Surgical Society: Clinical Skills Co-ordinators

Clinical Skills sessions have played a huge role in my decision to pursue a career in Surgery, so as Clinical Skills Officer, I would love to be able to offer these invaluable opportunities for students to learn more about the profession. 

I aim to continue providing suturing sessions throughout the year to students as a hands-on way to gain more insight into the Surgical field, whether it be in Conferences or monthly workshops. I am also keen to work with surgeons for these workshops who can share their knowledge and expertise, give feedback and interact with students in a more informal setting. Having experience on other Committees, I believe I have the organisational and time-management skills to ensure sessions are carried out smoothly and in a way that caters for everyone. 

It would be a privilege to be able to play a part in increasing engagement for students to find out more about surgery, and help support those interested in the field. 

As current Surgical Society Vice President and Conference Director of iNUGSC 2023, I have extensive experience coordinating events, liaising with surgeons and creating surgical skills workshops. Two years of experience running the iNUGSC conference, have provided me with feedback on which workshops taught medical students and doctors how to improve their surgical dexterity skills and broadened their knowledge of future surgical techniques. I am extremely dedicated to expanding the clinical skills sessions and collaborating with surgeons, research facilities and other surgical societies to ensure that all sessions are run by the highest quality and most experienced teachers. In addition to this, I want to provide as many medical students the opportunity to teach in these sessions to also boost their own teaching skills for their portfolios, and so would love to be contacted with new ideas in the future.

As clinical skills coordinator, I would:

• Introduce new workshops based on the future of surgery, including virtual reality brain and heart surgery simulations - I already have surgical contacts who would love to set this up
• Collaborate with specialty chairs to create tailored workshops specific to specialties you are interested in 
• Help ensure the legacy of iNUGSC continues by assisting with their surgical skills workshops and enhancing the way medical students are able to access these teaching sessions 

Hi everyone, my name is Charlie Coombs. I would love to be your clinical skill coordinator next year! I am passionate about pursuing a career in surgery and want to share this enthusiasm with you all.

Plan for the year:

1. Provide hands-on experience with basic surgical skills including suturing, scrubbing in, and handling instruments.
2. Liaise with other members of the Surg Soc committee to encourage students to have the opportunity for theatre experience to put what we learn during tutorials into practice under expert supervision.
3. Emphasize Career and CPSA orientated skills to develop and mature participating members of Surg Soc through collaborative, multi-university teaching opportunities.

All courses should be free and accessible to all, whether that be virtual or in-person.

Why me?

1. Experience teaching as a suture tutor at the recent Surg Soc series has familiarised me with the society’s clinical skills education process.
2. As an Army Reserve Officer, I helped organise a national conference on Frontline Surgery. Talks included specialists in expedition medicine, military medicine and allied health professionals. I would hope to use these contacts to facilitate practical surgical teaching in remote environments.
3. As a Surg Soc member, I have learnt considerably from the webinars, conferences and talks over the last 5 years. I hope to take this great experience in Surg Soc forward.

Thank you for your time reading, I would really appreciate your vote ?