This unit aims to enable registered practitioners to develop their scope of practice and undertake the role of the surgical first assistant. Students will be provided with learning opportunities to enhance their theoretical knowledge and develop clinical competence following national guidance and legislation.

Indicative content:

• Professional and ethical considerations and legalities for the surgical first assistant
• National guidance and legislation relevant to the role
• Maintaining a contemporaneous logbook
• Governance and risk assessment principles of the role
• The surgical care team guidance framework and enhanced roles
• Patient positioning
• Skin preparation and draping
• Deep and superficial tissue/nerve retraction
• Camera manipulation for minimal access surgery
• Haemostasis, including indirect surgical diathermy
• The use of suction
• Tourniquet management
• Human factors and non-technical skills
• Humanness of patients
• Problem solving and environmental factors
• Reflection methods
• Anatomy and physiology of the skin, applied to the role
• Anatomy and physiology of the nervous system, applied to the role
• Wound care, the physiology of wound healing and tissue viability assessment and management
• Drains
• Dressings
• Infection prevention and microbiology principles

Learning outcomes

1. Provide safe and competent assistance to the operating surgeon whilst working within the boundaries of the Surgical First Assistant role.
2. Apply evidence-based practice whilst undertaking the role of the Surgical First Assistant.
3. Apply effective technical and non-technical skills to enhance clinical judgement and manage complications in the clinical setting.
4. Demonstrate knowledge of anatomy & physiology, frameworks, and professional requirements relevant to the Surgical First Assistant role.

Assessment

MCQ exam (1/2 day in May) and Clinical Practice Portfolio and assessment (submission Aug/25)