Senior Registrar, Cardiothoracic Surgery

Job Objective

• The Senior Registrar Cardiothoracic Surgery, will deliver advanced, high-quality surgical care to patients with complex cardiac conditions.
  This role is responsible for performing and assisting in a wide range of cardiac surgical procedures, managing pre- and post-operative care, leading the resident surgical team, and contributing significantly to the academic and research mission of the department.
• The role holder will ensure the highest standards of patient safety, clinical excellence, and professional conduct. 

Responsibilities
Advanced Surgical Practice & Patient Management:

• Perform and first-assist in a comprehensive range of major cardiac surgeries, including CABG, valve repair/replacement, aortic surgery, and congenital corrections under Consultant supervision. 
• Develop and execute pre-operative surgical plans, including patient optimization strategies and surgical risk assessment. 
• Lead the surgical team in the operating room, ensuring adherence to aseptic techniques, time-out protocols, and patient safety checks. 
• Manage complex post-operative care in the ICU and surgical wards, including hemodynamic monitoring, ventilator management, and management of surgical complications. 
• Perform and interpret post-operative diagnostic tests, such as echocardiograms and chest X-rays, to guide management. 
• Ensure comprehensive and timely documentation of operative notes, progress notes, and discharge summaries.

Clinical Governance & Quality Assurance in the OR:

• Uphold the highest standards of sterile technique and infection control in the operating theater, championing SSI prevention protocols.
• Participate actively in surgical safety audits, morbidity and mortality conferences, and lead root cause analyses for adverse surgical events. 
• Ensure strict adherence to hospital protocols for blood product utilization, antibiotic prophylaxis, and deep vein thrombosis prophylaxis. 
• Contribute to the development and refinement of standardized surgical pathways and post-operative care protocols. 
• Monitor and report on key performance indicators related to surgical outcomes, such as mortality, re-exploration rates, and sternal wound infections.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of international best practices in cardiac surgery through continuous professional development. 

On-Call & Emergency Surgical Responsibilities:

• Provide 24/7 on-call coverage for emergent cardiac surgical cases, including trauma, acute aortic syndromes, and post-MI complications.
• Lead the triage and initial management of patients requiring emergency cardiac surgery in collaboration with the cardiology and emergency teams. 
• Perform emergency procedures such as pericardial window, chest re-exploration for tamponade, and Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump (IABP) insertion. 
• Ensure effective and timely handover of all emergency cases to the daytime team and Consultants. 
• Participate in multi-disciplinary simulation drills for emergency scenarios (e.g., massive hemorrhage, cardiac arrest in OR). 
• Maintain surgical readiness for the emergency OR including knowledge of equipment and availability of necessary implants.

Education, Mentorship & Leadership:

• Provide direct supervision, training, and evaluation to junior residents, fellows, and surgical assistants in the OR and clinical settings. 
• Conduct regular teaching sessions on core topics in cardiac surgery, surgical techniques, and peri-operative management. 
• Facilitate simulation-based training for surgical skills and crisis management for the junior team.
• Provide constructive, formative feedback to trainees and support their academic and professional development.
• Lead by example in professionalism, work ethics, and patient-centered| care, fostering a positive and collaborative team environment.
• Assist in the orientation and onboarding of new surgical residents and staff.

Administrative & Operational Efficiency:

• Participate in the scheduling of elective and emergency surgical cases, optimizing OR utilization and resource allocation.
• Contribute to the management of surgical supplies and implants, assisting in inventory control and cost-effective practices. 
• Ensure timely completion of all administrative duties, including discharge summaries, mortality reports, and clinic letters. 
• Participate in departmental meetings, providing input on service development, quality improvement, and strategic planning. 
• Collaborate with hospital administration on projects aimed at improving operational efficiency within the directorate.
• Assist in the recruitment process and performance appraisal of junior medical staff. 

Research & Academic Contribution:

• Design and lead clinical research projects, including data collection, analysis, and manuscript preparation for publication in peer-reviewed journals.
• Actively enroll eligible patients into ongoing clinical trials and registries, ensuring strict protocol adherence.
• Present research findings at local, national, and international scientific conferences and meetings.
• Conduct critical appraisals of recent surgical literature and present at journal clubs.
• Collaborate with internal and external researchers to enhance the directorate’s academic output and reputation. 
• Mentor junior residents in their research projects and presentations. 

Multidisciplinary Collaboration:

• Actively participate in team meetings, contributing surgical perspective to discussions on complex cases (e.g., TAVI, complex CAD).
• Foster strong collaborative relationships with cardiologists, intensivists, anesthesiologists, and radiologists to ensure seamless, integrated patient care.
• Communicate effectively with referring physicians, providing timely updates and ensuring smooth patient transitions.
• Liaise with perfusionists, scrub nurses, and other OR personnel to optimize team performance and patient outcomes. 
• Work with rehabilitation services to develop and implement post-operative recovery and cardiac rehab plans.
• Engage with hospital management to advocate for resources needed for the cardiac surgery program.

Ethical Practice & Patient Advocacy:

• Ensure thorough and compassionate informed consent processes for all surgical procedures, discussing risks, benefits, and alternatives. 
• Uphold absolute patient confidentiality and privacy in all interactions and documentation.
• Advocate for patients' best interests in all clinical decisions, including end-of-life care and withdrawal of support discussions. 
• Address patient and family concerns with empathy, clarity, and cultural sensitivity. 
• Adhere to hospital policies on ethical dilemmas, organ donation, and resource allocation.
• Serve as a role model for ethical conduct and professionalism for the entire surgical team.

Professional Development & Surgical Mastery:

• Pursue an aggressive program of continuous professional development, including advanced surgical courses and certifications. 
• Maintain a surgical logbook with detailed case complexity and outcomes for personal reflection and appraisal.
• Seek regular feedback from supervising Consultants and peers to identify and address areas for technical and professional growth. 
• Engage in self-directed learning through surgical video review, literature study, and conference attendance.
• Work towards achieving board certification or equivalent specialist qualifications in cardiac surgery.
• Develop a sub-specialty area of clinical or academic interest to contribute to the department's expertise.

Qualifications

• Medical Degree (MBBS, MD, MBChB, or equivalent) from a recognized institution.
• Completion of a recognized residency training program in Cardiothoracic or Cardiac Surgery. 
• Valid medical license and registration to practice as a Specialist Registrar / Senior Resident. 
• Proven proficiency in performing and first-assisting in major adult cardiac surgical procedures.
• Advanced knowledge of cardiopulmonary bypass management and physiology. 
• Expertise in post-operative critical care management, including inotropes, mechanical ventilation, and ECMO.
• Demonstrated ability to lead a team in the high-stakes environment of the operating room and ICU.
• Strong surgical decision-making and technical skills, with the ability to handle complex intra-operative scenarios.
• Experience in clinical research methodology, data analysis, and scientific writing. 
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and mentoring skills.
• Commitment to patient safety, quality improvement, and ethical medical practice.

Application Closing Date
Not Specified.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:

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