Job Description

Applications are invited for a full-time (10 PA) Locum Consultant in Spinal Surgery to join the dynamic and enthusiastic team at Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. This role is primarily based at Luton and Dunstable Hospital, with some clinical sessions at Bedford Hospital.



The spinal surgery team builds upon the current successful model. This is a new post and will take the spinal team to 3 Consultants, supported by a dedicated spinal coordinator and middle-grade doctors on their spinal rotation. The team will provide comprehensive spinal care, including elective spinal surgery, outpatient clinics, and diagnostic and therapeutic spinal injections.



There will be regular outpatient clinics at each site, along with weekly spinal theatre lists and the appointee will participate in the weekly spinal MDT. The successful applicant will be expected to participate in the general trauma duties within the department (trauma surgery, fracture clinic and on call).



The role also includes teaching and training intermediate grade and junior medical staff, nursing staff, and medical students. There will be a protected off-timetable day per week, as well as SPA and clinical administration time.



This is an exciting time to join the Spinal Surgery team, as we build upon good practice and performance to develop our Trust's strategy for excellence in spinal care. Join us to make a significant impact on patient care and advance your career in a collaborative and innovative setting.



As a Locum Consultant in Trauma & Orthopaedics with an interest in Spinal Surgery at Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, you will be responsible for maintaining the highest clinical standards in the management of all Trauma & Orthopaedic and Spinal surgery patients



You will share the management of Trauma and Orthopaedic patients requiring admission with your colleagues in the Trauma & Orthopaedic Departments. Your role will include performing general on-call and trauma commitments as well as specialist spinal surgical management.



You will undertake regular outpatient clinics at both Luton and Dunstable Hospital and Bedford Hospital, further developing the joint working strategy of the unit. Additionally, you will participate in the weekly spinal MDT and undertake regular elective spinal surgery lists. You will provide specialist spinal advice and guidance to other specialties for both outpatients and inpatients, accepting referrals where there is a realistic expectation of a surgical target.



Your role will also involve teaching and training intermediate grade and junior medical staff, nursing staff, and medical students. You will actively participate in departmental and Trust matters concerning Clinical Governance and audit, and take responsibility for continuing professional development (CPD).



Our Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Travel between hospital sites may be required.



We have state-of-the art facilities placing us at the heart of cutting edge health care. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.



Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. Please ensure that you make your application as soon as possible.

Main duties and responsibilities include:

Maintenance of the highest clinical standards in the management of all Trauma & Orthopaedic and Spinal surgery patients. Sharing the management of Trauma and Orthopaedic patients requiring admission with colleagues in the Trauma & Orthopaedic Departments. Performing general on-call and trauma commitments as well as specialist spinal surgical management. Teaching and training intermediate grade and junior medical staff, nursing staff, and medical students. Actively participating in both departmental and Trust matters concerning Clinical Governance and audit. Taking responsibility for and actively participating in continuing professional development (CPD). Undertaking elective clinics, fracture clinics, and virtual fracture clinics. Undertaking regular elective spinal surgery lists. Performing diagnostic and therapeutic spinal injections. Conducting non-specialist major surgery such as lumbar discectomy, posterior lumbar decompression, posterior lateral lumbar fusion, transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion, and anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (all procedures are either one-level or two-level cases). Not performing paediatric spinal surgery and spinal deformity surgery (either paediatric or adult) as part of this post. Undertaking triage and mentoring activities to streamline elective referrals. Providing specialist spinal advice and guidance to other specialties for both outpatients and inpatients, accepting referrals where there is a realistic expectation of a surgical target. Participating in the weekly spinal MDT. Scheduling some clinical sessions at Bedford Hospital, as we work together to further develop the joint working strategy of the departments across the newly merged organisation. Ensuring weekly work commitments are within the Working Time Regulations on working hours and influenced by the Royal College of Surgery recommendations, the Consultant contract, and specified in the Job Plan. Encouraging the appointee to choose a mentor outside the department locally within an established innovative programme aimed at supporting every new Consultant member of the Trust. * Embracing team spirit and support, with the department enjoying a very close working relationship where all clinical issues are openly discussed at formal and informal meetings.