We are looking for 2 experienced, qualified SCPs to join an established team.

The posts will be on band 8a if trained in both Endoscopic Vein Harvesting and Endoscopic Radial Harvesting. Otherwise they will start on band 7, move to band 8a once fully competent

we carry out some of the most sophisticated treatments that are available anywhere in the world and we boost a status of 100% Endoscopic Vessel Harvesting, performed by a highly skilled team of Surgical Care Practitioners.

The post will provide the opportunity to:

participate in operative procedures as 1st and 2nd assistant

participate in aspects of pre- and post-operative care of cardiothoracic surgical patients

As an SCP, the candidate will demonstrate a high degree of surgical & clinical skills and knowledge, with the aim of providing high quality patient care across the surgical pathway. The position offers autonomy of practice and fantastic opportunities to develop further skills relevant to the SCP role in areas such as complex surgical procedures, teaching, clinics, audit and research.

The successful candidate requires:

excellent organisation and communication skills

strong interpersonal skills

a high standard of evidence based clinical leadership and practice development to support to our team.

To be able to promote best practice and contribute towards quality improvement

Closing date: 04/10/2023

Interview: 20/10/2023

Main duties of the job

Working alongside the Cardiothoracic Surgeons, the Surgical Care Practitioner will participate in operative procedures and aspects of pre, intra and post-operative care of surgical patients. The post holder will be expected to undertake these duties with a high degree of clinical skills and knowledge and the aim to provide high quality patient care throughout the surgical pathway.

The Surgical Care Practitioner will be able to provide skilled and consistent assistance in all aspects of elective and emergency adult cardiac surgery. The post holder will demonstrate extensive expertise in endoscopic conduit harvesting - both vein and radial artery. If not trained, the post holder will be placed on band 7 until fully competent (in-house training provided).

The post holder will use excellent communication skills to liaise and work alongside the multi-disciplinary team. They will support, teach and educate trainees as well as other members of the multi-disciplinary team.

About us

The Royal Brompton Hospital, Part of Guys & St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, is one of the largest heart and lung centre in the UK and among the largest in Europe. We are a partnership of two specialist hospitals which are known throughout the world for their expertise, standard of care and research success.

We are passionate about what we do and the patients we serve. We are an equal opportunities employer and our patients are rich in diversity. We recruit to ensure we build a similarly diverse mix across our workforce. We are a value led organisation and we are rightly proud of our world class reputation and our staff

At the Royal Brompton Hospital, we carry out some of the most sophisticated treatments that are available anywhere in the world and we boost a status of 100% Endoscopic Vessel Harvesting, performed by a highly skilled team of Surgical Care Practitioners.

The SCP role at the Royal Brompton Hospital is driven to maximising the potential of SCPs. If you are seeking a rewarding, interesting and challenging role, within a friendly working environment

Job description

Job responsibilities

Duties and Responsibilities

Clinical responsibilities and Care Management

Pre-operative

• To display X-rays and help interpret angiograms.
• Effective preoperative assessment of the surgical patient, including the examination and assessment of conduit harvesting sites.
• Provide patients and their carers with accurate information relevant to their care and education enabling them to make lifestyle choices.
• Act as patient advocate.

Peri-operative

• Expertise in undertaking surgical procedures, endoscopically harvesting saphenous veins and radial artery, ensuring suitability for coronary artery bypass.
• To undertake the following specific duties:
• Skin preparation and draping including correct positioning.
• Skin incision and dissection of tissues using surgical instruments and a high degree of manual dexterity
• If relevant, the use of harmonic scalpel for dissection and haemostasis when available
• Preparation of grafts for anastomosing to the heart
• Surgical haemostasis and insertion of wound drains
• Suturing of all surgical wounds
• Applying dressings to wounds and compression bandages
• To act as first or second assistant under the direction of the senior surgeon for cardiac and thoracic procedures, including tissue retraction, applying suction, diathermy, maintaining clear field of surgical vision and assisting surgeons in preparing patients for cardio-pulmonary bypass and monitoring patients vital signs.
• To assist with the closure of soft tissue sternal and chest wounds with emphasis on elimination of risks of infection.

Post-operative

• To participate in the postoperative assessments of the patients with particular attention to wound care, wound healing and the prevention of infection in surgical wounds.
• To assist in the postoperative education of patients undergoing cardiac and thoracic surgery where appropriate.
• To acquire new skills and techniques as cardiac surgery evolves.
• To ensure all staff identify and act upon psychosocial, psychological and physiological problems of patients, utilising specialist services as appropriate and according to agreed guidelines.
• To work closely with all multi-disciplinary teams to maintain an efficient and safe service that meets all patients individual needs.

Professional Development

• To provide clinical leadership within cardiac theatres.
• To analyse the existing and future competencies required in order to fulfil the clinical requirements of the Ward/Theatres and the Trusts Strategy for Nursing.
• To assist junior doctors and trainee surgical practitioners to develop their professional knowledge and skills and to transfer these into clinical practice.
• To develop own knowledge and practice in accordance with KSF and PDP.

Staff Management

• To assess the skills and competencies of junior medical staff and trainee surgical practitioners.
• To assist in ensuring a positive learning environment is maintained and utilise educational strategies in motivating and retaining staff.
• To participate in the Trust and directorate strategy for recruitment and retention of staff and participate in recruitment processes.
• To maintain effective communication systems, including dissemination of information and access to all Trust and local policies and procedures.
• To assist in ensuring all patients and carers have appropriate information and health education for their needs.
• To act as a specialist nurse and assist in the assessment of care needs and the development, implementation and evaluation of standards of care.
• To act as a resource to other members of the multi-disciplinary team providing accurate information and advice.
• To initiate, develop and use flexible and innovative approaches where appropriate to meet the needs of the patients, including the review of relevant protocols and guidelines to ensure clinically effective and evidence-based care.

Financial and Information Management

• To implement systems to analyse staffing requirements against workload activity.
• To analyse, collect, and store information, which is relevant to theatre workload.
• To make use of such information in decision-making, problem solving, and care management.

Quality Management

• To implement and maintain systems to monitor standards of nursing and patient services against professional codes, statutory and Trust requirements.
• To utilise results of audit and research to improve the quality of the service.
• To assist in ensuring health and safety procedures relevant to the clinical areas are enforced and ensure that appropriate risk assessments are undertaken.
• To review and maintain standards of record keeping and documentation.
• To contribute to the directorates decision-making process through directorate meetings, clinical governance meetings and health and safety team.
• To ensure the principles of clinical governance and clinical risk management are integrated into patient care.
• To ensure appropriate incident reporting and investigate incidents and take corrective actions.
• To assist in pro-actively managing the complaints process and when required investigate complaints and develop action plans.
• To undertake Trust policy investigations e.g. disciplinary, grievance, capability, when required.
• To assist in developing a positive working environment to retain staff.
• To assist in ensuring all patient data is accurately recorded.
• To participate in clinical audit and research within directorate as required.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• oEducated to relevant post-graduate (qualified) level with PgDip or MSc
• oEvidence of a clinical based qualification e.g. RGN, one of the allied health professionals or science related field.

Experience and Knowledge

Essential

• Extensive experience in surgical environment
• Evidence of Continuous Professional Development

Desirable

• Previous experience in Cardiothoracic surgery
• Proficiency in conduit harvesting for coronary artery bypass surgery.
• Experience in Endoscopic Vein and Radial Harvesting.

Skills and Abilities

Essential

• Ability to work as part of the multidisciplinary team
• Teaching skills
• Knowledge of clinical standards and audit
• Good communication skills, both written and oral
• Ability to communicate with patients in an empathetic manner
• Clinical decision making
• Autonomous working

Other Requirements

Essential

• Capacity for calm and reasoned judgement in meeting emergencies
• Ability to demonstrate enthusiasm towards sharing knowledge and teaching
• Ability to work well under pressure

Employer details

Employer name

Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Royal Brompton Hospital

Sydney Street

LONDON

SW3 6NP

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

196-NM10691