Job summary
Consultant spinal surgeon with elective and emergency practice. Day-to-day care of patients under the spinal service, outpatient clinics, elective theatre lists and MDTs, with a 1 in 6 week on call commitment.

We are looking for experienced neurosurgery or orthopaedic trained clinicians with appropriate expertise to work independently at consultant level. This is a full-time clinical post.

Main duties of the job
The successful candidate(s) will work on the RSCH site along with the other 9 neurosurgeons and 3 spinal surgeons to deliver regional adult neurosurgical and spinal services. They will undertake outpatient clinics, elective and emergency operating and on call work for emergencies at the RSCH.

This post is a specialist adult complex spinal surgery post as part of an integrated neurosurgical and complex spinal service with on-call commitments for complex spinal surgery. The successful applicant will be expected to work collaboratively towards developing the regional spinal service integration and delivery as part of the unit goal. This service is expected to meet the requirements laid out in the specialised services commissioning documents published by NHS England.

The clinical duties of the post include the following:

• Provision of emergency and elective spinal surgeries
• Provision of outpatient clinics balancing new and followup with patient initiated followup
• Participation in multidisciplinary meetings within the Trust and wider MSK networks
• Supervision of trainees and spinal practitioners
• Triage of referrals into the spinal service
• Spinal Surgery On Call Commitment: currently 1 in 6 with internal cover

About us
At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always deliver Excellent Care Everywhere, as shown in our Outstanding for Caring CQC rating. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of staff networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We're proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 3) and a Veteran Aware Trust.

Job responsibilities
This post is offered as a substantive appointment to support the spinal service expansion.

The appointee will be part of a directorate Neurosurgery and Spinal team of eleven neurosurgical consultants and one orthopaedic spinal consultant. Sitting within the Spinal team you would join 4 dedicated consultants and 2 providing a combined spinal and cranial practice to deliver the regional adult spinal service.

There are separate 24/7 on call rotas for spinal surgery and cranial neurosurgery, split Mon-Thur and Fri-Sun the following week.

Spinal and cranial neurosurgery in Sussex is based in the state-of-the-art Louisa Martindale Building (LMB) on the Royal Sussex County Hospital (RSCH) site in Brighton. Co-located with neurology, stroke, neuroradiology, neuropsychology, neurophysiology, neuroradiology and neuroanaesthetic colleagues.

All elective and emergency spinal and cranial surgery is undertaken in neurotheatres on level 5 of LMB. There are 3 dedicated neurosurgical theatres providing an elective spinal and cranial list every weekday and shared access with cranial neurosurgery to a dedicated 24/7 emergency theatre. Theatres are equipped with state-of-the-art equipment.

Within the LMB, ward AB9 provides upto 38 spinal / cranial neurosurgical level 1 ward beds, neurotheatres overnight recovery up to 3 level 1.5 beds and up to 9 level 2/3 HDU/ICU beds on C7. There is additional provision on the trauma ward Ward 8A East, Millenium Wing at RSCH.

We have a dedicated recovery area, biplane neuroangiogram suite, CT scanner and MRI with intraoperative capabilities within the theatres complex. Neuroscience outpatients is colocated on Level 3 LMB with neurophysiology and the directorate offices.

Person Specification

Experience/ Qualifications
Essential

• Basic medical degree
• Spinal fellowship - Neurosurgery / orthopaedic/dual
• FRCS or its recognised equivalent.
• Full and specialist registration (with a licence to practise) with the GMC or be eligible for registration within six months of the interview. o If you trained in the UK, you must also have a Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) in Neurosurgery or Orthopaedics or be within six months of receiving it by the interview date. o If you trained outside the UK, you must provide evidence that your qualifications are equivalent to the UK CCT. (Equivalence must be confirmed by GMC by date of AAC)

Desirable

• Higher Degree

Clinical Skills and Experience
Essential

• Independent competence in all complex spinal elective and emergency procedures including spinal trauma, MSCC within the last 12months

Desirable

• Current consultant experience
• Subspecialty experience to complement or develop spinal service

Knowledge
Desirable

• Breadth of experience in and outside specialty

Organisation and Planning
Essential

• Experience and ability to work in multi-professional teams
• Understanding of: NHS / Clinical governance / Resource constraints

Desirable

• Evidence of managerial skills: Achievements / Course attended

Teaching Skills
Essential

• Evidence of an interest and commitment to teaching

Desirable

• Recognised teaching qualification

Academic and Research
Essential

• Evidence of participation in audit

Desirable

• Research experience
• Publications
• Prizes and honours

Career Progression
Essential

• Appropriate progression of career to date

Personal Attributes
Essential

• Evidence of:- Good communication skills both oral and written

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).