Surgical Care Practitioner - Urology

NBT; Bristol; On-site; GBP 49,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

The Surgical Care Practitioner (SCP) is an advanced clinical practitioner within the Urology theatres at Bristol NHS Foundation Trust. The role offers senior clinical responsibility, autonomous decision making and leadership across the peri-operative pathway, working with Consultant Urological Surgeons, anaesthetists and the multidisciplinary team.

The post holder will undertake credentialed surgical interventions within scope, including robotic bedside assistance and port placement, with

Job description

Main area Urology Grade Band 8a Contract Permanent: Band 7 in training, 8a if Accredited Surgical Care Practitioner Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Required to work evenings when assigned to three-session operating theatres) Job ref 339-ASCR9013-GB

Site Southmead Hospital Operating Unit Town Bristol Salary £49,387 - £64,750 pa, pro rata for part time roles Salary period Yearly Closing 02/11/2026 23:59

North Bristol NHS Trust (NBT) and University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) have merged as of 1 st July 2026 to become Bristol NHS Foundation Trust. This creates an exciting future that brings together the best of both organisations. As a single, strong and sustainable organisation, we will not only be able to deliver better outcomes for our patients and fairer care for our population, but it will also provide greater opportunities for our people.

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust recognise the value of a healthy work-life balance. When applying, speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate flexible working, so your work life fits around your home life.

We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates as they are under-represented within the Trust.
Our job adverts may close as soon as sufficient applications have been received. Considering this, if you are interested in this role, please do apply as soon as you can.

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Job overview

The Surgical Care Practitioner (SCP) is an advanced clinical practitioner working within the Urology theatres. The role is characterised by a high degree of clinical expertise, autonomous decision making, professional accountability and leadership across the peri-operative patient pathway.

The post holder will work in partnership with Consultant Urological Surgeons, Anaesthetists, Nursing Staff, Allied Health Professionals and the wider multidisciplinary team to deliver high quality, evidence-based care for patients undergoing urological surgery.

The SCP will undertake advanced clinical practice within agreed governance frameworks and Royal College of Surgeons guidance, providing expert assessment, peri-operative management, intra-operative surgical assistance and post-operative care.

The post holder will undertake credentialed surgical interventions within their agreed scope of practice including robotic bedside assistance, port placement, tissue retraction, wound closure and other delegated surgical procedures under consultant supervision.

The SCP will function as an autonomous advanced practitioner, contributing to service leadership, workforce development, education, governance, quality improvement and research across the Urology Service.

The post holder will demonstrate practice across the four pillars of Advanced Clinical Practice: Clinical Practice, Leadership and Management, Education and Research.

Main duties of the job

The Surgical Care Practitioner (SCP) will provide advanced clinical practice within the Urology service, supporting patients throughout the peri-operative and post-operative pathway and working closely with Consultant Urological Surgeons and the wider multidisciplinary team.

The post holder will:

• Undertake comprehensive pre-operative assessment, post-operative management and autonomous clinical decision-making within the agreed scope of practice.
• Provide advanced surgical assistance during urological and robotic-assisted procedures, including port placement, tissue retraction, haemostasis, suturing and wound closure.
• Identify and elevate post-operative complications and contribute to discharge planning, enhanced recovery and optimisation of the robotic surgical pathway.
• Provide specialist advice and support to patients, carers and multidisciplinary colleagues, acting as an expert clinical resource.
• Provide professional leadership and contribute to service planning, workforce development, clinical governance and patient safety.
• Lead and support education, training, mentorship and competency development for theatre staff, junior doctors, trainee SCPs and other MDT members.
• Lead and contribute to clinical audit, quality improvement, service evaluation and research, supporting evidence-based practice.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of policies, procedures and service improvements relating to SCP and robotic surgery practice.

Working for our organisation

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust brings together more than 28,000 staff to deliver over 160 clinical services across thirteen hospital locations, operating from three main sites at Southmead, Bristol city centre and Weston.

With an annual turnover of £2.3 billion, we are now one of the largest NHS trusts in the United Kingdom. Our hospitals are spread across Bristol and Weston, join us and you can enjoy the very best of both worlds; city living within a stone’s throw of the countryside or beside the seaside, both with easy access to all that the South West has to offer.

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust values all people as individuals. As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application in order to ensure we’re meeting our pledge.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Clinical Practice

• Undertake comprehensive pre-operative assessment of patients undergoing urological surgery.
• Request and interpret appropriate investigations within the agreed scope of practice and local policies.
• Participate in urological surgical procedures under the direction of Consultant Surgeons.
• Act as a first or second assistant during surgical procedures.
• Undertake credentialed procedures within the agreed scope of practice, including port placement, tissue retraction, clipping of vessels and structures, control of bleeding, application of haemostatic agents, suturing and wound closure.
• Undertake post-operative assessment and management of patients.
• Recognise and appropriately elevate post-operative complications and deteriorating patients.
• Contribute to discharge planning and enhanced recovery pathways.
• Provide specialist advice, information and support to patients and carers.
• Participate in consultant-led ward rounds and multidisciplinary reviews of complex surgical patients.
• Undertake additional clinical responsibilities, including on-call duties and outpatient clinics, in line with service requirements, competence and agreed scope of practice.
• Lead aspects of peri-operative management for patients undergoing robotic surgery.
• Contribute to pathway redesign and optimisation of the robotic surgical patient journey.

Professional Leadership and Service Development

• Provide professional leadership for SCP practice within Urology.
• Act as an expert clinical resource for medical, nursing and allied health professional colleagues.
• Support effective use of clinical resources and contribute to operational planning.
• Participate in departmental meetings, clinical governance and service planning.
• Contribute to recruitment, induction, retention and workforce development.
• Support the achievement of service objectives, quality indicators and performance targets.
• Lead quality improvement initiatives relating to robotic surgery and urological patient pathways.
• Develop, review and implement relevant policies, procedures and standard operating procedures.
• Contribute to the strategic development of the SCP role and robotic surgery service.
• Contribute to workforce and succession planning for future SCP roles.

Education and Training

• Support the learning and development of colleagues across the multidisciplinary team.
• Deliver teaching within theatre and clinical environments.
• Act as a mentor, clinical role model and source of professional support.
• Lead education and training for theatre practitioners, nursing staff, junior doctors and other MDT members.
• Support competency assessment and development of staff working within robotic surgery.
• Contribute to the supervision and development of trainee SCPs and future advanced practice roles.
• Design and deliver educational sessions relating to robotic surgery, peri-operative care and patient safety.

Quality Improvement, Audit and Research

• Participate in and lead clinical audit, quality improvement and service evaluation projects.
• Collect and analyse clinical outcome and service performance data.
• Support implementation of audit recommendations and evidence-based practice.
• Contribute to benchmarking and monitoring of service performance.
• Present audit, quality improvement and research findings at local, regional and national meetings.
• Contribute to research activity and identify opportunities for innovation within robotic surgery and urological practice.

Professional Responsibilities

• Maintain professional registration and practise in accordance with the relevant professional code.
• Maintain SCP accreditation and an appropriate professional portfolio demonstrating ongoing competence and development.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of developments in healthcare, urological surgery and advanced clinical practice.
• Demonstrate advanced professional judgement when managing complex and unpredictable clinical situations.
• Work within agreed governance arrangements, professional accountability and scope of practice.
• Promote patient safety, safeguarding, consent and evidence-based practice.
• Critically reflect on own practice and support reflective learning across the wider team.

Person specification

0,1,2

• Compliance with essential criteria
• Compliance with desirable criteria

We hope that you will decide to join us and become part of this exciting journey, helping us to shape our future together.

As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application to ensure we’re meeting our pledge.

The Trust is committed to investing in and caring for all our staff. We will support you in maintaining and improving your health and wellbeing, as well as your career development through management and training support - developing exceptional people for exceptional careers.

BFT is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults.

To comply with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016 all applicants must be able to speak fluent English to an appropriate standard which will be assessed at Interview.

If you require sponsorship for a visa to work in the UK, to avoid disappointment, please check to ensure you are eligible under the UKVI points based system.

The Trust uses electronic new starter forms on Trac to collect personal details. Information collected is securely stored and used to set up the employee record on the ESR HR system.

By applying for this post, you are agreeing to Bristol NHS Foundation Trust transferring the information contained in this application to its preferred applicant management system. If you are offered a job, information will also be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records system.

IMPORTANT:

Please note that if you apply for a position with this Trust, you may be contacted via Trac or via email. This includes invites for job interviews. We therefore recommend that you regularly check your Trac account and email accounts. We may also contact you by texting the mobile number, if provided, on the application form.

Due to the high number of applications that are received for some posts we may close this vacancy before the advertised closing date. Therefore, please apply for this post as soon as you can, if you are interested and you meet the requirements of the Person Specification

Only those candidates who clearly demonstrate how they meet the person specification will be shortlisted for this job.

As a guide interviews should usually take place within 3 weeks of the closing date.

When providing employment reference details, please provide correct work-related email addresses so references can be sought promptly when we are looking to progress your application. Your referee must all be known to you in a line manager or professional lead capacity.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.