Surgical Trainee
Doctors in training who are pursuing a career in surgery. This includes those in their foundation years, as well as those who are engaged in a training programme, either at core level, or at specialty level.
Area of practice
Inpatient (ward and operating theatre).
Overview of tasks and activities
Clinical duties
• Central venous line insertion• Urethral catheterisation
• Chest drain insertion
• Safe administration of appropriate local anaesthetic agents
• Close superficial tissues accurately
• Administration of local anaesthesia
Administrative duties
• Case work evaluation• Risk management
• Active participation in clinical audit events
• Writing operation records
Liaison between patients and doctors
• Promoting health and fitness to patients during interactions (Health Promotion Module)
• Assist senior members of staff
Supervision and management
- A designated consultant supervisor must be available when the trainee is timetabled for a particular activity
- This must include both elective and emergency clinical activity
Autonomy
Whilst direct supervision will be appropriate for early year trainees, with increasing experience the trainee should become increasingly independent, provided that a designated consultant supervisor is available.
Eligibility for training
- Completion of core training competencies
- Successful completion of the MRCS Part A and B Examination
- Completion of mandatory courses, determined by specialty
Training
- Five to six years of medical school, followed by two years of foundation training, two years of core training and six years of specialty training
- Doctors at this grade will usually spend six to eight years at this level building up experience
- After two years of core surgical training across different areas of surgery, doctors can sit the MRCS (Member of The Royal College of Surgeons) exams. This, along with other assessments, enables them to continue their training
- They then revert to the title Mr, Mrs, Miss or Ms, instead of Dr. This is due to tradition; in the past surgeons did not have to complete full medical training and so were not allowed to be called doctor
- After a further four to six years of training and passing further exams, they can become FRCS (Fellows of the Royal College of Surgeons)
Professional accountability
Trainee surgeons are accountable to the General Medical Council.
Banding
Nodal point 3 - 4.