Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a full-time Consultant Neurophysiologist post, in support of the Neurophysiology service for University Hospitals Bristol and Weston (UHBW) NHS Foundation Trust. The Neurophysiology department is based within the Bristol Royal Hospital for Children (BRHC) and the Bristol Royal Infirmary (BRI), and provides diagnostic testing to Bristol and, in the case of its specialised paediatric services, the wider region of the South West of England.
UHBW has a close working relationship with North Bristol NHS Foundation Trust (NBT), who has their own Neurophysiology department (based within Southmead Hospital). The two Trusts are looking to maintain these working ties to provide peer support across the wider South West area. To support this, the inclusion of cross cover for some sessions within the job plan have been included in the proposed job plan (I.e. UHBW sessions undertaken by visiting consultants from NBT, with the post holder then undertaking some sessions at these Trusts) to allow for peer support and cross site learning.
The BRHC is 1 of 4 designated centres for Children's Epilepsy Surgery Services (CESS) in England and has been recognised as a centre of clinical excellence for its neuromuscular services. The BRI is a teaching hospital with close links to Bristol University and provides acute medicine and surgery, critical care, trauma, orthopaedic and accidentand emergency services to the population of Bristol.
Main duties of the job
The ideal candidate will have proven expertise in the field of paediatric epilepsy.
The post holder will be expected to participate in all aspects of the Children's Epilepsy Surgery Service's neurophysiology provision.
They will have a lead, pivotal role to play in the CESS neurophysiology team:
- Review of Video EEG and stereotactic EEG (sEEG) studies and the subsequent production of comprehensive reports.
- Support to the Healthcare Scientists when patients are undergoing invasive monitoring. This will include providing advice during the monitoring period, attendance at stereotactic EEG (sEEG) planning meetings, stimulation studies and the formulation of treatment strategies.
- Support Intra-Operative Monitoring (IOM)
- Attendance/Contribution to weekly MDT meetings. Nationally 1/Month, Regionally 1/Month and locally 2/Month
The post holder will be required to perform routine & advanced Nerve Conduction/Electromyography studies on both paediatric and adult patients.
They would be expected to provide expert opinion/reports on all diagnostic tests performed within the service, in relation to both the paediatric & adult services.
The post holder would be expected to contribute to a regular 1-in-3, Saturday and Bank Holiday, on-call rota (urgent EEG reporting). They will be required, on occasion, to provide weekend support/advice when sEEG patients' monitoring extends over a weekend. The majority of this reporting could be performed remotely, using secure remote computer access.
About us
University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust is committed to provide patient care, education and research of the highest quality. In delivering this ambition, we will be guided by the following values:
- Supportive
- Respectful
- Innovative
- Collaborative
13,000 staff offer over 100 different clinical services across ten different sites. We provide general medical and emergency services to the local population of Weston, Central and South Bristol, and a broad range of specialist services across a region that extends from Cornwall to Gloucestershire, into South Wales and beyond. We are one of the country's largest acute NHS Trusts with a 2017/2018 budget of £660 million.
Our staff have developed leading edge services such as cardiac surgery and bone marrow transplantation that have built an international reputation and are in demand by patients from across the country.
With strong links to the University of Bristol and University of West of England we are the major medical research centre in the region. The findings allow us to continually improve our patient care. Our academic links also make us the largest centre for medical training in the South West.
We aim to provide healthcare, research and teaching of the very highest quality and are recognised as one of the highest-performing Acute trusts in the country. UH Bristol was rated Good by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) following an inspection in November 2021
Job description
Job responsibilities
For a more comprehensive breakdown of the main duties and roles of the role please see the attached job description.
Job description
Job responsibilities
For a more comprehensive breakdown of the main duties and roles of the role please see the attached job description.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Entry on the Specialist Register in Clinical Neurophysiology (or entry expected within 3 months from the date of interview.
- MRCP (UK) or equivalent
Desirable
- Higher academic qualification
Training and experience
Essential
- At least 4 years training in clinical neurophysiology
- Evidence of thorough and broad training and experience in paediatric neurophysiology
- Ability to take full and independent responsibility for the care of patients
Desirable
- Evidence of a special interest, ideally paediatric epilepsy/epilepsy surgery, and expertise that complements the Trust's service strategy
Clinical Knowledge and skills
Essential
- Up to date knowledge and experience of relevant specialty
- Ability to report on neurophysiological examinations to a consultant level
- Knowledge of NHS priorities with reference to specialty
Desirable
- Broad range of IT skills
- Experience/interest in 3D radiological imaging technology
Clinical Governance, Audit
Essential
- Understanding of clinical governance and the individual responsibilities it implies
- Knowledge of the principles of clinical audit and evidence of participation, including submission of quality/performance data to local/ national audit programmes
- Positive approach to evidence-based practice
- Participation in continuing professional development (CPD) scheme and, where relevant, evidence thereof
Desirable
- Completion of one or more significant audit project
Research
Essential
- Knowledge of the principles involved in research
- Evidence of involvement in research
- Evidence of peer-reviewed research papers
Desirable
- Ability to increase the academic profile of the department.
- Presentations and/or posters at academic meetings
Teaching and Training
Essential
- Ability to teach clinical skills to medical, nursing and scientific staff
- The ability to appraise junior doctors and other staff
Desirable
- Formal training in teaching
Management & Leadership
Essential
- Evidence of management training and evidence of learning from it
- Ability to organise efficient and smooth running of a specialist service
- Ability to cope with and effectively organise the workload of a consultant
- Ability to practice independently as a consultant
- Ability to take on responsibility and show evidence of leadership
- Ability to work under pressure and cope with setbacks
- Involvement in major quality improvement initiatives
Desirable
- Demonstration of knowledge of NHS management structures
- Management experience
Interpersonal, communication and team working skills
Essential
- Ability to communicate effectively with patients, relatives, clinical colleagues, support staff and other colleagues.
- Good knowledge of, and ability to use, spoken and written English.
- Ability to present effectively to an audience, using a variety of methods, and to respond to questions and queries
- Ability to develop effective working relationships on an individual and multi-professional basis with all levels of staff both within and across divisions
- Ability to be a flexible team member
Any other Personal Abilities and Aptitudes
Essential
- Ability to adapt and respond to changing circumstances
- Awareness of personal limitations
Desirable
- Ability to undertake additional professional responsibilities at local, regional or national levels
Behaviours and Values
Essential
- Demonstrates knowledge and understanding of the Trust values
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Entry on the Specialist Register in Clinical Neurophysiology (or entry expected within 3 months from the date of interview.
- MRCP (UK) or equivalent
Desirable
- Higher academic qualification
Training and experience
Essential
- At least 4 years training in clinical neurophysiology
- Evidence of thorough and broad training and experience in paediatric neurophysiology
- Ability to take full and independent responsibility for the care of patients
Desirable
- Evidence of a special interest, ideally paediatric epilepsy/epilepsy surgery, and expertise that complements the Trust's service strategy
Clinical Knowledge and skills
Essential
- Up to date knowledge and experience of relevant specialty
- Ability to report on neurophysiological examinations to a consultant level
- Knowledge of NHS priorities with reference to specialty
Desirable
- Broad range of IT skills
- Experience/interest in 3D radiological imaging technology
Clinical Governance, Audit
Essential
- Understanding of clinical governance and the individual responsibilities it implies
- Knowledge of the principles of clinical audit and evidence of participation, including submission of quality/performance data to local/ national audit programmes
- Positive approach to evidence-based practice
- Participation in continuing professional development (CPD) scheme and, where relevant, evidence thereof
Desirable
- Completion of one or more significant audit project
Research
Essential
- Knowledge of the principles involved in research
- Evidence of involvement in research
- Evidence of peer-reviewed research papers
Desirable
- Ability to increase the academic profile of the department.
- Presentations and/or posters at academic meetings
Teaching and Training
Essential
- Ability to teach clinical skills to medical, nursing and scientific staff
- The ability to appraise junior doctors and other staff
Desirable
- Formal training in teaching
Management & Leadership
Essential
- Evidence of management training and evidence of learning from it
- Ability to organise efficient and smooth running of a specialist service
- Ability to cope with and effectively organise the workload of a consultant
- Ability to practice independently as a consultant
- Ability to take on responsibility and show evidence of leadership
- Ability to work under pressure and cope with setbacks
- Involvement in major quality improvement initiatives
Desirable
- Demonstration of knowledge of NHS management structures
- Management experience
Interpersonal, communication and team working skills
Essential
- Ability to communicate effectively with patients, relatives, clinical colleagues, support staff and other colleagues.
- Good knowledge of, and ability to use, spoken and written English.
- Ability to present effectively to an audience, using a variety of methods, and to respond to questions and queries
- Ability to develop effective working relationships on an individual and multi-professional basis with all levels of staff both within and across divisions
- Ability to be a flexible team member
Any other Personal Abilities and Aptitudes
Essential
- Ability to adapt and respond to changing circumstances
- Awareness of personal limitations
Desirable
- Ability to undertake additional professional responsibilities at local, regional or national levels
Behaviours and Values
Essential
- Demonstrates knowledge and understanding of the Trust values
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 Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW)
Address
Bristol Royal Children's Hospital
Upper Maudlin Street
Bristol
BS2 8BJ
Employer's website
https://www.uhbw.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)
