Eligibility for Associate (Surgical Care Team) Membership

Completion of a two year programme at masters level, accredited by the RCS – comprising of both taught and practical elements.

AND

Registration as a healthcare professional e.g. nurse, operating department practitioner.

Surgical first assistant

Successful completion of a nationally recognised programme of study. There are two training routes:

• An in-house training package supported by the AfPP competency toolkit

• A University accredited programme, such as the College of Operating Department Practitioners’ BSc in operating department practice
  
  Universities that offer accredited modules for SFAs must ensure that the programme offered follows the recommendations of the Perioperative Care Collaborative

AND

Registration as a healthcare professional (e.g. nurse, operating department practitioner)

Successful completion of a nationally recognised physician associate programme, including those accredited by:

• Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) or its successor agency,

or by one of its predecessor agencies:

• Committee on Allied Health Education and Accreditation (CAHEA)

• Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)

AND

Have passed the Physician Associate National Certifying Examination (PANCE) administered by:

• National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA)

Successful completion of Master’s degree in advanced practice.

AND

Registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council.

AND

Currently working in a surgical care role.

Applicants must be a registered nurse, midwife, SCPHN, health visitor, physiotherapist or pharmacist, or paramedic educated to at least degree level.

AND

Practitioners must be registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), or General Practitioners Committee (GPC).

AND