Consultant in Clinical Genetics

Job overview

We are seeking enthusiastic, motivated, and dedicated colleagues to join the Consultant team at the Oxford Centre for Genomic Medicine, Oxford University Hospitals (OUH) NHS Trust

We are seeking colleagues who share the values of the OUH in providing excellent, compassionate care

The successful candidate will join 11 consultants, 4 honorary consultants, 7 SpRs, ACFs and fellows and 12 genetic counsellors; supported by a growing team of patient pathway coordinators, a cancer triage team, a family history pre-clinic team and a growing team of genomic practitioners and associates to support mainstreaming of whole genome sequencing (WGS) across the region

The role offers an opportunity for an individual keen to provide clinics in general genetics, in prenatal genetics, or cancer genetics, participate and lead MDTs and to develop a special interest which complements those of the existing team

The appointments are full time, but applications are welcome from those who wish to work less than full time, or from candidates wishing to job-share. The job plan will be amended accordingly if an applicant wishing to work part time or job share is appointed

Main duties of the job

For further details or to discuss the position, candidates are invited to contact Dr Dorothy Halliday, Clinical Lead (Tel: 01865 226024; email: [email protected]) Oxford Centre for Genomic Medicine, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust, Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre, Windmill Road, Oxford, OX3 7HE

The role will include travel to peripheral clinics at district general hospitals within the region and the post holder will need flexibility and willingness to work in peripheral clinics according to the needs of the department

The clinical work plan (see model job plan below) is based on 8.5 PA of direct clinical care (DCC) incorporating clinic and patient related activities, and 1.5 PA of supporting professional activity (SPA). The SPA time may be increased as additional responsibilities or roles are undertaken

One of the existing consultant team will support as a mentor the new Consultant joining the team

Working for our organisation

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest NHS teaching trusts in the country. It provides a wide range of general and specialist clinical services and is a base for medical education, training and research. Find out more here www.ouh.nhs.uk

The Trust comprises four hospitals - the John Radcliffe Hospital, Churchill Hospital and Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre in Headington and the Horton General Hospital in Banbury

These values put patients at the heart of what we do and underpin the quality healthcare we would like for ourselves or a member of our family. Watch how we set out to deliver compassionate excellence via the OUH YouTube channel

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Clinical activities

The core activity of the role is direct clinical care (DCC) related to General Clinical Genetics. The full time position is for 10 NHS PAs each week. While the post holder will spend most of their time at the OxGEM base located within the grounds of the Nuffield Orthopaedic Hospital in Headington, the appointee will be given responsibility for providing general clinical genetics services to designated peripheral clinics or regions

Other key aspects of the job include participation in multidisciplinary meetings with colleagues outside genetics to support the mainstreaming process, and engaging fully with OxGEM departmental meetings

Junior medical support and training: The Oxford Clinical Genetics service provides training for four Specialist Registrar’s and additional Clinical Fellow posts. As one of the consultant team, the postholder will participate fully in clinical supervision and education of the trainees and fellows within the department

Genetic counsellor led clinics are also well established. A 10 PA job plan would typically include 10 clinics per month, with a mix of new patients and follow-up cases

In-patient cover: Cover for urgent ward referrals and advice is provided on a rota basis with all consultants participating, approximately on a 1 in 7 basis. There is no out of hours on-call

Liaison with the genetics laboratory: The Oxford genetics laboratory is part of the West Midlands, Oxford and Wessex Genomic Lab Hub (South-Central GLH). Regular review of genetic test results with laboratory scientists is facilitated through weekly joint MDT meetings

Clinical Audit: The successful applicant would be expected to participate in medical audit. OxGEM has an active programme of regular departmental audit, and participates in South West of Britain (SWOB) regional audits and national genetic audits

Support of mainstream clinicians. OxGem is part of the South Central GMSA with Wessex and West Midlands. The successful applicant would be expected to participate in mainstreaming activities such as teaching and training mainstream colleagues and supporting return of genomic laboratory results

Supporting Professional Activity

All consultants are given time within their job plan to participate in the department’s clinical audit programme, participate in the trust appraisal process, undertake annual job planning and undertake other clinical professional development activities to support revalidation

Person specification

Qualifications/Training

• MRCP(UK) or equivalent
• Entry on the General Medical Council (GMC) Specialist Register in Clinical Genetics via one of the following a) Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) -the proposed CCT date must be within 6 months of the interview b) Certificate of Eligibility for Specialist Registration (CSER)
• GMC registration

• Higher medical degree (MD or PhD) or equivalent

Experience

• Training in Clinical Genetics to specialist level or equivalent
• High level of competence in management of complex genetic cases
• Evidence of ability to make decisions at consultant level and to manage complex clinical problems

• Development of a specialist interest within clinical genetics
• Experience of providing genetics service at consultant level

Skills and Knowledge

• Excellent leadership skills. Evidence of ability to lead a clinical team at the level of a consultant
• Effective administrative and time management skills. Training in clinical management
• Evidence of significant contribution to successful teamwork
• Good spoken and written English. Highly developed communication and interpersonal skills
• Experience of formal and informal contributions to teaching and training
• Evidence of effective and sustained contribution to clinical governance, clinical risk management and clinical audit activities
• Interest in research

• Management qualification
• Education qualification
• Peer reviewed publications