Job summary
Commonwealth Fellowship in Spinal Surgery (Australia and New Zealand applicants only)
Fixed term for 12 months commencing September 2023
The Spinal Surgery unit at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital has one of the largest adult spinal deformity services in the UK dealing with adult degenerative conditions, revision spinal surgery and primary spinal tumours. It also provides a surgical service for children's deformity, spinal injuries, spinal infection and metastatic spinal cord compression.
This particular fellowship offers exposure to a wide range of degenerative, adult deformity and revision surgery with specific reference to minimal access techniques as well as computer navigated spinal surgery. The fellowship is primarily with Mr Robert Lee, but the fellow will be part of a 'super team' working with Mr Hanny Anwar and Mr Michael Mokawem. There will be some exposure to spinal tumours with Mr Anwar (both primary as well as metastatic tumours).
The fellowship is designed to provide skills and competencies above and beyond what is currently required to obtain a CCT in spinal surgery.
Full registration with the General Medical Council (GMC) will be required. Applicants should already be experienced in spinal surgery.
Due to the nature of the funding, this fellowship is only open to surgeons from Australia and New Zealand.
Main duties of the job
This fellowship year will provide specialist training in adult degenerative conditions, adult deformity, revision spinal surgery, navigated spinal surgery with some exposure to primary and metastatic spinal tumours.
He/she will be expected to develop knowledge both clinically and surgically over the year fellowship. The aim of the surgical fellowship is to prepare the successful candidate for complex adult degenerative, deformity and revision spinal surgery at consultant level.
The fellow will also develop sufficient knowledge and leadership in order to take a leading role as a Consultant in a department dealing with complex spinal conditions and their sequel, which, with altered life style, expectations and medical advances means that spinal surgeons are expected to handle increasing complex cases. The fellow will develop the communication skills and attitudes to set them up for Consultant practice in a centre of excellence to enable them to develop their skills further and train the next generation of spinal surgeons.
During the course of the fellowship emphasis will be given to many facets of the job not just the technical aspects of surgery and performance of outpatient clinics but also on leading the MDT, coordination, and management including discharge planning etc.
About us
The Spinal Surgical Unit is tight knit and work well together. We have 11 Spinal Consultants, 3 clinical nurse specialists and a full complement of clinical fellows and registrars there is also a set of junior surgical trainees proving day to day ward care.
The director of this fellowship program is Mr Robert Lee but the fellow will work as part of a 'super team' with Mr Hanny Anwar and Mr Michael Mokawem. However, the fellow will have exposure to all the spinal consultants based at the RNOH.
Interested applicants are invited to contact Mr Robert Lee on 020 8954 2300 x5118 or robertlee1@nhs.net
Job description
Job responsibilities
The duties of the fellow include MDT administration and delivery for tertiary referrals, Pre and post-op ward rounds, Surgical multidisciplinary procedures, Adult degenerative spine clinics, Out-of-hours support of patients in the spinal injuries unit and partaking in the on-call rota which does not have residential night duties, Clinical research including data collection and audit, Preparation of abstracts and papers for presentation and publication. The post is dedicated to the development of high level clinical and research experience in the field of spinal deformity correction and degenerative spine surgery.
Specifically, the fellow is expected to attend two all day operating sessions in spinal surgery and two spinal clinics per week. The fellow is also expected to see all in-patients under his/her care on a daily basis and get involved in all aspects of their care. Additionally, the fellow will prepare a surgical plan for each patient. Participation and presentation of interesting/complex cases at the weekly multi-disciplinary team meetings for spinal deformity, degenerative spine surgery, and spinal trauma/tumour, is mandatory.
In addition to routine clinical commitments and research session the fellow may also be called upon to formally teach MSc students, specialist registrars and more junior trainees.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The duties of the fellow include MDT administration and delivery for tertiary referrals, Pre and post-op ward rounds, Surgical multidisciplinary procedures, Adult degenerative spine clinics, Out-of-hours support of patients in the spinal injuries unit and partaking in the on-call rota which does not have residential night duties, Clinical research including data collection and audit, Preparation of abstracts and papers for presentation and publication. The post is dedicated to the development of high level clinical and research experience in the field of spinal deformity correction and degenerative spine surgery.
Specifically, the fellow is expected to attend two all day operating sessions in spinal surgery and two spinal clinics per week. The fellow is also expected to see all in-patients under his/her care on a daily basis and get involved in all aspects of their care. Additionally, the fellow will prepare a surgical plan for each patient. Participation and presentation of interesting/complex cases at the weekly multi-disciplinary team meetings for spinal deformity, degenerative spine surgery, and spinal trauma/tumour, is mandatory.
In addition to routine clinical commitments and research session the fellow may also be called upon to formally teach MSc students, specialist registrars and more junior trainees.
Person Specification
Postgraduate Qualification
Essential
- Full registration with GMC
- FRCS
- NTN in relevant surgical specialty within 6 months of CCT date
Experience
Essential
- Experience in spinal surgery at SpR level.
- Already developed an interest in spinal surgery, especially spinal deformity, correction surgery, including adolescent, and degenerative scoliosis.
- Some experience in spinal trauma surgery is also preferable
Desirable
- Research with higher degree ideally in relevant specialty
- Experience of MDT working
Knowledge/Skills
Essential
- Evidence of good written and verbal communication skills.
- An understanding of the major risk factors for spinal surgery at a population level and at the level of the individual.
Desirable
- Awareness of specific needs of spinal injury and spinal deformity patients and their careers, issue relating to service provision for spinal surgery patients in hospital and the community
- Ability and enthusiasm to teach medical undergraduates and allied health professionals.
- Personal participations in audit
Disposition
Essential
- Clarity of career aims, in particular reasons for choosing fellowship post, in spinal deformity and spinal trauma surgery.
- Evidence of being a good team member
- Active interest in research and audit
Desirable
- Leadership qualities commitment and interest in research.
- Recognition of the importance of research in the field of scoliosis development and treatment
Other requirements
Essential
- This post is subject to enhanced disclosure form the criminal records bureau
- Prepared to assess specific training opportunities at various sites according to programme
Person Specification
Postgraduate Qualification
Essential
- Full registration with GMC
- FRCS
- NTN in relevant surgical specialty within 6 months of CCT date
Experience
Essential
- Experience in spinal surgery at SpR level.
- Already developed an interest in spinal surgery, especially spinal deformity, correction surgery, including adolescent, and degenerative scoliosis.
- Some experience in spinal trauma surgery is also preferable
Desirable
- Research with higher degree ideally in relevant specialty
- Experience of MDT working
Knowledge/Skills
Essential
- Evidence of good written and verbal communication skills.
- An understanding of the major risk factors for spinal surgery at a population level and at the level of the individual.
Desirable
- Awareness of specific needs of spinal injury and spinal deformity patients and their careers, issue relating to service provision for spinal surgery patients in hospital and the community
- Ability and enthusiasm to teach medical undergraduates and allied health professionals.
- Personal participations in audit
Disposition
Essential
- Clarity of career aims, in particular reasons for choosing fellowship post, in spinal deformity and spinal trauma surgery.
- Evidence of being a good team member
- Active interest in research and audit
Desirable
- Leadership qualities commitment and interest in research.
- Recognition of the importance of research in the field of scoliosis development and treatment
Other requirements
Essential
- This post is subject to enhanced disclosure form the criminal records bureau
- Prepared to assess specific training opportunities at various sites according to programme
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).
