Job Description

For

Consultant Orthopaedic Spinal Surgeon

2008

CONSULTANT IN ORTHOPAEDIC SURGERY

JOB OUTLINE

APPOINTMENT

Applications are invited for a Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, with a special interest in Spinal Surgery, at the Royal United Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Bath. You will work within the Orthopaedic Department and as part of the Spinal Team with three Consultant colleagues to provide a comprehensive service in spinal surgery for the RUH area. The RUH maintains a population of approximately 500,000 and also services referrals from the Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases. The spinal surgery service includes the provision of spinal trauma, degenerative disorders of the spine, adult spinal deformity surgery and in addition you will need to be involved in a spinal oncology service. All aspects of spinal pathology are managed except paediatric spinal deformity which is managed only on an outpatient basis. Paediatric patients needing surgery are referred to a tertiary centre.

THE DEPARTMENT OF ORTHOPAEDICS

The Department is situated in RUH west which was opened in 1992. The Directorate has 84 beds spread across 3 wards, including a dedicated ring fenced elective ward and 2 trauma wards The Main Theatres block contains eight theatres, four with laminar flow ventilation. There is a dedicated day care unit with a separate theatre complex. We have a full range of ITU and HDU facilities.

The Directorate is comprised of the following medical staff with their sub-speciality interest:

1 x Consultant with a special interest in surgery of the spine and hand.

1 x Consultant Children’s Orthopaedic surgery & Sports Medicine.

1 x Consultant Arthroscopy & knee surgery.

1 x Consultant Brachial plexus injuries, surgery of the spine and bone tumours.

1 x Consultant Trauma & shoulder surgery.

1 x Consultant Hand & elbow Surgery.

1 x Consultant Trauma & revision hip surgery.

1 x Consultant Trauma and knee surgery.

1 x Consultant (Lead Clinician) Trauma and hip revision surgery.

1 x Consultant Trauma & spinal surgery.

1 x Consultant Hand, elbow and trauma surgery

1 x Consultant Foot and ankle, & trauma surgery.

1 x Consultant Knee & trauma surgery

1 x Consultant Trauma and hip revision surgery

1 x Consultant Trauma & shoulder surgery.

You will be part of the spinal team and work closely with Physiotherapy extended scope practitioners.

In addition, the department has 3 Associate Specialists, 2 Staff Grades, 8 Specialist Registrars, 1 Clinical Assistant, 6 Specialty Trainees, and 4 Foundation Year 2 trainees.

The Orthopaedic unit is a recognised centre for the training of Specialist Registrars.

There is an active Postgraduate teaching and research programme within the department with 18 Junior and Career Grade medical staff. The post holder will be involved in the teaching programme.

The Royal United Hospital in Bath is situated in South West of England in the city of Bath. This is close to Junction 18 on the M4 motorway and approximately10 miles from Bristol and 1.5 hours by rail from London. Bath is a world heritage city in an area of outstanding natural beauty.

All applicants must either be on the GMC Specialist Register or within six months of obtaining CCST at the time of interview. Informal enquiries are welcomed to the Clinical Lead for Orthopaedics (01225 821197) or alternately the Consultant Spinal Surgeon (01225 824457).

OFFICE AND SECRETARIAL FACILITIES

Full Secretarial support will be provided and personal office space is available.

ACADEMIC FACILITIES

There is a large and active Postgraduate Medical Centre on the Royal United Hospital site and the Education Centre has excellent Library facilities. A purpose built Medical Sciences Block provides laboratories for research and among other facilities houses the department of Medical Illustration. The Dean and Professor of Surgery is Michael Horrocks who is a vascular surgeon. There are close links with basic science departments in the University of Bath, which has a Dept. of Medical Sciences in the Science Faculty.

There is a long tradition of research, postgraduate medical education, and a regular supply of undergraduate students from the Universities of Bristol, Oxford and Southampton. In addition students from many other medical schools spend their elective period in Bath, and all Consultants are expected to participate.

Formal medical audit in the Department is in operation.

A weekly teaching session takes place on a Friday afternoon in conjunction with Severn Deanery, usually at the Avon Orthopaedic Centre, Bristol. A monthly case conference takes place in the PGMC, Bath.

CLINICAL GOVERNANCE

The NHS Executive has defined Clinical Governance as:

“A framework through which NHS organisations are accountable for continuously improving the quality of their services and safeguarding high standards of care by creating an environment in which excellence in clinical care will flourish”

In line with Government requirements, the Trust has established a clinical governance committee. The Chief Executive is the accountable officer and the lead is the Medical Director, who is responsible for ensuring that systems for clinical governance are in place and monitoring their continued effectiveness.

As part of the requirements of clinical governance, the Trust’s Committee is ensuring that all hospital doctors participate in audit programmes, including, where appropriate, specialty and sub-specialty national audit programmes endorsed by the Commission for Health Improvement.

Procedures are being developed for all professional groups to identify and remedy poor performance, including critical incident reporting, professional performance and supporting staff to report any concerns they may have about colleagues’ professional conduct and performance.

THE POST

Details of the Post

(1) Clinical Duties: The holder of this post will be an Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, with a specialist interest in spinal surgery and may participate on the general Trauma rota. The post involves a strong commitment to the spinal disorders service as well as general Orthopaedics and Trauma in conjunction with the current members of the spinal team.

The post will be based at the RUH and the holder will participate in audit and directorate meetings and undertake administrative duties as required by the Lead Clinician of Orthopaedics.

A commitment to maintain professional expertise by attendance at meetings and courses is expected, and completion of diaries for CME is essential. It is also essential that you have an annual appraisal.

An interest in research and teaching is expected with participation in projects, courses, etc to enhance the standing and role of the Department and Trust.

Attendance at, and organisation of, meetings is expected

The post holder will be expected to cover for colleagues absent on leave.

(2) Management Duties: The post holder will be expected to work with local managers and professional colleagues in the efficient running of services and will share with Consultant colleagues in the medical contribution to management.

The holder will be expected to take an active role in the development of resource management and to assist in the preparation of business plans.

Consultants are required to undertake the administrative duties associated with the care of patients and the running of clinical areas where they work.

(3) General Requirements: Subject to the provisions of the Terms and Conditions of Service, the post holder will be expected to observe the Trust's agreed policies and procedures, drawn up in consultation with the profession on clinical matters and to follow the standing orders and financial instructions of the Trust.

WORK PROGRAMME

The post involves a standard NHS 10 Programmed Activity (PA) contract. Two Programmed Activities are allocated to share the general Orthopaedic on call trauma rota. The on call commitment is 1 in 10 or 1 in 12 depending on our further departmental developments. Two and a half SPA’s are allocated per week for audit, governance, education, professional development, meetings etc; You will be expected to do the remaining PAs as fracture clinics, spinal clinics, general orthopaedic clinics, theatre sessions and ward rounds.

The work programme will be reviewed on an annual basis and agreed with the post holder, General Manager and Lead Clinician. Where possible a regular timetable will be established, however the nature of the post requires the post holder to be flexible in order to maximise theatre and clinic capacity. Local procedures will be followed in the event of any disagreement over proposed changes, culminating in an appeal to the Trust Board.

Trauma Rota

This is flexible in negotiation and would be a maximum of 1 in 10 / 12. The on call rota is however currently under review

If the post holder is required to participate in the trauma rota the requirement is to work Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday followed by Friday, Saturday and Sunday as days off. The next period of on-call will be 4-5 weeks thereafter, working on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, followed by Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday as days off.

Please note that a requirement of weekend working is that in addition to be continuously on-call you will be required to be present on site for the Saturday and Sunday during normal working hours. As with all on-call commitments there may be occasions when you will be required to work additional hours.

As part of this arrangement it will be the responsibility of the Orthopaedic Consultants to arrange and maintain the rota to accommodate annual, study and special leave requirements. A minimum of six weeks notice for all leave is required.

COMMENCEMENT OF DUTIES

The appointee will be required to take up the post late in 2008.

If you consider it is unlikely that you will be able to take up the appointment within such a period, you are advised to highlight this at the time of your application.

ACCOUNTABILITY

The Chief Executive is managerially responsible for the services provided by the Trust and the Lead Clinician of Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery is responsible for the provision of the service. The post holder will be responsible for the discharge of their contractual duties through the Lead Clinician of Orthopaedics to the Chief Executive.

The Royal United Hospital Bath NHS Trust will take direct responsibility for costs and damages arising from medical negligence in the treatment of NHS patients, where they (as employers) are vicariously liable for the acts and omissions of their medical and dental staff. However, it is strongly advised that the person appointed maintains defence body membership in order to cover any work, which does not fall within the scope of the hospital policy.

A medical professional indemnity scheme is available to cover compensation (including claimants' costs and expenses) arising from medical negligence in the treatment of private patients at the Royal United Hospital. It is a condition of this policy that all employed and non-employed consultants involved in the business of the Royal United Hospital shall be a member of a Medical Defence Organisation.

CONDITIONS OF SERVICE

The Trust Terms and Conditions will apply alongside the terms and conditions set out in the new Consultant Contract. The post will entail a minimum of 10 Programmed Activities of work.

HEALTH AND SAFETY

The Royal United Hospital Bath NHS Trust recognises its duties under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 to ensure, as far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety and welfare at work of all its employees and in addition, the business of the Trust shall be conducted so as to ensure that patients, their relatives, contractors, voluntary workers, visitors and members of the public having access to the Trust premises and facilities are not exposed to risk to their health and safety.

All medical and dental staff under contract to the Trust will be expected to comply with the appropriate Health and Safety Policies.

MEDICAL EXAMINATION/SCREENING

At any stage of your employment you may be required to undergo a medical examination to confirm your fitness to undertake your duties. All medical and dental practitioners are appointed subject to medical screening. Vaccinations and immunisations except Yellow Fever may be obtained by contacting the Occupational Health Department at the Royal United Hospital on Extension 4064.

This post has been identified as one involved with exposure prone procedures. As such, satisfactory Hepatitis B status is a condition of your employment with this Trust. You will be required to either undergo the immunisation process or produce written evidence of satisfactory Hepatitis B status prior to taking up this appointment.

As this appointment will provide substantial access to children, an enhanced Criminal Records Bureau check on convictions will also be necessary.

ANNUAL LEAVE

6 weeks plus up to two days per annum pro-rata to be approved by the Lead Clinician. Requests should be submitted at least six weeks before leave is required. Requests for annual leave over three weeks should be submitted three months before leave is required. Up to 5 annual leave days may be carried over from one leave year to the next with the agreement of the Lead Clinician.

STUDY/PROFESSIONAL LEAVE

The recommended standard is 30 days, including off duty days within the leave period, in any three years in relation to leave with pay and reasonable expenses in the United Kingdom, with the approval of the Lead Clinician. A minimum of eight weeks notice is required.

RESIDENCE

Residence must be within 10 miles by road or within 30 minutes travelling time from the RUH and be maintained in contact with the public telephone service. The appointee must have a current driving licence.

REMOVAL EXPENSES

In accordance with the Trust Terms and Conditions of Service, removal expenses may be payable to the successful candidate.

CANVASSING

Candidates should note that canvassing any member of the Advisory Appointments Committee or the RUH NHS Trust will result in their being disqualified (see Statutory Instrument 1983 No 276 para 8,1,b).

VISITING

Candidates are encouraged to visit the hospital.

SMOKING

It is the policy of this Trust to promote positive health. Smoking, therefore, is prohibited in the Hospital and grounds, including offices.

OTHER FACILITIES

a) There is an active Health and Fitness Centre, tennis courts and swimming pool all on the site.

b) There are a number of car parks scattered throughout the hospital site and a limited amount of garage accommodation for renting.

c) The Royal United Hospital is situated on the outskirts of Bath in Weston Village, where there is a comprehensive range of shops and a branch of the public library.