Surgical First Assistant | SFA qualified Theatre Practitioner in West End

Department: Main Theatres

Salary: Competitive salary, reflective of your experience and specialist SFA expertise - Band 6

Job type: Permanent

Hours: 37.5 hours per week, early and late shifts, plus on-call participation. No night shifts.

Bring your SFA expertise to a theatre team working at the forefront of modern surgery. Are you an experienced Surgical First Assistant looking for greater exposure to complex procedures, robotic surgery and advanced surgical practice? This is an exciting opportunity to bring your specialist expertise to our Main Theatres team at The London Clinic, working alongside leading consultants within a highly skilled and technologically advanced surgical environment.

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

A little about the role

As a Surgical First Assistant, you will work closely with our consultants and wider theatre team to deliver safe, high quality and personalised care throughout each patient’s surgical journey. 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.

This is an exciting time to join our Theatre team. We continue to invest in advanced surgical technology and innovative approaches to care. In March 2026, The London Clinic became the first hospital in the UK to successfully perform remote robot assisted telesurgery, with a surgeon in London operating on a patient in Gibraltar more than 2,400 kilometres away. You will be joining a department that is actively developing its surgical services, giving you valuable exposure to complex procedures, robotic surgery and emerging technology.

A recognised Surgical First Assistant qualification is essential for this position.

What you’ll be doing

• 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

What we’re looking for

• 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

What you’ll be part of

At The London Clinic, everything starts with our people. Whether you are at the bedside or behind the scenes, you are part of something bigger, making a real difference to patients and colleagues every day. 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. We are incredibly proud to have been recognised in the Financial Times UK Best Employers Survey 2026. This reflects our commitment to creating a workplace where people feel recognised, supported and able to develop.

What's in it for you

• Life insurance – Get life cover worth four times your salary, whether you’re full-time or part-time.
• Private medical cover – Once you’ve passed probation, our employee medical scheme gives you fast-track access to private healthcare.
• Pension – Join our matched pension scheme and enjoy up to 10% contributions.
• Employee assistance programme – From stress to practical guidance, our counselling service has your back.
• Blue light card – Unlock thousands of discounts! From supermarkets to holidays, fashion, tech, and days out, your Blue Light Card makes it all cheaper.
• Cycle to work – Pedal your way to a healthier, greener commute! Enjoy tax-free benefits while reducing your carbon footprint.
• Electric car scheme – Our Electric Car Scheme makes switching to a cleaner, eco-friendly ride simple and affordable.
• Subsidised staff restaurant – Dig into a variety of tasty, healthy meals without denting your wallet.
• Recognition programmes – Celebrate wins big and small! Our Recognition Programmes make sure your hard work doesn’t go unnoticed.

Bring your specialist SFA experience to a theatre department where advanced technology, complex surgery and exceptional patient care come together. We are committed to safeguarding and protecting all adults at risk, children and young people by implementing robust safer recruitment practices during our selection process. Pre-employment checks are undertaken in accordance with industry standards and regulations, and successful applicants may be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure via the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). If you would like further information about our safer recruitment policy, then please contact a member of our recruitment team. The London Clinic values a diverse workforce and welcomes applications from all backgrounds. If you have the skills and experience for the role, we encourage you to apply. We are committed to supporting candidates throughout the recruitment process and will make reasonable adjustments where needed - please let us know if there is anything we can do to support you.