Senior Paediatric Neurosurgery Fellow

Job responsibilities

Subspecialist practice in Paediatric Neurosurgery in Leeds:

As already outlined, the Leeds Paediatric Neurosurgery department undertakes the full range of paediatric neurosurgery operations. Laid out below are some more details of some of the sub-specialist areas of our departmental practice and research involvement.

Paediatric Neuro-Oncology: Approximately 40 new tumours are diagnosed and operated each year in Leeds. In addition, Leeds is the NHS-England Designated service provider for STRS for paediatric brain tumours for the North of England. All patients are discussed in a weekly paediatric neuro-oncology MDT. There is a very active research department with excellent research nurse support. The oncologists and neurosurgeons are on a number of international research panels. This service was enhanced by the opening of a new intra-operative 3-Tesla intra-operative MRI suite in spring 2019. Outcomes have been presented in International conferences.

Craniofacial Surgery: A multidisciplinary non-syndromic craniofacial service was established in 1996. This is currently the largest non-syndromic service, after the 4 designated syndromic centres. The service is led by Mr Paul Chumas, together with Mr Mark Liddington (Plastic surgery) and Mr Ojas Krishnan (Maxillo-facial surgery). The craniofacial nurse specialist is Paula Carter. They are supported by Mr John Goodden, Mr Ian Smith (Plastic surgery) and Mr Lachlan Carter (Maxillo-facial surgery). A full range of outpatient assessments are performed pre- and post-operatively including Neuropsychology, Ophthalmology, ENT, and Speech & Language Therapy. There is a weekly MDT clinic and there are two 3-session operating lists per month. These will increase if formal designation is successful. Surgical outcomes have been presented in National & International conferences, as well as being published in peer-reviewed journals.

Spasticity Surgery: A multidisciplinary spasticity service has been provided for over 10 years. Patients in Leeds have access to the full range of spasticity treatments including Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy, Intrathecal Baclofen, Botulinum Toxin, orthopaedic surgery, plastic surgery and physiotherapy. Mr John Goodden is the Neurosurgery Lead for spasticity treatments. He started a Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy in 2012 after studying the techniques with Dr Park in St Louis, Missouri. Since then, the team have successfully treated 100 patients with SDR, with outcomes presented National and International conferences. The service is run jointly by Mr John Goodden, Paediatric Neurology / Neuro-rehabilitation, Mrs Kate McCune (Physiotherapy - SDR) and Mrs Katie Davis (Physiotherapy ITB). Outpatient MDT assessment clinics are run twice per month to assess patients for suitability for treatment, with MDT follow-up clinics run separately.

Spinal Dysraphism: This service is led by Mr Atul Tyagi. There is a fortnightly MDT clinic together with paediatric neurology. The clinic is co-located with paediatric urology and general surgery. Input from spinal orthopaedics and plastic surgery as required. Mr Tyagi regularly performs de-tethering surgery for spinal lipomas, using the techniques learned from Prof Dachling Pang. In addition, there is multidisciplinary care for newborn babies with spina bifida provided by the four paediatric neurosurgeons, together with input from orthopaedics, plastic surgery, urology, and paediatric surgery.

Paediatric Neurovascular disorders: A paediatric neurovascular service is run by Mr Tyagi, who is one of the only UK paediatric neurosurgeons to have specific neurovascular and paediatric expertise. There is a bi-monthly paediatric MDT neurovascular clinic. Neurovascular surgical procedures in children include clipping of aneurysms, excision of cavernoma and AVM, and EDAMS.

Hydrocephalus: The four paediatric neurosurgeons deliver a complex hydrocephalus service for children, offering an endoscopic service as well as shunt insertion. They are supported by Louise Higgins, the Hydrocephalus Clinical Nurse Specialist. The team has been actively involved in the BASICS trial as well as other research projects. They have also presented & published outcomes in international conferences and peer-reviewed journals.

It is expected that the Paediatric Neurosurgery Fellow will gain experience in the management of all paediatric neurosurgery conditions. The Fellow will be expected to work as a Senior Registrar, actively participating in all the paediatric theatre lists and the outpatient clinics, depending on their overall level of experience and competence. They will be expected to lead the daily ward rounds and take a leadership role in the delivery of the paediatric neurosurgery service. They will be expected to develop clinical and academic research projects for presentation at International conferences and publication in peer-reviewed journals. They will take the lead in the maintenance and upkeep of the departmental databases for surgery and complications.

Attendance and participation in the weekly Paediatric Neuro-oncology MDT, weekly Paediatric Neuroscience MDT, and monthly Clinical Governance meetings is also expected.

The Fellow will take the lead for attending and running the acute paediatric neurosurgery operating lists whenever they are scheduled.

The Fellow will be expected to participate in the general neurosurgical registrar on call rota, in order to provide continuity of care for patients, and also maintain their general emergency neurosurgery skill-set.

MEDICAL STAFF IN THE DEPARTMENT

The Neurosurgery Department is led by 16 Consultant Neurosurgeons. They all have comprehensive general Neurosurgical commitment as well as particular subspecialty interests. The adult spinal service that is run jointly between the neurosurgeons and orthopaedic spinal surgeons.

Mr P D Chumas Paediatric, Oncology (adult & paediatric) and Epilepsy Neurosurgery

Mr A K Tyagi Paediatric and Vascular Neurosurgery

Mr J R Goodden Paediatric, Oncology (adult & paediatric) and Spasticity Neurosurgery

Mr G Sivakumar Paediatric, Functional, Epilepsy & Oncology Neurosurgery

Mr I Anderson Vascular and Skull Base Neurosurgery

Mr R Corns Adult Oncology and Trauma Neurosurgery

Mr K Deniz Vascular and Posterior Skull Base Neurosurgery

Mr C Derham Spinal Neurosurgery

Mr C Kellett Spinal Neurosurgery

Mr R Mathew Adult Oncology and Associate Professor at University of Leeds

Mr D Pal Spinal Neurosurgery

Mr N I Phillips Pituitary and Skull Base Neurosurgery

Mr S Selvanathan Spinal Neurosurgery

Mr A Sheikh Vascular and Skull Base Neurosurgery

Mr P Sinha Spinal Neurosurgery

Mr S Thomson Adult Oncology and Spinal Neurosurgery

The middle grade rota consists of 14 Higher Specialty Trainees participating in a 1:14 out of hours rota.

THE LEEDS WAY VALUES

Our values are part of what make us different from other trusts, so we see this as a strength, as well as a responsibility. They have been developed by our staff and set out what they see as important to how we work. Our five values are:

Patient-centred

Collaborative

Fair

Accountable

Empowered

All our actions and endeavours will be guided and evaluated through these values

Additionally, the following are core values which relate specifically to this post:

The beliefs and attitudes that underpin effective performance within the job role. Emphasis should be on the requirements of the role not the individual when completing this section. Examples might include: quality focus, mistakes are used as a continual learning experience, honesty, integrity etc.

West Yorkshire Association of Acute Trusts (WYAAT)

Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is part of the west Yorkshire Association of Acute Trusts (WYAAT), a collaborative of the NHS Hospital trusts from across West Yorkshire and Harrogate working together to provide the best possible care for our patients.

By bringing together the wide range of skills and expertise across West Yorkshire and Harrogate we are working differently, innovating, and driving forward change to deliver the highest quality care. By working for Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust this is your opportunity to be a part of that change.

WYAAT is the acute sector arm of the West Yorkshire and Harrogate Health and Care Partnership, one of the largest integrated care systems in the country. The Partnerships ambition is for everyone to have the best possible health and wellbeing, and the work of WYAAT, and each individual trust, supports that ambition.

Qualifications

Essential

• MBBS or equivalent medical qualification
• ARCP Outcome 1 at ST6 or equivalent experience
• Passed UK Speciality Fellowship Examination in Neurosurgery or equivalent - FRCS(Neuro.Surg)

Desirable

• Relevant BSc, MD, PhD
• CCT in Neurosurgery

Other criteria

Essential

• Demonstrates probity
• Shows initiative/drive/enthusiasm (self-starter, motivated, shows curiosity, initiative)
• Demonstrable interest in, and understanding of, the specialty
• Commitment to personal and professional development
• Evidence of attendance at organised teaching and training programme(s)
• Evidence of self-reflective practice

Clinical, Academic, and Personal Skills

Essential

• Demonstrates understanding of research, including awareness of ethical issues
• Up to date GCP certification
• Demonstrates an interest in and commitment to the specialty beyond the mandatory curriculum
• Enthusiasm for all aspects of Paediatric Neurosurgery
• Ability to work in a team

Desirable

• Evidence of relevant academic and research achievements, e.g. degrees, prizes, awards, distinctions, publications, presentations, other achievements
• Evidence of interest in, and experience of teaching
• Higher degree or interest in doing a higher degree
• Able to demonstrate leadership skills

Experience

Essential

• Approaching completion or recently completed higher neurosurgical training or equivalent.
• Demonstrable interest in developing consultant level subspeciality skills in Paediatric Neurosurgery.

Eligibility, Fitness to practice, and Language Skills

Essential

• Full registration with, and hold a current GMC licence to practice at time of application.
• Eligibility to work in the UK.
• Is up to date and fit to practise safely and is aware of own training needs.
• All applicants to have demonstrable skills in written and spoken English adequate to enable effective communication about medical topics with patients and colleagues demonstrated by one of the followi
• That applicants have undertaken undergraduate medical training in English; or academic International English Language Testing System (IELTS) results showing a score of at least 7.0 in each d
• Meets professional health requirements (in line with GMC standards/Good Medical Practice)

Desirable

• Experience of working within Neurosurgery in NHS in UK
• If applicants believe they have adequate communication skills, but do not have evidence in one of the above forms, they must provide alternative supporting evidence of language skills

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).