Consultant in Neurology - Surgery Movement Disorders

Job overview

This is a substantive post to allow for the expansion of the brain MRI guided Focused Ultrasound (MRgFUS) and deep brain stimulation (DBS) service. The post-holder will work across two sites: St Mary’s Hospital (SMH) and Charing Cross Hospital (CXH), thereby contributing to the MRgFUS/DBS procedures and MRgFUS/Tremor clinics at SMH and CXH.

Our desire is to improve outcomes and experience for patients with severe tremor and to act as clinical gatekeepers to ensure appropriate access to high-cost technologies, improving continuity of care for our current cohort and providing a tertiary referral centre for other hospitals in the region. In the UK, essential tremor is a common neurological condition.

MRgFUS is an effective and safe treatment for patients with advance essential tremor. This technology utilizes high-intensity focused ultrasound waves to ablate specific brain regions associated with tremor generation, such as the thalamus. ICHT is in a unique position to provide such a service, owing to strong existing allied services already within the Trust (e.g. Radiofrequency Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery service, Neuroradiology service) and its close working relationship with NHS England, the National Tremor Foundation, and focused Ultrasound Foundation. This post complements our existing MRgFUS provision and allows us as a Trust to be more responsive to our tremor patients’ requirements and offer a timed and appropriate intervention.

Main duties of the job

The consultant will divide their time between clinical work, inpatients and outpatients. The role will attract 2.5 SPA and 7.5 DCC.

The successful applicant will work within a team of Consultant Neurologists to also provide a General Neurology service in both inpatient and outpatient settings, the candidate will be expected to provide sub-specialty expertise to complement the delivery of a high quality, comprehensive Neurology service by the department. Sub-specialty expertise in Movement Disorders and particularly in tremor would be a major advantage, in this regard.

ICHT is currently one of the three centres providing MRgFUS service in the UK. We are looking for full-time position to work in the Movement disorders team supporting the functional neurosurgery service. The post is at the Consultant level, and it is aimed at a candidate with experience in (1) performing the on-table assessment during MRgFUS and DBS procedures, and (2) managing tremor patients before and after the MRgFUS procedure.

The service look after patients affected by Movements Disorders of all severities (from suspected diagnosis through to advance stage) in both in-patient and out-patient settings at CXH. On the SMH site, there is one MRgFUS procedure per week.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Refer to job description.

The post-holder will participate in the neurology ward consultant rota at CXH and the hot clinic rota at SMH, which includes the care of patients with neurological conditions.  Travel time will be included in the job plan where cross site working is needed.

The post holder will also keep up to date with general neurology and movement disorders with weekly outpatient clinics.

This post is suitable for a post-CCT candidate looking to develop as a consultant in a supportive team.