The Professional Surgical First Assistant (SURG0187)

This module provides an academic foundation in support of graduate nursing professionals acting as Surgical First Assistants during surgical interventions. The module expands on an existing professional practice syllabus, to provide the student with an opportunity to explore a number of relevant professional areas including, enhanced communications, microbiology and infection control and operative surgical techniques. Students will gain an appreciation and understanding of team dynamics, complex systems and the tenets of safe professional practice, as well as an overview of both legal and ethical aspects of surgical care.

Students will be required to acquire documented evidence for professional development throughout the module by the development of a Professional Practice Portfolio, which will form the module assessment.

This module provides an academic foundation in support of nursing professionals assisting in the practice of anaesthesia for surgery. The module expands on an...

The Professional Assistant in Anaesthesia (SURG0186)

This module provides an academic foundation in support of nursing professionals assisting in the practice of anaesthesia for surgery. The module expands on an existing professional practice syllabus, to provide the student with an opportunity to explore a number of professional subject areas including, the legal, ethical and clinical governance aspects of anaesthetic practice, the preoperative preparation of patients undergoing anaesthesia, including an understanding of the mechanisms of action of anaesthetic drugs, and techniques regularly used in the operating theatre suite. Students will gain an appreciation and understanding of team dynamics, complex systems and the tenets of safe professional practice associated with modern anaesthesia.


Students will be required to produce documented evidence for professional development throughout the module by the writing of a professional practice portfolio, which will form the module assessment.