Senior Surgical Care Practitioner

Job description

Job responsibilities

Clinical Responsibilities

In conjunction with the Consultant Surgeon and local guidelines the post holder will:

A. Pre-operative

To display X-rays, CT scans or PET scans and help interpret the results.

Provide effective pre-operative assessment of the surgical patient; including history taking, physical examination, requesting diagnostic procedures or clinical investigations then interpreting and acting upon the results.

Liaise with medical, theatre, SAL, ward and clerical staff to support coherent service provision and smooth patient journey to the operating theatre.

To consent and mark surgical patients when necessary with an understanding of competence and the legal scope of the Surgical Care Practitioner.

Lead in the promotion of patient centered care by providing accurate information relevant to their care.

Act as an advocate for patients which ensures a patient orientated approach to the delivery of care.

Direct, support, encourage and advise clinical team, by actively participating in the pre-operative team brief providing specialist clinical and surgical advice to facilitate the smooth running of the theatre list, including how to prepare for non-routine steps.

Co-ordinate the provision of specialist services to patients, effectively liaising with multidisciplinary colleagues including radiology, frozen section pathology and haematology

B. Peri-operative

To have superior expertise in the following duties:

Positioning the patient for robotic surgery, with awareness of how to prevent avoidable operative injuries relating to skin, muscles and nerves.

Skin preparation and draping for robotic surgery

Prepping, draping, positioning and handling a range of surgical robots (da Vinci X, Xi; CMR Versius; Medtronic Hugo)

Creating skin incisions; with awareness of how to accommodate variances in patient anatomy, physiology and body habitus to optimise robotic surgery

Dissection of tissues using surgical instruments with a superior degree of manual dexterity

Confident handling of energy and stapling devices

Effective surgical haemostasis for cases with a high level of complexity

Application of local anaesthetic, including the siting of paravertebral catheters, and administration of intercostal blocks

Confident insertion of a variety of different surgical drains

Suturing of all surgical wounds, even those with a high degree of complexity with emphasis on elimination of risks of infection

Applying dressings to wounds and compression bandages

Ensure that patients customs, religious beliefs and doctrines are respected within the theatre setting, ensuring patient dignity at all times.

Actively promote and participate in the WHO check list and time out before surgery.

Take, promote and lead on the use of universal hygiene precautions to minimize the risk of infections to the patient, the surgical team, and other staff.

Act as a role model, demonstrating high standards of care and providing clinical leadership in the operating theatre

Actively participate as a first assistant for a variety of complex robotic surgeries providing tissue retraction, applying suction, diathermy, maintaining a clear surgical field, applying haem-o-lock clips or liga clips, using a manual stapler and energy devices.

Anticipate routine and non-routine steps before and during the procedure to provide a high level of support to consultants and surgical fellows.

Teach, supervise and support surgical trainees and trainee SCPs to first assist during robotic surgery, providing skilled and consistent advice and assistance within the operating theatre under the direction of a consultant surgeon.

Be responsible for assessing and recognising emergencies; interpreting information, taking appropriate action and leading others to do the same.

Have obtained advanced knowledge and surgical expertise within a specialist robotic area and be continuing towards excellence through regular education and/or participation in clinical skills labs.

Work autonomously with proximal supervision of a Consultant, delivering individualised and personalised direct patient care when necessary.

Peri-operative

Assist other team members to participate in the safe transferring and positioning of the patient.

Ensure clear, detailed and regular communication within the department and Recovery to ensure a smooth handover.

Maintain accurate surgical patient recordsEnsure the correct labelling of specimens has been undertaken and documented.

Ensure faulty equipment is isolated from use, using the appropriate label, and report to a responsible person.

Document any incidents within quality and safety systems. Actively participate in the investigation and management of reported incidents.

Support relevant pre, peri and post procedural data capture for robotic surgery

Provide a clear, concise and effective handover to Recovery, highlighting specific post-operative concerns and specific pathways.

Arrange appropriate post-operative investigations as part of the multidisciplinary team to enhance patient safety, to facilitate patient- centered care and contribute to the smooth running of the hospital.

1. Post Operative

To participate in the postoperative assessments of patients with particular attention to wound care, surgical drains and catheter management.

The above is not the exhausted list of the job description; for the detailed JD, please find the attached document.

Person Specification

Education

Essential

• Master's Degree in Surgical Care Practitioner Course
• Registered Nurse
• Mentorship Course
• Evidence of continuing professional development

Desirable

• Leadership Course

Previous Experience

Essential

• Extensive experience with surgical specialites
• Experience as a surgical first assistant in Robotic Surgery
• Experience in supervising Trainees as surgical first assistant in Robotic Surgery
• Experience of working autonomously at an advanced level within the specialist area
• Ability to clinically lead and manage staff

Skills Knowlege and Ability

Essential

• Experience of audit, research and evidence based care
• Experience of resource and budget Management
• Knowledge of quality standards & NICE recommendations/NSF
• Excellent verbal, written and interpersonal & communication skills
• Time and organisation skills

Desirable

• Ability to conduct and evaluate own projects successfully

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Guy's and St. Thomas' Hospital

1 St. Thomas Street

London

SE1 9RT

Employer's website

https://www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk/careers/careers.aspx (Opens in a new tab)