Senior Registrar, Cardiothoracic Surgery

Senior Registrar, Cardiothoracic Surgery

The African Medical Centre of Excellence (AMCE) Abuja is a 500-bed specialty hospital offering world-class comprehensive diagnostics and treatment in oncology, cardiovascular, and haematological care, and general medical and surgical services, along with top notch research and education. The AMCE will provide exceptional care to people on the African continent, regardless of their financial means. Developed by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) in clinical partnership with King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust., AMCE Abuja is the first of five centres planned for development in Africa.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Senior Registrar, Cardiothoracic Surgery

Location: Abuja

Employment Type: Full-time

Workplace Type: Onsite

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,