Job Summary
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.
Main duties of the job
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.
Person Specification
Education and Qualification
Essential
- Registered General Nurse Level 1 or Operating Department Practitioner Level 3.
- Current registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council or Health Care Professions Council.
- Qualified Cardiothoracic Surgical Care Practitioner
- Masters level education or historical equivalent.
- RCS Basic Surgical Skills Course
Desirable
- Teaching and Assessing Qualification.
- Registered Independent and Supplementary non-medical prescriber or willingness to work towards
- Cardiac Advanced Life Support(CALS) and/or Immediate Life Support (ILS) certification.
- Leadership Qualification
Experience and Knowledge
Essential
- Two years’ specialist experience in cardiothoracic surgery post accreditation.
- Ability to autonomously decide on the location of harvest of the most suitable conduit, utilising ultrasound, patient history, clinical examination and professional experience and knowledge.
- Ability to autonomously harvest useable conduit using both open and endoscopic methods.
- Ability to first and second assist for all cardiac and thoracic operations, including emergency procedures. Ability to demonstrate a high level of clinical skill and manual dexterity
- Able to provide evidence of effective leadership and developmental work undertaken at senior level.
- Have an advanced theoretical and practical level of knowledge of cardiac and thoracic anatomy, associated conditions and management options.
- Acts as a role model.
- Can work both autonomously and as part of the multidisciplinary team.
- Lead and partake in both audit and clinical research.
- Evidence of service innovation.
- Commitment to training, education and support for junior staff.
- Ability to develop and implement local policies and procedures
- Ability to integrate departmental, trust and national guidance into local policies and practice.
- Ability to utilise good interpersonal and communication skill with all members of the multidisciplinary team, patients and their relatives.
- Excellent documentation and record keeping skills.
Skills and Ability
Essential
- Ability to handle sharp and delicate instruments with precision and skill.
- Ability to work under pressure and to tight deadlines
- Ability to work safely within a potentially hazardous environment.
- Evidence of sound decision making ability.
- Ability to act within appropriate guidelines and protocols.
- Effective time management skills
- Awareness of own limitations
- Committed to personal professional development and the development of the Surgical Care Practitioner role.
- Ability to maintain intense concentration for long periods of time.
- Ability to remain calm and work under high pressure in intense clinical situations.
- Good IT skills.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Closing Date: 24 June 2026
