supervision of the operating surgeon)
• Cutting of deep sutures and ligatures under direct supervision of the operating surgeon
• Assisting with haemostasis to secure and maintain a clear operating field including indirect application of surgical diathermy by the surgeon.
• Use of suction as guided by the operating surgeon.
• Camera manipulation for minimal invasive access surgery
• Application of dressings as required.
• Possessing knowledge and understanding of stages of operative procedures, and of anatomy and physiology, to provide skilled anticipatory assistance to the Surgeon.
• The SFA is required to maintain focused, calm, competent assistance during surgical procedures, inclusive of complex procedures/ environmental stresses whereby there is increased risk of stress or mental tiredness.

SFA extended scope of practice
• The following extended scope of practice will only apply to the practitioner who has undertaken further formal academic training as stipulated within the Perioperative Care Collaborative position statement (2018). A credit bearing course or attendance to an approved surgical skills course. Skills include:
• Administration of prescribed local anaesthesia in superficial layers
• Suturing of skin layers
• Suturing and securing wound drains
• Superficial haemostasis including surgical diathermy.

Robotic Skills
• The following scope of practice will only apply to the practitioner who has undertaken completion of local Robotic in-house training. Under the direct supervision of a consultant surgeon the SFA will participate in the following duties:
o To assist with the insertion of secondary ports, and to be able to safely extract ports when requested.
o Maintain vision of the surgical site, including insertion and handling of endoscopic camera
o To assist in the process of docking/undocking the Robot and positioning of the Da Vinci Robotic arms.
o Insertion and removal of the Da Vinci instruments under vision and supervision of the operating surgeon.
o Endoscopic retraction of tissues.
o Insertion, cutting and removal of sutures from the pneumoperitoneal cavity.
o Insertion and removal of swabs from the pneumoperitoneal cavity and application of haemostatic agents where required to support haemostasis.
o Within robotic surgery under direct supervision of the operating surgeon, apply endoclips /hem-o-loks as appropriate.
o Insert and retrieve specimen bags into pneumoperitoneum when requested.
o Where uterine manipulation is required, the assistant must provide competent assistance in manipulation, including safe extraction of device and vaginal extraction of specimen.
o When required handle and insert appropriate drain via robotic port, secure in place by suturing.




2 Leadership / Management

• Support the perioperative team, in the organisation associated with the daily workload of an operating list.
• Assist the Senior Theatre Sister in ensuring the effective and efficient use of physical and financial resources, new practices/developments within theatres.
• Promote the development of services within the speciality area and support the Senior Theatre Sister and Theatre Manager to implement change.
• Undertake PDR review and support development of staff within the theatre suite under the direction of their line manager.

3. Education and Development

• Develop own “expert” clinical knowledge, participating in continuous professional development, supporting evidence-based practice.
• Ensure own compliance with regards to mandatory training and professional development requirements.
• Support the Senior Theatre Sister and Theatre Manager in facilitating an environment that provides staff with a range of education / training and development and opportunities.
• Act as a mentor / assessor/ preceptor to theatre learners.
• Support external educational events in association with role, where required.

4. Clinical Governance

• Participate as required in departmental audits.
• Ensure compliance with policies, procedures and clinical guidelines.
• Support the Senior Theatre Sister and Theatre Manager to monitor standards of care.
• Support the Senior Theatre Sister and Theatre Manager with implementation of service improvements within the theatre.
• Act in a prompt & timely manner of incident reporting, investigation & provision of information to senior theatre team.
• Promote people’s equality, diversity, and inclusion.
• To be aware of duties and responsibilities in relation to risk management.
5. Infection Control

• Comply with infection control policies and procedures ensuring auditable standards are always met.
• Compliance with Standard Operating Procedures.
6. Research

• To support the introduction and application of research findings to operating theatre practice.
• Participate in local research and clinical trials as directed by senior members of the team.
• To be aware of all current medical research relating to the operating department.

Responsibilities of Registered Theatre Nurses / Operating Department Practitioner’s:

• Maintain Active Status on the NMC / HCPC.
• Act always in accordance with NMC/ HCPC Code of Conduct and Perioperative Care Collaborative position statement.
• Adhere to Trust Policy and Procedures.
• Maintain up to date skills and knowledge and maintain awareness of professional issues.
• Maintain a professional portfolio.
• Participate in service on call rota.
• Work within all specialties as required, dependent on service needs/ demands.
• Maintain recent evidence of relevant competencies for use of all equipment used.



OTHER;

At The Christie Theatres we see staff health and wellbeing and career development as our underpinning drive in delivering excellent patient care. We place a strong emphasis on personal and professional development, with opportunities to undertake further courses in support of your on-going professional development and career progression. In addition, we have an in-house Practice Based Educator to support your learning and training needs. Furthermore, a team of experienced surgical first assistants who can provide peer support.

In return we are seeking professional, flexible, motivated, and committed team members, capable of delivering high quality, patient focused care.

N.B - A funded training post will be considered for a candidate who has significant proven experience and demonstrates quality leadership skills. The candidate will be required to complete Surgical First Assistance in Operative Procedures (previously known as Part 1) at the earliest availability.


This advert closes on Friday 6 Feb 2026

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