Overview
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Qualified / Trainee General Surgical Care Practitioner
The closing date is 09 October 2025
This role is eligible for visa sponsorship under the UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker route; sponsorship can only be provided where applicants meet the specific requirements set by UKVI, including the relevant skill and salary thresholds (£25,000), and any role-specific criteria.
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Qualified / Trainee General Surgery Surgical Care Practitioner (SCP) within the General Surgery Division at University Sussex Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. The Trust has a team of 16 SCPs covering various specialties, led by a Lead SCP and committed Consultant body. The General Surgery Division is committed to expanding and developing the role of the SCP within the hospitals, delivering excellent patient care and up-to-date practice in an environment which encourages personal and professional development.
The trainee SCP will be supported to complete the accredited 3 year MSc Surgical Practice.
The successful candidate will be an important member of the surgical team within the General Surgery Division. They will work closely with the existing Surgical Care Practitioners, Junior Doctors and consultants.
We welcome applications from those who currently hold a UK NMC registration. If you currently hold an overseas nursing qualification and require sponsorship we are not currently direct hiring Internationally Qualified Nurses.
Main duties of the job
The successful candidate will need to have completed or be working towards completing a university programme at Masters level to become fully qualified in Surgical Care Practice.
This course is fully funded by the University Sussex Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
You will be expected to demonstrate skills in communication, co-ordination of care and an ability to work flexibly within a multi-disciplinary team. Providing excellent patient experience is critical for all our patients, and you will play a key role in ensuring that experience is optimized through accessible and effective communication with compassion and empathy.
About us
At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First, as shown in our Outstanding for Caring CQC rating. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust. We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We’re here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our Wellbeing Programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it – because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves. As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do. We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.
Job responsibilities
* Participate with the surgical team in the management of General Surgical patients in the in-patient and out-patient settings. This includes daily ward rounds with junior doctors, documenting in notes and coordinating treatment plans.
* Act as first or second assistant to the operating surgeon during elective & emergency General Surgical cases
* Once deemed competent Independently undertake surgical procedures under the direction of a Consultant Surgeon
* Perform and assist with wound closure, suturing, ensuring haemostasis and asepsis
* Assist the surgical team in assessment and preparation of the pre-operative patients in clinic and run wound care clinics.
* Request and follow-up appropriate patient investigations.
* Actively involved in audit and participate in MDTs to ensure current and up to date practice.
* Provide specialist, technical and clinical advice to patients and relevant colleagues in the perioperative setting.
* Involvement in creating an environment for learning, where clinical practice is developed and disseminated to all members of staff. Engage in CPD
Please see attached job description and person specification for full details.
Person Specification
Experience / Qualifications
* Registered Nurse or Registered Operating Department Practitioner
* Highly developed specialist knowledge, underpinned by theory and experience
* Professional knowledge acquired through degree supplemented by post graduate diploma specialist training, experience, short courses plus further specialist training to masters equivalent level Qualified Surgical Care Practitioner.
* Holds the Non-Medical prescriber qualification. Recognised teaching/ mentorship course.
* Certificate in good clinical practice Participation in audit and research.
* Level 6 or above
* Experience - ward/theatre/OPD
* ALS provider
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
* Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).
* Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues.
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.
University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)
£38,682 to £54,710 a year (depending on banding)
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