# Surgical First Assistant > NHS job listing from Job Clerk for Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. ## Canonical URLs - **HTML:** https://www.jobclerk.com/job/surgical-first-assistant/16827dc7-a517-490f-8926-434c0553ee6f - **Markdown:** https://www.jobclerk.com/job/surgical-first-assistant/16827dc7-a517-490f-8926-434c0553ee6f.md ## Summary - **Status:** Live - **Employer:** Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust - **Town:** Doncaster - **Region:** North East and Yorkshire - **Country:** England - **Profession:** Healthcare support worker - **Grade:** Band 6 - **Salary:** £39,959 - £48,117 Pro Rata Per Annum - **Contract type:** Permanent - **Employment type:** Full time - 37.5 hours per week - **Closing date:** 2026-06-12T23:59:00.000Z - **Posted:** 2026-05-29T10:43:15.311Z - **Source information URL:** https://www.healthjobsuk.com/job/UK/South_Yorkshire/Doncaster/Doncaster_Bassetlaw_Teaching_Hospitals_NHS_Foundation_Trust/Breast_Services/Breast_Services-v7994949 - **Application URL:** https://apps.trac.jobs/job-advert/7994949?ShowJobAdvert=&feedid=9002 - **Employer website:** https://www.dbth.nhs.uk ## Job Content ### Job overview Join Our Team at DBTH as a Surgical First Assistant Are you a registered practitioner with a passion for surgery? Don’t miss the opportunity to join Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals (DBTH) as a Surgical First Assistant (SFA). In this role, you will provide continuous, competent, and dedicated surgical assistance to the operating surgeon throughout procedures, working closely as an essential member of the surgical team under direct supervision. Make a real impact in patient care and advance your surgical career with DBTH. ### Main duties of the job - Perform skin preparation and draping prior to surgery. - Retract superficial tissue and cut superficial sutures. - Handle tissue and manipulate organs for exposure and access. - Use nerve and deep tissue retractors under surgeon supervision. - Cut sutures and ligatures under supervision. - Assist with haemostasis to maintain a clear operating field, including indirect diathermy application. - Operate suction as directed by the surgeon. - Manipulate camera for minimally invasive surgery. - Apply dressings as required. - Maintain knowledge of surgical instruments, equipment, and laparoscopic systems. - Demonstrate extensive knowledge of anatomy, physiology, aseptic technique, and infection control. - Gown and glove using open or closed techniques. - Comply with Trust policies, best practice guidelines, and legislation to deliver safe, evidence-based surgery within scope of practice. ### Detailed job description and main responsibilities Please see attached to the advert a job description and person specification for further details. Please ensure you read this document carefully.  Please note, if your application is successful you will be required to present original certificates of qualifications that are listed in the person specification under essential. Certificate of sponsorship For individuals who may require sponsorship under the skilled worker or health & care visa route please use the link below to check your eligibility. Check if you need a UK visa - GOV.UK Please note that from 9th April 2025, band 2 & 3 entry roles are no longer eligible for sponsorship. ## Job Details Join Our Team at DBTH as a Surgical First Assistant Are you a registered practitioner with a passion for surgery? Don’t miss the opportunity to join Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals (DBTH) as a Surgical First Assistant (SFA). In this role, you will provide continuous, competent, and dedicated surgical assistance to the operating surgeon throughout procedures, working closely as an essential member of the surgical team under direct supervision. Make a real impact in patient care and advance your surgical career with DBTH. ## Job Description Perform skin preparation and draping prior to surgery. Retract superficial tissue and cut superficial sutures. Handle tissue and manipulate organs for exposure and access. Use nerve and deep tissue retractors under surgeon supervision. Cut sutures and ligatures under supervision. Assist with haemostasis to maintain a clear operating field, including indirect diathermy application. Operate suction as directed by the surgeon. Manipulate camera for minimally invasive surgery. Apply dressings as required. Maintain knowledge of surgical instruments, equipment, and laparoscopic systems. Demonstrate extensive knowledge of anatomy, physiology, aseptic technique, and infection control. Gown and glove using open or closed techniques. Comply with Trust policies, best practice guidelines, and legislation to deliver safe, evidence-based surgery within scope of practice. ## Responsibilities Please see attached to the advert a job description and person specification for further details. Please ensure you read this document carefully. Please note, if your application is successful you will be required to present original certificates of qualifications that are listed in the person specification under essential. Certificate of sponsorship For individuals who may require sponsorship under the skilled worker or health & care visa route please use the link below to check your eligibility. Check if you need a UK visa - GOV.UK Please note that from 9th April 2025, band 2 & 3 entry roles are no longer eligible for sponsorship. ## Person Specification ### Knowledge & Experience **Essential** - Minimum 12 months perioperative experience in scrub role - Demonstrated experience assisting in surgical procedures **Desirable** - Experience in Breast speciality - Advanced Life Support certification - Previous involvement in audits, research, or service improvement ### Qualifications & Training **Essential** - Current registration with NMC or HCPC - Degree-level qualification or equivalent experience - Completion of accredited Surgical First Assistant course (AfPP/RCS/CODP) - Evidence of ongoing CPD ### Personal Skills & Attributes **Essential** - Excellent communication and interpersonal skills - Ability to work under pressure and adapt to changing priorities - Commitment to patient safety and clinical governance - Professional integrity and accountability - Understanding of WHO Surgical Safety Checklist - Maintain sterile field and ensure compliance with safety protocols - IT literacy for documentation and audit - Contribute to audits, teaching, and service development initiatives - Willingness to undertake further training and maintain competence ## Documents - [the dbth way (pdf, 409.7kb)](https://www.healthjobsuk.com/documents?ddoc=2213) - [join team dbth (pdf, 654.6kb)](https://www.healthjobsuk.com/documents?ddoc=1738) - [272- 7994949 jd & ps (pdf, 700.6kb)](https://www.healthjobsuk.com/documents?vdoc=10333761) - [guidance for applicants (pdf, 752.0kb)](https://www.healthjobsuk.com/documents?ddoc=1737) - [health & wellbeing - staff benefits (pdf, 214.8kb)](https://www.healthjobsuk.com/documents?ddoc=2222) - [acceptable usage of ai - recruitment dbth (pdf, 456.6kb)](https://www.healthjobsuk.com/documents?ddoc=2381) ## Agent Notes - This Markdown page is generated from the same Job Clerk job record as the HTML job detail page. - Use the canonical HTML URL for user-facing references. - Use the application URL when the user wants to apply on the source NHS site.