Senior Surgical Care Practitioner

Job overview

We are looking for a fully trained, experienced, senior SCP who can lead a team of surgical and advanced nurse practitioners in addition to providing advanced level surgical assistance in cardiac theatres. The applicant should be a dynamic individual, with leadership qualities, who working in partnership with the consultant surgeons, is involved in recruiting, developing and managing a fully functional surgical (SCP) and ward based team (ANP).

The individual will also have the exciting opportunity to participate in the ongoing development of a robust Pre-operative Assessment Service, as well as assist with the preparation of in and outpatients for surgery. As a Lead SCP the individual will be involved in facilitating the training of trainee surgeons and SCPs under the overall supervision of a consultant surgeon.

Main duties of the job

Overall, the individual will lead the surgical care practitioner and advanced nurse practitioner programme development in partnership with the consultant cardiac surgeons, with a special focus on building a strong team focused on quality and safety, training and development of relevant skills, alignment with market opportunities, efficient use of resources, and forming a sustainable workforce for the future.

The post holder will work as a member of the cardiac surgical team providing the highest level of patient care alongside the consultant cardiac surgeons at King’s College Hospital.

The post holder must possess advanced knowledge of a range of surgical procedures and demonstrate evidence of current practice and theory in the field.

The post holder will develop a strong working relationship with each consultant and be able to fully anticipate and assist according to their individual working style, ensuring their requirements to work at the highest standard are met.

Working for our organisation

The Trust provides a full range of local and specialist services across its five sites. The trust-wide strategy of Strong Roots, Global Reach is our Vision to be BOLD, Brilliant people, Outstanding care, Leaders in Research, Innovation and Education, Diversity, Equality and Inclusion at the heart of everything we do. By being person-centred, digitally-enabled, and focused on sustainability, we aim to take Team King’s to another level.

We are at a pivotal point in our history and we require individuals who are ready to join a highly professional team and make a real, lasting difference to our patients and our people.

King’s is committed to delivering Sustainable Healthcare for All via our Green Plan. In line with national Greener NHS ambitions, we have set net zero carbon targets of 2040 for our NHS Carbon Footprint and 2045 for our NHS Carbon Footprint Plus. Everyone’s contribution is required in order to meet the goals set out in our Green Plan and we encourage all staff to work responsibly, minimising their contributions to the Trust’s carbon emissions, waste and pollution wherever possible.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

· Actively participate in surgical procedures at the direction of the consultant cardiac surgeon.

· Act as first assistant as required, as directed by the supervising surgeon

· To act as a role model to all members of the team

· Acquire, develop and maintain advanced knowledge and expertise within a specialist area, whilst also assisting and overseeing other surgical practitioners with their areas of responsibility.

· Ensure a suitable skill mix and division of labour amongst the daily lists.

· Participate in staff performance management planning to ensure development, support and promotion of staff

· Ensure staff are regularly informed of new developments and processes and are trained accordingly

· Ensure the professional requirements are met by all team members functioning in the capacity of surgical assistants, including tracking and maintenance of training, credentials, and other educational or developmental requirements per the programme structure

· Lead the surgical assistant programme development, with a special focus on training and development of skills, alignment with market opportunities, and forming a sustainable workforce for the future

· Oversee the provision of appropriate teaching and guidance enabling individual practitioners to develop knowledge and competence in the required cardiac surgical procedures and assume responsibility for their own practice.

· Establish links with educational providers through clinical and educational development programmes, enabling maximum learning opportunities.

· Develop formal links with and work collaboratively with outside educational institutions

· Actively performance manage poor performance including conduct and extended absence. Ensure staff are supported to be able to return to work.

· Act as mentor to ANP and SCP staff

· Develop extended roles to meet the needs of a growing and changing department.

· Ensure clear, detailed and regular communication within the department and to other departments as required.

· Be wholly accountable for one’s own practice.

· Understand and recognise legal implications and competence levels regarding the SCP lead and as first assistant to the Surgeon

· Anticipate the consultant surgeon’s requirements before and during the procedure.

· Monitoring of relevant data during procedures such as the database for cardiac surgery

· Ensure the labelling of specimens is correct and documented as per policy.

· Maintain accurate surgical patient records.

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

· Assist during emergency situations within appropriate level of training

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

· Take universal and (self-) hygiene precautions to minimize the risk of infections to the patient, the surgical team, and other staff in any clinical procedures and areas

· Actively participate in the pre-operative team brief and ensure that this is documented accordingly.

· Ensure team and consultant compliance with the WHO check list and ‘time out’ before surgery.

· Ensure the safe and confidential transit of patient notes from the operating theatre to other departments.

· Contribute to the planning and implementation of the department budget and Business Plan to promote effective use of resources at all times.

· Participate in recruitment process and ensure retention of staff

· Maintain & monitor legibility and accuracy of nursing records and be aware of the legal implications of these documents.

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

· Ensure complaints are managed effectively and in a timely manner.

· Maintain a continuing personal development (CPD) portfolio.

· Liaise with other hospitals and observe potential new procedures and practices.

· Ensure a clean, tidy and risk free workplace.

· The post holder is expected to work flexibly with future varying shift patterns (nights/days/weekends/on calls) and is expected to work full-time

· This job description is a general guide to the scope of the post but is not exhaustive and may change in line with the needs of the department or at the request of the consultant cardiothoracic surgeon

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria

• Current registration with Nursing and Midwifery Council or Health Profession Council.
• Qualified Surgical Care Practitioner

Knowledge and Experience

Essential criteria

• Substantial Surgical Care Practitioner experience
• Evidence of current theory and practice relating to cardiac surgery
• Evidence of relevant managerial experience within a clinical environment understanding and managing Clinical risk/governance issues

Desirable criteria

• Data protection knowledge
• HR Policies & Procedures

IMPORTANT

• Check your email account regularly as this is how we will communicate with you
• If you delete the job from any of your accounts, you may be prevented from accessing further communications
• To enquire about your application or inform us of any changes in your circumstances, please contact the named person on this advert
• Please provide email addresses for referees where possible
• Please review the documentation on our recruitment microsite, particularly the Trust’s criminal records checking policy
• All staff have a responsibility for safeguarding children and vulnerable adults and for ensuring they are aware of the specific duties relating to their role.
• Please note that the closing date is given as a guide. On occasion, we might close a vacancy early due to a high number of applications being received. You are advised to submit your application as early as possible to avoid disappointment.

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