NF2 Clinical Fellow

Job responsibilities

1. Aims and responsibilities of post: Under Consultant supervision to act as the Oxford Clinical Neurofibromatosis Type 2 Fellow to work within the Nationally Commissioned Neurofibromatosis type 2 Team based in Oxford.
2. Clinical: The NF2 clinical service covers multidisciplinary outpatient clinics which are attended by specialists from Neurology, Clinical Genetics, Ophthalmology, Plastic surgery, ENT, Neurosurgery, Paediatric Neurology, Clinical Psychology, and Physiotherapy and supported by a team of 3 advanced nurse practitioners.

The service offers high quality care to patients mostly from the Southwest region. It is a joint National service with partner services based in Manchester, Cambridge, and London. The service aims to improve the quality of life for patients diagnosed with NF2. Patients are seen for an annual review and for visits between as required. NF2 is a variable condition but can be a severe life spoiling and shortening condition requiring multiple neurosurgical procedures. It is a genetic condition which can be inherited. Affected individuals typically face the threat of hearing loss, occasionally visual loss, and sometimes severely impaired neurological function. By coordinating care within a small number of centers the aim is to improve outcomes for affected individuals in terms of enhancing quality of life, maintaining hearing, and avoiding surgery where feasible. The service has introduced non-surgical treatment options, such as treatment with the anti-VEGF medication bevacizumab with rigorous patient selection and monitoring.

There would be an opportunity to attend non NF2 clinics in Clinical Genetics, Neurosciences or ENT, according to the post holders interest and training.

Research The candidate will be expected to work for a higher degree in NF2 research which could have an emphasis on neurology, genetics, ENT, neurological/neurosurgical/neuropsychiatric aspects of NF2.

The candidate would normally have completed their core medical training and wish for a career in one of the relevant specialties involved in NF2 such as neurology, clinical genetics, psychiatry, plastic surgery, ENT or neurosurgery.

3. Facilities for study and training: Good library and online facilities are available at The John Radcliffe Hospital and at other libraries in the Central Oxford Hospitals. There are specialist training programs for registrars in the core NF2 disciplines which trainees at this stage can join.

4. Teaching, Audit and Research:

• Participation in audit is required.
• Research Opportunities: The candidate is expected to obtain a higher research degree during this post.

Clinical research is integrated within the NF2 team. The Oxford NF2 Centre has responsibility nationally for collating the data for all patients treated with Avastin.

5. Clinical Governance: The post-holder will participate in clinical governance activities, including clinical audit, clinical effectiveness, risk management, quality improvement activities as required by the Trust, and external accrediting bodies.

6. Personal and Professional Development: The post-holder will be required to keep himself/herself fully up-to-date with their relevant area of practice and to be able to demonstrate this to the satisfaction of the Trust.

7. Management: The post-holder will be required to work within the Trust's management policies and procedures, both statutory and internal, accepting that the resources available to the Trust are finite and that all changes in clinical practice or workload, or developments requiring additional resources must have prior agreement with the Trust. He/she will undertake the administrative duties associated with the care of NF2 patients and the associated service.

Professional registration

Essential

• Full GMC Registration

Qualifications

Essential

• MB or equivalent.

Desirable

• Evidence of interest in an NF2 related Specialty.
• General core medical/surgical/psychiatry training undertaken
• MRCP or equivalent

Experience on Research

Essential

• Ability to undertake direct original clinical research.
• Ability to write papers and ability to be able to analyse data with training.

Desirable

• Ability to use word processor, spreadsheet program and web browser.

Skills

Essential

• Leadership - ability to motivate and aid other members of the team.
• Organisational skills.
• Good personal/interpersonal skills.
• Good spoken and written English.
• Able to take on responsibility and communicate within the team.
• Basic computing skills.
• Team working skills.

Desirable

• Ability to use word processor, spreadsheet programme and web browser.
• Basic Analysis skills.

Knowledge

Essential

• Good general medical knowledge at post graduate level

Desirable

• Knowledge of the organisation of the NHS.

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).