Surgical First Assistant | SFA qualified Theatre Practitioner

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.

Details

• Date posted: 20 August 2026
• Pay scheme: Other
• Salary: Depending on experience
• Contract: Permanent
• Working pattern: Full-time
• Reference number: REQ100591
• Job locations: 20 Devonshire Place, West End, W1G 6BW, United Kingdom

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 shifts

Exposure to robotic and complex surgery

A varied caseload across general surgery, vascular, gynaecology and other specialties

The opportunity to work alongside some of the UK's leading consultant surgeons

Advanced surgical technology and evolving approaches to patient care

A permanent position within one of the UK's largest independent charitable hospitals

Ongoing professional development and opportunities to expand your specialist experience

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

Current NMC or HCPC registration

A degree in nursing, operating department practice or another relevant healthcare subject

A recognised Surgical First Assistant qualification

At least three years' post registration experience within operating theatres

Extensive scrub experience and strong knowledge within your clinical speciality

The confidence and clinical judgement to practise safely within your professional scope

Experience supporting and developing colleagues within a theatre environment

A strong understanding of clinical governance, patient safety and evidence-based theatre practice

Excellent communication, organisation and interpersonal skills

Life insurance

Private medical cover

Pension

Employee assistance programme

Blue light card

Cycle to work

Electric car scheme

Subsidised staff restaurant

Recognition programmes

Oxford Circus

Bond Street

Baker Street

Great Portland Street

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

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).