RECRUITMENT ROLE PROFILE
Job Title: Clinical Associate Professor in Neurosurgery
School/Department: School of Medicine, Division of Child Health, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Children’s Brain Tumour Research Centre
Salary: £75,249 - £101,451 per annum, depending on seniority
Hours of work: Full-time
Location: The Medical School, University of Nottingham and Queen’s Medical Centre (University Hospital NHS Trust), Nottingham
Responsible to: Professor Richard Grundy, Clinical Professor of Neuro-Oncology and Cancer Biology, Children’s Brain Tumour Research Centre
Iain Robertson, Head of Service for Neurosurgery, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust
Job outline:
The Children’s Brain Tumour Research Centre (CBTRC) at the University of Nottingham is seeking a full-time Clinical Associate Professor to develop a research programme focussing on drug delivery to brain tumours, one of the key established research themes of the Centre. The post combines academic research with a defined number of neurosurgical clinical activities and responsibilities at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust (50:50).
The successful applicant will have an excellent track record in research and be expected to continue to add to their existing track record of successful grant applications and publications in high impact factor peer reviewed journals for research related to neuro-Oncology. The appointee will be expected to assist in strengthening links between clinical and basic sciences in Nottingham and to drive forwards the Clinical trials agenda in Neuro-Oncology and enhance the clinical care of patients with brain tumours.
Children’s Brain Tumour Research Centre
The Children’s Brain Tumour Research Centre (CBTRC) (http://www.cbtrc.org) is in the Division of Child Health, Obstetrics & Gynaecology (COG), in the School of Medicine at The University of Nottingham. CBTRC brings together a multi-disciplinary team of healthcare professionals and researchers committed to improving the biological understanding, treatment and outcomes of childhood and adult brain tumours. Key research themes include:
· Improving current knowledge and understanding of the full range of biological factors driving the development of brain tumours during early human development
· maximising the efficacy of drug treatments by developing novel targeted drugs, optimising drug delivery and integrated testing within national and international clinical trials’ programmes
The Senior Academics in the Division of Child Health, Obstetrics & Gynaecology
Professor Alan Smyth Professor of Child Health and Head of Division
Professor Jim Thornton Professor of Obstetrics & Gynaecology & Deputy Head of Division
Professor Richard Grundy Professor of Neuro-Oncology and Cancer Biology
Professor David Walker Professor of Paediatric Oncology
Dr Helen Budge Clinical Associate Professor and Reader in Neonatology
Dr William Whitehouse Clinical Senior Lecturer in Paediatric Neurology
Dr Don Sharkey Clinical Associate Professor of Neonatology
Dr Jon Dorling Clinical Associate Professor in Neonatal Medicine
Dr Nia Jones (Bridgewater) Clinical Associate Professor in Obstetrics Gynaecology
Dr William Atiomo Clinical Associate Professor in Obstetrics Gynaecology
Dr Pamela Loughna Clinical Senior Lecturer in Obstetrics Gynaecology
Dr Beth Coyle Associate Professor of Cancer Biology
Professor Harish Vyas Honorary Professor of Paediatric Respiratory Medicine
Professor Alan Watson Emeritus Professor in Paediatric Nephrology
Professor Sir David Hull Emeritus Professor of Child Health
Professor Leon Polnay Emeritus Professor of Community Child Health
Professor Nick Rutter Emeritus Professor of Child Health
Mr Donald MacArthur Honorary Lecturer in Paediatric Neurosurgery
Ms Maria Cartmill Honorary Lecturer in Paediatric Neurosurgery
The Neurosurgical Consultants within the NHS
Mr Iain Robertson Head of Service
Mr Richard Ashpole Consultant Neurosurgeon
Mr Surajit Basu Consultant Neurosurgeon
Mr Paul Byrne Consultant Neurosurgeon
Mr Graham Dow Consultant Neurosurgeon
Mr Barrie White Consultant Neurosurgeon
Mr Michael Vloeberghs Consultant neurosurgeon
DIVISION OF CHILD HEALTH, OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY (COG)
The COG Division is a vibrant, active department with an international reputation for research excellence, innovation, training in research and teaching of child and women’s health. Key areas of strength within Child Health (in addition to the Children’s Brain Tumour Research Centre) are: the Early Life Research Unit, Paediatric Neurosciences and Paediatric Respiratory Medicine. We are closely linked with the Nottingham Children’s Hospital in the University Hospital (Queen’s Medical Centre) and with Neonatal Intensive Care and Fetal Medicine in Nottingham.
This postThe post combines academic research and teaching with neurosurgical clinical activities and responsibilities at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust (50:50).
Research and teaching:
Malignant brain tumours are the leading cause of cancer related death in children and young adults in the UK and current treatments only extend survival to an average of 14 months. Moreover, there has been little improvement in survival over the last 20 years. Alongside clinicians and scientists within the Children’s Brain Tumour Research Centre, the successful applicant will drive thinking forward for the selection of the next phase of human drug trials in brain cancers of all ages. It is envisaged that this will be achieved using the latest methods of pre-clinical drug selection, combined with new thinking on drug delivery aimed at by-passing the blood brain barrier and tailoring drug delivery to the varied clinical situations which present in these diseases at different ages.
One of the biggest challenges facing Neuro-oncology currently is organising the diverse heath care teams that presently provide treatment into one cohesive service that offers a holistic and effective evidence based approach. In essence, a personalised medicines approach that will undoubtedly improve patients experience and in turn outcomes. Successful research driven service improvements in Neuro-oncology are clearly urgently required, in order to achieve these aims in Nottingham University and NUH Trust we propose to invest in Academic Neurosurgery as the key driver to future success.
As a member of the senior academic staff the post-holder will be required to supervise and mentor postgraduate students and other junior researchers in the unit. Contribution to courses within the medical school curriculum may be required in addition to a teaching element within the clinical care responsibilities.
Laboratory space will be provided within Professor Grundy’s Laboratory in the Children’s Brain Tumour Research Centre currently based in the School of Life Sciences within the Medical school. The laboratory aspect of this post will be supported by the appointment of a Research Assistant for 5 years. A fixed fund for Laboratory consumables will also be made available in discussion with Professor Grundy.
Clinical
It is envisaged that the appointee will, at least initially concentrate on Neuro-Oncology, developing the clinical service for patients admitted with suspected brain tumours at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, including the development of a post Neuro-Oncology Multidisciplinary Team meeting clinic.
A full range of neurosurgical emergency patients are admitted to Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust and the appointee will be responsible for the management of those patients admitted under his/her care.
Provision with Consultant colleagues of a comprehensive elective and emergency neurosurgical service.
Provision of reciprocal cover for periods of leave.
Continuing responsibility for the care of patients in his/her charge and the proper functioning of the department.
These duties are subject to review from time to time in the light of the changing requirements of the service. If alterations to the described duties are required these will be mutually agreed between the appointee, his/her Consultant colleagues and the Trust.
Administrative Support
Office, computer and laboratory space will be provided within Children’s Brain Tumour Research Centre currently based in the School of Life Sciences within the Medical school.
Office accommodation and administrative support will also be provided by the Trust, as will a PC with e-mail and Internet access for clinical work. In addition some administrative support will be provided through the division of COG.
JOB PLAN & TIMETABLE
The following draft Job Plan reflects our best assessment of what the final plan will be, based on 10 PAs.
Any consultant who is unable, for personal reasons, to work full-time, will be eligible to be considered for the post on a part-time basis; if such a person is appointed, modification of the job content will be discussed on a personal basis with the Trust in consultation with consultant colleagues.
This service provided by neurosurgery is provided across both campuses, but your primary base is Queen’s Medical Centre.
The proposed Job Plan is detailed in this job description.
TIMETABLE
Week / Mon / Tues / Wed / Thurs / Fri / Sat/Sun1 / AM / Academic / On-Call
PM
2 / AM / On-Call
PM
3 / AM / Ward round / PAC / Academic / Theatre list / Academic
PM / Tumour Clinic / OPD
4 / AM / Ward round / PAC / Academic / Theatre list / Academic
PM / Tumour Clinic / OPD
5 / AM / Ward round / PAC / Academic / Theatre list / Academic
PM / Tumour Clinic / OPD
6 / AM / Ward round / PAC / Academic / Theatre list / Academic
PM / Tumour Clinic / OPD
7 / AM / Academic
PM
8 / AM / Academic
PM
9 / AM / Ward round / PAC / Academic / Theatre list / Academic
PM / Tumour Clinic / OPD
10 / AM / Ward round / PAC / Academic / Theatre list / Academic
PM / Tumour Clinic / OPD
Annualised Job Plan
Under the new Academic Consultant Contract, no Consultant can be required to work more than 10 Programmed Activities (PAs). The following draft Job Plan reflects the best assessment of the final job plan, based on 10 PAs.
Direct Clinical Care and clinical supporting Professional Activities:
Programmed Activity / PAs / CommentInpatient clinical care / 26 annually
Tumour clinics/OPD / 50 annually
Theatre / 50 annually
CPD, audit, clinical governance / 6 annually
On call / 70 annually / Divided between weekends and weeknights
Annualised Subtotal / 202 annually
Weekly total / Approx 5 PAs
University Research & Teaching:
Programmed Activity / PAs / CommentResearch and teaching / 218 annually
Annualised Subtotal / 218 annually
Weekly total / Approx 5 PAs
On-call supplement:
Rota Frequency: / 1:11Category: / A
On-call Supplement: / 3%
Notes: This timetable reflects a 10 PA per week job plan annualised with direct clinical care PAs, clinical supporting PAs and academic PAs. The precise timings of these activities may change within the year but it is expected that the total time dedicated to each activity annually will be as described. Annual and study leave must be taken in non-attending weeks. Provision of reciprocal cover is expected for periods of leave. There is no fixed night on call and periods of attending and on call duties are held with agreement of clinical consultant colleagues. Any applicant who is unable, for personal reasons, to work full-time, will be eligible to be considered for the post on a part-time basis; if such a person is appointed, modification of the job content will be discussed on a personal basis in consultation with the University, the Trust and with consultant colleagues. However, all appointees would be expected to work whole weeks (Monday-Friday) when performing duties as attending clinician.
DUTIES
The appointee will be expected to fulfil the following duties with the agreed Job Plan.
Clinical
A full range of neurosurgical emergency patients are admitted to Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust and the appointee will be responsible for the management of those patients admitted under his/her care.
Provision with Consultant colleagues of a comprehensive elective and emergency neurosurgical service.
Provision of reciprocal cover for periods of leave.
Continuing responsibility for the care of patients in his/her charge and the proper functioning of the department.
These duties are subject to review from time to time in the light of the changing requirements of the service. If alterations to the described duties are required these will be mutually agreed between the appointee, his/her Consultant colleagues and the Trust.
The person appointed will be required to devote substantially the whole of his/her time to the duties of the post and give them priority at all times.
Teaching
Undergraduate medical student teaching began in 1970 and the annual intake of students per year has risen progressively. The Faculty of Medicine has also established a graduate entry programme at Derby. Members of the School of Medicine contribute to courses throughout the medical school curriculum in addition to taking part in bedside and topic teaching. The successful candidate will be expected to play a full role in undergraduate and postgraduate teaching.
As a member of the senior academic staff of the Academic Division, the Clinical Associate Professor will be expected to participate in the training and mentoring of Academic Clinical Fellows and clinical academic trainees.
Research, Governance and Audit
Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust is committed to the development of Clinical Governance. The approach taken is to develop actions plans at a directorate level. Each member of the medical staff is expected to take an active role in clinical governance activities within their directorate and each directorate has a Consultant nominated as Clinical Governance lead. The activities include, (but are not restricted to) audit, incident reporting, review of complaints, risk management, CPD and Evidence Based Practice. Anyone involved in research is required to adhere to the National Framework for Research Governance.
Other Duties as Agreed
The successful candidate may wish to take on other roles alongside their clinical role. Any positions offered by anyone outside the Trust, (e.g. Training Programme Director, Regional College Advisor, Royal College Representative etc,) must be discussed and agreed by Head of service in advance of the position being accepted, so that the impact upon the specialty can be fully considered and any job plan amendments undertaken should the additional role be accepted.
PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS
The Head of Service is managerially responsible for all activity and personnel in the directorate in which the consultant works. The Medical Director, Dr Stephen Fowlie, has overall responsibility for the professional performance of consultants, employed by Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust.
All consultants are expected to comply with management arrangements in place, to follow the guidelines on practice laid down by the General Medical Council’s “Maintaining Good Medical Practice”, and to be accountable to the Trust for their actions and the quality of their work. An annual Consultant Appraisal and Job Plan review is carried out.