Surgical First Assistant - Maxillofacial Surgery


Company:	NHS Jobs
Salary:	£49,387 to £56,515 a year
Hours:	Full-time
Location:	Liverpool, L9 7AL
Job type:	Permanent
Posting date:	6 Oct 2026
Closing date:	20 Oct 2026

Apply for this job

Summary

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 pressurearea 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 intraoral endoscopes, powered instruments, diathermy units, suction devices, and OMFSspecific retractors and tools. Apply knowledge of woundhealing 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 perioperative 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 perioperative 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, patientcentred theatre environment, promoting high standards of care, professionalism, and compassion throughout the surgical process.

Apply for this job