Trust StR Higher Doctor in Immunology/Allergy

Job responsibilities

Clinical Fellow/StR Higher in Immunology

Introduction

Clinical immunologists take a lead role in the investigation and management of patients with immunodeficiency and allergy whilst working collaboratively with relevant organ based specialists providing care for patients with systematic autoimmune disease and vasculitis. Alongside the provision of a clinical service to the aforementioned group of patients, immunologists direct a comprehensive diagnostic laboratory service which underpins the diagnosis and monitoring of this broad range of immunological diseases. A consultant immunologist will perform a wide range of duties including clinical liaison, interpretation, and validation of results, quality assurance and assay development. Immunologists also undertake research including clinical trials and have a key role in the education of medical students.

Peninsula Clinical Immunology and Allergy Service

Based on Eden unit, Derriford Hospital, the service provides specialist immunodeficiency and allergy services for the whole of the South West Peninsula (population 1.8 million). The immunodeficiency service is one of only 4 services in the UK to be accredited for both immunodeficiency (Royal College of Physicians Quality in Primary immunodeficiency Services - QPIDS) and allergy (Royal College of Physicians Improving Quality in Allergy Services IQAS). The clinical team includes three consultant immunologists, two specialty registrars, a nurse consultant, five specialist nurses, a unit administrator, two medical secretaries and two receptionists. Two new posts have been approved and are in the recruitment process, immunology clinical fellow post (this post) and a data manager post.

Laboratory Immunology

A diagnostic immunology laboratory service is provided at Derriford Hospital, based in the Derriford Combined Laboratories, for South West Devon and Cornwall. A similar but smaller service is provided at the Royal Devon & Exeter Hospitals for North & East Devon. Both laboratories function as a hub-and-spoke arrangement under the supervision of the Consultant Immunologists based at Derriford Hospital. The service provides a comprehensive range of diagnostic tests for autoimmune disease, connective tissue disease, allergy, primary immunodeficiency, secondary immune deficiency and leukaemia/lymphoma diagnosis. A Histocompatibility & Immunogenetics service is also provided for the peninsula stem cell and renal transplant programmes. The laboratory has been awarded full UKAS and EFI accreditation.

Trust Specialty Registrar Post

The post holder will experience clinical immunology through allergy and immunodeficiency outpatient clinics as well as involvement in the day case unit managing immunoglobulin infusions and allergy testing (skin prick testing, intradermal tests, challenges and immunotherapy). Combined clinics with paediatrics and respiratory medicine provide additional clinical opportunities. Opportunities are available to study immunology through departmental seminars, immunology journal club and national immunology SpR training days.

Educational and Teaching

All members of the Immunology team are active and enthusiastic teachers, the department has a regular commitment to teaching medical students from Plymouth Medical School and the post holder would be expected to be involved in delivering and developing teaching. The Medical Library is within the recently built Terence Lewis Building and includes an extensive journal and book resource and new computing facilities. The Postgraduate Centre is a modern, purpose-built unit where regular meetings take place, including a weekly Grand Round, weekly Medical Round, and regular Audit sessions.

Research and Clinical Trials

The immunology team are involved in a number of large multi-centre clinical trials (including Covid19 vaccine studies) as well as having an input into smaller disease specific multi centre studies. Following appropriate training the post holder would be involved in all aspects of these studies. There will be the opportunity to develop a research project within the department.

Audit and Quality Improvement

The department has a rolling audit schedule and the post holder would be expected to lead (with supervision) audit projects as well as contributing to quality improvement work in the department.

There will be the opportunity to present completed audit/research projects at regional, national, or international conferences

For an informal discussion or further information, please contact Dr Claire Bethune, Consultant Immunologist atclaire.bethune@nhs.net.

EDUCATION, QUALIFICATIONS & SPECIAL TRAINING

Essential

• MRCP (UK) or equivalent

Desirable

• Intercalated BSc or equivalent
• Higher degrees including MSc, PhD or MD (where research thesis not part of first medical degree) particularly in subjects with an immunological theme
• Evidence of relevant academic & research achievements, e.g. degrees, prizes, awards, distinctions, grants, publications, presentations, other achievements

KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE

Essential

• Evidence of recent experience (within the last 24 months) in a range of acute medical specialties, with recent experience of managing patients on unselected medical take during core medical training
• Appropriate knowledge base and ability to apply sound clinical judgement to problems
• Able to demonstrate proficiency in a range of medical procedures as an indication of manual dexterity and hand-eye coordination
• Demonstrate current ALS certification or equivalent
• Demonstrates understanding of the importance of audit & research, including awareness of ethical issues
• Evidence of active participation in audit/quality improvement projects
• Evidence of teaching experience and/or training in teaching

Desirable

• Experience in Immunology or a specialty with a significant component of immune-mediated disease within the last 24 months (for example: rheumatology, neurology, nephrology, chest medicine, gastroenterology, haematology, infectious diseases)
• Awareness of the basics of managing immunological disease
• Evidence of involvement in formal research project
• Evidence of a portfolio of audit projects including where the audit loop has been closed
• Evidence of involvement in teaching students, postgraduates and other professionals
• Evidence of participation in a teaching course
• Evidence of attendance at a management course
• Demonstrates information technology skills

APTITUDE & ABILITIES

Essential

• Demonstrates clarity in written/spoken communication & capacity to adapt language as appropriate to the situation
• Able to build rapport, listen, persuade & negotiate
• Capacity to use logical/lateral thinking to solve problems/make decisions
• Evidence of capacity to work effectively with others
• Able to work in multi-professional teams & supervise junior medical staff
• Capacity to take in others' perspectives and treat others with understanding; sees patients as people
• Capacity to manage/prioritise time and information effectively
• Capacity to prioritise own workload
• Capacity to monitor developing situations and anticipate issues
• Capacity to operate under pressure
• Demonstrates initiative & resilience to cope with changing circumstances

DISPOSITION / ATTITUDE / MOTIVATION

Essential

• Capacity to take responsibility for own actions
• Demonstrates respect for all

OTHER FACTORS

Essential

• Demonstrable interest in and understanding of immunology
• Commitment to personal and professional development
• Evidence of self-reflective practice

Desirable

• Extracurricular activities / achievements relevant to immunology

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).