Qualified / Trainee T&O Surgical Care Practitioner
University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)
The closing date is 09 December 2025
This role is eligible for visa sponsorship under the UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker route; however 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 T&O Surgical Care Practitioner (SCP) within the Trauma & Orthopaedic Department at University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust. The Trust has a team of 16 SCPs covering various specialties, led by a Lead SCP and committed Consultant body. The department 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 that encourages personal and professional development.
The trainee SCP will be supported to complete the accredited 3‑year MSc in Surgical Practice at Edge Hill University.
The successful candidate will be an important member of the surgical team within the Trauma & Orthopaedic Department, working closely with the existing Surgical Care Practitioners, Junior Doctors and consultants.
We welcome applications from those who currently hold a UK NMC/HCPC 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 Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust.
You will be expected to demonstrate skills in communication, coordination of care and the ability to work flexibly within a multi‑disciplinary team. Providing an excellent patient experience is critical for all our patients, and you will play a key role in ensuring that experience is optimised 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 deliver Excellent Care Everywhere, 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 we can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 3) and a Veteran Aware Trust.
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 and 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 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 peri‑operative setting.
- Involvement in creating an environment for learning, where clinical practice is developed and disseminated to all staff. Engage in CPD.
Please see attached job description and person specification for full details.
Person Specification
Skills, Experience / Qualifications
- Registered Nurse or Registered Operating Department Practitioner.
- Highly developed specialist knowledge, underpinned by theory and experience.
- Professional knowledge acquired through a degree supplemented by postgraduate diploma specialist training, experience, short courses plus further specialist training to master’s equivalent level.
- Qualified Surgical Care Practitioner.
- Certificate in good clinical practice.
- Dexterity and accuracy required for tasks such as intravenous injections, insertion of catheters and suturing.
- Skills for development of specialised programmes.
- Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).
- Supervises other nurses and students; provides specialist training for nurses and doctors.
- Accountable for own professional actions; lead nurse for nurse‑led clinics; audit and research responsibilities.
- Participation in audit and research.
- Highly developed physical skills; accuracy important; manipulation of fine tools; high degree of precision required.
- Skills for assessing and interpreting specialist patient/client conditions with appropriate action.
- ALS provider.
- Holder of the Non‑Medical Prescriber qualification.
- Recognised teaching/mentorship course.
- IRMER training to facilitate use of mini c‑arm.
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.
£38,682 to £54,710 a year per annum (depending on banding).
