Subspecialty Trainee in Gynaecological Oncology

at  The Christie NHS Foundation Trust

This is an RCOG recognized Gynecological Oncology subspeciality training programme leading to RCOG Gynaecological Oncology subspecialty accreditation.
The appointed candidate will be expected to be involved in implementing the Trust’s Clinical Governance programme. This includes active participation in clinical audit, quality, clinical guidelines/pathways, professional development, appraisal, and risk management. This role involves working within team delivering tertiary-level surgical care to Gynaecological cancer patients. It requires a dedicated individual interested in gynaecological cancer and who will be immersed in complex surgery and all this entails. Pivotal to the role would be good communication skills to discuss in detail diagnosis, complex surgical issues, and subsequent managements. Strong background in general gynaecology required to provide good understanding of patient journey prior to cancer diagnosis and support patient throughout. The trainee must work well in a team and across other specialities. Surgical training will be available in both open and robotic surgery.
Active participation in weekly Specialist Multi-disciplinary team meetings to triage patients accordingly for local or specialist surgery is encouraged. Consultation of new and follow up patients in clinics supervised by Senior Colleagues and supported by Clinical Nurse Specialist will occur regularly. Identification and subsequent management of complex pre-operative issues will be encountered and experience gained in this area. Daily ward rounds/ pre-operative assessments will be shared amongst Clinical Fellows along with ample theatre sessions. Surgical training will be tailored according to the individual trainee’s ability but wide range of surgical training is available for both open and robotic surgery. There will be opportunity to provide emergency services which covers all the surgical specialities in the directorate (gynaecology, colorectal, urology & plastics).
Additional to training in gynaecological oncology, there will be opportunities to attend MDT & theatres of other specialities, as well as non-surgical specialities in the Christie to achieve sub specialty training. Research & audit within the role is encouraged and accommodated within the trainee rota.
The role requires a diligent and hard-working person with an enthusiasm for surgery and gynaecological oncology. We welcome individuals who will actively engage with the team.
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.

3. EXPERIENCE

Job Specific
Minimum 4 years completed training period in the National Health System required for the specialty.
Experience in research or
published papers in area
of special interest
CE
Management / Audit
Evidence of self audit.
Desire to participate in research at post graduate level
Ability to audit and critically appraise clinical care delivery by a multidisciplinary team
AF/I

5. PERSONAL SKILLS

Acceptability
Good organisational ability and a willingness to be flexible in accordance with the demands of team working across Gynaecological network
Computer Literate
Experience of working in a clinical team with good communication skills
Ability to communicate effectively with clinical colleagues, colleagues in pathology and support staff
Good knowledge of, and ability to use, spoken and written English
Ability to present effectively to an audience, using a variety of methods, and to respond to questions and queries
Good presentation skills.
AF/I
Leadership
Good communication skills, enthusiasm, leadership, ability to work well as a team member and ability to work well with present consultants/department.
A flexible approach to delivery of service in a changing environment.
Demonstrates understanding and commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.
Previous responsibility for service improvement.
Management skills
Initiative in tailoring training and experience to develop novel techniques in treatment
Self- reliance
Needs to be comfortable with managing own workload with minimal supervision
Motivation
Self motivated to complete tasks independently and manage own workload

This is a 40 hours per week appointment (full time) at Specialty Registrar level, working in one of the country’s leading Gynaecological Oncology centres. It is expected that the successful candidate will play a key part in the team, as a clinical fellow but also concentrating on a particular area of service development. More focused surgical training can be tailored to the suitable candidate. There will be fully supervised and supported work in both ward and outpatient settings, oncological procedures in theatre, and research. The area of research may fall into: robotic surgery, introduction of HIPEC in ovarian cancer and psychosexual health following gynaecological surgery.
The post holder will support the Consultant Gynaecological Oncology Surgeons, work alongside Junior Doctors and liaise closely with Senior Medical colleagues and all grades and levels of AHP and management teams. The appointee’s professional time will be deployed flexibly in appropriate areas: clinical duties, administration, teaching, research, clinical audit etc. Detailed elements of the job plan arrangements are to be agreed with the successful applicant when in post.
The center wishes to build its current research portfolio and continue regional collaboration, publication and presentation and it is expected that the post-holder will actively participate in this.
In addition to Gynaecological Oncology work, the Christie team works closely with other surgical specialties at The Christie as part of a tertiary referral “Pelvic Surgery Team”. This team comprises 9 Colorectal, 7 Urological and 4 Oncoplastic Surgeons specialising in complex abdomino-pelvic malignancy. They undertake ultra-high volume complex pelvic and exenterative surgery for a population of >8 million people.
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
The following provides an outline of the expected clinical activity and clinically related activity components of the job plan which occur at regular times in the week. Agreement should be reached between the appointee and their Training Programme Director with regard to the scheduling of all other activities, including the Supporting Professional Activities. Upon appointment, the subspecialty trainee will be given a specific “work programme” detailing the initial allocation of direct clinical care activities and supporting activities. A formal weekly timetable will be agreed between the appointee and the Training Programme Director. There is routine ward work, Consultants’ rounds, gynaecology oncology outpatient clinics and operating sessions. There will be a requirement to maintain colposcopy accreditation through regular attendance to colposcopy clinics.
Provisional timetable
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
morning
Inpatient review
Inpatient review
Inpatient review
Inpatient review
Inpatient review
AM session
Theatre
Audit/ Research
Theatre
Clinic