Advanced Clinical Training fellowship in Neurology

Job responsibilities

This MND Advanced Clinical Fellowship post is formally recognised by the Association of British Neurologists (ABN). The Fellow will be funded for 12 months primarily by the MND Association and also by the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. The funds from the MNDA are from fundraising carried out in the name of the Yorkshire rugby legend Rob Burrow who was cared for by the Leeds MND Service.

The fellowship is designed for neurology clinicians at the end of training and that have achieved their Neurology SCE, to provide all aspects of subspecialty training in MND and thus prepare for a consultant role in this field. This would be one of the countrys first MND Clinical Fellowships and we expect the candidate to work as a neurology consultant with a specialist MND interest in the region.

The fellow will be fully immersed in the MND service. This will include a thorough grounding in the clinical management, investigation and learning new skills e.g Botox for optimally managing all varieties of MND and MND mimics. It includes care for the patient holistically at home and hospice as well.

There are further opportunities to develop a research interest and also to attend MND services in other specialist centres e.g Sheffield. LTHT has a good network of support with neighbouring Trusts under the West Yorkshire Association of Acute Trusts which will enable the fellow to attend supervised clinics. Named consultants in neighbouring Trusts have agreed to host the Fellow and the WYAAT passport scheme will allow seamless working across hospitals.

This post is not suitable for more junior applicants, who are not yet at a CCT or peri-CCT standard. More junior applicants should not apply.

To maximise the available learning opportunity, it is expected that candidates will already have previous neurology experience in the NHS system. Previous experience in MND is desirable.

The post is structured such that the training will be planned and delivered over a 12-month period and is therefore not suitable for trainees looking for a briefer fellowship placement. The Fellow will have access to an office space and IT including a Trust laptop. They will have a Trust as well as a departmental induction. A dedicated supervisor and peer mentor (another neurology trainee / ABN peer mentoring programme) will be available to support the fellow. They will be expected to attend the weekly Regional Neurology Academic meeting, as well as the monthly Neuromuscular MDT to develop an understanding of MND mimics. Self-directed learning will be strongly encouraged.

If the Fellow is Pre CCT, they will also attend monthly regional training days.

Joining the On call Rota can be considered.

b) Interventional MND activity

The Fellow will gain exposure to muscle biopsy and in the future on intrathecal treatments as well as learn about Botox delivery. They will be expected to learn and deliver by attaining competency in delivering Botox injections for saliva and spasticity management. Training for this will be provided.

c) Non MND clinics

The Fellow also has the option to attend general neurology clinics to continue to gain a thorough understanding of the management of neurological conditions.

The Fellow will be expected to keep a portfolio of their activities and educational progress, utilising a recognised portfolio (eg NHS e Portfolios).

The Fellow will be expected to support the MND Research nurse to maintain the national MND databases.

The Fellow is strongly encouraged to involve themselves in the current research within the MND service , including actively recruiting patients to trials such as MRF / Computer Vision / Drug Trials / Assessment of Informal Carer Well being. The Fellow will be expected to lead the PPIE group meetings.

We hope to set up an MND journal club which the MND Clinical fellow is expected to co-ordinate and to present at.

d) Out of hours

The post-holder can participate in the Neurology out-of-hours rota via the Trust internal bank services which includes cover of adult neurology patients at a registrar level.

Qualifications

Essential

• MBBS or equivalent medical qualification
• CCT (or within 24 -36 months of CCT)
• Is up to date and fit to practise safely and is aware of own training needs
• Ability to provide complete details of employment history
• Evidence that career progression is consistent with personal circumstances
• Evidence that present achievement and performance is commensurate with totality of their period of training

Desirable

• Be eligible for full registration with, and hold a current licence to practise from, the GMC at intended start date.
• Eligibility to work in the UK.

Additional Criteria

Essential

• All applicants to have demonstrable skills in written and spoken English adequate to enable effective communication about medical topics with patients and colleagues.
• Evidence of thoroughness (is well prepared, shows self discipline/ commitment, is punctual and meets deadlines)
• Capacity to monitor developing situations and anticipate issues
• Capacity to operate under pressure
• Demonstrates initiative & resilience to cope with Application form Interview / Selection centre References changing circumstance
• Is able to deliver good clinical care in the face of uncertainty
• Understands, respects and demonstrates the values of the NHS Constitution (e.g. everyone counts; improving lives; commitment to quality of care; respect and dignity; working together for patients)
• Demonstrates probity (displays honesty, integrity, aware of ethical dilemmas, respects confidentiality)
• Capacity to take responsibility for own actions
• Shows initiative/drive/enthusiasm (self-starter, motivated, shows curiosity, initiative)

Experience

Essential

• 7 years of experience after full GMC registration or equivalent, 5 of which should be in neurology, and evidence of achievement of foundation competences, in line with GMC standards.
• Demonstrates clarity in written/spoken communication & capacity to adapt language as appropriate to the situatio
• Able to build rapport, listen, persuade & negotiate
• Capacity to use logical/lateral thinking to solve problems/make decisions, indicating an analytical/scientific approach
• Capacity to take in others perspectives and treat others with understanding; sees patients as people
• Demonstrates respect for all
• Able to work in multi-professional teams & supervise junior medical staf
• Ability to show leadership, make decisions, organise and motivate other team members for the benefit of patients through, for example, audit and quality improvement Projects
• Capacity to work effectively with others
• Capacity to manage/prioritise time and information effectively
• Capacity to prioritise own workload & organise ward rounds

Desirable

• Ability to apply sound clinical knowledge and judgement to problems
• Ability to prioritise clinical need
• Ability to maximise safety and minimise risk
• Recognition of, and ability to undertake the initial management of, an acutely ill patient
• 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

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).