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Surgery involves broad knowledge and clinical procedural skills and encompasses many surgical specialisations. It involves anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, investigation, differential diagnosis, infection control, and surgical and non-surgical management of health conditions. Surgical specialties include Cardio-thoracic surgery, General Surgery, Neurosurgery, Orthopaedic surgery, Otolaryngology, Oral and maxillofacial surgery, Paediatric surgery, Plastic surgery, Urology, and Vascular surgery. These specialisations relate to different organs and body systems, the type of patient or disorder, or the type of medical procedure involved. All surgical specialties look at managing patients with trauma and emergency conditions, with sepsis and/or who are critically ill, as well as providing specialist services for patients with congenital or acquired disorders, or elective surgical conditions. All surgical fields involve a wide range of specific techniques and competencies and an awareness of the benefits and limitations of each procedure. Surgery services involve multidisciplinary teams, recovery, follow up, therapies and rehabilitation, and palliative care. Services are provided in hospitals, in acute, secondary and tertiary care settings, and in private clinics.

Surgery Jobs

Registrars (General Surgery or Surgical Specialties) are undertaking posts in general surgery or a surgical specialty. They work under general or specialist surgeons and develop procedural skills, surgical techniques, and clinical expertise in providing medical care, including surgical and non-surgical management, of patients with conditions relating to their surgical specialty.

Theatre Nurses work in perioperative environments in hospitals and private clinics. They work across surgical specialties, in emergency and/or elective surgery settings. They work within multi-disciplinary teams, providing clinical support and holistic nursing care to patients undergoing surgery or complex medical procedures. They undertake patient pre-assessments and fill out documentation. They set up equipment and resources and assist the surgeon or anaesthetist with anaesthetic, pain management or surgical procedures. They monitor and maintain the patient in a safe state during the surgical phase and recovery. They practice infection control and sterilise equipment. They inform and support patients and their families. To apply for roles in this field, Nurses need to be registered with the NMC. Theatre Nurses can undertake further study, training and work experience to specialise in areas such as Anaesthetics or Paediatric health. They also participate in teaching/mentoring and professional development activities.

Operating Department Practitioners work in multi-disciplinary teams in the perioperative environment - in hospitals and private clinics, and across emergency and elective surgery. Their role is similar to that of Theatre Nurse, but they come from a health science background. Like Theatre Nurses, they assist with all stages of peri-operative patient care, including the anaesthetic, surgery and recovery phase. They set up and maintain important equipment and resources, inform and support patients, fill out documentation and keep records. They prepare the operating theatre and assist the anaesthetist or surgeon with anaesthetic or surgical procedures. They monitor patients, decontaminate and sterilise equipment, and provide care for patients in recovery. To pursue a career in this field, pathways include undertaking a two-year diploma or three-year degree in operating department practice at university and registering with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). Apprenticeships are also available.