Clinical Fellow in Supportive Oncology
Job overview
This is an exciting opportunity to train in the evolving field of Supportive Oncology at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust. We are offering three full-time, fixed-term 12-month fellowship positions, available immediately upon completion of recruitment checks.
The fellowship provides comprehensive training in managing cancer patients across all stages of the disease. Rotations will include acute oncology, psycho-oncology, endocrinology, supportive care (including palliative care), pain medicine, and older adult oncology/frailty.The role is designed to equip fellows with essential skills to support patients throughout their cancer journey.
Applicants must hold MRCP or an equivalent qualification (including MRCGP). Experience in oncology and/or palliative medicine is desirable. These posts may be ideal for doctors seeking out-of-programme experience during ST training or those who have recently completed CCT.The role is particularly suited for those considering careers in oncology, acute oncology, or palliative medicine.
The successful candidates will work within the Trust’s integrated Supportive Oncology service, a key component of the newly established Supportive Oncology Directorate. Full GMC registration with a Licence to Practice is required at the time of commencement
Main duties of the job
There is no on call element associated with this role (although please note variability of work pattern between placements within the job description), the 12-month placement schedule is shown within the job description/person specification.
The successful candidates will be based The Christies Withington main site, and be allocated a clinical supervisor within each of the placements, as well as an over-arching educational supervisor who will oversee the programme. There will be a blend of clinical work and shadowing experience to gain insight into specialist areas of cancer care, and the post holders will be expected to take an active role in providing clinical services in each of the placements.The clinical part of the role will involve supporting inpatient, ambulatory and outpatient services in the delivery of supportive treatments using specialist knowledge in acute oncology, symptom control and side effect management.
The fellowships are underpinned by a new national supportive oncology curriculum, through which the postholders will be required to achieve defined competencies. Webinars will provided throughout the year for additional learning.The fellowship is badged by the UK Association of Supportive Care in Cancer (UKASCC), and is endorsed by the Royal College of Radiologists (RCR). If the fellows complete the year successfully, achieving curriculum competencies, they will receive a fellowship completion certificate endorsed by UKASCC and the RCR.
Working for our organisation
The Christie is one of Europe’s leading cancer centres, treating over 60,000 patients a year. We are based in Manchester and serve a population of 3.2 million across Greater Manchester & Cheshire, but as a national specialist around 15% patients are referred to us from other parts of the country.
We provide radiotherapy through one of the largest radiotherapy departments in the world; chemotherapy on site and through 14 other hospitals; highly specialist surgery for complex and rare cancer; and a wide range of support and diagnostic services.We are also an international leader in research, with world first breakthroughs for over 100 years.
We run one of the largest early clinical trial units in Europe with over 300 trials every year. Cancer research in Manchester, most of which is undertaken on the Christie site, has been officially ranked the best in the UK.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Clinical work will be in the form of placements within the main supportive oncology teams in the hospital, namely: acute oncology, supportive care (including palliative care), senior adult oncology, psycho-oncology and endocrinology. Within these teams, the fellow will take an active role in preventing and managing the adverse effects associated with cancer and its treatment across all settings: inpatient wards, outpatient clinics and on our ambulatory care unit.
Assessments and care delivered will range from complex assessment of physical, psychological, spiritual and social needs to complex end of life care.
Clinical work will also involve the assessment of patients presenting acutely with pain and symptoms, toxicities associated with cancer treatments, and the acute management of these.
The fellow will also gain experience in management of the problems associated with cancer survivorship, assessing complex needs of patients post-treatment and addressing the needs of patients after cancer treatment to facilitate improved quality of life.
Continuing Professional Development
The Trust supports the requirements for continuing professional development (CPD) as laid down by the GMC and surgical colleges and is committed to providing time and financial support for these activities.
Role Planning
Daily working pattern will cover the hours of 9am – 5pm Monday to Friday. However, these are new roles, and the work schedule is based on anticipated timetable requirements. There may be occasions where due to clinical demand, fellows may be asked to stay beyond the 5pm finish and if agreeable, the additional time worked would be given back the following day.
On call Commitments
This role does not require participation in the on-call rota.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Essential for the post
Desirable for the post
METHOD OF ASSESSMENT- ATTAINMENTS
Educational
Medical Degree
AF
Qualifications
MBCHB or equivalent
MRCP, MRCGP or equivalent
Additional qualifications in oncology, palliative medicine or GIM
AF/CE
Professional Qualifications
Full Registration and License to practice with the GMC
AF/CE
Research / Publications
Research or service evaluation experience
AF/I- TRAINING
Satisfactory progress in previous posts with evidence of competency at CT2/ST2 equivalent or higher.
Previous palliative care, oncology or general practice experience at ST3 level and above or equivalent non-training or evidence of overseas experience.
AF/I- EXPERIENCE
Job Specific
Have sufficient experience working in medical specialities (not including foundation level experience) by the advertised post start date.
Have at least 24 months experience in medical specialities.
Ability to work as an effective member of an MDT team.
Awareness of own limitations and consults senior colleagues appropriately.
Evidence of contribution to effective clinical audit
Previous experience in symptom management either in the form of palliative care, oncology or special interest within general practice.
AF/I
Management / Audit
Demonstrates understanding of the importance of audit and research.
Evidence of active participation in clinical
research / audit
AF/I- TEACHING
Teaching experience
AF/I- PERSONAL SKILLS
Acceptability
Good communication skills in verbal and written English Good interpersonal skills Working well in a multi- disciplinary team.
Calm, efficient under pressure.
Knowing when to ask for help.
To recognise personal limitations but to work competently within these boundaries.
Reliable, punctual, hard-
working, enthusiastic.
Awareness of specific needs of patients and carers, issues relating to service provision for cancer patients in hospital and the community.
Empathy with patients and carers involved in tertiary treatments and understanding of their special needs.
Advanced communication skills.
AF/I
Leadership
Experience of leadership in focused project and ability to disseminate results
AF/I
Self- reliance
Motivation- CIRCUMSTANCES
Domicile
Within 30 minutes travel time to the hospital.
Abbreviations for Methods of Assessment:
AF – Application Form
I – Interview
R – References
CE – Certification Evidence
Person specification
CIRCUMSTANCES Domicile
Essential criteria- Within 30 minutes travel time to the hospital.
Qualifications
Essential criteria- Medical Degree
- MBCHB or equivalent MRCP, MRCGP or equivalent
- Full Registration and License to practice with the GMC
- Additional qualifications in oncology, palliative medicine or GIM
Training
Essential criteria- Satisfactory progress in previous posts with evidence of competency at CT2/ST2 equivalent or higher.
- Previous palliative care, oncology or general practice experience at ST3 level and above or equivalent non-training or evidence of overseas experience
Experience
Essential criteria- Have sufficient experience working in medical specialities (not including foundation level experience) by the advertised post start date. Have at least 24 months experience in medical specialities
- Ability to work as an effective member of an MDT team. Awareness of own limitations and consults senior colleagues appropriately.
- Evidence of contribution to effective clinical audit
- Research or service evaluation experience
- Previous experience in symptom management either in the form of palliative care, oncology or special interest within general practice
- Teaching experience
Management / Audit
Essential criteria- Demonstrates understanding of the importance of audit and research
- Evidence of active participation in clinical research / audit
- Experience of leadership in focused project and ability to disseminate results
Personal skills
Essential criteria- Good communication skills in verbal and written English
- Good interpersonal skills Working well in a multi- disciplinary team.
- Calm, efficient under pressure.
- Knowing when to ask for help.
- To recognise personal limitations but to work competently within these boundaries.
- Reliable, punctual, hard- working, enthusiastic.
- Awareness of specific needs of patients and carers, issues relating to service provision for cancer patients in hospital and the community.
- Empathy with patients and carers involved in tertiary treatments and understanding of their special needs.
- Advanced communication skills.
- Experience of leadership in focused project and ability to disseminate results
The closing date for this post may be extended if there are insufficient applicants or brought forward if there is a high volume of applicants.
We want to ensure that everyone who works at the Christie or uses our services is welcomed, valued and treated with dignity and respect. The Christie values diversity and is committed to ensuring equal opportunities for all and fair representation across the organisation at all levels.In support of these commitments, we particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and other ethnic minority people and people with disabilities for this post. Appointment will be only on merit.
We are committed to creating a balanced and diverse workforce. As such we welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. Together we will foster inclusion and tackle inequity and health inequalities in cancer care.
As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy
All positions within the Christie are subject to the receipt of satisfactory written references, medical clearance and evidence of your Right to Work in the UK. Some roles will require a Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check. Please note if you are successfully appointed to a post with this Trust, you will be required to pay for your own DBS Disclosure.
By applying for this post you are agreeing to The Christie NHS Foundation Trust transferring the information contained in this application to its preferred applicant management system. If you are offered a job information will also be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records system.Please note, all communication regarding your application will be made via email, please ensure you check your junk/spam folders as emails are sometimes filtered there.
If you have not heard from us within four weeks of the closing date, I regret that on this occasion your application will have been unsuccessful.
The Inter-Authority Transfer (IAT) process is a critical and beneficial component of ESR and will form part of the recruitment process. In the event that you are successful following interview your previous NHS employment data, if applicable will be transferred from your current / most recent employer.
Overseas candidates wishing to apply for this position and who would require immigration sponsorship, may wish to self-assess the likelihood of obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship for the post on the UKVI website.
You should be aware the Trust operates a No Smoking Policy and therefore employees are not permitted to smoke at work.