Job summary
Clinical Fellow in Gynaecological Oncology (ST5+ level)

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust is seeking an enthusiastic Clinical Fellow in Gynaecological Oncology to join our specialist team at Musgrove Park Hospital.

This post is an excellent opportunity for a senior O&G trainee or post-CCT doctor to develop advanced gynaecological oncology skills before progressing to subspecialty training or a future specialist consultant role. Suitable for doctors working at ST5+ level, the fellowship offers experience beyond that available in many standard SITM posts.

You will gain extensive exposure to gynaecological oncology and advanced laparoscopic surgery, alongside training in colposcopy, outpatient hysteroscopy and vulval disease. Duties include ward rounds, outpatient clinics and theatre lists within a supportive multidisciplinary oncology team.

One day each week is protected for professional development, including research, audit and healthcare improvement, with opportunities for improvement-methodology training, teaching and mentoring.

The department has a strong record of supporting fellows progressing to gynaecological oncology subspecialty training, with previous fellows securing SST posts.

The post is based on a 48-hour working week, including extended theatre days, with no O&G on-call commitment.

Applicants should be clinically competent at ST5+ level and hold full GMC registration with a licence to practice.

Main duties of the job
Healthcare improvement and teaching duties:

• To take part in healthcare improvement work within the gynaecological oncology department, supported by training from a local quality improvement team with a formal training programme or the option of a formal MSc via the University of Exeter (https://www.exeter.ac.uk/postgraduate/taught/medicine/) with extension to MD possible.
• To teach and mentor groups more junior resident doctors with their own healthcare improvement projects, as part of the hospital healthcare improvement network.
• To teach GPVTS trainees and O&G resident Drs who come through the department.
• Opportunity to engage with and develop research projects within the department.

Clinical duties

• To receive training in and maintain a clinical service in colposcopy and outpatient hysteroscopy for investigation of post-menopausal bleeding.
• To receive training in and maintain a clinical service in gynaecological oncology surgery and advanced laparoscopic surgery.
• To participate in ward rounds, outpatient clinics and theatre lists.
• To be aware of, and comply with, the Trust's policies and procedures relating to Clinical Governance and Health & Safety at work, and ensure that their requirements, along with nationally recognised professional standards, are incorporated into clinical practice.
• To undertake all necessary administrative duties associated with the care of his/her patients.

About us
At Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, we're committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer:

• Flexible working options to help you balance work and life
• NHS pension scheme for long-term financial security
• Generous annual leave allowance to recharge and relax
• A strong focus on career development to help you grow and achieve your potential

Additionally, you'll gain access to our Blue Light Card, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS-specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work.

We are proud to foster a diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds.

Why Somerset? Somerset offers the perfect blend of idyllic countryside, outstanding areas of natural beauty, and breathtaking coastlines, with vibrant cities like Bristol, Bath, and Exeter just a short drive away - and only two hours to London.

The region is home to excellent educational facilities, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it's a great place to build both your career and your future.

Somerset truly has it all - the peaceful countryside and cosmopolitan city life, with something for everyone to enjoy.

Job responsibilities
Working Pattern/Rota
48-hour week. (40 plus 8) No on call rota but with 2 long days in theatre. The job is paid in accordance with the MT04/MT05 pay scales (dependent on whether the postholder is ST5 or ST6+ at commencement). You will be working alongside another gynae oncology fellow, with expectation of flexible working to cover leave.

The weekly programme is flexible week to week, but includes:

• Ward rounds (pre- and 1--2 sessions postoperative) with consultant plus daily business round
• Academic study/audit 2 sessions
• Theatre (1 x 3-session inpatient lists per week, 2 x 3-session inpatient lists when the other Fellow is on leave, 1 session Day Surgery every 4-8 weeks)
• Colposcopy and outpatient hysteroscopy training

Educational supervision, teaching and learning
You will be assigned an Educational Supervisor on starting the post from the Sub-specialty and a colposcopy supervisor.

Your Educational Supervision will assess your training needs at the start of the position.

Facilities for computer literature searches are available in a dedicated office in the GRACE Centre.

The Hospital also has an active Postgraduate Centre, including a Library with excellent IT facilities and lecture theatres. All journals relevant to the specialty are readily accessible. All wards and outpatient consultation suites have Internet access.

Regular educational activities include Gynaecological Oncology and Colposcopy MDT meetings, department audit meetings, team meetings and multidisciplinary oncology meetings. You will be encouraged to participate/present in these meetings.

You will be expected to attend a basic colposcopy course and partake in training leading towards colposcopy accreditation.

Appraisal and assessment
To be undertaken with the relevant consultant of the post to monitor development and plan for career progression. This will involve formal assessments as part of the gynaecological oncology SITM and BSCCP colposcopy training.

All trainees must attend Trust and departmental induction

Clinical Audit
Participation in audit is expected - with full help from the department. Clinical audit is a vital component of training and an expectation of the unit audit reports.

Clinical Governance
The clinical governance process is well established at all levels in the Trust. Each directorate has a multidisciplinary Clinical Governance Group that meets regularly and monitors and co-ordinates quality improvement activities.

Management Arrangements
To be accountable to the Associate Medical Director, Women and Children's Division and Clinical Lead for speciality for the effective and efficient use of resources under his/her control.

Infection Prevention and Control
The Trust regards infection control as an essential requirement in the provision of a safe service to all its patients. All members of staff will be expected to follow the Trust policies in relation to Infection Control and staff have a duty to make themselves aware of the policy and how it affects them.

Decontamination of hands is regarded as an integral part of the provision of the service and in particular staff in clinical areas that are in patient contact must decontaminate their hands between patients. Staff who are observed not complying with the policy should be expected to be challenged and action may be taken in line with the Trust's Disciplinary policy.

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• Medical Degree -- MBBS or Equivalent
• Full GMC registration with licence to practice MRCOG part III or equivalent
• ALS/ACLS or Equivalent

Experience
Essential

• Achieved all competencies required in Foundation training years 1 and 2 or equivalent
• Achieved all competencies required in ST1/2/3/4 Training or Equivalent
• Ability to assess patients with a comprehensive history and physical examination
• Clinically competent to level ST5+ competency

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).