A new opportunity has arisen for a motivated and enthusiastic Trainee Surgical Care Practitioner (SCP) in Cardiothoracic Surgery at Blackpool Teaching Hospitals. Applicants should be keen to learn and dedicated to developing themselves as well as the future SCP team.
The successful candidate will undertake a three year Masters level SCP training with training supported by a mentor surgeon and SCP.
The successful candidate will join an already established group of qualified SCPs. Working within agreed boundaries and meeting clearly defined competencies, the SCP works autonomously as well as within a team structure and should be able to demonstrate good interpersonal and mediation skills in order to work with the wider multi-disciplinary team.
The post-holder will be employed by the Trust as a Trainee Surgical Care Practitioner (SCP) within the Surgical Services team, working in collaboration with the wider theatre team at the Essex Cardiothoracic Centre.
The trainee will be enrolled in a three-year Master’s degree in Surgical Care Practice with a focus on Cardiothoracic Surgery. During this period, they are expected to acquire the necessary knowledge, skills, and clinical competencies required to qualify as an SCP, under the guidance and support of the SCP team and consultant cardiothoracic surgeons.
Upon successful completion of the training programme, the individual will be appointed as a qualified SCP, commencing at the intermediate step point of Band 7 on the Agenda for Change pay scale.
Once qualified, the SCP performs a range of highly specialist surgical activities relating to cardiac & thoracic surgery with specific reference to clinical, technical and scientific aspects, including autonomous conduit assessment, surgical conduit harvest, employing specialist endoscopic harvesting techniques on patients with complex comorbidities. Acting as expert first & second assistant to the operating surgeon and expert camera piloting for minimal access and port access surgeries.
Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is ideally situated just a forty five minute drive from Manchester. The Trust provides services to the 440,000 residents of Blackpool, Fylde & Wyre and North Lancashire, as well as specialist tertiary care for Cardiac and Haematology patients.
As one of the United Kingdom’s largest coastal resort, Blackpool has plenty to offer its residents – it’s not just a good place to work; it’s a great place to live. In addition to its bustling centre and historic seafront, the town is world famous for its many attractions, including the famous Blackpool Tower. Blackpool also offers a number of scenic cycling routes round our local parks and across the surrounding countryside, as well as boasting panoramic views of the coast on its picturesque Promenade. Further afield, Blackpool also benefits from less than three-hour connections via rail to Edinburgh in the north and London in the south.
- Independently harvest surgical conduit using an endoscopic (keyhole) technique, which utilises the highest levels of hand-eye coordination and concentration.
- Independently harvest surgical conduit using an open technique and be able to autonomously identify when it is appropriate to convert from an endoscopic to open method, in order to maintain the safety of the patient and preserve the conduit.
- Highly developed hand eye coordination and dexterity required for precise handling of delicate body tissues and manoeuvre of fine surgical instruments, during both independent operating and first and second assistant to the operating surgeon for the full range of both cardiac and thoracic surgical procedures.
- Independently assesses potential sites for conduit harvest in cardiac surgery, utilising both ultrasound scanning and physical assessment skills, providing expert recommendation to the Consultant Surgeon.
- Independently harvesting venous and arterial conduit, involving complex dissection and avoiding damage to the conduit itself and vital surrounding structures (nerves, arteries etc.) which could potentially compromise the viability of the limb, and ensuring haemostasis. Conduit harvest needs to be carried out in a timely manner to avoid extended anaesthetic time, whilst utilising skill and dexterity in order to harvest a high-quality conduit and preserve the integrity of the donor limb.
- Act as expert first and second assistant to the operating surgeon during both complex and non-complex cardiac and thoracic surgery and emergency operations.
- React calmly and quickly in an emergency situation utilising the highest level of physical skill, precision and speed, whilst maintaining a high level of hand-eye and sensory co-ordination to give the greatest chance of the most successful outcome for the patient.
- Independently performs closure of surgical wounds, selecting appropriate suture materials and suture techniques which are then adapted to the quality of the patient’s tissues and the depth of the wound.
- Must be competent to independently perform a range of advanced clinical skills including sternotomy and closure of sternotomy, closure of thoracotomy, sometimes in emergency situations as well as part of practice in standard procedures.
- Provides expert advice, opinions and training to own and other professions, including medical, relating to all aspects of cardiac and thoracic surgery. Acts as a role model demonstrating excellent clinical and professional behaviour.
