Job responsibilities
Description of post
The Department of Neurosurgery at The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust (WCFT) is seeking to recruit a substantive Neurosurgery Consultant with an interest in cranial/spinal trauma and research. Interest and/or past experience in the management of vascular disorders is desirable too. This post will provide general on call neurosurgical cover (1:20) and complex spine on call (1:12).
Currently there are 11 spinal surgeons who provide our complex spine service and participate in the complex spine on call. The successful candidate will work with and support the complex spinal element of the spinal service, particularly with intradural work, joining a service that will comprise of 6 Orthopaedic and 6 Neurosurgical spine surgeons.
In addition, this post is aimed at developing the academic profile of the Trust from a spinal point of view and as such, an applicant with a higher degree and a proven track record in research is essential.
Neurosurgical provision of other specialities
The centre prides itself in providing a comprehensive range of services most in a multidisciplinary manner. The spinal service deals with all spinal conditions. Trauma (as a part of the major trauma centre), metastatic disease, instrumentation, spinal tumours, and deformity.
JOB PLAN
Currently there is a 1 in 20 on call rota for all neurosurgical referrals from the region, in which the successful candidate would be expected to participate. This post would be expected to cover spinal referrals and cover the separate regional complex spinal rota. The regional complex spinal rota exists on a separate 1 in 12 rota with complex spinal cover being provided for a whole week on a rotational basis.
The surgeons currently work in teams for the purposes of service organisation, audit, and distribution of junior staff at WCFT.
The successful applicant would be expected to contribute to the complex spine rota, attend the complex spinal MDT and contribute to the development of the academic spinal service, and spinal services at WCFT as well as contributing to the general neurosurgery on call. They would also take on a lead role for neuro-trauma
Illustrative Standard Spinal Surgeon Job Plan:
A contract of 10 PA will be available to the post-holder. This may be increased with further additional activities.
There will be at least 1 operative session per week. At present one (all day) session is fixed alternate weeks, but the rest will be on a flexible basis initially.
On call arrangements: General: 1 in 20, Complex Spine: 1 in 12.
On-call intensity supplement: A
This is equivalent to 8.5 direct clinical care programmed activities, 1.5 supporting programmed activities. Ordinarily 1.5 SPA will be allowed for CPD and revalidation; further SPA is available for specific activities, for example audit lead.
The job plan is illustrative; the successful candidate will need to be prepared to work flexibly, and the future may require sessions to be worked in the evenings or even weekends. The successful applicant would have their job plan agreed once in post and reviewed and subject to further negotiation within the first year of appointment. Given that it is hoped that this post will include a lead role in the trauma service, a PA allocation will be agreed at the first job planning with the job plan being amended should the successful candidate be suited to the role. Should the successful candidate additionally be able to support any of the neurosurgical subspecialties, then this too would be considered in the job planning meeting and a commensurate PA allocation agreed ..
The post-holder will share a secretary, office, and junior. Each consultant is provided with a desktop, laptop, and IT support. In addition, there are mentoring and coaching schemes available for all employees.
TEACHING
There is a medical school within the University of Liverpool. WCFT contributes significantly to the student teaching and all consultants have a responsibility for teaching. The appointee will be expected to contribute to the structured SHO and regional SpR teaching programmes.
AUDIT AND CLINICAL GOVERNANCE
WCFT is active in continuing audit of clinical practice. There is an Audit Department within the Trust which provides administrative support of audit projects. The appointee would be expected to share in the development and support of audit within the unit and the supervision of junior medical staff in undertaking projects.
Consultants are expected to be aware of the principles of clinical governance and to contribute to the aims of the Trust in achieving continuing improvement in all aspects of delivery of service.
CPD
Consultants are expected to maintain their personal portfolios in accordance with the requirements of the Royal College of Surgeons, including the acquisition of the appropriate CPD points. To aid this, there is a bimonthly day, with no elective commitments to facilitate governance and CPD activities. Further time and funding is available for CPD (in addition to planned SPA) as per the trust policy.
The Trust has an appraisal system for all consultants which includes a review of CPD and is obligatory. Candidates will be aware of the need for revalidation as prescribed by the GMC.
MENTORSHIP
WCFT values, encourages and supports mentorship for newly appointed consultants. This is fostered through a social network approach, and you will be offered the opportunity to engage with a range of mentors, both through an appointed mentor as well as informal and naturally occurring relationships.
GENERAL PROVISIONS AND SUMMARY OF TERMS & CONDITIONS OF SERVICE
The terms and conditions to the post are those relating to Consultants (England) 2003, i.e. the new Consultant Contract and shall be subject to any amendments negotiated from time to time by the appropriate bodies and approved by the Secretary of State. The post will be offered on a full-time basis.
1. General Provisions
(a) The appointee will be expected to work with local managers and professional colleagues in the efficient running of services, and will share with consultant colleagues in the medical contribution to management. Subject to the provision of the Terms and Conditions of Service, he/she is expected to observe the Trust's agreed policies and procedures drawn up in consultation with the profession on clinical matters, and to follow the standing orders and financial instructions of the Trust. The appointee will be expected to follow the local and national employment and personnel policies and procedures. He/she will be expected to make sure that there are adequate arrangements for hospital staff involved in the care of their patients, to be able to contact a Consultant Neurologist when necessary. The appointee will be expected to maintain existing service commitment and comply with Trust performance targets.
(b) All medical staff are expected to comply with appropriate Health and Safety policies.
(c) The appointee will have responsibility for the training and supervision of Junior Medical Staff who work with him/her and will devote time to this activity on a regular basis. If appropriate, he/she will be named in the contracts of doctors in training grade as the person responsible for overseeing their training, and as a main source of advice to such doctors on their careers.
2. Main Conditions of Service
The successful candidate will normally be required to live within 10 miles of his/her base hospital (the hospital where the principal duties lie), and in a location offering easy access to the other hospitals as required or within 30 minutes travelling time of the base hospitals.
If the appointee is required to move house to meet the residential clause of the contract removal expenses will be payable in accordance with the Terms and Conditions of the Service of the Trust.
The Terms and Conditions of Service states the "removal expenses shall be reimbursed and grants paid only when the Trust is satisfied
that the removal of the practitioner's home is required, and the arrangements proposed are reasonable".
Therefore, successful candidates are advised not to enter the contractual arrangements for the removal of their home until such time as the formal approval of the Trust is received in writing.
The post holder must be a medical practitioner fully registered with the GMC and also hold Specialist registration with the GMC or be within 6 months of specialist registration in Neurosurgery. The appointment is subject to clearance by the CRB and satisfactory medical screening results, including verification of hepatitis B status.
FURTHER INFORMATION
Shortlisted applicants are encouraged to visit the Trust and to meet prospective colleagues: Arrangements for visiting may be via the administrative team at 0151 556 3459.
Mr Martin Wilby Consultant Neurosurgeon, Spine Service Clinical Lead
Mr David Carter Clinical Director, Neurosurgeon
Dr Sandeep Lakhani Divisional Clinical Director, Consultant Anaesthetist
Dr Andrew Nicolson Medical Director, Consultant Neurologist
Travel and subsistence expenses can be reimbursed for such visits only to those candidates selected for interview. Reimbursement is restricted to two visits whether they are made before or after a decision is reached on a short-list. In the case of candidates travelling from abroad, travelling expenses are only payable in certain circumstances and then only from the point of entry into the United Kingdom and up to the point of exit from the UK.
