Clinical Fellow in Neurosurgery

Job responsibilities

We invite applications for the post of Senior Clinical Fellow in Neurovascular Neurosurgery, at The Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, in the Department of Neurosurgery.

This RCS-approved, senior clinical fellowship position is suitable for Neurosurgical trainees who are at the end of their training; ie at CCT or peri-CCT level. Candidates should have successfully completed the FRCS examination in Neurosurgery. This post is not suitable for more junior applicants.

We seek a dynamic individual, capable of meeting the considerable demands of this fellowship post, working in this complex and demanding subspecialty of neurosurgery.

The department of Neurosurgery in Leeds is proud to offer a world-class vascular neurosurgical MDT service. The service is consultant-led and delivered; through a dedicated sub-specialty MDT service and is supported by a dedicated sub-specialty Neurovascular Consultant on call.

The Fellowship is designed for Neurosurgical clinicians towards at end of their training and will provide all aspects of sub-specialty training in Neurovascular microsurgery, in preparation for a consultant role sub-specialising in this challenging field.

The Neurosurgical Vascular Fellowship post will include a thorough grounding in the clinical management, investigation and surgical/radiological techniques for optimally managing adult patients with all forms of neurovascular surgical diseases.

Leeds General Infirmary operates a strong, collaborative MDT-based approach to Neurovascular disease; with close and collaborative links to the Interventional Neuro-Radiology Department. There are significant further opportunities to develop research projects. Close teamwork with the neuro-radiologists, researchers and the Clinical Nurse Specialist team is expected. The Fellow will gain independent competencies in managing adult patients presenting with aneurysms (acute and elective), cavernoma and AVM.

The successful applicant will also be expected to contribute towards the Departmental Neurosurgical On-Call Service, at a registrar level.

Consideration will be given to applicants who wish to work full- or part time and those wishing to job share.

If shortlisted, candidates will be required to give a 10-minute presentation on:

How should an evidence-based neurovascular department practice?

Personal Skills

Essential

• Communication Skills:
• Demonstrates clarity in written/spoken communication & capacity to adapt language as appropriate to the situation
• Able to build rapport, listen, persuade & negotiate
• Problem Solving & Decision Making:
• Capacity to use logical/lateral thinking to solve problems/make decisions, indicating an analytical/scientific approach
• Empathy & Sensitivity:
• Capacity to take in others perspectives and treat others with understanding; sees patients as people
• Demonstrates respect for all
• Managing Others & Team Involvement:
• Able to work in multi-professional teams & supervise junior medical staff
• Ability to show leadership, make decisions, organise and motivate other team members for the benefit of patients through, for example, audit and quality improvement Projects
• Capacity to work effectively with others
• Organisation & Planning:
• Capacity to manage/prioritise time and information effectively
• Capacity to prioritise own workload & organise ward rounds
• Evidence of thoroughness (is well prepared, shows self discipline/ commitment, is punctual and meets deadlines)
• Vigilance & Situational Awareness:
• Capacity to monitor developing situations and anticipate issues
• Coping with Pressure and managing uncertainty:
• Capacity to operate under pressure
• Demonstrates initiative & resilience to cope with changing circumstances
• Is able to deliver good clinical care in the face of uncertainty
• Values:
• Understands, respects and demonstrates the values of the NHS Constitution (e.g. everyone counts; improving lives; commitment to quality of care; respect and dignity; working together for patients; compassion)

Experience

Essential

• Experience after full GMC registration or equivalent, and evidence of achievement of foundation competences, in line with GMC standards / Good Medical Practice; including:
• make the care or your patient your first concern
• provide a good standard of practice and care
• take prompt action if you think that patient safety, dignity or comfort is being compromised
• protect and promote the health of patients and of the public
• treat patients as individuals and respect their dignity
• work in partnership with patients
• work with colleagues in the ways that best serve patients interests
• be honest and open and act with integrity
• never discriminate unfairly against patients or colleagues
• never abuse your patients trust in you or the publics trust in the profession.
• CCT in Neurosurgery is preferred.
• Ability to apply sound clinical knowledge and judgement to problems
• Ability to prioritise clinical need
• Ability to maximise safety and minimise risk
• Recognition of, and ability to undertake the initial management of, an acutely ill patient
• Demonstrates understanding of research, including awareness of ethical issues
• Demonstrates understanding of the basic principles of audit, clinical risk management, evidence-based practice, patient safety, and clinical quality improvement initiatives
• Demonstrates knowledge of evidence-informed practice

Desirable

• Prior experience of working in neurosurgery, within the NHS system
• Demonstration of prior career interest in neurovascular neurosurgery (publications, presentations, audits etc)
• Evidence of active involvement in audit
• Evidence of active involvement in research
• Evidence of active involvement in teaching

Qualifications

Essential

• Primary medical degree - MBBS or equivalent medical qualification
• Be eligible for full registration with, and hold a current licence to practise from, the GMC at intended start date.
• Eligibility to work in the UK.
• Is up to date and fit to practise safely and is aware of own training needs.
• All applicants to have demonstrable skills in written and spoken English adequate to enable effective communication about medical topics with patients and colleagues demonstrated by one of the following:
• Applicants have undertaken undergraduate medical training in English.
• OR
• Achieved the minimum score of 7 across all 4 of the following categories in the academic International English Language Testing System (IELTS) in a single sitting within 24 months at time of application Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing. (An overall minimum score of 7.5)
• OR
• Achieved the minimum Grade B across all 4 of the following categories in the Occupational English Test (OET) in medicine in a single sitting within 24 months at time of application Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing. (You must provide your candidate number)
• If applicants believe they have adequate communication skills, but do not have evidence in one of the above forms, they must provide alternative supporting evidence of language skills

Desirable

• CCT in neurosurgery is preferred

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).