Senior Clinical Fellow Nuclear Cardiology

Job overview

Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospitals are pleased to invite applications for a Clinical Fellow in Nuclear Cardiology and Cardiac PET-CT. This exciting two-year fellowship offers an outstanding opportunity for postgraduate doctors in Nuclear Medicine, Radiology, or Cardiology to develop specialist expertise in cardiovascular molecular imaging within one of the UK's leading cardiac centres. The successful candidate will join a highly experienced multidisciplinary team delivering a comprehensive Nuclear Cardiology and Cardiac PET-CT service across Royal Brompton Hospital, Harefield Hospital, and Wimpole Street. The fellowship is designed to provide advanced clinical training, hands-on experience, and academic development in a high-volume tertiary referral service. This fellowship provides a unique opportunity to develop advanced expertise in Nuclear Cardiology and Cardiac PET-CT within a nationally and internationally recognised cardiac imaging service, while contributing to innovative clinical practice, education, and research. Applications from enthusiastic and motivated candidates are welcomed.

This post may close earlier if a sufficient number of applications have been received,

Main duties of the job

• During the first year, the fellow will be rotating between Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospitals, gaining extensive experience in myocardial perfusion imaging using state-of-the-art SPECT and SPECT-CT technology, including solid-state gamma cameras. The service also provides specialist cardiac amyloid and cardiac denervation imaging, offering valuable exposure to a wide range of contemporary nuclear cardiology applications. In the second year, the fellow will be based at our Wimpole Street facility, contributing to a busy Cardiac PET-CT service. This includes quantitative Rubidium-82 myocardial perfusion imaging for NHS and private patients, alongside advanced imaging programmes for cardiac sarcoidosis, infection, inflammation, and vasculitis using 18F-FDG PET-CT. The post holder will work under the supervision of the Cross-Site Lead Consultant in Nuclear Medicine and will play an active role in the delivery of the Trust’s Nuclear Cardiology and Cardiac PET-CT services. Responsibilities will include vetting referrals, understanding and applying relevant regulations and protocols, supervising and performing cardiac stress procedures, image processing, interpretation, and reporting. As training progresses, the fellow will be expected to contribute to routine reporting, participate in multidisciplinary team meetings, and liaise closely with referring clinicians.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

This job description sets out the key tasks and responsibilities of the post. It should be regarded with a degree of flexibility, to meet the changing needs of clinical service.

• Professional 4.1.1    To seek and maintain professional qualifications relevant to the position.

4.1.2    To maintain current knowledge of clinical cardiology, nuclear cardiology, and wider cardiac imaging at a level appropriate to carrying out these duties, and to participate in a recognised programme of continuing medical education and professional development. 4.1.3    To set and maintain high professional standards personally and as an example for other staff.

• Clinical Service To contribute and assist delivery of the Trust’s nuclear cardiology service. This will involve directing and supervising imaging studies, consulting with referring doctors both before and after studies, and reporting studies. Present imaging and contribute to patient care in multi-disciplinary meetings. The appointee will also be required to cover duties of other clinical colleagues for annual and study leave cover by prior arrangement.
• Training and Education
• Participate in the Trust’s appraisal system to identify personal objectives, reflect on progress and set a personal development plan to develop within the post. •    To keep updated with IT training, RIS/PACS, MIM, EPIC Datix and other relevant systems.
• The successful candidate will be expected to participate fully in undergraduate and postgraduate teaching and to promote knowledge of nuclear cardiology amongst colleagues. •    Participate in training for national and international visitors. •    Maintain a high level of specialist knowledge in imaging extending his/her professional and management skills. •    To present at intern/national conferences regarding any interesting cases/research.
• Research 4.4.1    To undertake a research or audit project in consultation with clinical lead. 4.4.2    To seek to publish the results of research or audit in the recognised scientific literature. 4.4.3. To help with ongoing research projects. 4.4.3    To report on research activity as required.
• Radiation Protection To ensure Trust-wide compliance with new legal statutes as they arise where diagnostic imaging is involved, including Standard Operating Procedures and Local Procedures required by IRMER-   Part of Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust 2000. The Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations 2017, the Ionising Radiation Regulations 2017 and other relevant ionising radiation legislation.

4.6. Clinical Governance To be aware of the broader ‘Clinical Governance’ agenda. These include areas such as •    Clinical Audit •    Promoting and sharing good practice •    Quality standard setting •    Risk Management •    Incident reporting •    Promoting evidence-based practice. •    Continuing professional and personal development To ensure patient, staff, and public safety by compliance with local policies and with appropriate legislation and professional standards.

• Responsibilities at 77 Wimpole Street 5.1.    The post holder will be working in a multidisciplinary diagnostics and imaging environment. The imaging department encompasses cardiac and general imaging with the following modalities: •    PET-CT •    MRI •    CT •    Ultrasound (including echocardiography) •    X-Ray
• The post holder will work alongside the imaging and diagnostic team undertaking clinical work in equal parts for all aspects of imaging. The performing of clinical imaging and care of    patients takes precedence in all instances with the post holder required to provide and support all the general aspects of imaging.
• The post holder will provide clinical services, in accordance with clinical and legal requirements and in keeping with: •    Royal Brompton & Harefield hospitals policies and protocols •    Vision and values of the Private Patient division •    National, regional, and local policies and legal frameworks •    GMC code of conduct and procedures •    Compassion in practice (DOH 2012)
• The post holder will promote and develop multidisciplinary teamwork within the imaging specialty and will communicate effectively with all agencies and personnel involved in providing imaging services. The post holder will be responsible for providing procedures relating to the specialty and will continue to develop professionally (CPD) in keeping with medical advances.

5.5. The post holder will ensure compliance with clinical governance and will take part in any inspection requested by statutory bodies such as the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

• The post holder will function as the nominated lead for the emergency resuscitation team and provide medical support as and when needed in other diagnostic areas within the facility such as non-invasive cardiology, nursing and lung function.

6    Main tasks

• The post holder’s primary role is to take responsibility for the care of patients within facility. •    To lead advanced life support resuscitation in response to cardiac arrest, anaphylaxis, etc. •    Supervising scanning lists, providing urgent/verbal preliminary reports after discussion with a consultant and teaching junior imaging trainees. •    To perform pharmacological stress tests for cardiac imaging, especially for PET-CT. •    To medically support in preparing patients for the most appropriate cardiac state for CTCA imaging. •    Imaging assessment of PET and Nuclear medicine images and prepare preliminary reports.
• To be present and available for all scans involving the use of contrast media. •    Participating in clinical and imaging meetings. •    Abide by local rules of radiation protection under the direction of the RPS/RPA.
• Participate in audit and be committed to improving patient care within this facility. •    Actively support ongoing research projects with patient interviews and supervision of imaging in accordance with research study protocols. •    To contribute to the development and standards of imaging techniques.
• Ensuring that all patient records are complete and ready within the agreed timeframes. •    Participating where necessary in-patient history taking, physical examination, appropriate investigation and rational prescribing. •    Maintain good communication with Imaging Services Manager, General Manager and Clinical Directors where necessary. •    The post holder will be expected to undertake administrative duties associated with the care of patients and to contribute to the smooth running of the private facility.
• People Management:
• Lead by example to promote a cohesive, helpful, professional and respectful working environment using diplomacy to address any conflict between individuals or groups of staff.
• Communication: •    To demonstrate politeness, courtesy, and sensitivity in dealing with patients/clients, visitors/relatives and colleagues, maintaining good customer relations, recognising their needs for alternative methods of communication. •    Maintain effective channels of communication with members of the multidisciplinary team to ensure the smooth running of the department. •    Being first contact for day-to-day medical, clinical matters. •    Participate when required in relevant and appropriate committees or consumer forums, which may be developed.
• Resource Management: •    Demonstrate flexibility and adaptability to last-minute and urgent scanning requirements. •    To collaborate with the team to ensure effective use of resources and actively engage with rostering. •    Demonstrate a problem-solving approach and suggest potential solutions.
• Information Management: •    Responsibility for compiling an accurate summary of patients reports in a timely manner. •    Participate in the collection of audit and research data as required.
• Use data which will contribute to the improvement of patient care. •    Post holder will ensure safe importation and exportation of confidential image data. •    Post holder will ensure the accurate recording of all clinical information recorded in the information management and picture archiving and communication systems used. 6.5    Other duties •    To identify and discuss any business development opportunities with the Head of Imaging. •    Support with preliminary imaging reports for discussion with imaging consultants •    This job description is intended as a basic guide to the scope and responsibilities of the post and is not exhaustive.
• The post holder will have a flexible approach working collaboratively with the team to promote our services internationally, which may include travel. •    It will be subject to regular review and amendment as necessary in consultation with the post holder. •    To undertake any other duties commensurate with the grade as requested.

Note: The above description is not exhaustive and may be altered to meet the changing needs of the post and of the directorate. The post holder will be expected to be flexible and to co-operate in accordance with the changing requirements of the directorate and of the Trust.