Senior Therapy Assistant

Job overview

These vacancies have arisen because of restructuring of the surgical department at the Trust to establish vascular surgery as a distinct specialty. This invitation is to fill two of the 5 new posts which together with a Deanery appointed vascular trainee, will provide a 1:6 OOH non-resident on call rota for vascular emergencies, in addition to supporting a consultant team delivering a safe, effective, responsive but efficient service. The core purpose of the vascular team is to save lives and limbs. We do this by continually working to improve quality of care and patient experience and find innovative solutions to common problems.

The Trust is part of the Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Health and Care Partnership (Integrated Care System) and within this the Bedfordshire Care Alliance. As a result of this, the successful candidate may be required to adapt their job plan in the future to work across more than one site within the area; this may also include delivering aspects of care in community settings which supports the Trust’s vertical integration strategy.

This post will be suitable for doctors who have:

completed early years of training in general surgery and are seeking further experience in vascular or wish to pursue a career in vascular surgery or looking for an opportunity to consolidate their skills and experience to complete the requirement for CESR (Certificate of Eligibility for Specialist Registration).

Main duties of the job

The aim is to appoint people of varying experiences, at different stages of their careers to maximise the training opportunities. The post holder will perform their clinical duties at the level of a registrar but within the limits of their competence. Their duties may include, leading the ward rounds of inpatients, taking responsibility of all aspects of the care of in patients including the safe, timely discharges and discharge-communication. They will provide leadership and supervision to the junior members of the team and support consultants in outpatient clinics and operating theatres. They will take part in regular MDT and Vascular Grand Rounds, Audit and Clinical Governance Meetings. They will provide an emergency on-call cover (1:6 non-resident OOH).

They must keep accurate record of emergency admissions and referrals and formally handover at the end of their shift. Handover must be formal, should follow the SBAR pattern (Situation, Background, Assessment and Recommendation). Similarly, they must make sure that they have understood the patient’s problems and needs when receiving handover from somebody else. They will supervise juniors in writing comprehensive but succinct discharge letters and summaries

Working for our organisation

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics.

You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career.

We have state-of-the art facilities placing us at the heart of cutting edge health care. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.

Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. Please ensure that you make your application as soon as possible.

All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering their first six months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required.

Please review all documents attached to this advert to ensure you familiarize yourself with all requirements of the job.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The aim is to appoint people of varying experiences, at different stages of their careers to maximise the training opportunities. The post holder will perform their clinical duties at the level of a registrar but within the limits of their competence. Their duties may include, leading the ward rounds of inpatients, taking responsibility of all aspects of the care of in patients including the safe, timely discharges and discharge-communication. They will provide leadership and supervision to the junior members of the team and support consultants in outpatient clinics and operating theatres. They will take part in regular MDT and Vascular Grand Rounds, Audit and Clinical Governance Meetings. They will provide an emergency on-call cover (1:6 non-resident OOH).

They must keep accurate record of emergency admissions and referrals and formally handover at the end of their shift. Handover must be formal, should follow the SBAR pattern (Situation, Background, Assessment and Recommendation). Similarly, they must make sure that they have understood the patient’s problems and needs when receiving handover from somebody else. They will supervise juniors in writing comprehensive but succinct discharge letters and summaries.

They will be expected to practice within the normal working practices of the unit, follow the care pathways adopted by the vascular team, and work collaboratively for the benefit of patients and be prepared to be accountable for the quality of their work, behaviour and conduct. The appointee will work in accordance with the values of the Trust and Standard Operating Procedures of the vascular team.

The consultants have the overall responsibility for the care of the patients and the postholders will support them in service delivery, engage in formal and informal discussions around the care of the patients. They will provide prompt help and/or opinion on request from another colleague, whether vascular or from other specialty. The post holder will subscribe to, and live the Trust Values of Teamwork, Honesty and Openness, Respect, Inclusivity, Valuing People and Excellence in all communications and conduct. 

The postholders will be expected to contribute to the activities of the department and take on other roles and responsibilities as required. They will submit to Trust’s yearly appraisal programme as part of the revalidation process.

There is a responsibility for teaching, training, and supervision of junior medical and nursing staff. The Trust is committed to developing new roles and involvement in teaching of undergraduates, nurses and allied health professionals is desirable.

An outline timetable will be provided at the beginning of the appointment which will cover various elements of clinical practice (emergency cover, operating theatre, Endovascular suit, Vascular lab, outpatients and wards). The post-holder will be expected to cover for absent colleagues in an emergency situation (e.g. sickness, injury, instances where an arranged locum does not arrive at short notice and similar situations).

The GMC’s Good Medical Practice () would provides a benchmark for our conduct and medical practice.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria

Full GMC registration and licence to practice MB BS, MRCS Part 1 or equivalent

Desirable criteria

Higher Degree

Knowledge

Essential criteria

Completion of FY competencies Completion of core surgical training Command of English language Understand and commit to the GMC's Good Medical Practice Guidance in all aspects of personal and professional behaviour

Desirable criteria

Additional experience in vascular

Management and Leadership

Essential criteria

Accepting accountability for own actions Ability to disagree politely and to accept a disagreement Able to articulate a point concisely Open to challenge Ability to work in a cohesive team

Desirable criteria

Desire to develop personal and professional skills and be able to lead others

Teaching Research/Publications

Essential criteria

Able to understand levels of evidence and how it may impact on practice Able to supervise, teach and train healthcare professionals in a wide range of settings

Desirable criteria

Research experience

Personal skills

Essential criteria

Able to manage personal needs Able to self motivate Adaptable Social and political awareness Ability to communicate effectively Good time management Leadership skills

Personal circumstances

Essential criteria

Reside within 20 miles of hospital or a 30-minute drive from the hospital (when on call OOH) Physically and mentally fit to undertake the role

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

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