Clinical Neuromyelitis Optica Fellow

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; Oxford; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

An exciting opportunity awaits in a highly specialized neurology service focused on rare diseases. Join a dynamic team dedicated to patient care and innovative research in the field of neuromyelitis optica. This role offers the chance to collaborate with leading consultants and contribute to groundbreaking studies while developing your clinical skills. You'll be part of a supportive environment that prioritizes personal and professional growth, with access to excellent training facilities and opportunities to present your work at national and international forums. If you're passionate about neurology and eager to make a difference, this position is perfect for you.

Qualifications

• Completed core medical/paediatric training and MRCP/MRCPCH or equivalent.
• Ability to undertake original clinical research in neurosciences.

Responsibilities

• Work within the National Commissioned Neuromyelitis Optica Team in Oxford.
• Participate in teaching clinical students and training junior doctors.

Skills

Leadership

Organisational skills

Interpersonal skills

Flexibility

Good spoken and written English

Basic computing skills

Team working skills

Education

Core medical/paediatric training

MRCP/MRCPCH or equivalent

GMC registration

Tools

Word processor

Spreadsheet program

Web browser

Job description

Job summary

The National Neuromyelitis Optica (NMO) Service is a Highly Specialised service funded by NHS England for patients with the rare diseases NMOSD (spectrum diseases) and Myelin Oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody associated disease (MOGAD). The services are situated in Oxford and Liverpool to cover England and Scotland with some outreach clinics and an assay service in Oxford. Patients are also seen from Wales and Northern (and southern) Ireland under agreement.

Main duties of the job

Clinical

The post holder's clinical duties will be primarily in the neurology department and with close collaboration with the Walton Centre Liverpool NMO Team.

Aims and responsibilities of post:

Under Consultant supervision to act as one of two clinical neurology fellows to work within the National Commissioned Neuromyelitis Optica (NMO) Team based in Oxford (the national service is shared between Oxford and Liverpool). It will cover paediatric and adult patients, with adults making up the majority, along with a paediatric fellow and the other NMO fellow.

Clinical:

The NMO clinical service covers outpatient clinics which are attended by Professor Palace, Dr Leite (Consultant Neurologists) and Dr Ramdas (Paediatric Neurologist) and Miss Sharma (Neuro-ophthalmology Consultant), two NMO Fellows cross covering each other, 2 Specialist Nurses, a new 2 day psychology post recently agreed, Occupational Therapist and Physiotherapist.

The inpatient service is divided into adult admissions (on the neurosciences ward or the West Wing investigation unit), and the paediatric admissions (on the Paediatric ward under Dr Ramdas).

This service will attract patients mainly from the Southern UK and is a joint National Service with the Liverpool team led by Dr Saif Huda. It involves inpatient assessments and treatment of NMO patients, phone advice to doctors, patients, families and their carers, audit of the service including helping to maintain the database, help in developing the highly specialized service. The NMO fellow will be expected to carry out research studies in NMO and encouraged to obtain a higher degree and to gain experience in presenting and talking at meetings. The post holder may be required to travel to other hospitals, patients houses.

Research Opportunities

The candidate would normally have completed their core medical/paediatric training and wish for a career in a neurologically associated specialty.

The candidate is expected to obtain a higher research degree during this post.

Clinical and basic science research is integrated within the NMO team. These include focusing on Neuroimmunology experimental models, imaging research, neuropathology and treatment trials. It is expected the post holder will closely collaborate with the Liverpool NMO fellow and the team based there, assessing the functional implications of these, identifying specific phenotypes and testing new drugs.

This post is an exciting opportunity to develop a broad publication portfolio and the post holder will be encouraged to present their work at national and international meetings.

Facilities for study and training

Good library and online facilities are available at The John Radcliffe Hospital and at other libraries in the Central Oxford Hospitals. There is a specialist training program monthly on Fridays, which trainees at this stage can join.

Teaching, Audit and Research

Participation in audit is required.

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust is a teaching hospital trust, and the post-holder will be required to participate in programs for teaching clinical students, training junior doctors and in clinical examinations. It is expected that this will be an integral part of everyday clinical activity. The post-holder's contribution to teaching, training and research will be included in the regular job plan review.

Clinical Governance

The post-holder will participate in all clinical governance activities, including clinical audit, clinical effectiveness, risk management, quality improvement activities as required by the Trust, and external accrediting bodies.

Personal and Professional Development

The post-holder will be required to keep himself/herself fully up-to-date with their relevant area of practice and to be able to demonstrate this to the satisfaction of the Trust. Professional or study leave will be granted at the discretion of the Trust, in line with the prevailing Terms and Conditions of Service, to support appropriate study, postgraduate training activities, relevant CME courses and other appropriate personal development needs.

Management

The post-holder will be required to work within the Trust's management policies and procedures, both statutory and internal, accepting that the resources available to the Trust are finite and that all changes in clinical practice or workload, or developments requiring additional resources must have prior agreement with the Trust. He/she will undertake the administrative duties associated with the care of his/her patients and the running of his/her clinical service under the direction of the lead clinician and/or directorate chair.

Risk Management

The management of risk is the responsibility of everyone and will be achieved within a progressive, honest and open environment.

Staff will be provided with the necessary education, training and support to enable them to meet this responsibility.

Responsibilities for Health & Safety

The post holder is responsible for ensuring that all duties and responsibilities of this post are carried out in compliance with the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974, Statutory Regulations and Trust Policies and Procedures. This will be supported by the provision of training and specialist advice where required.

Infection Control

Infection Control is everyone's responsibility. All staff, both clinical and non-clinical, are required to adhere to the Trust's Infection Prevention and Control Policies and make every effort to maintain high standards of infection control at all times thereby reducing the burden of Healthcare Associated Infections.

Equality and Diversity

The OUH values equality and diversity in employment and in the services we provide. We are committed to promoting equality and diversity in employment and will keep under review our policies and procedures to ensure that the job related needs of all staff working in the Trust are recognized.

Freedom of Information

The post holder should be aware of the responsibility placed on employees under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and is responsible for helping to ensure that the Trust complies with the Act when handling or dealing with any information relating to Trust activity.

General

The post-holder will assume a continuing responsibility for the care of patients in his/her charge and the proper functioning of his/her department.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

• General core medical or paediatric training completed.

Research

Essential

• Ability to undertake direct original clinical research in the neurosciences.
• Ability to write papers and ability to be able to analyze data with training.

Skills

Essential

• Leadership - ability to motivate and aid other members of the team.
• Organisational skills
• Good personal/interpersonal skills
• Flexibility, ability to multitask and motivate others
• Good spoken and written English
• Able to take on responsibility and communicate within the team.
• Basic computing skills
• Team working skills

Desirable

• Ability to use word processor, spreadsheet program and web browser
• Basic Analysis skills.

Knowledge

Essential

• Good general medical knowledge at level expected of core medical training

Desirable

• Knowledge of the organisation of the NHS

Driving

Essential

• Due to need to visit outreach sites the person should be able to drive and own a car

Essential

Essential

• MRCP/ MRCPCH or equivalent
• GMC registration

Desirable

• Evidence of interest in a Neurological Specialty.
• Demyelination
• NMO interest