Consultant in Neurology

Job Introduction
The posts will involve out-patient and in-patient consultations either in the North or South Cumbria. Specific commitments would be agreed in negotiation with colleagues once appointed, There are a number of sites across the County where Outpatients clinics are delivered and there is weekly input provided to the 3 acute hospitals within the county. The department also operates a Consultant of the Week service for telephone advice to GP and consultant colleagues alike within normal office hours.

**Salary**

Please note that the Trust offers a relocation package and CESR training for Consultants interested gaining a specialist registration.

Main Responsibilities
Important roles for all Consultant posts include:

- To provide leadership to the Neurosciences team in collaboration with Consultant colleagues
- To further develop a flexible and responsive service to deliver high quality care for patients
- Provide leadership and engage with the clinical governance agenda
- Ensure close collaboration with all relevant professionals and organisations in providing a comprehensive and seamless Neurology service across organisational boundaries
- The post holders will be required to develop, maintain and manage effective relationships with a range of stakeholders internally and externally, across all disciplines and including service users, carers and the media.
- Facilitate innovation, evaluation, audit and research within the field of neurology.

**Management Role**:

- The post holder would be expected to take up a leadership role within the scope of their clinical practice, to uphold the tenets of safe and effective practice within clinical governance frameworks
- Additionally, the post holder would be encouraged to pursue special interests, as appropriate to the role in a leadership capacity.
- The post holder is expected to report poor performance in colleagues within Trust Policies and Procedures
- The post holder is expected to review their job plan at least annually with the Clinical Director to reflect both service and career development
- Appraisal and revalidation to be held according to Royal College of Physicians, Trust and Department of Health Guidelines
- Post-holders will be supported in development of research and it is expected that increasing academic opportunities will become availab**le**

**Other Duties**
- So far as is consistent with the proper discharge of the above duties the post holder undertakes to deputise from time to time for absent colleagues
- The post holder undertakes, exceptionally, to perform additional duties in occasional emergencies and unforeseen circumstances.
- The post holder undertakes, exceptionally, to be available for such irregular commitments outside normally rostered duties as are essential for continuity of patient care.

Person Specification

**Qualifications and training**

Essential
- Fully registration with the General Medical Council MRCP or equivalent
- Entry on the GMC Specialist Register in Neurology via - CCT (proposed CCT date must be within 6 months of interview)

Desirable
- MD or PhD degree

**Clinical Skills and Experience**

Essential
- Specialist Registrar in Neurology or Equivalent
- Excellent communication skills with patients, colleagues, managers and other staff
- Ability to take full and independent responsibility for clinical care of patients

Desirable
- Experience of working with primary care / community colleagues
- A commitment to and experience of teaching
- Experience of structured patient education
- A sub-speciality Neurology interest

**Knowledge**

Essential
- Able to complete basic history taking and examination -physical and mental.
- Evidence based practice

Desirable
- Specialist training courses relevant to post eg psychopharmacology. Mental health legislation

**Personal Skills and Disposition**

Essential
- Communications skills
- Decisiveness/accountability
- Interpersonal skills
- Uses a non-judgmental approach to patients
- Flexibility
- Resilience
- Thoroughness
- Shows initiative/drive/enthusiasm
- Probity

**Organisation and Planning**

Essential
- Able to organise oneself and prioritise clinical need
- Evidence of participation in audit
- Experience & ability to work in multi-professional teams

Desirable
- Understanding of NHS, clinical governance & resource constraints
- Active involvement in audit
- Information technology skills

**Career Progression**

Essential
- Evidence of continuing professional development

Desirable
- Appropriate progression of career to date

**Other**

Essential
- Must be able to travel independently of public transport
- Meets professional health requirements
- Develop a culture that promotes equality and values diversity (Level 4)