Surgical Care Practitioner/Surgical Care Practitioner Trainee

NHS; Bristol; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust seeks motivated Surgical Care Practitioners to join their team. This role involves performing surgical interventions, providing expert clinical care, and engaging in leadership and education to enhance patient outcomes. Opportunities are available for qualified practitioners and trainees.

Qualifications

• Qualified Surgical Care Practitioner with Master's level degree.
• RGN/C&G 752/OPD level 3 or equivalent medical experience.
• Experience as a surgical assistant and teaching at various levels.

Responsibilities

• Perform surgical interventions and pre/post-operative care.
• Act as first/second assistant in surgery and perform defined invasive procedures.
• Lead on clinical governance activities, including audit and research.

Skills

Communication

Coordination

Leadership

Innovative Thinking

IT Skills

Education

Master's level or higher related degree

RGN/C&G 752/OPD level 3 or equivalent

ALS certification

Teaching qualification with Mentor experience

Job description

Go back University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW)

Surgical Care Practitioner/Surgical Care Practitioner Trainee

The closing date is 10 June 2025

We are seeking motivated, professional, and enthusiastic practitioners to join our newly forming team of Masters qualified Surgical Care Practitioners.

As a qualified member of the surgical team, you will perform surgical interventions and pre-operative and post-operative care under the supervision of a senior surgeon.

As a Surgical Care Practitioner within our team, you will work closely with Consultant Surgeons, providing expert clinical care and advanced surgical practice. You will demonstrate autonomy in patient assessment, diagnosis, and management, supported by defined competencies and trust protocols. Your role will also encompass leadership, education, research, and quality improvement to enhance patient outcomes and service delivery.

This opportunity is open to qualified Surgical Care Practitioners, Advanced Clinical Practitioners with an interest in Robotic Surgery, or allied health professionals who would like to train to become Surgical Care Practitioners with the relevant qualifications to train. Trainee posts will be a band 7 salary.

Main duties of the job

Once qualified as a Surgical Care Practitioner, you will be a dynamic, driven practitioner with advanced clinical expertise and a passion for continuous improvement in surgical services. You will adapt and thrive in a collaborative environment and demonstrate leadership in practice, education, and research.

To act as a first or second assistant to the Consultant Surgeons or other members of the surgical team.

Act as a first/second assistant in surgery and perform defined invasive procedures.

Participate in pre and post-operative care of surgical patients, with particular attention to appropriate work-up of patients and the establishment of effective pathways for complex procedures, wound care, wound healing, and the prevention of infection in surgical wounds.

Deliver advanced perioperative and postoperative care with a focus on complex surgical pathways.

Lead on clinical governance activities, including audit and research.

Collaborate with the multidisciplinary team to optimize patient pathways and ensure adherence to cancer waiting times where appropriate.

Provide mentorship and education to junior staff while maintaining a high standard of patient-centred care.

To be an expert clinical practitioner, ensuring patients receive high-quality clinical care whilst undertaking defined invasive procedures, utilising specialist knowledge and skills.

About us

University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) is one of the largest acute Trusts in the country, with over 13,000 staff and more than 100 clinical services across 10 sites, serving a population of over 500,000 in South West England. Rated 'Good' by the CQC, we pride ourselves on delivering excellent care, leading research, and innovations with a positive impact locally and globally. Our hospitals are in Bristol and Weston, offering city life close to countryside and seaside, with easy access to the South West. UHBW is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults. We aim for a diverse workforce that reflects the community we serve and are dedicated to designing services around individual patient needs.

Job responsibilities

For detailed responsibilities and Person Specification, refer to the attached job description document.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• RGN/C&G 752/OPD level 3 or equivalent medical experience
• Master's level or higher related degree
• ALS certification (or ability to achieve within an agreed timeframe)
• Various short courses demonstrating up-to-date clinical knowledge
• Teaching qualification with Mentor experience
• NMP/PACR course or willingness to work towards
• Relevant theatre/Critical Care experience
• D32
• NVQ Assessor

Skills and abilities

• Excellent communication skills (verbal, non-verbal, written) at individual, department, and MDT levels
• Promote positive team dynamics and interpersonal relationships
• Good coordination skills for theatre procedures and endoscopic vein harvesting
• IT and data management skills
• Ability to prioritise, organise workload, and make decisions confidently
• Innovative thinking to adapt SCP services to changing needs and support succession planning
• Confident, assertive, and self-aware with leadership qualities
• Influence and motivate colleagues
• Flexible working approach
• Proactive in professional development for self and others
• Supportive and respectful attitude

Knowledge and experience

• Experience in teaching at various levels
• Structured approach to CPD and supporting team development
• Experience as a surgical assistant
• Promotion of learning environments and mentorship
• Budget management experience or willingness to gain it
• Experience in developing business cases or research bids
• Engagement in R&D activities and familiarity with clinical guidelines (NICE, RCP, ESC)
• Counselling skills and experience
• Extensive surgical knowledge, including procedures like EVH

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to DBS checks as per the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975. A disclosure will be required to check for any criminal convictions.