Senior Clinical Fellow in Neurosurgery

Job overview

This post is aimed at a Senior Clinical Fellow who would like to gain a further period       of development in the sub-specialty of Spinal Surgery in preparation for a consultant role.

The role also gives exposure to specialist Spinal clinics and theatre lists, and the opportunity to engage in specific research and audit programs. This post has been developed to support the spinal service and increase the outpatient and inpatient capacity to meet existing demand and growth for spinal services across Coventry and Warwickshire. The post supports a 1:10 on call rota for general neurosurgery.

The training needs of the Fellow will be considered before determining the amount of time spent with different spinal consultants. Fellow will be expected to have a specialist interest in gaining

experience in spinal degenerative practice, spinal trauma, MSCC and minimally invasive spinal surgery.

The post holder will be expected to take part in the Multi-Disciplinary spinal meetings including weekly spinal disorder/spinal trauma MDT and weekly Tumor MDT.

The Spinal Firm has weekly MDT’S and the post holder will be responsible for the co- ordination and participation at MDT.

The postholder will also be expected to run acute ‘hot’ spine clinics and spinal fracture clinics weekly.

The post holder should demonstrate the ability to manage appropriate clinics independently.

Main duties of the job

To provide, in collaboration with clinical colleagues, a comprehensive spinal service to patients in the Coventry and Warwickshire area. This will include ensuring that all appropriate waiting lists and waiting times are adhered to; that services are provided in an effective and efficient manner and that the principles of risk management and clinical governance are maintained at all times. Whilst this position is not a formal RCS approved fellowship, the successful applicant will be given the opportunity to work alongside the existing neuro spinal surgeons and orthopedic spinal surgeon to obtain experience and skills in a range of spinal procedures (pending RCS approval) including:

• Spinal trauma
• Spinal tumors including primary and Metastatic spinal tumors
• Degenerative spinal conditions
• Minimal invasive spine surgery including image guided spinal fixation (the unit has the O Arm and is acquiring a robotic spinal platform)
• Spinal infection
• Pain procedures

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please see attached job description for full details:

• Management of elective and emergency spinal surgery patients admitted under their care.

Attend morning handover and radiology meetings with the wider team

• Share responsibility for data protection arising out of the use of computers.

• Theatre attendance and independent operating consummate with level of experience including unselected emergency cases. The successful candidate will gain excellent exposure and opportunities to develop specific surgical skills in spinal surgery.
• Lead daily ward rounds with junior doctors to guide the inpatient management of neurosurgical and spinal patients.
• Leading spinal out-patient clinics, assessing new referrals and follow-up patients.
• Attending, contributing and leading the weekly Spinal MDT meeting.
• Undertake appropriate audits in Spine under supervision of the Spine team – minimum of one completed audit is mandatory
• Provide, and develop further with clinical colleagues, spinal services for the Trust in collaboration with colleagues in all disciplines including primary and tertiary care, where appropriate, to provide an integrated service for patients.   Facilitate timely discharge of patients
• Participate in the consultation service and advisory service to other clinical colleagues in other specialties within the Trust and Primary Care.
• Participate in the development of the spinal service, treatment protocols and guidelines and the greater knowledge in the management of spinal conditions.
• Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with medical colleagues in other specialties and participate in regular clinical meetings and other post graduate activities.
• Participate in the on-call rota (includes prospective cover) so that appropriate emergency services are provided out-of-normal working hours.
• Take responsibility for the professional supervision and development of trainee doctors within the specialty.
• Develop and maintain good communications with General Practitioners and appropriate external agencies.
• Demonstrate a firm involvement in Clinical Governance, Risk Management and Clinical Audit – this will include the development and maintenance of appropriate systems and practices to ensure continued safe clinical practice. Ensure attendance at appropriate governance meetings
• Ensure own practice is up-to-date; this will include taking responsibility for own Clinical Professional Development and participating in the Trust’s Performance and Annual Review system.
• Accountable for improving and complying with infection control practices. · Comply with all relevant Trust Policies and Procedures.
• Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults is your responsibility. Familiarisation with and adherence to UHCW Safeguarding policies and Coventry and Warwickshire Safeguarding Board procedures is an essential requirement of all employees, as is the participation in related mandatory training