Clinical Research Fellow in Hand Surgery

Job overview

This is a fixed term position for 12 months as a Clinical / Research Fellow in Hand Surgery. The post is not recognised for education and training purposes, but is specifically aimed at those surgeons with an interest in and experience of modern Hand Surgery techniques.

The successful applicant will join a team of 5 Registrars and a Senior Fellow. The post offers the opportunity to develop research skills under the supervision of the Director of Research for Hand Surgery. The appointee will be directly involved in the day to day clinical care of hand surgery patients with a commitment of 5 clinical sessions per week. The post holder will also contribute to teaching and research. An on call commitment may be necessary.

Based at the Royal Derby Hospital, the Pulvertaft Hand Unit is a friendly, close and supportive unit. It is nationally and internationally recognised with special areas of interest in hand trauma, wrist, tendon, brachial plexus, rheumatology and particular expertise in orthopaedic, plastic and emergency surgery as well as associated upper limb disorders. The Unit comprises of dedicated facilities including 3 theatres, outpatient department, hand therapy department, secretariat and research unit.

Informal visits will only be arranged for short listed candidates.

Main duties of the job

• Maintenance of the highest clinical standards in Hand Surgery
• Active participation in research activities in support of the Research Lead for Hand Surgery
• Active participation in both departmental & Trust matters concerning Clinical Governance & audit.
• Responsibility for ensuring active participation in continuing medical education (CME).

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

This post is split 50:50 between protected research time and clinical fellowship. The expectation is that the role holder will support the research activities of the department. Clinical work will include experience of trauma management, theatre sessions and elective clinic.

Clinical - The appointee will be directly involved in day to day care of the Hand Surgery patients, with a commitment of five sessions per week to clinics & operating sessions to maintain clinical expertise.

On-call / Emergency Duty Rota - The appointee will not be included as standard on the hand surgery emergency on-call rota. However, the opportunity may arise over the 12 months and will be discussed with the appointee.

Research - There will be opportunity to develop research skills with the option of training in Research Methods, in line with the requirements for Specialist Registrar training.  Under the supervision of the Director of Research for Hand Surgery, the appointee will be the focus for research activity within the Department of Hand Surgery.  Working with the Research & Postgraduate Manager, the role holder will be responsible for developing projects, overseeing medical student projects, bidding for research funds, accumulating data (through record review or outpatient assessment) and reporting results under the guidance of the Hand Consultants. The role holder will be responsible for recruitment and follow up of NIHR, commercial and charity funded national trials.

Teaching- For one session a week the appointee will undertake teaching duties for the University of Nottingham’s undergraduate medical programme.  The teaching will be in hand trauma as part of the Trauma & Orthopaedics module using a problem based learning model.