Job summary
Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) & Mitochondrial Disorders Clinical Fellow at the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford
This is an exciting opportunity for a trainee in adult or paediatric neurology or metabolic medicine (or a doctor hoping to specialise in neurology or an allied specialty) to gain specialist experience in the diagnosis and management of adult and paediatric patients with SMA, other neuromuscular conditions, and mitochondrial disorders through a new position in the Oxford SMA Service and NHS England Highly Specialised Service for Rare Mitochondrial Diseases. The applicant will need GMC registration to apply.
The Oxford Adult and Paediatric Muscle Services and NHS England Highly Specialised Services for Rare Mitochondrial Disorders work collaboratively and have a strong research portfolio with national and international collaborations. In addition, there are several educational opportunities within these specialist services which include muscle - radiology, pathology, and genetics MDT meetings. The post is primarily aimed at individuals wishing to develop specialty skills in the diagnosis and management of patients with neuromuscular disorders. However, there will be research projects for the individual to pursue.
For specific enquiries regarding clinical and research details associated with the please post contact: Dr Sithara Ramdas (sithara.ramdas@ouh.nhs.uk), Dr Victoria Nesbitt (victoria.nesbitt@ouh.nhs.uk), or Dr Stefen Brady (stefen.brady@ouh.nhs.uk).
Main duties of the job
Under Consultant supervision to act as the Oxford SMA Service clinical fellow working within the Oxford Adult & Paediatric Muscle Services and Nationally Commissioned NHS England Highly Specialised Services for Rare Mitochondrial Disorders.
The post holder will be responsible for the delivery of the Nusinersen (Spinraza) for both children and adults. They will be responsible in liaison with the SMA administrator for arranging the daycase admission for adults (Neurosciences ward or the West Wing Neurosciences Investigation Unit), and the paediatric (Paediatric daycase ward). Jointly working with the SMA administrator, the post holder, will liaise with interventional radiology (IR) when patients require IR support for lumbar puncture. An IR dedicated list has been agreed but patients will need to be booked into the list after discussion with neuroradiology administrative team.
If the post holder is an adult trainee, they will have support from paediatric neurology trainees to perform lumbar punctures in children.
Mitochondrial service:
NHS England Highly Specialised Services for Rare Mitochondrial Disorders is only one of three specialist mitochondrial services in the UK. This service covers both children and adults with mitochondrial disorders. The post holder will be expected to attend mitochondrial clinics and MDT meetings.
About us
The Oxford SMA Service is a newly NHS England funded SMA treatment centre in England. It is the only service combining the management of both paediatric and adult patients with SMA in a single service.
The SMA Service covers daycase admissions for intrathecal Nusinersen (Spinraza) treatment, a regional specialist SMA outpatient clinic, and MDT meetings led byDr Brady (Consultant Neurologist and Clinical Lead of the Oxford Adult Muscle Service) and Dr Ramdas (Consultant Paediatric Neurologist and Clinical Lead of the Oxford Paediatric Muscle Service). The NHS England Highly Specialised Services for Rare Mitochondrial Disorders is one of only three such services in the UK. It includes specialist MDT outpatient clinics and MDT meetings. The clinical lead is Dr Nesbitt (Consultant Paediatrician and Clinical Lead of NHS England Highly Specialised Services for Rare Mitochondrial Disorders).
Job description
Job responsibilities
Under Consultant supervision to act as the Oxford SMA Service clinical fellow working within the Oxford Adult & Paediatric Muscle Services and NHS England Highly Specialised Services for Rare Mitochondrial Disorders.
The post holder will be responsible for the delivery of the Nusinersen (Spinraza) for both children and adults. They will be responsible in liaison with the SMA administrator arranging the daycase admission for adults (Neurosciences ward or the West Wing Neurosciences Investigation Unit), and the paediatric (Paediatric daycare ward). Jointly working with the SMA administrator, the post holder will liaise with intervention radiology (IR) when IR support for lumbar punctures mis required. A dedicated IR list has been agreed. Patients will need to be booked into the list after discussion with neuroradiology administrative team.
If the post holder is an adult trainee, they will have support from paediatric neurology trainees to perform lumbar punctures in children.
The post holder will complete the SMA REACH medical assessments and will be responsible for all SMA REACH database enquiries.
Regional neuromuscular service:
The Adult & Paediatric Muscle Services are the regional specialist neuromuscular service for the Oxfordshire and the surrounding counties.
Depending on the post holders interest they will have opportunity to attend the paediatric or adult muscle clinics and MDTs.
Mitochondrial service:
NHS England Highly Specialised Services for Rare Mitochondrial Diseases is only one of three specialist mitochondrial services in the UK. This service covers both children and adult patients. The post holder will be expected to attend mitochondrial clinics and MDTs.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Under Consultant supervision to act as the Oxford SMA Service clinical fellow working within the Oxford Adult & Paediatric Muscle Services and NHS England Highly Specialised Services for Rare Mitochondrial Disorders.
The post holder will be responsible for the delivery of the Nusinersen (Spinraza) for both children and adults. They will be responsible in liaison with the SMA administrator arranging the daycase admission for adults (Neurosciences ward or the West Wing Neurosciences Investigation Unit), and the paediatric (Paediatric daycare ward). Jointly working with the SMA administrator, the post holder will liaise with intervention radiology (IR) when IR support for lumbar punctures mis required. A dedicated IR list has been agreed. Patients will need to be booked into the list after discussion with neuroradiology administrative team.
If the post holder is an adult trainee, they will have support from paediatric neurology trainees to perform lumbar punctures in children.
The post holder will complete the SMA REACH medical assessments and will be responsible for all SMA REACH database enquiries.
Regional neuromuscular service:
The Adult & Paediatric Muscle Services are the regional specialist neuromuscular service for the Oxfordshire and the surrounding counties.
Depending on the post holders interest they will have opportunity to attend the paediatric or adult muscle clinics and MDTs.
Mitochondrial service:
NHS England Highly Specialised Services for Rare Mitochondrial Diseases is only one of three specialist mitochondrial services in the UK. This service covers both children and adult patients. The post holder will be expected to attend mitochondrial clinics and MDTs.
Person Specification
Qualifications/ Training
Essential
- Evidence of interest in a Neurologically associated specialty Adult or Paediatric)
- GMC full registration
Desirable
- MRCP, MRCPCH or equivalent
Experience
Essential
- Minimum 6 months NHS experience
Desirable
- General core medical or Paediatric training completed according to training requirements
Research
Essential
- Ability to undertake direct original clinical research in the neurosciences
Skills
Essential
- Leadership - ability to motivate and aid other members of the team.
- Organisational skills
- Good personal/interpersonal skills
- Able to take on responsibility and communicate within the team
- Basic computing skills
- Team working skills
- Good writing and analytical skills
- Good Written English
Desirable
- Evidence of ability to use word processor, spreadsheet programme and web browser
- Evidence of ability to write papers and present
Knowledge
Essential
- Good general medical knowledge at level expected of core medical training according to training requirements
Desirable
- Knowledge of the organisation of the NHS
Person Specification
Qualifications/ Training
Essential
- Evidence of interest in a Neurologically associated specialty Adult or Paediatric)
- GMC full registration
Desirable
- MRCP, MRCPCH or equivalent
Experience
Essential
- Minimum 6 months NHS experience
Desirable
- General core medical or Paediatric training completed according to training requirements
Research
Essential
- Ability to undertake direct original clinical research in the neurosciences
Skills
Essential
- Leadership - ability to motivate and aid other members of the team.
- Organisational skills
- Good personal/interpersonal skills
- Able to take on responsibility and communicate within the team
- Basic computing skills
- Team working skills
- Good writing and analytical skills
- Good Written English
Desirable
- Evidence of ability to use word processor, spreadsheet programme and web browser
- Evidence of ability to write papers and present
Knowledge
Essential
- Good general medical knowledge at level expected of core medical training according to training requirements
Desirable
- Knowledge of the organisation of the NHS
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.
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).
Additional information
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).
