Aortic Fellow

Job description

Job responsibilities

Programme of learning:

Capabilities in Practice (CiPs)

The Training Fellowship is designed to produce a person capable of safely and effectively performing Complex Aortic Surgery at the level of an independent clinician in addition to CCT/CESR requirements. Clinicians will become an independent operator in specified Index Procedures at the completion of the Fellowship. A capability is a set of skills that can be developed through training from novice to expert and therefore these high-level clinical outcomes are known as Capabilities in Practice (CiPs).

The 7 CiPs in relation to Complex Aortic Surgery are:

1) Manages an outpatient clinic with pre and post-operative Complex Aortic Surgery patients.2) Manages the unselected emergency take with reference to Complex Aortic Surgery.3) Manages ward rounds and the ongoing care of inpatients who have undergone Complex Aortic Surgery.

4) Manages an operating list which includes Complex Aortic cases.5) Manages a multi-disciplinary meeting including patients under consideration of Complex Aortic Surgery.

6) Manages patients within the appropriate area following Complex Aortic Surgery.7) Assesses surgical outcomes following Complex Aortic Surgery both at a personal and unit level.

Index Procedures

Aortic valve and ascending aortic replacement

Aortic root replacement

Hemiarch replacement

Total arch replacement

Repair of Acute Type A aortic dissection

There is an indicative number of procedures during the Fellowship of 30.

In addition Fellows will also have exposure to many more complex procedures or part procedures which may be undertaken under supervision including valve sparing root surgery, complex redo surgery, descending and thoracoabdominal aortic surgery and endovascular procedures in conjunction with the vascular team.

Critical Conditions

Fellows must be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the management of the critical conditions and complications of Complex Aortic Surgery including competence in the management of acute aortic dissection, aneurysmal disease throughout the aorta and aortic infective endocarditis.

Service Commitment

Fellows will be expected to conduct a daily weekday ward round of aortic inpatients and liaise with appropriate Consultant surgeons, ITU and ward-based teams. The Fellows are responsible for attending and running the weekly aortic clinics, one proximal and one distal. In addition, they organise and run the weekly regional proximal and distal aortic MDTs in conjunction with the aortic administrator.

Fellows will be expected to be involved with emergency aortic referrals on an ad hoc basis out of hours but will receive appropriate compensatory rest periods the following day.

Audit and research:

Fellows will have opportunities to engage in routine audit of clinical practice and be involved in research projects.

Additional information:

Annual Leave and study leave:

Allowance as per standard NHS SpR contract and by written application to Aortic Lead.

Priorities in theatre:

Where possible the aortic fellow will have priority over in-house SpRs as operating surgeon or first assistant however compromise may be required to meet the needs of our SpRs with some cases performed by SpRs in part or whole.

Learning agreements:

An initial Learning Agreement meeting will occur within two weeks of commencement of the Fellowship where objectives will be agreed in line with those stated above. Multiple Consultant Review at three monthly intervals with ongoing assessment and setting of objectives in line with early and late phases of the Fellowship. Ongoing informal appraisal as part of WBAs, teaching sessions and day to day discussions and feedback will occur.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• MB ChB or equivalent
• Full GMC registration
• FRCS or MRCS/AFRCS or international equivalent
• FRCS (C-Th) or international equivalent
• Admission to specialist register for cardiothoracic surgery or be within 6 months

Desirable

• BSc, MD, MSc or PhD

Experience

Essential

• Knowledge of aortic surgery through course attendances
• Independent at routine cardiac surgery

Desirable

• Understanding of endovascular intervention through course attendance
• Exposure to endovascular intervention
• First operator in routine proximal aortic surgery for cardiac surgery trainees

Motivation

Essential

• Demonstration of commitment to specialty of aorto-vascular surgery

Personality

Essential

• Ability to cope with stress and take responsibility
• Communication skills
• Able to work in a multidisciplinary team

Desirable

• Leadership qualities

Audit & Research

Essential

• Track record of audit and research in aortic surgery

Desirable

• Publications on topics relevant to aortic surgery

Management

Essential

• Ability to organise junior staff in the team

Desirable

• Attendance at management course

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).

Employer details

Employer name

Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital

Address

Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital

Thomas Drive

Liverpool

L14 3PE

Employer's website

https://www.lhch.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)