Senior Registrar, Cardiothoracic Surgery at African Medical Centre of Excellence – Abuja

The African Medical Centre of Excellence (AMCE) is recruiting a Senior Registrar in Cardiothoracic Surgery in Abuja. At grade GL 4A, the position combines advanced surgical care under consultant supervision with perioperative management, emergency response, teaching and clinical research.

Surgical care and perioperative management

• Perform or first-assist with major cardiac procedures under consultant supervision, including coronary bypass, valve repair or replacement, aortic surgery and congenital corrections.
• Prepare operative plans, assess risks and optimise patients before surgery.
• Lead theatre teams in sterile practice, surgical time-outs and safety checks.
• Manage complex postoperative cases in intensive care and surgical wards, including haemodynamic monitoring, ventilation and surgical complications.
• Interpret echocardiograms, chest X-rays and other postoperative investigations; maintain accurate operative notes, progress records and discharge summaries.

Clinical governance and emergency coverage

• Champion infection prevention and participate in surgical audits, morbidity and mortality reviews, adverse-event analyses and quality-improvement work.
• Apply protocols for blood products, antibiotic prophylaxis and prevention of deep-vein thrombosis; help refine surgical pathways and monitor outcome indicators.
• Provide 24/7 emergency on-call coverage for cardiac surgical cases, including trauma, acute aortic conditions and post-infarction complications.
• Work with emergency and cardiology teams on triage and perform urgent interventions including pericardial windows, re-exploration for tamponade and intra-aortic balloon pump insertion.
• Ensure effective handovers, participate in emergency simulation exercises and maintain readiness of theatre equipment and implants.

Teaching, operational leadership and research

• Supervise and assess junior doctors, fellows and surgical assistants, delivering teaching and simulation-based skills development with constructive feedback.
• Support staff onboarding, elective and emergency theatre scheduling, equipment and implant inventory management, and accurate administrative reporting.
• Participate in departmental planning, service-improvement projects, junior-staff recruitment and performance appraisal.
• Design and lead clinical research, analyse and publish findings, enrol eligible patients in trials and registries, and present at scientific meetings.
• Lead journal discussions and mentor residents in research activities.
• Participate in multidisciplinary case reviews and work closely with cardiologists, intensivists, anaesthesiologists, radiologists, perfusionists and theatre teams.
• Coordinate with referring clinicians and rehabilitation services and advocate for resources needed by the cardiac surgery programme.

Patient advocacy and professional development

• Obtain informed consent compassionately, explain surgical options and protect patient privacy and confidentiality.
• Address concerns sensitively and comply with ethical policies involving end-of-life decisions, organ donation and resource allocation.
• Pursue specialist training, maintain a case logbook, seek consultant and peer feedback, and work towards board certification or equivalent qualification.
• Develop a clinical or academic subspecialty interest and stay current with evidence-based cardiac surgical practice.

Qualifications and essential skills

• MBBS, MD, MBChB or an equivalent medical degree from a recognised institution.
• Completion of a recognised cardiothoracic or cardiac surgery residency programme.
• Valid medical licence and registration to practise as a Specialist Registrar or Senior Resident.
• Proficiency in major adult cardiac procedures, including first assistance, and advanced cardiopulmonary bypass management.
• Expertise in postoperative intensive care, including inotropes, mechanical ventilation and ECMO.
• Strong surgical decision-making, operative technique and leadership under pressure.
• Experience in research methods, data analysis and scientific writing.
• Excellent communication, teamwork and mentorship, with commitment to safety, clinical quality and ethics.