Spinal Consultant

The Spinal Surgery Department is supported by two Specialist Registrars, four Spinal Fellows, three Specialist physiotherapists, two junior trainees (F2 level), specialist bracing/casting team, occupational and physiotherapy/hydrotherapy services. The unit has access to Adult/Paediatric ITU/HDU facilities and 24 hour radiology services including MRI/CT. There are dedicated Spinal theatres daily on the John Radcliffe and Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre sites. There are regular weekly Adult and Paediatric MDTs.

Going forward, changes are envisaged to team structures and the working model in order to optimise efficiency, clinical quality and training standards. Teaching/Research Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is a teaching hospital Trust, and the post-holder will be required to participate in programmes for teaching clinical students, training junior doctors and in clinical examinations. It is expected that this will be an integral part of everyday clinical activity. The post-holders contribution to teaching, training and research will be included in the regular job plan review.

Teamwork The spinal surgery department is built on strong teamwork. The on-call consultant has primary responsibility for the care of all spinal surgical patients outside the normal working day. Each surgeon works together with another colleague in order to provide appropriate cross-cover during the working day for periods of consultant leave or times at which an individuals job plan does not require physical presence in the hospital. All existing consultants are happy to be contacted at any time by their consultant colleagues for support and advice.

A consultant mentor will be formally assigned to the new appointee. Consultants have access to appropriate office accommodation (a shared office) and secretarial support. The work of the department is organised on an equitable basis with a transparent job planning process in line with Trust guidelines. The post-holders contribution to teaching, training and research will be included in the regular (annual) job plan review alongside all other aspects of their work.

Clinical Governance The post-holder will participate in all clinical governance activities, including clinical audit, clinical effectiveness, risk management and quality improvement activities as required by the Trust, and external accrediting bodies. Personal and Professional Development The post-holder will be required to keep themselves fully up-to-date with their relevant area of practice and to be able to demonstrate this to the satisfaction of the Trust. Professional or study leave will be granted at the discretion of the Trust, in line with the prevailing Terms and Conditions of Service, to support appropriate study, postgraduate training activities, relevant CME courses and other appropriate personal development needs. 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.

The post-holder will undertake the administrative duties associated with the care of his/her patients, and the running of the clinical service under the direction of the Lead Clinician and/or Clinical Director.