Trainee Cardiac Surgical Care Practitioner

NHS; Greater London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in Greater London is seeking a Trainee Cardiac Surgical Care Practitioner. This role offers the opportunity to gain extensive surgical skills while supported to undertake an accredited MSc in Surgical Care Practice. Key responsibilities include performing defined invasive procedures and assisting Cardiac surgeons. Candidates should be registered health care professionals with experience in cardiac theatres. This position is pivotal within one of the busiest cardiac centres in the UK, providing a dynamic learning environment.

Qualifications

• Registered Nurse or Registered ODP required.
• Extensive experience with cardiac theatres is necessary.
• Evidence of continuing professional development is expected.
• Experience in cardiothoracic theatres/ward/ICU is crucial.

Responsibilities

• Perform invasive procedures under supervision in cardiothoracic theatres.
• Assist Cardiac surgeons as the first or second assistant.
• Contribute to training of junior staff and future trainee SCPs.

Skills

Ability to work as part of the multidisciplinary team

Time management and organisation skills

Teaching skills

Education

Registered Nurse or Registered ODP

Job description

Trainee Cardiac Surgical Care Practitioner

The closing date is 31 December 2025

Applications are invited for the role of a Trainee Cardiac Surgical Care Practitioner in the Cardiac department at the St Thomas' Hospital.

We are looking for a motivated Registered Health Care Professional to join our Cardiac Surgical Care Practitioner team at St Thomas' Hospital.

The successful applicant will be supported to undertake an accredited MSc in Surgical Care Practice whilst learning and developing the skills & competencies required while performing operative procedures under the direction of Consultant Surgeons.

The role will provide the opportunity to be involved in one of the busiest cardiac centres in the UK, to develop essential surgical skills in assisting and harvesting conduit for coronary bypass grafts. There will be an opportunity to learn techniques such as open leg vessel harvesting, vein stripping, radial conduit harvesting along with Endoscopic Vessel Harvesting. The role provides exposure to minimally invasive surgery and complex aortic surgery as well.

Main duties of the job

Under the direction and supervision of the Senior SCP's and Consultant surgeon, the post holder will be able to undertake defined invasive procedures within cardiothoracic theatres, utilising specialist skills and knowledge including vessel harvesting and closing of routine chest incisions.

The post holder will act as first or second assistant to Cardiac surgeons.

The successful candidate will learn advanced surgical skills and contribute to the training of junior medical staff and future trainee SCPs, demonstrating and supervising specialist skills and their acquisition.

The post holder will undertake appropriate surgical care practitioner training to MSc level.

About us

Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust comprises five of the UK's best known hospitals - Guy's, St Thomas', Evelina London Children's Hospital, Royal Brompton and Harefield - as well as community services in Lambeth and Southwark, all with a long history of high quality care, clinical excellence, research and innovation. We are among the UK's busiest, most successful foundation trusts. We provide specialist care for patients including heart and lung, cancer and renal services as well as a full range of local hospital and community services for people in Lambeth and Southwark.

We have a long tradition of clinical and scientific achievement and - as part of King's Health Partners - we are one of England's eight academic health sciences centres, bringing together world-class clinical services, teaching and research. We have one of the National Institute for Health Research's biomedical research centres, established with King's College London in 2007, as well as dedicated clinical research facilities.

Job responsibilities

For a complete list of duties and responsibilities please refer to the attached Job description and person specification.

Person Specification

See attached.

Qualifications

• Registered Nurse or Registered ODP

Experience

• Extensive experience with cardiac theatres
• Evidence of continuing professional development
• Experience in cardiothoracic theatres/ward/ICU.

Skills

• Ability to work as part of the multidisciplinary team
• Time management and organisation skills
• Teaching 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.

Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust