Spinal Clinical Fellow

Job summary

The Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital provides a comprehensive range of neuro-musculoskeletal health care ranging from the most acute spinal injury or complex bone tumour to orthopaedic medicine and specialist rehabilitation for chronic back pain sufferers. This broad range of neuro-musculoskeletal services is unique within the NHS. The Spinal Unit is very busy and an integral part of the RNOHT. It includes the largest Spinal Deformity service in the UK, a Degenerative Spine service with four surgeons and allied professionals, and it provides a surgical service for Spinal Injuries, Spinal Infection and Metastatic Spinal Cord Compression.

The Fellowship is designed to provide skills and competencies above and beyond what is currently required to obtain a CCT in the relevant surgical specialty.

Demonstration of a commitment to training in spinal surgery, good communication and team working skills are essential. Other experience in the form of audit or research is desirable. Applicants should either have the CCT or be close to obtaining it.

This Fellowship is designed to provide skills and competencies above and beyond what is currently required to obtain a CCT in the relevant surgical specialty.

Main duties of the job

The post is based predominantly at the Stanmore site; however, the successful candidate may be expected to undertake outpatient clinics in central London at our Bolsover Street outpatient department.

Candidates should have Full registration with GMC , FRCS, NTN in relevant surgical speciality within 6 months of CCT date.

Applicants should already be experienced in Spinal Surgery, and the Fellowship offers exposure to a wide range of Degenerative, Adult Deformity surgery and paediatric deformity surgery.

The Fellowship is in Spinal surgery focusing primarily on Spinal deformity. The fellow will also gain competence in computer navigated spinal surgery.

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 spinal surgery at consultant level. The case mix of spinal surgery at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital is extensive: paediatric and adult complex spinal deformity, spinal tumours, spinal infections, low back and neck surgery and spinal trauma including osteoporotic fracture management.

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.

About us

Our Team is tight knit and work well together, we have 12 Spinal Consultants with 2 of the Spinal consultants specialising in Neurosurgery, 3 paediatric clinical nurse specialist, 3 Adult CNS and a full complement of clinical fellows and registrars there is also a set of junior surgical trainees proving day to day ward care.

his fellowship year will provide specialist training in spinal surgery focusing on treatment of complex spinal deformities (primary and revision). The spinal fellowship is designed to provide skills and competencies above and beyond what are currently required to obtain a CCT in spinal surgery. The post will provide experience in deformity surgery. A detailed plan of work setting out the objectives of the post, success criteria and timetables for achievement of specific areas of sub-specialty interest will be set within one month of taking up the appointment, against which in-post and end-of-post monitoring and evaluation will take place.

The departmental fellows are responsible for the continuing education program for junior doctors, and the research output of the department

The directors of this fellowship program is:

Mr Hanny Anwar , Mr Michael Mokawem , Mr Robert Lee & Mr Rooz Shafafy

Job description

Job responsibilities

This fellowship year will provide specialist training in the following:

MDT administration and delivery for tertiary referrals Pre and post-op ward rounds Surgical multidisciplinary procedures Clinics & theatre list 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 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 patients. In addition to routine clinical commitments and research session the fellow may also be called upon to occasionally teach MSc students, specialist registrars and more.

Person Specification

Postgraduate qualifications

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 carers, issues 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 participation in audit

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