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Job description

Applications are invited for the above full time post for this 660 bed acute hospital serving a local population of approximately 400,000. This appointment will be made in accordance with the Terms and Conditions of Service for Hospital Medical and Dental Staff (England) 2002.

The role of Senior Clinical Fellows (ST3 equivalent) in Emergency Medicine would be suitable for doctors who have some experience of Emergency Medicine, but need to gain paediatrics and musculoskeletal/trauma competencies before progressing.

This post would also be suitable for doctors who:

• wish to pursue a career in Emergency Medicine (EM)
• are working at a senior specialty doctor level and wish to advance their careers
• are looking to take on senior responsibility, but need to consolidate advanced EM skills and leadership abilities.

Successful candidates will be offered an initial 12 month post (with a focus on exposure to paediatric and musculoskeletal/trauma cases, including a secondment to paediatrics), with the possibility of annual extension and progression to a more senior post. This career progression offers support and further secondment opportunities to allow for completion of a portfolio of competencies and evidence that can be presented to the GMC’s CESR committee for entry onto the EM specialist register.

The Senior Clinical Fellow will:

• To examine, investigate and carry out the emergency management of patients who present to the Emergency Department within the timescale of the emergency care target.
• To supervise junior members of the ED team.
• To assist in the ongoing management and participate in the discharge processes of patients admitted on the ED observation unit.
• To assist in the ongoing management and participate in the discharge processes of patients admitted to the hospital with head injuries.
• To assist in the review of patients attending the ED review clinic.
• Follow agreed Department and Trust protocols, and provide best possible care to patients.
• Maintain accurate documentation of the patients’ history, assessment and treatment plan.

Provide computerised discharge GP letter to every patient on completion of treatment.

• Participate in clinical governance activities and service improvement projects (including diagnostic test result reviews and recalls, and audit). This includes sharing the learning from incidents and complaints, reporting safety issues and contributing to quality improvement initiatives.
• Participate in the organisation and delivery of teaching/training sessions for ED staff and support the training of medical students and trainee PAs within the ED.

Our 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. Travel between hospital sites may be required.

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.

The appointee will join the Emergency Medicine team in the delivery of clinical excellence in our Emergency Department and across the Trust.

Work Pattern

The post will involve working a full shift pattern rota providing 24-hour departmental cover. The successful candidate will be required to be present on the shop - floor when on a night shift.

Over 12 months the post-holder will rotate through a rota designed to provide exposure to paediatric and musculoskeletal emergency medicine, including a period of time spent working with Paediatric colleagues on the Paediatric Assessment Unit (PAU) and paediatric wards.

Successful candidates without experience of working in NHS acute services are supported through a short introductory period of supernumerary clinical work in order to gain understanding of policies and processes that may be unfamiliar to them.

Candidates will start working initially at a supervised level depending on previous experience, but will be encouraged to progress in seniority as their experience and leadership ability increases.

Doctors may be asked to perform additional duties in occasional emergencies and unforeseen circumstances.

Continuing Professional Development

This post would have all the training elements of the current Specialty Registrar programme with opportunities where available to support outpatient clinics whereby they have a specialty interest. The post holder would be encouraged to participate in audits / research with allocated time in their time table. She/he would have access to all our Library facilities, and be encouraged to attend the Regional Specialist Registrar Programme Teaching Sessions. He / she would be entitled to study leave as prescribed by the deanery. She/he would have an allocated Educational Supervisor for all e portfolio activities.

Study and Training

The post is not recognised for postgraduate training by the Royal College of Physicians.

Study leave allowances are as set out in the Terms and Conditions of Service.

Personal Development Plans

You will be given a PDP folder by the Medical Centre staff which you should discuss with your educational supervisor at the beginning of your post.

Qualifications/Experience Required for Appointment

The appointee will have MBBS or equivalent, a Certificate of Completion of Basic Medical Training or equivalent and Full MRCEM or equivalent, the appointee must have at least 4 years post-graduate clinical experience with completion of Foundation Years (or equivalent) including a minimum of 1 year experience working in Emergency Medicine.

You are required to comply with the standards set by the General Medical/Dental Council. A breach of such standards may lead to action by the Trust independent of any action taken by the GMC/GDC. Any breach would be investigated fairly and appropriate steps taken to prevent a recurrence and address any wider causes.

Clinical Governance and Audit

Both DME and Medical Directorates have bi-monthly Clinical Governance meetings when all clinical sessions are suspended for a half day. An audit programme is also well established. All medical staff in the department are expected to attend and juniors are encouraged to present audits at these meetings.

Teaching Medical Students

There is an active teaching programme for all Foundation Program trainees and MRCP teaching for ST1-2’s in Medicine and Medicine for the Elderly. SpR’s are expected to participate actively in the Foundation Program including formal assessments for the trainees working under their supervision. There are weekly two hours bleep free MRCP teaching in addition to weekly departmental and x-ray meetings. The medical rotation posts are extremely popular and the MRCP pass rate is very high. The Hospital became a University hospital in 2011 and medical students from UCL Medical School are regularly attached to the firms.

Emergency Department Teaching / Personal Development

The department receives trainees at a variety of levels from Foundation Year level 2, GP training, ACCS, and EM higher specialty training (ST3 - ST6). They are supported by non-training grade doctors at both junior clinical fellow and staff specialty doctor levels. The ED has Consultant presence on the ‘shop-floor’ from 7.30am to 11.30pm 7 days a week, allowing for adequate senior supervision and shop-floor teaching, providing opportunities for training and completion of workplace based assessments. Overnight there is an experienced senior staff specialist or registrar level doctor present who supervises the junior team members and supports the management of the shop-floor.

There is a comprehensive rolling departmental teaching programme with teaching sessions every weekday for all doctors (both training and non-training grades), to reflect the variety of training needs. This includes teaching sessions focused on membership exam preparation. The rota includes protected personal professional development time for all doctors regardless of training status.

The Trust holds a weekly Grand Round meeting, and monthly Schwartz Rounds.

Places are available on our ED X-ray teaching course, and the hospital runs regular ALS courses and Simulation days.

The post is not recognised for postgraduate training by the Royal College of Surgeons, Royal College of Physicians, the Royal College of General Practitioners or the Royal College of Emergency Medicine but study leave is available, and may be applied for with the consent of the supervising Consultant, Clinical Director and the Director of Medical Education. Study leave allowances are as set out in the Terms and Conditions of Service and currently up to 30 days per year and up to £600 may be applied for. Study leave will not be granted during night duty.

The post-holder will be encouraged to maintain a portfolio of workplace based assessments and supported in the completion of these. Each doctor will be allocated a consultant clinical supervisor with whom they will meet regularly to develop a Personal Development Plan (PDP). Continuing Professional Development is encouraged and study leave will be granted to attend courses that are deemed relevant by your clinical supervisor. The Trust offers support in appraisal and revalidation for all doctors.

The department is consistently rated highly by trainees in the national GMC Trainee Survey for the level of support, training and amount of experience gained. It is a popular choice of rotation for EM higher specialty trainees. Previous clinical fellows have had an almost 100% success rate in gaining entry to their specialty training programme of choice after working in the ED.

The ED welcomes medical students from the University College London (UCL) and the students work closely with the ED team. This allows opportunities for undergraduate teaching and participation in undergraduate mock examinations.

The ED also welcomes trainee PAs from the University of Hertfordshire.

The trust acknowledges that senior clinical fellows have training needs as much as those who participate in the deanery training programs. These training needs are specific to the individual, and if appointed to this role the trust is committed to supporting your training and development so that you can progress in your chosen career. The trust actively supports career progress either to the Specialty Doctor, or through article 14 to achieve full CCT, with the potential for obtaining a full consultant post subsequently.

The L&D has always been renowned for its friendly atmosphere and good working relationships. The Hospital has an excellent track record of financial and senior executive stability.

The Trust has University Hospital status which provides an academic environment to the hospital. In addition to postgraduate training, we welcome medical students from the UCL Medical School throughout the year and by arrangement with the medical school provide a programme of clinical placements to support their education. We have an excellent reputation for junior staff training. Within the Centre of Multi-Professional Educational & Training (COMET) is the Medical Education Department, the library including an IT suite, and the Training & Development Department. The main aim of the Medical Education Department is to promote postgraduate and continuing medical education and training for all doctors and dentists. The Hospital actively promotes career development and progression for all staff.

The Hospital has excellent access to the surrounding areas with easy access to central London and the rural Chilterns. The rural areas include many attractive villages and towns within easy reach of the Hospital including St Albans and Harpenden. Excellent schools are found nearby. There is also very good access to the Midlands and North by road using the M1 or A1, or by rail to one of the Luton’s three stations. A direct link using the new ‘Busway’ takes passengers from Luton Train station just 7 minutes to reach a stop that is within a short walking distance of the hospital. London Luton Airport is within fifteen minutes of the hospital.

All applicants will be required to demonstrate a working knowledge of the English language.

Full registration with the General Medical Council is required at time of application.

The appointment will be subject to full Occupational Health Clearance and Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check for the successful candidates prior to commencement.

Visiting Arrangements

Further information about the post is available by contacting Dr G Kamaras, Clinical Director in Emergency Medicine, via her secretary on 01582 497065. Informal visits will be welcomed following shortlisting.

Please refer to the Job Description for full details of the post.