Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Trainee Cardiac Theatre Surgical Care Practitioner
Closing date is 24 June 2026.
A new opportunity has arisen for a motivated and enthusiastic Trainee Surgical Care Practitioner (SCP) in Cardiothoracic Surgery at Blackpool Teaching Hospitals. Applicants should be keen to learn and dedicated to developing themselves as well as the future SCP team.
The successful candidate will undertake a three year Masters level SCP training supported by a mentor surgeon and SCP and will join an already established group of qualified SCPs. Working within agreed boundaries and meeting clearly defined competencies, the SCP works autonomously as well as within a team structure and should be able to demonstrate good interpersonal and mediation skills in order to work with the wider multidisciplinary team.
The trainee will be enrolled in a three-year Master's degree in Surgical Care Practice with a focus on Cardiothoracic Surgery. During this period, they are expected to acquire the necessary knowledge, skills, and clinical competencies required to qualify as an SCP, under the guidance and support of the SCP team and consultant cardiothoracic surgeons. Upon successful completion of the training programme, the individual will be appointed as a qualified SCP, commencing at the intermediate step point of Band 7 on the Agenda for Change pay scale.
Job responsibilities
* Independently harvest surgical conduit using an endoscopic (keyhole) technique, utilising the highest levels of hand‑eye coordination and concentration.
* Independently harvest surgical conduit using an open technique and be able to autonomously identify when to convert from an endoscopic to open method, maintaining patient safety and preserving the conduit.
* Demonstrate highly developed hand‑eye coordination and dexterity required for precise handling of delicate body tissues and manoeuvre of fine surgical instruments during both independent operating and when acting as first and second assistant to the operating surgeon for the full range of cardiac and thoracic surgical procedures.
* Independently assess potential sites for conduit harvest in cardiac surgery, utilising both ultrasound scanning and physical assessment skills, providing expert recommendation to the Consultant Surgeon.
* Harvest venous and arterial conduit, involving complex dissection and avoiding damage to the conduit and vital surrounding structures, ensuring haemostasis and timely operation times.
* Act as expert first and second assistant to the operating surgeon during both complex and non‑complex cardiac and thoracic surgery and emergency operations.
* Respond calmly and quickly in an emergency situation, utilising the highest level of physical skill, precision and speed, whilst maintaining hand‑eye and sensory coordination to maximise patient outcomes.
* Independently perform closure of surgical wounds, selecting appropriate suture materials and techniques adapted to tissue quality and wound depth.
* Competently perform a range of advanced clinical skills including sternotomy and thoracotomy closure, sometimes in emergency situations, as part of standard procedure practice.
* Provide expert advice, opinions and training to colleagues, including medical staff, regarding all aspects of cardiac and thoracic surgery; act as a role model demonstrating excellent clinical and professional behaviour.
Person Specification
Education and Qualification
* Registered General Nurse Level 1 or Operating Department Practitioner Level 3.
* Current registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council or Health Care Professions Council.
* Qualified Cardiothoracic Surgical Care Practitioner.
* Masters level education or historical equivalent.
* RCS Basic Surgical Skills Course.
* Teaching and Assessing Qualification.
* Registered Independent and Supplementary non‑medical prescriber or willingness to work towards.
* Cardiac Advanced Life Support (CALS) and/or Immediate Life Support (ILS) certification.
* Leadership Qualification.
Experience and Knowledge
* Two years’ specialist experience in cardiothoracic surgery post‑accreditation.
* Ability to autonomously decide on the location of conduit harvest, utilising ultrasound, patient history, clinical examination and professional experience.
* Ability to autonomously harvest usable conduit using both open and endoscopic methods.
* Ability to first and second assist for all cardiac and thoracic operations, including emergency procedures; demonstrate high level of clinical skill and manual dexterity.
* Able to provide evidence of effective leadership and developmental work undertaken at senior level.
* Advanced theoretical and practical knowledge of cardiac and thoracic anatomy, associated conditions and management options.
* Acts as a role model.
* Can work both autonomously and as part of the multidisciplinary team.
* Lead and partake in audit and clinical research.
* Evidence of service innovation.
* Commitment to training, education and support for junior staff.
* Ability to develop and implement local policies and procedures.
* Ability to integrate departmental, trust and national guidance into local policies and practice.
* Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with all members of the multidisciplinary team, patients and their relatives.
* Excellent documentation and record‑keeping skills.
Skills and Ability
* Ability to handle sharp and delicate instruments with precision and skill.
* Ability to work under pressure and to tight deadlines.
* Ability to work safely within a potentially hazardous environment.
* Evidence of sound decision‑making ability.
* Ability to act within appropriate guidelines and protocols.
* Awareness of own limitations.
* Committed to personal professional development and the development of the Surgical Care Practitioner role.
* Ability to maintain intense concentration for long periods.
* Ability to remain calm and work under high pressure in intense clinical situations.
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.
Address
Cardiac Theatres, Blackpool Teaching Hospitals
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