This a full time Microsurgery Fellow Post in the Plastic Surgery department, to commence in January 2023 for a period of 12 months.

Main duties of the job

This post provides the opportunity for senior plastic surgery trainees to gain further experience in Breast, and Head & Neck microsurgery. Both our sub-specialty teams performed in excess of 200 microsurgical reconstructions per year (with more than 100 performed in each subspecialty). We have currently resumed our microsurgical practice with a view to returning to that volume.

About us

The department of plastic surgery provides a regional service to the whole of Norfolk, parts of Cambridgeshire, Lincolnshire and Suffolk covering a population of 1.5 million. With a weekly work load of 29 operating lists and 15 clinics, the department managed 16000 outpatient attendances, 1400 emergency admissions and undertook 5000 operations in the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital last year.

The department provides an elective and emergency general plastic surgery service in addition to the following sub-specialties:

• Head & Neck cancer surgery
• Skin cancer
• Sentinel lymph node biopsy service for melanoma
• Isolated Limb Infusion
• Hand surgery
• Breast Reconstruction
• Facial reanimation
• Paediatric surgery including hypospadias
• Laser service
• See & Treat service for minor skin complaints
• Minor burns
• Trauma
• Sarcoma diagnostic service

The Department runs 9-10 all day general anaesthetic inpatient lists per week, the majority of which are in our own dedicated theatre. There are also numerous day case lists and a regular trauma list. Microsurgical reconstruction forms a significant part of the departments work load with over 200 free flaps undertaken per year.

Job description
Job responsibilities

The post holder will benefit from a unique opportunity to prepare for a future consultant role in a busy department, in either subspecialty. They will be supported in developing their leadership and management skills, be it in the day to day running of the department, taking part in quality improvement projects, and participating in the training of more junior colleagues and other staff.

The post holder will be expected to support consultants in elective activities, attend the relevant specialist MDTs and clinics, and also support emergency activities if required.

The post holder will be mentored to develop skills in selecting patients, planning and executing the microsurgery reconstruction independently as well as manage the patients post-operatively.

This post would be viewed as an out of program experience (OOPE), however an OOPT is possible if an application is made with the post holders relevant deanery.

They will have the choice as to whether they would like to participate in the on-call rota or not.

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• Full GMC Registration
• FRCS (Plastic) or equivalent at commencement of post

Desirable

• CCT (or equivalent) in Plastic Surgery

Aptitudes
Essential

• Good communicator.
• Capable of working in a multi-disciplinary team.
• Enthusiasm for service development and teaching.

Desirable

• Previous responsibility for service improvement.
• Management skills

Experience
Essential

• Appropriate experience in Plastic Surgery training
• Ability to lead a ward round independently.
• Experience in management of operating lists, with adequate time management and organizational skills demonstrated

Desirable

• Experience in research or published papers in area of special interest
• Ability to develop subspecialty interest
• Ability to develop leadership skills in preparation for a future Consultant role
• Evidence of participation in quality improvement projects
• Ability to motivate and develop junior staff

Clinical Governance
Essential

• Evidence of participation in audit
• Evidence of participation in research

Desirable

• Ability to participate in the teaching of more junior colleagues

Interests
Essential

• Commitment to develop an appropriate special interest

Circumstances
Essential

• Flexible outlook on working hours.
• Must live within a 15-mile radius of the base Trust or 30 minutes travelling time when on call for flaps.
• Ability to travel across multi-sites whilst public transport may not be available.

Communications and Language Skills
Essential

• Ability to communicate effectively with clinical colleagues, colleagues in pathology and support staff
• Ability to present effectively to an audience, using a variety of methods, and to respond to questions and queries

Desirable

• Good presentation skills.

BMJ Ref: BMJ-102479/234-MS1864