This course has been developed for practitioners who wish to develop and consolidate their skills in minor skin surgery. It includes supervised practice and formal assessment of competency in performing skin surgery procedures. Inital training is performed on simulated tissue models and practical skills workshops are run by experienced skin surgeons. Proficiency is developed during a period of supervised clinical practice and competency assessed using Direct Observational Procedure (DOPS)

Content :

•  Focuses on acquisition of minor surgery practical skills and the context of service delivery:
•  Patient assessment & treatment options,
•  Skin preparation, local anesthesia,
•  Surgical anatomical hazards
•  Surgical procedures: curettage, ellipse excision, punch biopsy
•  Histology: specimens, diagnosis 
•  Wound closure and aftercare
•  Medico-legal/professional standards

·       Who should attend?

This module is suitable for medical and non-medical practitioners from dermatology and primary care settings with a special interest in dermatology who want to develop & consolidate skills in minor skin surgery. You must be employed in a practice setting where skin surgery can be performed during the course.

Pre-requisites:

 Practitioners must:

• .     have professional registration in the UK.
• .     gain employer approval to facilitate expected outcomes of the module prior to commencement.
•     have a supervisor(s) able to mentor/assess competence of surgical skills identified in the clinical        skills portfolio
•     have assess to sufficient patients requiring dermatology skin surgery to complete a logbook of a        minimum of 10 ellipse excisions during the module

Strategic Analysis Report: provision skin surgery services - 100%

Practical OSCE (Skin surgery competencies) - Pass/Fail

Surgical Skills Logbook completion of a minimum of 10 ellipse excisions

 Admissions Tutor is Katherine Radley - k.radley@herts.ac.uk

Module Lead is Amanda McQueen - a.mcqueen@herts.ac.uk