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Clinical Fellowship in Obstetric Anaesthesia
Description of the post - Specialty
Anaesthesia & Intensive Care Medicine
Grade/Level
ST5 + or equivalent
Location
North East London
Site
Homerton
Website
www.homerton.nhs.uk
Educational Supervisors:
Dr Sara Bowman
Dr Lionel Davies
Dr Jens Full
Dr Tom Gilkes
Dr Deane Halfpenny
Dr Paul Howell
Dr Dan Jacobs
Dr Santanu Mukhophadyay
Dr Haresh Mulchandani
Dr Sebastian Murray
Dr Sade Okutubo
Dr Desikan Rangarajan
Dr Christian Schwiebert
Dr Akshat Shah
Dr Tabitha Tanqueray
Dr Tim Webb
Dr Ee-Min Wong
Department Information:
The anaesthetic department at the Homerton is situated within a new theatre
complex at the heart of the hospital. There are 15 consultants covering
general/obstetrics and a further 6 covering a busy intensive care unit.
Anaesthesia is provided within the main hospital in 6 modern theatres and in a
day unit with a further 3 theatres. Two theatres are dedicated to obstetrics to
meet the high turnover of cases.
The practice of medicine at the hospital reflects the multicultural inner city
population, with chronic inter-current disease states making routine anaesthesia
more of a challenge. There are nearly 500 acute beds, a large Accident and
Emergency Department and a nine bedded Intensive Care/High Dependency
Unit.
The department provides 24-hour cover for obstetric anaesthesia and offers an
on-demand epidural service. There is a dedicated 24-hour obstetric theatre and
elective caesarean section lists operate daily. There are currently more than
6000 deliveries per year with a 23% caesarean section rate. There is a high
incidence of challenging and complex obstetric problems: A recent audit
established that, at booking, only 20% of patients were classed as “low risk”.
Homerton is the Regional Neonatal Tertiary referral centre and therefore deals
with a significant number of in-utero transfers of premature or high risk babies.
There are two anaesthetic trainees dedicated to the labour ward 24 hours a day
to ensure safe obstetric service provision. These trainees have immediate
access to an experienced consultant at all times. The obstetric and neonatal unit
at Homerton has recently undergone significant expansion with the development
of the Perinatal Centre, to accommodate increasing delivery numbers.
DUTIES OF THE POST
The clinical fellow will be responsible to a nominated consultant and to the
Clinical Director of the department and will be expected to work with consultants
to maintain standards, education and develop both clinical and nonclinical skills.
The successful candidate will work a full shift pattern and will provide elective
and emergency cover. In addition, protected time will be allocated for research
and quality improvement initiatives. This post offers ample opportunity to gain
experience in the management of the high risk parturient under supervision from
established and experienced obstetric anaesthetists. The post holder will have
the opportunity to attend high risk obstetric and anaesthetic clinics. Flexibility is
essential to ensure smooth service provision alongside training.
JOB PLAN
Resident 1:8 full shift. EWTD 09 compliant 48 hour week
REQUIREMENTS
This 12 month post would be suitable for post fellowship trainees (or equivalent)
seeking to expand their experience in obstetric anaesthesia. Applicants already
with or in close proximity to achieving a CCT in anaesthesia will be at an
advantage. The fellowship closely matches the advanced curriculum set out by
the Royal College of Anaesthetists and will allow the post holder to develop as a
well-rounded clinician equipped to meet the challenges of a consultant role. An
enthusiasm for working as a member of a multidisciplinary team is essential.
TEACHING, STUDY AND TRAINING
The anaesthetist will be allocated to individual educational supervisors, who will
ensure that training and competencies are developed according to the RCOA
guidelines.
There is a weekly academic anaesthetic meeting at the Trust, which the
appointed anaesthetist is expected to attend and contribute to. The Homerton
Anaesthetic Department has a selection of up to date reference texts plus
network computers allowing access to the internet, intranet and preparation of
PowerPoint presentations. There is a Postgraduate Medical Education Centre,
which runs regular lunchtime meetings for trainees, and there is a well-equipped
library and audiovisual department.
The applicant will also be required to demonstrate an interest and a willingness
to teach and train junior members as well as other members of the
multidisciplinary labour ward team.
As part of professional development, the successful candidate will be nurtured
to improve management and leadership skills in preparation for a consultant
post.
AUDIT AND RESEARCH
The appointee will be expected to contribute to departmental clinical governance
activities essential in preserving a quality service. These activities will be fully
supported and there is a wealth of information captured on to our paperless
patient record system. There are established internal forums for presentation
and generating action plans.
Though previous research experience is not essential, the fellow will be
expected to participate in ongoing projects. The post holder will also be
encouraged to initiate projects, present their work at national/international
meetings and through publication in peer reviewed journals. The fellow will also
be encouraged to attend a research methodology and development course.
STUDY LEAVE AND ANNUAL LEAVE
Study leave will be granted in accordance with the terms and conditions of
service of Hospital Medical and Dental Staff. Study leave must be applied for at
least six weeks in advance and if possible more than six weeks notice should be
given. Application forms for study leave must be passed to the anaesthetic
coordinator.
Annual leave entitlement will be 27 days per annum, + 2 Statutory Days + Bank
Holidays allowing one day on call for each week. If a weekend on call falls in
this period the individual is responsible for swapping this.
MAIN CONDITIONS OF SERVICE
This appointment is for 12 months which includes a 3 months probationary
period. It is subject to formal clinical performance review by the Clinical Director.
The appointment is subject to three months notice from either party.
The appointment is in line with the National Health Service Terms and
Conditions of Service for Hospital Medical and Dental Staff (England and
Wales), the General Whitely Council Conditions of Service, and unless the
practitioner "opts out", or is ineligible to join, the regulations governing the
National Health Service Superannuation Scheme - all as may be amended from
time to time.
Whenever possible leave requests should be made in writing six weeks before
the start of the intended leave, and the leave must be discussed with the
anaesthetic coordinator.
CONDITIONS OF APPOINTMENT
The appointment will be subject to passing satisfactorily a health-screening
questionnaire, which, if deemed necessary, will be followed up by a medical
examination arranged through the Occupational Health Department prior to
appointment.
The passing of a medical examination shall be a condition of employment for all
new entrants to the National Health Service and for those returning to the Health
Service after a period of service outside Great Britain.
The Practitioner is required to be fully registered with the General Medical
Council.
Medical negligence indemnity is provided by the Trust for all duties covered by
this post. Post-holders should acquaint themselves with those aspects of
medical practice not covered by this indemnity.
DATE WHEN POST IS VACANT – February 2016, (flexible can start as early
as Aug 2015)
DETAILS OF ARRANGEMENTS FOR APPLICANTS VISITING HOSPITALS
AND MEETING EXISTING MEMBERS OF STAFF
Arrangements to visit the hospital can be made via Teresa Araniello,
Department of Anaesthesia secretary on 020 8510 5218.
Appendix 1 Working week template for rota
Rolling template over 8 week period
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
day
mon
tue
wed
thu
fri
sat
sun
Week 1
LD
LD
LD
LD
OFF
Key
On call for ITU or obstetrics
LD
0800 to 2030hrs
N
2000-0830hrs
Theatre lists 0800- 1700hrs
Week 2
Theatres
Theatres
Theatres
Theatres
N
N
N
Week 3
OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
Week 4
Theatres
Theatres
Theatres
Theatres
Theatres
Week 5
N
N
N
N
OFF
Week 6
Theatres
Theatres
Theatres
Theatres
LD
LD
LD
Week 7
OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
Week 8
Theatres
Theatres
Theatres
Theatres
Theatres