Job summary
Interviews will be held on the 9th December 2022
We are looking for dynamic and motivated Stroke Consultant to join department at University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, as we continue to improve our Stroke pathways through centralisation of services across Coventry and Warwickshire. The Department of Stroke lies within Neurosciences and the wider Clinical Group of Neurosciences and Trauma Services. There are excellent working relationships with Neurology, Neurosurgery and Neuroradiology.
The post holder will contribute to the stroke service at UHCW. You will be based on the Stroke Unit which comprises a 6 bedded HASU and 30 acute/rehabilitation beds. We admit approximately 850 patients a year and thrombolyse about 150 cases/year. You will participate in all aspects of stroke care including hyper acute, acute and rehabilitation as well as running Stroke Follow Up clinics and Acute TIA clinics, teaching of undergraduate students and postgraduates and take an active role in audit and research within the department.
Main duties of the job
You will work seamlessly within the team of stroke physicians which currently is made up of 3 geriatricians, 1 acute medicine consultant, 1 general medical consultant and 1 neurologist).
There are currently 2 rotational Neurology SpRs, 1 rotational Geriatric SpR, and 8 SHO level Junior Clinical Fellows [JCF] within the stroke service. The JCFs provide a 24/7 resident on-call service for stroke along with stroke specialist nurses.
Physiotherapy and occupational therapy run a seven day service to assess and treat patients.
Research is encouraged and well supported by the Trust's research department.
It is expected that the post will contribute to the out of hours cover for stroke including thrombolysis and referral for thrombectomy.
About us
University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire (UHCW) NHS Trust, rated as good by the Care Quality Commission, is one of the largest teaching Trusts in the UK.
We are extremely proud of our skilled employees across our hospital sites in Coventry and Rugby, with high quality patient care positioned at the heart of everything we do.
Boasting some of the most modern facilities in Western Europe, the Trust is renowned for being at the forefront of research and innovation as part of its blossoming reputation as a national and international leader in healthcare.
By joining our exciting journey, you will form part of a passionate, talented team and will be able to access a wide range of learning and development opportunities.
There has never been a better time to join our team.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Hyper Acute Stroke Unit
The 6 bedded HASU has a twice daily consultant led ward round with the junior doctors and stroke nurse. You will join another 6 stroke physicians to provide cover to the on a rotational basis.
A robust thrombolysis pathway has been in operation since 2008 allowing paramedics to bring FAST positive patients from the county to UHCW ED with a pre-alert. All FAST pre-alert calls go directly to the stroke nurse specialist for initial triage and advice. Patients who are accepted as FAST positive are initially assessed in the Emergency Department by the Stroke consultant, JCF and specialist nurse in hours and the JCF and specialist nurse out of hours. The CT scanner is situated in ED which allows rapid diagnosis and treatment Currently, we thrombolyse around 150 patients per year.
Mechanical thrombectomy is performed both at this hospital and also at University Hospital Birmingham.
The HASU has access to seven-day physiotherapy, occupational therapy, vascular ultrasound, CT scanning.
Acute/Rehabilitation Stroke Unit
30 beds are currently allocated to acute stroke and rehabilitation. The multidisciplinary stroke team consists of physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, dietetics, and neuropsychology. Stroke Association family support workers and the Intermediate Discharge Team are also available on the unit. An early Supported Discharge Service is now well established, and members of the team attend comprehensive daily morning board rounds. Currently around 60% of our stroke patients are seen by the ESD service. For patients requiring longer term community rehabilitation, there is a well-established Neurological Rehabilitation Team that works seamlessly with the ESD team. There is a weekly MDT for patients with more complex discharge needs. Patients with complex rehabilitation needs are looked after at the Royal Leamington Spa Rehabilitation Hospital under the care of Neuro rehabilitation consultants.
TIA
There is a daily dedicated TIA clinic held adjacent to the stroke Unit with rapid-access protocols in place from primary care and ED. Clinics are run as a one-stop shop with direct access to carotid Dopplers and Trans cranial Ultrasound and MRI brain scans. The service receives approx. 1000 referrals per annum. There are fast track pathways in place to ensure timely carotid endarterectomy for patients.
All in-patient and TIA activity is captured on our dedicated Stroke Register maintained by audit clerks under the supervision of the Stroke Information and Data Coordinator. This allows us to performance manage the service and supports SSNAP.
Research and Audit
The Stroke Service takes an active role in research and recruits to several studies. You will be expected to contribute to research within the department. We have an active Audit department with several audits ongoing at any one time.
Radiology
The Radiology Department provides expertise and facilities that one would expect in a large teaching hospital. There are 2 MRI scanners and 2CT scanners, one of which is in ED. There are 5 Neuroradiologists including 1 interventional Neuroradiologist.
Neurology and Neurosurgery
The Department of Stroke lies within Neurosciences and as such, there is a very close working relationship with both Neurology and Neurosurgery which are located on adjacent wards to the stroke unit. There is a joint Radiology meeting with the Neurology department as well as a joint academic meeting and joint quarterly QIPS meeting. Neurosurgery advice is available 24/7.
Why us?
- We support our staff to develop their careers and will ensure that you can access training and development.
- We are international leaders in healthcare. We are in partnership with Virginia Mason Institute in Seattle to ensure the highest standards across our Trust and we uphold a CQC rating of Good across both hospital sites.
- We support your passions and will accommodate candidates to continue working in their parent specialty e.g. Geriatrics, Acute Medicine, or Neurology.
- The NHS Pension scheme helps you to build your pension for when you retire. It has benefits that will support you and your family when you retire.
- We offer on-site parking, and are building a 1,600 space car park exclusively for staff.
- We offer a generous car allowance, cycle to work scheme, lease vehicles and many other staff benefits. We also offer a range of health and wellbeing services and support to ensure the welfare of our staff.
Please note:
- Currently our Out of Hours service is provided by eight WTE Consultant Neurologists and there is an expectation that the post holder will join an OOHs rota in the near future.
- Applicants must be fully registered with the GMC and have experience in all aspects of stroke care.
- There may be some occasions where we have to close a vacancy once sufficient applications have been received. It is therefore advisable that you submit your application as early as possible to avoid disappointment.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Hyper Acute Stroke Unit
The 6 bedded HASU has a twice daily consultant led ward round with the junior doctors and stroke nurse. You will join another 6 stroke physicians to provide cover to the on a rotational basis.
A robust thrombolysis pathway has been in operation since 2008 allowing paramedics to bring FAST positive patients from the county to UHCW ED with a pre-alert. All FAST pre-alert calls go directly to the stroke nurse specialist for initial triage and advice. Patients who are accepted as FAST positive are initially assessed in the Emergency Department by the Stroke consultant, JCF and specialist nurse in hours and the JCF and specialist nurse out of hours. The CT scanner is situated in ED which allows rapid diagnosis and treatment Currently, we thrombolyse around 150 patients per year.
Mechanical thrombectomy is performed both at this hospital and also at University Hospital Birmingham.
The HASU has access to seven-day physiotherapy, occupational therapy, vascular ultrasound, CT scanning.
Acute/Rehabilitation Stroke Unit
30 beds are currently allocated to acute stroke and rehabilitation. The multidisciplinary stroke team consists of physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, dietetics, and neuropsychology. Stroke Association family support workers and the Intermediate Discharge Team are also available on the unit. An early Supported Discharge Service is now well established, and members of the team attend comprehensive daily morning board rounds. Currently around 60% of our stroke patients are seen by the ESD service. For patients requiring longer term community rehabilitation, there is a well-established Neurological Rehabilitation Team that works seamlessly with the ESD team. There is a weekly MDT for patients with more complex discharge needs. Patients with complex rehabilitation needs are looked after at the Royal Leamington Spa Rehabilitation Hospital under the care of Neuro rehabilitation consultants.
TIA
There is a daily dedicated TIA clinic held adjacent to the stroke Unit with rapid-access protocols in place from primary care and ED. Clinics are run as a one-stop shop with direct access to carotid Dopplers and Trans cranial Ultrasound and MRI brain scans. The service receives approx. 1000 referrals per annum. There are fast track pathways in place to ensure timely carotid endarterectomy for patients.
All in-patient and TIA activity is captured on our dedicated Stroke Register maintained by audit clerks under the supervision of the Stroke Information and Data Coordinator. This allows us to performance manage the service and supports SSNAP.
Research and Audit
The Stroke Service takes an active role in research and recruits to several studies. You will be expected to contribute to research within the department. We have an active Audit department with several audits ongoing at any one time.
Radiology
The Radiology Department provides expertise and facilities that one would expect in a large teaching hospital. There are 2 MRI scanners and 2CT scanners, one of which is in ED. There are 5 Neuroradiologists including 1 interventional Neuroradiologist.
Neurology and Neurosurgery
The Department of Stroke lies within Neurosciences and as such, there is a very close working relationship with both Neurology and Neurosurgery which are located on adjacent wards to the stroke unit. There is a joint Radiology meeting with the Neurology department as well as a joint academic meeting and joint quarterly QIPS meeting. Neurosurgery advice is available 24/7.
Why us?
- We support our staff to develop their careers and will ensure that you can access training and development.
- We are international leaders in healthcare. We are in partnership with Virginia Mason Institute in Seattle to ensure the highest standards across our Trust and we uphold a CQC rating of Good across both hospital sites.
- We support your passions and will accommodate candidates to continue working in their parent specialty e.g. Geriatrics, Acute Medicine, or Neurology.
- The NHS Pension scheme helps you to build your pension for when you retire. It has benefits that will support you and your family when you retire.
- We offer on-site parking, and are building a 1,600 space car park exclusively for staff.
- We offer a generous car allowance, cycle to work scheme, lease vehicles and many other staff benefits. We also offer a range of health and wellbeing services and support to ensure the welfare of our staff.
Please note:
- Currently our Out of Hours service is provided by eight WTE Consultant Neurologists and there is an expectation that the post holder will join an OOHs rota in the near future.
- Applicants must be fully registered with the GMC and have experience in all aspects of stroke care.
- There may be some occasions where we have to close a vacancy once sufficient applications have been received. It is therefore advisable that you submit your application as early as possible to avoid disappointment.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
Desirable
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
Desirable
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
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).
Employer details
Employer name
University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust
Address
University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire
Clifford Bridge Road
Coventry
CV2 2DX
Employer's website
https://www.jobsatuhcw.co.uk (Opens in a new tab)
