Spinal Muscular Atrophy & Mitochondrial Disorders Clinical Fellow

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; Oxford; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

Join the Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust as a Clinical Fellow focusing on Spinal Muscular Atrophy and Mitochondrial Disorders. This role offers a unique opportunity to gain specialist experience in diagnosing and managing patients, work collaboratively in a cutting-edge service, and participate in significant research while enhancing your training in adult and paediatric neurology.

Qualifications

• Evidence of interest in a neurologically associated specialty.
• Ability to undertake direct original clinical research in the neurosciences.

Responsibilities

• Delivery of Nusinersen (Spinraza) for both children and adults.
• Liaising with the SMA administrator for arranging the daycase admission.
• Attending mitochondrial clinics and MDT meetings.

Skills

Leadership

Organisational skills

Interpersonal skills

Team working skills

Analytical skills

Education

GMC full registration

MRCP, MRCPCH or equivalent

Job description

Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) & Mitochondrial Disorders Clinical Fellow at the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford

Start Date: March 2026

This is an exciting opportunity for a trainee in adult or paediatric neurology or metabolic medicine (or a doctor hoping to specialise in neurology or an allied specialty) to gain specialist experience in the diagnosis and management of adult and paediatric patients with SMA, other neuromuscular conditions, and mitochondrial disorders through a new position in the Oxford SMA Service and NHS England Highly Specialised Service for Rare Mitochondrial Diseases. GMC registration required.

The Oxford Adult and Paediatric Muscle Services and NHS England Highly Specialised Services for Rare Mitochondrial Disorders work collaboratively and have a strong research portfolio with national and international collaborations. In addition, there are several educational opportunities within these specialist services which include muscle - radiology, pathology, and genetics MDT meetings. The post is primarily aimed at individuals wishing to develop specialty skills in the diagnosis and management of patients with neuromuscular disorders. However, there will be research projects for the individual to pursue.

For specific enquiries regarding clinical and research details associated with the please post contact: Dr Sithara Ramdas ([e-mail]), Dr Victoria Nesbitt ([e-mail]), or Dr Stefen Brady ([e-mail]).

Main duties of the job

Under Consultant supervision to act as the Oxford SMA Service clinical fellow working within the Oxford Adult & Paediatric Muscle Services and Nationally Commissioned NHS England Highly Specialised Services for Rare Mitochondrial Disorders.

The post holder will be responsible for the delivery of the Nusinersen (Spinraza) for both children and adults. They will be responsible in liaison with the SMA administrator for arranging the daycase admission for adults (Neurosciences ward or the West Wing Neurosciences Investigation Unit), and the paediatric (Paediatric daycase ward). Jointly working with the SMA administrator, the post holder, will liaise with interventional radiology (IR) when patients require IR support for lumbar puncture. An IR dedicated list has been agreed but patients will need to be booked into the list after discussion with neuroradiology administrative team.

If the post holder is an adult trainee, they will have support from paediatric neurology trainees to perform lumbar punctures in children.

Mitochondrial service:

NHS England Highly Specialised Services for Rare Mitochondrial Disorders is only one of three specialist mitochondrial services in the UK. This service covers both children and adults with mitochondrial disorders. The post holder will be expected to attend mitochondrial clinics and MDT meetings.

About us

The Oxford SMA Service is a newly NHS England funded SMA treatment centre in England. It is the only service combining the management of both paediatric and adult patients with SMA in a single service.

The SMA Service covers daycase admissions for intrathecal Nusinersen (Spinraza) treatment, a regional specialist SMA outpatient clinic, and MDT meetings led byDr Brady (Consultant Neurologist and Clinical Lead of the Oxford Adult Muscle Service) and Dr Ramdas (Consultant Paediatric Neurologist and Clinical Lead of the Oxford Paediatric Muscle Service). The NHS England Highly Specialised Services for Rare Mitochondrial Disorders is one of only three such services in the UK. It includes specialist MDT outpatient clinics and MDT meetings. The clinical lead is Dr Nesbitt (Consultant Paediatrician and Clinical Lead of NHS England Highly Specialised Services for Rare Mitochondrial Disorders).

Job description

Job responsibilities

Under Consultant supervision to act as the Oxford SMA Service clinical fellow working within the Oxford Adult & Paediatric Muscle Services and NHS England Highly Specialised Services for Rare Mitochondrial Disorders.

The post holder will be responsible for the delivery of the Nusinersen (Spinraza) for both children and adults. They will be responsible in liaison with the SMA administrator arranging the daycase admission for adults (Neurosciences ward or the West Wing Neurosciences Investigation Unit), and the paediatric (Paediatric daycare ward). Jointly working with the SMA administrator, the post holder will liaise with intervention radiology (IR) when IR support for lumbar punctures mis required. A dedicated IR list has been agreed. Patients will need to be booked into the list after discussion with neuroradiology administrative team.

If the post holder is an adult trainee, they will have support from paediatric neurology trainees to perform lumbar punctures in children.

The post holder will complete the SMA REACH medical assessments and will be responsible for all SMA REACH database enquiries.

Regional neuromuscular service:

The Adult & Paediatric Muscle Services are the regional specialist neuromuscular service for the Oxfordshire and the surrounding counties.

Depending on the post holders interest they will have opportunity to attend the paediatric or adult muscle clinics and MDTs.

Mitochondrial service:

NHS England Highly Specialised Services for Rare Mitochondrial Diseases is only one of three specialist mitochondrial services in the UK. This service covers both children and adult patients. The post holder will be expected to attend mitochondrial clinics and MDTs.

Person Specification

Qualifications/ Training

Essential

• Evidence of interest in a Neurologically associated specialty Adult or Paediatric)
• GMC full registration

Desirable

• MRCP, MRCPCH or equivalent

Experience

Essential

• Minimum 6 months NHS experience

Desirable

• General core medical or Paediatric training completed according to training requirements

Research

Essential

• Ability to undertake direct original clinical research in the neurosciences

Skills

Essential

• Leadership - ability to motivate and aid other members of the team.
• Organisational skills
• Good personal/interpersonal skills
• Able to take on responsibility and communicate within the team
• Basic computing skills
• Team working skills
• Good writing and analytical skills
• Good Written English

Desirable

• Evidence of ability to use word processor, spreadsheet programme and web browser
• Evidence of ability to write papers and present

Knowledge

Essential

• Good general medical knowledge at level expected of core medical training according to training requirements

Desirable

• Knowledge of the organisation of the NHS

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