Clinical Skills

Clinical assessment and management of the preoperative, postoperative and

critically ill patient
Analysis and interpretation of investigations, including specific diagnostic tests.
Critical care management including recognition, evaluation and treatment of
haemodynamic and ventilatory abnormalities.
Familiarity with the management of multi-organ failure
The management of chest trauma (ATLS)

Practical Skills:
The use of the defibrillator
The use of the intra-aortic balloon pump
Echocardiography including TOE
Arterial and central venous cannulation
Cannulation and institution of cardiopulmonary bypass
Weaning from bypass and decannulation
Femoral cannulation and decannulation
Pulmonary artery catheterisation
Intra-aortic balloon pump insertion, timing and management
Tracheostomy
Fibreoptic, rigid and flexible bronchoscopy
Chest aspiration, chest drain insertion, chest drain management
Saphenous vein harvest
Median sternotomy
Mammary/radial artery harvest
Preparation for, and management of, cardiopulmonary bypass
Proximal aortovenous and distal coronary anastamosis
Heart valve replacement
Surgical re-exploration for bleeding or tamponade
Perform and repair thoracic incisions, including lateral, anterior, muscle sparing

and VATS incisions

Endoscopic and surgical techniques used in lung biopsy
Surgery for benign and malignant conditions of the lungs, including uncomplicated
lobectomy for lung cancer, wedge resection and metastasectomy
Intraoperative diagnosis and staging
Open operation for uncomplicated pleural problems e.g. pneumothorax, effusion,
haemothorax including drainage, biopsy, pleurodesis and pleurectomy
VATS procedures for uncomplicated pleural problems e.g. pneumothorax, effusion,
haemothorax including drainage, biopsy, pleurodesis and pleurectomy
Open and VATS procedures for empyema, including techniques for decortication
Median sternotomy open and close