TRENT MULTI-PROFESSIONAL DEANERY
SPECIALTY TRAINING PROGRAMME IN CLINICAL GENETICS
PROGRAMME DESCRIPTION
This is a 4-year training programme in Clinical Genetics aimed at doctors who can demonstrate the essential competencies to enter this level of training. The programme is designed to support training for a CCT in Clinical Genetics.
The programme is based in the Clinical Genetics Service at the Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, City Hospital Campus. The Service is based in The Gablesand is fully integrated with the Regional Cytogenetics Laboratory and the Regional Molecular Genetics Laboratory.
The Clinical Genetics Service provides a comprehensive clinical and laboratory genetics service to a population of approximately 2.2 million in the Mid-Trent region. There are 5 Consultants (4.2 WTE), 11 Genetic Counsellors (9.7 WTE), and 2 Specialty Trainees (including this post). Clinics are held on an almost daily basis within the Department atthe City Hospital Campus. Outreach clinics are held twice a month in Derby, three times a monthin Mansfield, twice a month in Lincoln, once every 6 weeks in Boston, and once a month in Newark and Grantham. In addition, the Service provides specialist clinics at the Queen’s Medical Centre and the Children’s Centre at the City Hospital Campus. These include the Ataxia-Telangiectasia Clinic, which was Nationally Designated in April 2009.
The Clinical Genetics Department supports a patient-centred approach with importance attached to family agendas and choices. This is facilitated by close collaboration with genetic nurse/counsellor colleagues in assessment contacts and ongoing support.
The Model Training Programme is outlined below.
YearFirst 6 monthsSecond 6 months
1Clinical (General Genetics) & Laboratory Clinical (General Genetics) & Fetal
(Cytogenetics & Molecular Genetics)Care Unit Attachment
Attachments
2Clinical (Dysmorphology) & BiochemicalClinical (Dysmorphology) & Perinatal
Genetics AttachmentPathology Attachment
3Clinical (Cancer Genetics)Clinical (Cancer Genetics)
4Clinical (General Genetics & SpecialistClinical (General Genetics, Urgent Clinics) Prenatal Clinics & Ward Referrals)
This programme is flexible and can be amended to accommodate the successful candidate’s experience and particular training needs.
CLINICAL DUTIES
The trainee will be based primarily in the Clinical Genetics Department where experience will be gained in planning and attending out-patient clinics, ward referrals, dealing with telephone requests, the use of Dysmorphology and Neurogenetics databases, liaison with laboratory services and the general organisation of the Clinical Genetics Service. It is anticipated that each of the consultants will take responsibility for the specialist registrar’s training for intervals of 1 year, during which time there will be exposure to that consultant’s areas of special interest and expertise, i.e.: -
Dr M SuriDysmorphology, Skeletal Dysplasias, Paediatric Neurogenetics
Dr N ShannonDysmorphology, Cardiovascular genetics
Dr A SarkarDysmorphology, Cancer Genetics, Ethics
Dr J EasonAdult Genetic Disorders, Cardiovascular Genetics
Dr R HarrisonCancer Genetics, Cardiovascular Genetics
Clinical duties of the trainee will include:
- Attend outpatient clinics.
- Participate in Urgent Prenatal Clinic and Ward Referral rota (In Year 4).
- Dictate post-clinic letters promptly.
- Maintain continued professional development.
- Attend all educational and multidisciplinary sessions.
- Undertake audit at various times throughout the rotations.
- Teach medical students and other medical personnel as directed.
- Co-operate with members of the personnel department when monitoring hours of work and other personnel issues.
- Attend induction at start of rotation.
- Comply with all local policies including dress code, annual and study leave
- During the training period attendance at and participation in the following will be expected: -
A)Specialist ClinicsNational Ataxia-Telangiectasia Clinic (Multidisciplinary
Clinic currently held 4 times a year)
Skeletal Dysplasia Clinic (with Consultant Orthopaedic
Surgeon – held 6 times a year)
Cardiac Genetics (with Consultant Cardiologist and BHF
Cardiac Genetics Nurse – held every 6 weeks)
Joint Dysmorphology Clinics (with Consultant
Community Paediatrician – held 3 times a year)
B)Department teaching activities:Joint clinical laboratory meetings
Journal Club
Postgraduate teaching – e.g. Community Genetics Course,
MRCP & MRCPCH I & II
Undergraduate teaching
C) Other relevant clinical meetings:Medical staff meetings – audit and interestingcases
Perinatal Discussion Group
Regional Audit Meeting (held jointly with Leicester
Genetics Unit)
London, M62 & Midlands Dysmorphology Meetings
Trent-Midlands Paediatric Neurology Meeting
North of England Skeletal Dysplasia Meeting
Paediatric Postgraduate Meeting
A typical weekly job plan for the specialist registrar is outlined in Appendix A.
RESEARCH
There are excellent opportunities to develop research interests, and collaborative research projects with the Institute of Genetics based at the University of Nottinghamare actively encouraged. In the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) 90% of the University’s research was considered to be at the “Internationally Competitive” level or above, and 50% was judged to be in the “Internationally Excellent” and “World Leading” categories.
SENIOR DEPARTMENTAL STAFF
Dr M SuriConsultant Clinical Geneticist & Training Programme
Director
Dr N ShannonConsultant Clinical Geneticist
Dr A SarkarConsultant Clinical Geneticist and Lead Clinician
Dr J EasonConsultant Clinical Geneticist
Dr R HarrisonConsultant Clinical Geneticist
Ms H WestmorelandSenior Genetic Counsellor Team Leader
Ms Nicola DrurySenior Genetic Counsellor
Ms Marjie MilesSenior Genetic Counsellor
Dr C A ParkinHead of Cytogenetics Laboratory and Clinical Director
Dr G S CrossHead of Molecular Genetics Laboratory
STUDY AND TRAINING
The Deanery is committed to developing postgraduate training programmes as laid down by PMETB, Colleges and Faculties and by the Postgraduate Dean’s Network. Study leave will form part of these education programmes and will be arranged in conjunction with the appropriate tutor. Study leave is granted in accordance with Deanery policy and are subject to the maintenance of the service.
The post is recognised for postgraduate training.
SALARY SCALE
The current nationally agreed pay scale for this grade is payable.
EUROPEAN WORKING TIME DIRECTIVE (EWTD)
This post complies with the European Working Time Directive. There are no on-call commitments in this post.
JUNIOR DOCTORS MONITORING
From 1 December 2000 there is a contractual obligation to monitor junior doctors’ New Deal compliance. In accordance with Health Service Circular 2000/031 junior doctors have a contractual obligation to monitor hours on request; this will include participation in local monitoring exercises.
USE OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Under the Computer Misuse Act 1990, any individual who knowingly attempts to gain unauthorised access to any programme or data held on a computer can be prosecuted. An individual who modifies any programme or data in a computer which they are unauthorised so to do, is also liable under the Act. If found guilty of these offences a person may be given a custodial sentence of up to six months or a fine or both. The person would also be subject to disciplinary action which may result is dismissal.
Similarly, in accordance with copyright law, any person involved in the illegal reproduction of software or who makes, acquires or uses unauthorised copies of computer software, will be subject to disciplinary action, which may lead to dismissal.
NOTIFICATION OF TERMINATION OF APPOINTMENT
3-months notice period is required.
HEALTH AND SAFETY AT WORK
All medical and dental staff under contract to the Regional Health Authority will be expected to comply with Regional and appropriate District and Unit Health and Safety Policies.
You must co-operate with the Trust’s arrangements for health and safety and must not wilfully endanger yourself or others whilst at work. Safe working practices and safety precautions will be adhered to. Protective clothing and equipment must be usedwhere provided.
ALL accidents must be reported to your immediate senior officer, and you must submit a completed accident/incident report form and support accident prevention by reporting potential hazards. A copy of the Department's Health and Safety Policy document will be given to the successful applicant on appointment.
REHABILITATION OF OFFENDERS ACT
Because of the nature of the work for which you are applying, this post is exempt from the provisions of Section 4(2) of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, by virtue of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975. Applicants are therefore not entitled to withhold information about convictions which for other purposes are "spent" under the provision of theAct and, in the event of employment, any failure to disclose such convictions could result in dismissal or disciplinary action by the Trust. Any information given will be completelyconfidential and will be considered only in relation to an application for positions to which the order applies.
PROTECTION OF CHILDREN
Disclosure Of Criminal Background Of Those With Access To Children
Following a report by the Home Office, the Government accepted its recommendations regarding the disclosure of criminal convictions of those with access to children. If, therefore, the post for which you are applying involves substantial access to children, acheck will be made with the Criminal Records Bureau as to whether you have a criminal record, before the appointment can be confirmed. In general, a child is taken to mean someone under the age of 16, but this may be interpreted flexibly in relation to “vulnerable adults” ( e.g. persons with a learning disability )
Appendices should be used to provide further specific details of hospitals and Specialties with this programme, e.g.
Appendix A
Weekly job plan/timetable for ST3 Trainee in Clinical Genetics
MondayTuesdayWednesdayThursdayFriday
a.m.Clinic preparationClinic lettersDepartmental Meeting/Clinic preparationClinic letters
:Audit/Journal Club
p.m.Clinic 1Clinic 2Clinic 3 (Obstetric)Clinic 4 Research/Education/
Consultant:Teaching/Special interest
Consultant:Consultant:ConsultantDr J Eason/Sessions
Dr M. SuriDr A Sarkar/Dr M Suri/Dr N Shannon
Dr N ShannonDr N Shannon/
Dr A Sarkar/
Dr J Eason