Job summary
Trainee/Qualified Surgical Care Practitioner (Registered Nurse or Operating Department Practitioner)
These vacancy offers both a qualified and a developmental trainee route for applicants who meet the essential criteria for two posts.
Appointments to the trainee route will be made in line with Annex 21 of Agenda for Change leading to Band 7 on successful completion of the MSc Surgical Care Practice programme and required competencies.
Qualified Surgical Care practitioner applicants will be appointed directly to Band 7 under Agenda for Change terms and conditions.
Band 7 £49,387- £56,516 per annum/pro rata
Hours: 37.5 per week
Flexible working: All MKUH roles will be considered for flexible working
At Milton Keynes University Hospital, robotic-assisted surgery is a well-established and growing service, delivered across colorectal, urology, gynaecology and general surgery. Following our 1,000th Versius robotic procedure in August 2025, we continue to invest in innovation, high-quality patient care and workforce development across our theatre services.
Contact detailsFor further information or to arrange an informal visit, please contact Nicole Lee, Lead Surgical Care Practitioner, at Johanna.Lee@mkuh.nhs.uk
Interview date: 6 July 2026
Main duties of the job
Ready to take the next step in your career in robotic-assisted surgery?
We are looking for a motivated and experienced practitioners to join our surgical team as a Trainee or Qualified Surgical Care Practitioner (SCP), with a particular focus on robotic-assisted surgery.
Overview of the main responsibilitiesYou will work closely with consultant surgeons and the multidisciplinary team to deliver safe, high-quality care across the peri-operative pathway. This includes supporting robotic-assisted surgery as a first bedside assistant, contributing to pre- and post-operative care, coordinating investigations, advocating for patients, and working across theatre, ward and outpatient settings to support a smooth patient journey.
About us
Training and development / Study leaveTrainee SCPs will be supported through study leave, structured supervision, competency-based training and agreed academic and clinical milestones.
The post holder will perform these duties with a high degree of clinical skill and knowledge in accordance with the NMC or HPC codes of conduct, and practice within the limits of Trust policies and guidelines. As a specialist you will be self-directing providing development to medical and nursing staff and disseminate your knowledge and skills to others. You will lead clinical and non-clinical audit projects presentations aimed at improving patient care. You will maintain a high level of skill and professionalism, provide portfolio evidence and Royal College of Surgeons accreditation. This will be with Trust support on day release basis and on the job training.
Milton Keynes University Hospital, in proud partnership with the University of Buckingham, is a University Teaching Hospital committed to advancing patient care through cutting-edge research and education. With a "Good" rating from the CQC and significant investment underway, this is an exciting time to join our team and grow your career.
Job description
Job responsibilities
94% feel that their role makes a difference to patience and service users. ''NHS Survey, 2024''
'We care We communicate We collaborate We contribute'
We are also proud to offer a growing portfolio of specialist services. In January 2025 we opened our state-of-the-art Radiotherapy Centre, bringing advanced cancer treatment closer to home. Our services also include neonatology, specialist surgical care, and a wide range of diagnostics, supported by the new Community Diagnostic Centre at Whitehouse Health Centre.
Join #TeamSurgery at Milton Keynes University Hospital
The surgery division at MKUH, which covers specialties including theatres and the Intensive Care Unit, offers a variety of roles and opportunities, both clinical and non-clinical. The division are looking for passionate, enthusiastic and forward-thinking professionals to join the team.
MKUH is one of the leading hospitals in Europe for implementing robotics to assist in surgery, becoming the first in the continent to use the CMR Versius robot for gynaecological surgery. Since its introduction in 2019, the theatres team have completed over 500 surgical cases, the first hospital in the UK to reach this milestone, achieving this in March 2023.
As well as being an innovator in robotics, the Trust is proud to be part of the New Hospital Programme, with plans to expand and increase our surgical capacity to meet the health needs of our communities now and in the future.
With a leading benefits package, and a growing hospital estate to meet one of the fastest growing populations in the country, it is a great time to join MKUH.
Find out more about working in #TeamSurgery at MKUH from the people who work across the division in the video below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-mYel-Y9nrU
As a medium sized general hospital, we provide a full range of general medical and surgical services, including a busy Emergency Department, Maternity, and Paediatrics. As the population of our city and surrounding areas continues to grow rapidly, we are expanding and enhancing our facilities to meet rising demand and improve access to care for all our communities.
Please refer to the attached job description for further information
Person Specification
Qualifications and knowledge
Essential
- Registered Nurse / ODP
- Demonstrate sufficient post-registration knowledge and experience
- Current registration with the NMC or HCPC
- MSc in Surgical Care Practitioner Course or equivalent experience
- Willingness and ability to commit to 3-year Surgical Care Practitioner course as a trainee
- Evidence of ongoing Professional Development through maintenance of professional and educational portfolio.
Desirable
- Has attended a Robotic Surgery course
Experience
Essential
- Significant clinical experience of surgical pathways as a nurse within a theatre or CNS role.
- Evidence of ability to plan and implement research / audit studies and utilise audit data to improve quality
- Good understanding of NMC / HPC and professional issues including practice, conduct, medicines management and role expansion
Desirable
- Thorough and up to date knowledge of theory and best practice within specialty area
- Aware of current issues within the Health Service. . Experience in mentorship and preceptorship
- Experienced in robotic system set up and troubleshooting
- Experience and knowledge of advanced practice / protocols
Skills
Essential
- Good teaching and assessment skills to train doctors and the theatre team in all aspects of the robot
- Strong organisation skills prioritising complex situations
- Ability to work under pressure and to tight deadlines or late operating finishes
Desirable
- Advanced technical skills to perform various tasks competently
- Able to gain credibility and influence colleagues including influencing clinical changes where appropriate
- Expert in specific area of practice and takes accountability for own actions
- Ability to lead and influence change. . Able to advise on and implement improvements to the quality and efficiency of care for patients
- Ability to act as facilitator, mentor and supervisor to colleagues
- Able to cope with sensitive and sometimes distressing emotional issues, and to support others
- Excellent IT skills
Personal and people development
Essential
- Committed to respecting and promoting the rights and beliefs of patients' relatives and colleagues
- Adaptability and team-working
- Motivated / positive - self-directed and committed
- Maintain a professional image attitude at all time
- Meets essential educational qualification & experience
- Demonstrate effective time management skills
- Must be willing to work flexible hours to meet the needs of the service
Communication
Essential
- Excellent communication skills including verbal, nonverbal and written
- Ability to communicate with all members of the multidisciplinary team, relatives and patients
- Ability to demonstrate good communication skills to all levels of staff within and outside the Trust
- Evidence of excellent documentation and record keeping skills
- Ability to negotiate changes both upward and downward in the organisation
Specific requirements
Desirable
- Demonstrate the ability to work safely in potentially hazardous environments
- Must show skill with the handling of sharp and delicate instrumentation
- Displays manual dexterity skill necessary for the role
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.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details
Employer name
Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Theatres (Dept)
Milton Keynes
MK6 5LD
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.mkuh.nhs.uk/working-at-mkuh (Opens in a new tab)
This listing was aggregated from publicly-available sources. The employer holds an A-rated sponsor licence at the time of this listing, but sponsorship of this specific role is not guaranteed — the employer's offer and UK Visas and Immigration are the final authority. Details may have changed since our last update — verify with the employer via the Apply link.