Junior Clinical Fellow (Lower) – Emergency Medicine

Job overview

University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust is the largest hospital in the Southwest Peninsula and the major trauma centre (MTC) for the South West of England within the Peninsula Trauma Network, providing comprehensive secondary and tertiary healthcare.

The Emergency Department (ED) currently sees more than 100,000 patients per year. The Peninsula is a largely rural region with very few centres with a large urban population. The overall population of the region is approximately 1.67million, which can increase by an extra 1 million people in the peak holiday season.

The ED facilities currently include a 7-bay resuscitation room (with co-located CT scanner), 21 majors cubicles, a separate ambulatory majors area, a minors area, a dedicated paediatric area, seminar room, break room, and offices. UHPT has secured £160m investment for a new state-of-the-art ED as part of the Future Hospitals Programme. These developments are underway and will include a large specific paediatric ED, a sizeable 11 bed resus and an entire Same Day Emergency Care (SDEC). We have also opened a new UTC co-located on the same hospital site this year.

There is an establishment of 35 consultants (approximately 27 WTE), 37 Middle tier doctors, with additional resident doctors, Advanced Clinical Practioners and Nurse Practitioners sharing the workload. There is an establishment of nursing staff, led by a matron, and supported by a variable number of Ministry of Defence nurses and MAs.

Main duties of the job

This is an exciting opportunity to enhance your personal portfolio whilst building a foundation in Emergency Medicine. We are offering substantial time within your contract to allow you to develop an interest in either education, Quality Improvement, ultrasound, major trauma, research, leadership, palliative care, education, simulation, Global Health and others depending on what interests you at your stage of career.

The post is a split post comprising 75% clinical work and 25% to work on non-clinical projects. The non-clinical time (25%) will be converted from day shift hours, with the 75% clinical time consisting of the remaining in hours and the out of hours component of the rota. Details of the area of interest to develop and time allocated to this activity will be discussed at interview and monitored by your supervisor.

The post holder will work as part of the junior tier (CT1 / CT2 level) and will take part in a full shift rota pattern. The pattern of work is compliant with the European Working Time Directive. There are senior doctors on the shop-floor throughout the 24 hour period to provide support.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Primary Duties/Areas of Responsibility

Role Requirements

The level of responsibility will be ‘SHO’ grade depending on previous experience, however the exact level of responsibility will depend on the previous experience of the doctor. Typical duties may include:

-        Resuscitation and initial management of emergency cases in a team.

-        Management of adult and paediatric patients presenting to the ED.

-        Admission of patients to inpatient teams for further management.

-        Discharge of patients home with appropriate safety-netting.

During the post, you will gain experience in the initial assessment and management of a wide variety of conditions ranging from life-threatening emergencies to minor problems. You should gain experience in major trauma injuries and emergency management of acute illness, including psychiatric illness and gynaecological emergencies. You will also become experienced in practical procedures including fracture and dislocation manipulation.

Study leave time will be available for relevant educational activities – the entitlement will be at the discretion of the clinical / rota manager.

Managerial and Leadership

The post holder will be professionally accountable to the Consultant of the Day and managerially accountable to the Service Line Director for Emergency Services.

Duration

12 months fixed term; however, there is scope to extend this beyond the initial fixed term.