UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHAMPTON / SOUTHAMPTON UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS NHS TRUST
CLINICAL LECTURER IN OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY
Job Description
Post
Clinical Lecturer in Obstetrics and Gynaecology
Grade
Honorary Specialist Registrar
Responsible to
Professor N.S. Macklon, Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
Introduction
The University of Southampton, together with the University Hospitals Southampton NHS Foundation
Trust wishes to appoint an NIHR recognized Academic Clinical Lecturer (ACL) in Obstetrics and
Gynaecology. The post-holder will have clinical commitments at University Hospitals Southampton
NHS Foundation Trust (UHS) , as well as participating in the development of research and teaching
within and appropriate research group of the Faculty of Medicine. The post is subject to terms and
conditions of service determined by the University of Southampton and in its honorary clinical
capacity by the University Hospitals Southampton NHS Foundation Trust Trust Board.
This academic post provides a career pathway for able and ambitious trainees in Obstetrics and
Gynaecology who have already shown excellence in research by successfully completing a PhD. The
post supports national efforts to strengthen Obstetrics and Gynaecology academia.
The successful applicant will be supported by one or more senior academics in developing a personal
post-doctoral clinical or laboratory-based research programme. This will be based in one of the
Academic Units of the Faculty of Medicine, but supervision can be provided by academics from other
Academic Units as appropriate to the research interests of the candidate. It is anticipated that a
successful clinical lecturer will have achieved sufficient research output, evidenced by publication, to
be in a position to apply for a Senior Lecturer post or equivalent at the end of the contract period.
The University
The University of Southampton is a leading research-intensive University, a member of the Russell
Group and one of the top 100 universities worldwide. We deliver an excellent educational experience,
world-leading research and we are known for successfully commercialising that research through
enterprise.
This is an exciting time to join the University of Southampton. We have an aspirational University
Strategy (see www.southampton.ac.uk/strategy), setting out our ambitions over the next five years.
The strategy involves achieving a top 10 place in the UK for research, which we will achieve by
investing in the highest quality staff and facilities. We are also transforming the education offer
available to undergraduate and postgraduate students across the University, providing greater
flexibility and modular courses, with a strong international focus.
The Faculty of Medicine
The creation of a new Faculty of Medicine has enabled us to build upon strong foundations of basic
research and clinical translation. Working with colleagues across the University and in the local NHS
we have strengthened our position as a renowned centre for translational research, leading innovative
learning and discovery for better health across the lifecourse.
Key to the success of the Faculty of Medicine is the delivery of high-quality education for
undergraduate and postgraduate students, building on our partnership in biomedical research with
Southampton University Hospitals NHS Trust and fostering new collaborations with the physical
sciences, including chemistry, engineering and computing.
Medical Education
We offer a range of undergraduate programmes: the BM4 programme, a graduate-entry four-year
programme which accepts 40 students per year; and the BM5and BMedSc programme which accepts
200 students per year including approximately 30 students from a BM6 programme aimed at
widening access to a medical career. Science teaching in the first three years of the BM programmes is
delivered in the South Block of Southampton General Hospital as well as the Life Sciences Building on
Highfield Campus. Clinical teaching takes place at Southampton General Hospital and the adjoining
Princess Anne Hospital, the Royal South Hants Hospital, and in NHS Trusts and General Practices
throughout Hampshire, Dorset, West Sussex and Salisbury.
The BM5 programme has a number of distinctive features. These include the integrated nature of
teaching where the scientific disciplines are taught together in a clinical context using a systems
based approach and the BMedSc programme, an eight month supervised research project undertaken
in Year 4. There is also the opportunity, for selected students, to undertake an integrated,
intercalated Masters in Medical Science (MMedSc). The BM4 programme also has a number of key
features. These include clinical topics in the first two years where students meet on a regular basis in
Graduate Groups, and learning with BM5 students in the third and fourth years on all clinical
attachments. All students take the same intermediate and final examinations. All programmes have
substantial clinical experience in the first two years, student selected components, dispersed final
year attachments, work shadowing prior to commencing a Foundation post and inter-professional
learning.
In addition to the undergraduate BM programmes the School provides two Masters Degree
programmes in Public Health Nutrition and Allergy.
Research
The Faculty of Medicine has a clear research strategy to investigate the biomedical basis of common
human diseases and to translate this into clinical practice. The Faculty’s research is delivered through
four Academic Units:
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Cancer Sciences
Human Development and Health
Infection, Inflammation and Immunity
Primary Care and Population Sciences
All research is organised and managed by these Academic Units, each of which has clear evidence of
international excellence. Each carries a significant degree of devolved responsibility for its research
budgets and grants, space, equipment and personnel.
This post will be based in one of these Academic Units, dependent on the research interests of the
successful candidate.
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Working in close partnership with Southampton University Hospitals NHS Trust, translational research
is delivered through the Southampton Centre for Biomedical Research, bringing together the
Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Facility, the Clinical Trials Unit, two NIHR Biomedical Research Units
(Respiratory, and Nutrition Lifestyle), shadow Biomedical Research Units in Cardiovascular, and Bone
and Joint Disease, and the Cancer Research UK, Experimental Cancer Medicine Centre.
UHS Foundation Trust
The post will be based at the Princess Anne Hospital, which is adjacent to the Southampton General
Hospital. The Woman and Child Care Group is the busiest in the region, peforming around 6000
deliveries a year, and providing regional tertiary level services in Fetal-Maternal medicine,
Reproductive Medicine, Urogynaeology and Gynaecological Oncologyas well as Neonatal intensive care
and Breast services.
A new Academic Fertility Unit was opened in early 2011, and is now offering tertiary level fertility and
fertility preservation services.
Clinical Duties
The main clinical duties of the post will be:
1. To be involved in the delivery of care in general obstetrics and gynaecology, including out of
hours commitment.
2. Depending on level of experience, to further develop clinical (or research if desired) skills in a
chosen special interest from the following: Feto-maternal medicine, Reproductive Medicine,
Oncogynaecology and Urogynaecology.
3.
The maintenance of the highest standards in the management of Obstetric and Gynaecological
patients
4.
Sessions to include: labour ward sessions, antenatal and gynaecology out-patient clinics,
operating lists, pre and post-operative ward rounds, education sessions, rostered out of hours
emergency work.
5. Have continuing responsibility for the care of patients in liaison with other team members and
consultants and for the proper functioning of the department in line with the Operational Policy
and Strategic Plan.
6. Attend time-tabled educational and multidisciplinary sessions.
7. Participate in Trust Clinical Governance activity
8.
The specific clinical training programme will be determined by the training needs of the successful
applicant, and will be negotiated between the training programme director (currently Dr Karen
Brackley), local clinical subspecialty supervisor and, where appropriate, the RCOG. The elective clinical
component and the University related component of the job will be approximately equal. Clinical
duties may be negotiated between the clinical and academic supervisors to either be carried out in
blocks of time, or with the postholder spending 50% of the time of a full-time Specialty Trainee on
clinical duties with research and teaching duties continuing side by side.
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Teaching and Administrative Duties
The clinical lecturer will join the consultant staff of the Obstetrics and Gynaecology department in the
provision of undergraduate and postgraduate education in the specialty as detailed below under
“medical education”. The postholder will be encouraged to attend relevant education training
programmes. In addition, the clinical lecturer will be supported where appropriate to take part in
research supervision and laboratory teaching.
The clinical lecturer will be expected to attend and where appropriate take part in organising regular
academic meetings in the Academic Unit.
Review
This job description will be reviewed each year by the post-holder, supervising senior academic,
clinician and a senior Obstetrics and Gynaecology academic independent of the postholder’s
supervision process. Clinical work patterns must be negotiated with Deanery and RCOG
representatives. Local procedures will be followed in the event of any disagreement over proposed
changes culminating an appeal to a sub- committee of the University of Southampton.
Management duties
The postholder is managerially accountable for his/her clinical duties to the Care Group Clinical
Director.
Administrative duties
The post-holder will be required to undertake the administrative duties associated with the care of
patients.
Office accommodation and research infrastructure will be provided by the appropriate Academic Unit.
Work programme
The work programme will depend in the appointee’s clinical training and research programme.
He/she will devote approximately 50% of time to University activities.
Visiting
Candidates are encouraged to visit and should contact: Professor NS Macklon Professor of Obstetrics
and Gynaecology. Tel 02380796033 email n.macklon@soton.ac.uk
TERMS OF APPOINTMENT
1.
The appointment will be governed by the general conditions applicable to Clinical Lecturers in the
University of Southampton; details of these are available on request and will be sent to candidates
called for interview. The appointee will be subject to the relevant terms of appointment as
determined by UHS Foundation Trust, in connection with his/her clinical duties, in so far as they
may apply to clinical academic staff holding honorary NHS Trust contracts. The appointee will be
responsible to the Head of the Faculty of Medicine through the Divisional Director/Head of the
University Clinical Group for the satisfactory conduct of his/her duties.
2.
The appointment will be made within the Clinical Lecturer’s salary scale, depending on
qualifications and experience.
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4.
The appointment may be terminated by a term’s notice on either side.
5.
In addition to your substantive contract of employment with the University, you will also hold an
honorary NHS contract with an NHS Trust and are required to be registered with the General
Medical Council/General Dental Council. This honorary contract and registration is essential for
the proper performance by you of the duties of your employment with the University. In the
event that the honorary contract is terminated or the registration is revoked or suspended, your
continued employment with the University under this contract will need to be reviewed and may
be terminated. The procedure for considering whether to terminate your substantive contract of
employment with the University in such circumstances is set out in the University’s Statutes and
Ordinances from time to time in force and in a protocol between the University and the NHS
Trust. You will be required during your tenure of office to undertake appropriate clinical work
on an honorary basis under the National Health Service. No professional contact with National
Health Service patients may be undertaken unless a duly authorised honorary contract has been
issued to you and is currently valid.
6.
The appointee will be subject to assessment via the normal processes in place for ST grade staff
addition to appraisal with a University line manager.
7.
The actual cost of removal of personal and household effects and/or incurred legal costs for the
purchase of a house or flat in or near Southampton will be paid by the University subject to a
maximum contribution of £4500. The purchase of such a house or flat must be as a consequence
of taking up the appointment and the claim must normally be submitted within twelve months of
taking up the post.
8.
The person appointed will be required to observe the Charter, Statutes and Ordinances of the
University and to carry out all orders and regulations of the Council. It should be noted that these
regulations include a policy of no smoking at work which, with the exception of certain designated
areas, prohibits smoking in most University buildings.
9.
The person appointed will be expected to work within the spirit and letter of the University's Equal
Opportunities Policy:
"The University of Southampton confirms its commitment to a comprehensive policy of equal
opportunities in employment and for students in which individuals are selected and treated on the
basis of their relevant merits and abilities and are given equal opportunities within the University.
The aim of the policy is to ensure that no job applicant or employee, prospective student or
student, should receive less favourable treatment on any grounds which are not relevant to good
employment practice for staff or to academic ability and attainment for students. The University is
committed to a programme of action to make the policy fully effective."
10.
Applications will not be acknowledged.
11.
Because of the nature of the work for which you are applying, this post is exempt from the
provisions of Section 4(2) of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 by virtue of the Rehabilitation
of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975. Applicants are, therefore, not entitled to withhold
information about convictions and, in the event of employment, any failure to disclose such
convictions could result in dismissal or disciplinary action by the University. The University will
routinely conduct checks on criminal records for all those appointed to posts that have contact with
children or vulnerable adults. Any information given will be completely confidential and will be
considered only in relation to an application for positions to which the order is applied.
12.
Applicants should send a full curriculum vitae (5 copies from UK applicants, 1 from overseas),
including the names and addresses of three referees to the Human Resources Department (M),
University of Southampton, Highfield, Southampton SO17 1BJ no later than 31 March 2012
. Please quote reference number
.
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