Frequently Asked Questions

Surgical Care Practitioners (SCPs) are trained specifically for the management of the surgical patient with a work-plan combining intraoperative practice and perioperative care. It is recognised that the primary responsibility of the SCP will be the management of the surgical patient by working in preoperative and postoperative care, the theatre setting and outpatient clinics to provide holistic surgical care for patients under the direction and supervision of a Consultant Surgeon.

We are aware there are many roles within the extended surgical team. As the MVR is primarily aimed at Surgical Care Practitioners, before applying we would encourage you to review the Eligibility Criteria. If you are not eligible to join the MVR, you may be eligible to join the RCS Edinburgh Faculty of Perioperative Care or join the RCS England as a Surgical Team Member.

No. It is a condition of the SCP MVR that you are registered and in good standing with a statutory regulatory body such as the NMC or HCPC.  The SCP MVR is a voluntary register and does not replace registration with your statutory regulatory body.

You can join the MVR either by virtue of your qualification(s) or your experience. There are three routes for SCPs to join:

• an SCP with an MSc or PGDip in Surgical Care Practice aligned with the 'Curriculum Framework for the Surgical Care Practitioner'; or 
• SCPs enrolled in an SCP training programme that is aligned with the ‘Curriculum Framework for the Surgical Care Practitioner’ and administered by a higher education institution within the UK; or
• an established SCP who can provide evidence of working as an SCP or fulfilling a relevant academic/clinical/or educational role in surgical care practice. 

In addition, you must:

• be registered with, and in good standing with, a statutory regulatory body such as the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) or the Healthcare Professions Council (HCPC);
• have current or previous experience of working as an SCP in the UK; and
• be committed to Continued Professional Development (CPD) as an SCP.

The following qualifications are aligned with the ‘Curriculum Framework for the Surgical Care Practitioner’ and administered by a registered higher education institution within the UK. 

• MSc/PGDip Surgical Care Practice - Anglia Ruskin University
• MSc/Dip in Surgical Care Practice - Cardiff University
• MSc/PGDip Surgical Care Practice - Edge Hill University
• MSc/PGDip Surgical Care Practitioner - Teesside University
• MSc/PGDip Surgical Care Practitioner - University of Plymouth

You can query your eligibility before applying by emailing scpmvr@rcsed.ac.uk

As a member benefit, Affiliates, Members and Fellows of the RCS Edinburgh Faculty of Perioperative Care and Surgical Team Members of RCS England can register with the Managed Voluntary Register for FREE.

All eligible Surgical Care Practitioners can benefit from FREE registration for a limited time.

An annual subscription fee may be introduced in future.

You may still be eligible to join the MVR.  Please contact us using either the “Contact us” page or e-mail scpmvr@rcsed.ac.uk.

Yes. Evidence of experience (verified via a copy of your job description and two satisfactory references) as an established Surgical Care Practitioner in a clinical, academic, or educational role within the field of surgical care practice will be accepted in lieu of a qualification aligned with the 'Curriculum Framework for the Surgical Care Practitioner'.

• If you hold a qualification aligned with the 'Curriculum Framework for the Surgical Care Practitioner,' you must upload an electronic/digital copy of your MSc/PG Dip in Surgical Care Practice certificate.
• If you are currently training as a Surgical Care Practitioner and enrolled in an SCP programme that is aligned with the ‘Curriculum Framework for the Surgical Care Practitioner’ and administered by a registered higher education institution within the UK, you must upload proof of current enrolment. Acceptable documents are typically referred to as a Certificate of Matriculation, a Letter of Enrolment, or a Confirmation of Student Registration certificate.
• If you are an established Surgical Care Practitioner employed in a clinical, academic, or educational role, you must upload a copy of your job description confirming your job title.

You must provide the name(s)/contact details of up to two professional referees (a clinician, e.g., your line manager or clinical supervisor) who know you and can comment authoritatively on your work through direct knowledge. You must ensure that your referees have consented to being contacted and that their details are correct. We will then contact them to request a reference.

Definition of “Professional Referees”

• An SCP who is either a Member or Fellow of the RCS Edinburgh Faculty of Perioperative Care, or a RCS England Surgical Team Member.

• A Consultant Surgeon, who is a Fellow in good standing of one of the four UK/Ireland Surgical Royal Colleges and who has been either a clinical or educational supervisor for the applicant.

• The applicant’s current or most recent line manager, or if they are applying from an academic background, their academic supervisor.

For those SCPs who are still in training, proof of active enrolment in an SCP programme and a signed statement from their clinical supervisor must be provided.

Referees should normally have worked with the applicant in the last three years, and should be registered themselves with a professional regulatory body.

No. Applications need to be completed in one sitting. Applicants should gather the following information before they start their application:- NMC PIN or HCPC registration number, electronic copy of MSc/PG Dip certificate or copy of their job description (where applicable), name(s) of referees.

We will endeavour to process your application within ten working days once your references have been received.

Once your application has received final approval, it will appear immediately.