Surgical First Assistant - Maxillofacial Surgery

Job overview

Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is seeking an experienced Theatre Practitioner to join the Maxillofacial Surgery team as a Surgical First Assistant, primarily based at University Hospital Aintree with close links across the wider Maxillofacial service.

The Maxillofacial service provides a comprehensive range of elective and emergency care across the Aintree and Royal Liverpool sites, including facial trauma, head and neck surgery, orthognathic procedures, oral surgery, skin cancer treatment, salivary gland surgery, and complex reconstructive work. The team works collaboratively within a multidisciplinary environment alongside oncology, radiology, anaesthetics, restorative dentistry, and specialist nursing teams.

As a Surgical First Assistant, you will work closely with consultants and senior surgeons to support the delivery of safe, effective, and high-quality peri-operative care. The role involves assisting in a broad range of complex surgical procedures, including facial trauma management, reconstructive surgery, and advanced Maxillofacial interventions using specialised equipment and technology.

This is an excellent opportunity to join a highly skilled and supportive specialist team, contributing to outstanding patient care while further developing advanced surgical and peri-operative expertise within a dynamic surgical environment.

Main duties of the job

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare and set up specialist Maxillofacial surgical equipment, instruments, implants, and consumables, ensuring readiness for OMFS procedures.
• Support safe patient positioning, maintaining airway protection, pressure area care, and optimal surgical access.
• Assist surgeons during procedures by providing tissue retraction, maintaining haemostasis, cutting sutures and ligatures, and inserting drains as delegated.
• Operate specialised surgical equipment, including powered instruments, diathermy, suction devices, endoscopic equipment, and OMFS-specific instruments.
• Undertake skin closure using sutures or staples within agreed competencies and under appropriate delegation.
• Maintain aseptic technique and comply with all theatre, infection prevention, and safety standards.
• Demonstrate safe patient handling practices throughout the peri-operative pathway.
• Ensure the safe use, care, maintenance, and storage of surgical equipment.
• Perform peri-operative catheterisation when required and within competency and Trust policy.
• Apply correct draping techniques to maintain patient dignity, privacy, and a sterile field.
• Promote a safe, patient-centred theatre environment, demonstrating professionalism, teamwork, and compassionate care.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Support scrub staff in preparing and setting up specialised Maxillofacial surgical equipment, ensuring all instruments, implants, and devices required for OMFS procedures are available, checked, and ready for use.

Ensure safe and appropriate patient positioning for Maxillofacial surgery, maintaining airway protection, cervical spine alignment, and pressure‑area care to optimise surgical access and patient comfort.

Assist the operating surgeon throughout Maxillofacial procedures, including cutting sutures and ligatures, inserting drains, maintaining haemostasis, and providing effective tissue retraction to facilitate safe and efficient surgical progress.

Correctly prepare, handle, and operate specialised Maxillofacial surgical equipment, including intra‑oral endoscopes, powered instruments, diathermy units, suction devices, and OMFS‑specific retractors and tools.

Apply knowledge of wound‑healing principles and undertake skin closure using sutures or staples as delegated by the surgeon.

Maintain strict adherence to sterile technique and theatre protocols, ensuring aseptic practice throughout all peri‑operative stages.

Demonstrate safe patient handling and positioning techniques, using appropriate aids and equipment during Maxillofacial procedures.

Take responsibility for the care, safe use, and maintenance of Maxillofacial surgical equipment, ensuring all devices are used appropriately and stored correctly.

Perform peri‑operative catheterisation when required, in line with Trust policy and competency assessment.

Carry out correct draping techniques to maintain patient dignity, ensure privacy, and prevent contamination.

Contribute to a safe, patient‑centred theatre environment, promoting high standards of care, professionalism, and compassion throughout the surgical process.

Applicant requirements

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.