Complex Spine Senior Clinical Fellow

Job overview

The Fellowship is in Complex Spine Surgery.

This Fellowship provides excellent training in Complex Spine Surgery, with all the previous fellows currently working as Consultant Spinal Surgeons in the UK and Australia.

The RNOH Spinal Surgery Unit incorporates both the Spinal Deformity and the Neuro-Orthopaedic Spinal units.  The unit is one of the largest of its kind in Europe, specialising in treatment of patients with complex spinal deformities, spinal tumours (including intradural tumours) and spinal injuries.  It is a tertiary referral centre for the entire UK with regards to spinal deformity, it is a regional referral centre for primary spinal tumours and accepts spinal trauma referrals from across London and the south east of the UK.  In addition consultants in the department see and treat a number of overseas patients each year.

The spinal injury unit accepts referrals following spinal trauma with and without spinal cord damage.  There is a dedicated unit for spinal trauma and rehabilitation on site with a full multi-disciplinary team, dedicated to the care of spinal injury patients covering all aspects of their care. There are three spinal rehabilitation consultants within the department, who provide on-going care following initial treatment of the spinal injury.  The ethos of the unit is to provide an integrated team which takes the patient from their acute phase through rehabilitation/reintegration within the community.

Main duties of the job

The successful candidate will be expected to develop their clinical knowledge and surgical skills over the one year fellowship.  The aim of the surgical fellowship is to prepare the successful candidate for complex spinal surgery at consultant level.  The case mix of spinal surgery at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital is extensive: paediatric and adult complex spinal conditions, spinal tumours, spinal infections, cervical, thoracic and lumbar degenerative conditions, and spinal trauma including osteoporotic fracture management.

The fellow will also develop sufficient knowledge and leadership in order to take a leading role as a Consultant in a department dealing with complex spinal conditions and their sequelae. The fellow will develop the communication skills and attitudes to set them up for Consultant practice in a centre of excellence and to enable them to develop their skills further and train the next generation of spinal surgeons.

During the course of the fellowship emphasis will be given to many facets of the job not just the technical aspects of surgery and performance of outpatient clinics but also on leading the MDT, coordination, and management including discharge planning etc.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Study and annual leave

Study leave will be granted according to nationally agreed terms and conditions.

Ample opportunity to attend both National and International Courses.

The appropriate annual and study leave should only be taken after agreement with consultant supervisor.  The Trust policy is for six weeks’ notice relating to routine requests for annual and study leave, which is subject to agreement to allow satisfactory service provision.

General Notes:

Further details about the Trust can be obtained from our website: http://www.rnoh.nhs.uk

Potential applicants can obtain further information about the post by contacting

Mr Kia Rezajooi FRCS(SN) or Mr Nicholas Haden FRCS(SN)

Consultant Neurological and Spinal Surgeons

Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital

Brockley Hill, Stanmore, Middx. HA7 4LP

Tel: 0208 909 5800 or 5540

Protection of Children Act: Disclosure of Criminal Background of those with

Access to Children.  Candidates are requested to note that any person recommended for appointment in connection with this post will be required to give permission, in writing, for appropriate checks to be carried out.

Any offer of appointment is subject to satisfactory medical clearance.

Safeguarding Children and Adults

You have a duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and adults at risk of abuse.  You should be aware of your responsibilities as detailed in the RNOH Safeguarding Children Policy and Safeguarding Adults at Risk Policy and know what to do if you have concerns about a child or adult who is at risk of or who has suffered abuse.  The Trust will assist you by providing support and advice, and mandatory training in accordance to your role.

IT Skills

All staff are required to demonstrate a level of IT literacy skills appropriate to their job, as the use of IT is fundamental in delivering good quality efficient health care.

Effort and Environment

The following information has been designed to assist the recording of the effort and environment factors required for Agenda for Change.

• Physical

Measures the nature, level, frequency and duration of the physical effort required for the job e.g. Kneeling, crouching, work in confined space, sitting, standing, walking, lifting, pulling, running, pushing.

• Mental

Measures the nature, level, frequency and duration of the mental effort required for the job e.g. Checking documents, calculations, analyzing statistics, operating machinery, microscope work, assessing patients, formal minute taking, assessing students.

• Emotional

Measures the nature, level and frequency of emotional effort required to undertake clinical or non-clinical duties that are generally considered to be distressing and/or emotionally demanding. E.g. giving un-welcome news to staff/patients, dealing with difficult situations / circumstances or those with severely challenging behaviour, caring for the terminally ill, typing / processing reports / letters transmitting highly distressing events.

• Working conditions

Measures the nature, level, frequency and duration of demands arising from adverse environmental conditions and hazards which are unavoidable and required for the job. E.g. Use of VDU, exposure to extreme temperatures, unpleasant smells, dust / dirt, aggression, noxious fumes, chemical spills, fleas, lice, body fluids, foul linen,

Assuming normal Health and Safety standards are met.

Driving to and from work is not included.

Terms and Conditions of Service

This appointment is subject to the terms and conditions of employment of the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Trust.

Professional conduct

The post holder must comply with the Code of Professional Conduct applicable to their profession.

Risk Management

The Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Trust strives to take a holistic approach to the management of risk; Health and Safety, Caldicott, Corporate and Clinical Governance requirements are all elements of risk management.

Risk management is fundamental in ensuring the safety of all whilst on Trust premises and in ensuring that a high level of quality care is continually provided. To support staff in the management of risk, the Trust provides training programmes and facilitates staff in the use of risk management identification tools. In turn, individuals are responsible for ensuring that they attend training sessions and adhere to the Trust’s policies and procedures, which includes the reporting of incidents, both actual and near miss

Health and Safety at Work Act

Under the provisions of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 it is the duty of every employee to:

• Take reasonable care of themselves and of others who may be affected by their acts or omissions.
• Co-operate with their employer in ensuring that all statutory and other requirements are complied with.

Clinical Governance

All staff must comply with the Trust Infection Control Policy. All employees must attend infection control training as required within their department as directed by their line manager.

Confidentiality

Post-holders must maintain the confidentiality of information about patients, staff and other health service business in accordance with the Data Protection of 1998. Post-holders must not, without prior permission, disclose any information regarding patients or staff.  If any member of staff has communicated any such information to an unauthorised person those staff will be liable to dismissal. Moreover, the Data Protection Act 1998 also renders an individual liable for prosecution in the event of unauthorised disclosure of information. Following the Freedom of Information Act (FOI) 2005, post-holders must apply the Trust’s FOI procedure if they receive a written request for information.

Equal Opportunities

The Trust welcomes all persons without regard to age, ethnic or national origin, gender or sexual orientation, religion, lifestyle, presenting illness or disability.  We aim to provide a non-judgemental service at all times.

No Smoking Policy

The Trust prohibits smoking in all of their buildings and premises.