OXFORD DEANERY ACADEMIC CLINICAL FELLOW IN
HISTOPATHOLOGY ST1-3
Academic Clinical Fellowship (ACF) posts have been awarded by the NIHR to
University/NHS Trust/Deanery partnerships nationally through competition. These
posts form part of the NIHR Integrated Training Pathway, further details of which can
be found on the NIHR TCC website http://www.nihrtcc.nhs.uk.
About Oxford Deanery
The Oxford Deanery covers the counties of Oxfordshire, Berkshire and
Buckinghamshire, with Banbury and Milton Keynes in the North, to Reading and
Slough in Berkshire and High Wycombe and Aylesbury in the West.
The Oxford Deanery is part of NHS South of England which comprises South
Central, South West and South East Coast Strategic Health Authorities. The Oxford
Deanery is responsible for the training of some 1500 trainees.
The Oxford Deanery is a relatively small deanery with a defined geographical area
which serves as a single unit of application. In the majority of cases successful
candidates will be asked to preference their choice of location for either one or two
years. Some programmes will require successful candidates to indicate a location
and specialty. Future placements will usually be based on individual training and
educational needs. Please note that applications are to the Oxford Deanery as a
whole. This may mean that you may be allocated to any geographic location
within the Oxford Deanery depending on training needs.
About Research in Oxford
The cellular pathology department at the John Radcliffe Hospital Oxford has close
links with the Nuffield Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, University of
Oxford. Headed by Professor Gatter, he and several of the consultants have
established proven track records in research with several grants and numerous
publications in high impact international journals. Oxford is ideally placed to provide
a seamless transition from basic science to bedside treatment, with the partnership
between Oxford University Hospitals, the University of Oxford and the Oxford
Biomedical Research Centre. The presence of a busy functional diagnostic
molecular laboratory in Oxford will provide the ideal environment for the translational
aspects of the research and training.
Description of the Post
This is a post for up to 3 years duration. Approximately 2 of the 3 years will be spent
in Oxford and the remainder in the regional DGH's. Research will account for 25% of
the time of the post and is likely to be organised in blocks depending on the type of
project selected. The successful candidate will have a mentor and will undertake a
well-defined research project in a topic to be chosen by negotiation or focus on an
area of post-doctoral research in the case of candidates with an existing higher
degree. The research project is encouraged to be in an aspect of molecular
pathology. However, other strong areas of research in the department which could
also be considered include gastrointestinal pathology, gynaecological pathology,
urological pathology or haematopathology.
If a molecular pathology based project is chosen, the trainee will be placed in the
molecular diagnostic and relevant research laboratories and will be taught the basic
techniques required for an overall understanding of general molecular pathology.
The trainee will then develop and work on their research project applying molecular
skills taught and observed. One possible project is the TSB programme grant that
consists of prospectively sequencing 1000 biopsy samples from cancer patients
presenting to the Oxford cancer centre. The successful candidate will be responsible
for reviewing and marking tissue biopsies including from lung and colorectal cancer
for next generation sequencing. The candidate will be involved in the technical and
clinical validation of the molecular technologies involved and will assist with the
integrated diagnostic reporting. He/She will also develop novel companion
diagnostics such as the IHC service for ELM-ALK fusion.
For trainees who do not have a higher degree, the major academic milestones will
be acquiring research skills and preliminary data, leading to an application for DPhil
funding in a specific research area. An ACF who is unsuccessful in securing the
funding for a doctorate will return to clinical training in accordance with the NIHR
Academic Clinical Fellowships: Entry, Eligibility and Exit points for Appointments
made in 2013.
This post attracts an NTN (a).
The Histopathology Training Programme - General Information
Approximately 2 of the 3 years will be spent in Oxford and the remainder of the time
in the regional District General Hospitals.
The programme is based in several different Trusts throughout the Oxford Deanery
so trainees may find themselves employed by any of the following Trusts and placed
in any of the following hospitals:
Trust
Buckinghamshire
Healthcare NHS Trust
Hospitals and Locations
Stoke Mandeville, Aylesbury
http://www.buckshealthcare.nhs.uk/
Wycombe Hospital, High Wycombe
http://www.buckshealthcare.nhs.uk/
Royal Berkshire NHS
Foundation Trust
Royal Berkshire Hospital, Reading
http://www.royalberkshire.nhs.uk/
Heatherwood and Wexham
Park Hospitals NHS
Foundation Trust
Wexham Park Hospital, Slough
http://www.heatherwoodandwexham.nhs.uk/location/wexhampark-hospital-slough
Oxford University Hospitals
NHS Trust
John Radcliffe, Oxford
http://www.ouh.nhs.uk/
Rotation Information
Rotations may at times change in response to clinical need from the Trusts.
Approximately 2 of the 3 years will be spent in Oxford and the remainder in the
regional DGH's.
Trusts
Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust provides a wide range of high
quality acute and community services from three acute hospital sites in Amersham,
Stoke Mandeville and Wycombe, five community hospitals at Thame, Marlow,
Buckingham, Chalfonts and Gerrards Cross and Waterside, and a number of
community sites across the county. Specialist services include our regional
dermatology, allergy and skin cancer centre, burns care and plastics sub-regional
centre, cardiac services and the National Spinal Injuries Centre.
More than 6,000 staff serve residents across Buckinghamshire, Thame
(Oxfordshire), Tring (Hertfordshire) and Leighton Buzzard (Bedfordshire) - a
combined population of 500,000. It serves a much larger population, 1.5m for burns
and plastic services and 14m for spinal injuries.
Stoke Mandeville
Stoke Mandeville Hospital is an acute hospital located on the edge of the market
town of Aylesbury. It provides a range of hospital services including 24 hour accident
and emergency, maternity, cancer care and a range of outpatient services. The
hospital is the base for eye care for the area. The regional burns and plastics unit
provides specialist services to patients from Buckinghamshire, and as far away as
Reading and Northampton. Stoke Mandeville Hospital is also home to the world
renowned national spinal injuries centre.
Wycombe
Wycombe Hospital is situated in the centre of the historic town of High Wycombe,
and offers a full range of planned surgical services, as well as 24 hour emergency
medical care (including minor injuries) and specialist medical care, including stroke
and heart conditions. There is also a midwifery-led maternity unit. The hospital also
offers specialist cancer and urological services.
(All Information taken from Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust website
http://www.buckshealthcare.nhs.uk/)
Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust is one of the largest NHS teaching
trusts in the UK and provides a wide range of clinical services and medical
education, training and research.
The Trust provides high quality general hospital services for the local population in
Oxfordshire and neighbouring counties, and more specialist services for patients
from a wide geographic area. The Trust is also involved in a wide variety of research
programmes, in collaboration with the University of Oxford and many other research
bodies. The trust is made up of four hospitals - the John Radcliffe Hospital (which
also includes the Children's Hospital and West Wing), Churchill Hospital and the
Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre, all located in Oxford and the Horton General Hospital in
the north of Oxfordshire.
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The John Radcliffe Hospital
The John Radcliffe Hospital (JR) was opened in the 1970s and is Oxfordshire's main
accident and emergency site. It is situated in Headington, about three miles east
of Oxford city centre. It is the largest of the Trust's hospitals, covering around 66
acres. It houses the Children's Hospital and West Wing and the John Radcliffe
Women's Centre. It also provides acute medical and surgical services, trauma,
intensive care and cardiothoracic services. It also houses many departments of
Oxford University Medical School, is home to the George Pickering Education Centre
and base for most medical students who are trained throughout the Trust. The new
emergency department at the John Radcliffe, opened in 2004, was judged the best
designed hospital building in the country, in the Department of Health’s national
Annual Building Better Healthcare Awards 2004. In October 2009 the new Oxford
Heart Centre opened at the John Radcliffe Hospital to meet the growing needs of
heart patients in Oxfordshire and across the region.
(All Information taken from Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust website http://www.ouh.nhs.uk/)
Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest general
hospital trusts in the country, providing acute medical and surgical services to
Reading, Wokingham and West Berkshire and specialist services to a wider
population across Berkshire and its borders.
The trust has over 4,800 staff, 607 acute, 44 paediatrics and 57 maternity post natal
beds and 204 day beds and spaces.
Royal Berkshire Hospital
The Royal Berkshire Hospital is based on a single site near the centre of Reading.
The hospital is the main base for the Trust and provides a wide range of services.
Full information on the Wards and Services available at the Royal Berkshire Hospital
can be found by visiting the Trust website www.royalberkshire.nhs.uk
Heatherwood and Wexham Park Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
became a Foundation Trust in 2007. The Trust employs over 3,700 permanent staff
delivering quality healthcare 24 hours a day 365 days a year. Heatherwood and
Wexham Park Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a large
and diverse population of over 400,000 which includes Ascot, Bracknell,
Maidenhead, Slough, south Buckinghamshire and Windsor. Heatherwood has been
a hospital since the 1920s and Wexham Park Hospital since 1968.
The Trust also manages outpatient services at:
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King Edward VII Hospital in Windsor
St. Mark's Hospital in Maidenhead
Fitzwilliam House in Bracknell
Chalfonts Outpatients in Chalfont St Peter
Wexham Park
Wexham Park Hospital has 521 beds with a full range of services including general
medicine and its sub-specialties, paediatrics, general surgery, vascular surgery,
urology, orthopaedics, obstetrics and gynaecology, otolaryngology, oral surgery and
a sub-regional plastic surgery unit.
The hospital contains a range of facilities, including:
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A large Accident and Emergency department
A new theatre complex with 9 general theatres and one obstetric theatre
A 12 bed combined Critical Intensive Therapy/High Dependency Unit
A 16 bed Day Surgery Unit and a 16 bed Short Stay Unit
An 8 bed Coronary Care Unit accompanied by a 6 bed Post Coronary Care
Unit, which acts as a step down unit
An Angiography Suite
An excellent new rehabilitation department
A centralised laboratory
Diagnostic imaging including a new spiral CT scanner and MRI Scanner Suite
A new state of the art Central Sterile Services Department (CSSD)
(All Information taken from Heatherwood and Wexham Park Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust website
http://www.heatherwoodandwexham.nhs.uk/)
Teaching
Most of the teaching is carried out through participation in the routine workload of
each department with increasing responsibility expected with each year of
training. In addition to this there are formal teaching sessions at each location
and there are monthly regional Calman sessions in which there is structured,
systemic teaching.
There is opportunity to attend courses outside of the region provided there is
sufficient study leave available. There are suitable courses available within the
region.
Duties of Post
The clinical aspects of the programme involve hands on exposure with specimens,
detailed microscopic examination, use of ancillary techniques such as molecular
diagnostics and participation in MDT meetings. It is envisaged that the trainee will
be allowed 3 month blocks off the clinical rota to accomplish the research. However,
this will be flexible and depending on the candidate and supervisor, a variation on
the 3 months per year time allocation will be allowed. Scheduling of DGH rotations
will also be flexible so as to maintain research continuity and allow for 2 of the 3 year
period spent in Oxford.
The post may involving performing autopsies, and will require handling of cytology
samples.
The successful applicant will be expected to participate in teaching of medical
students who are undertaking the Laboratory Medicine Course at the University of
Oxford.
Main Conditions of Service
Appointments to this programme are subject to the Terms and Conditions of Service
(TCS) for Hospital Medical and Dental Staff (England and Wales). In addition
appointments are subject to:
 Applicants having the right to work and be a doctor or dentist in training in the
UK
 Registration with the General Medical Council
 Pre-employment checks carried out by the Trust HR department in line with
the NHS employment check standards, including CRB checks and
occupational health clearance.
The employing Trust’s offer of employment is expected to be on the following
nationally agreed terms:
Hours – The working hours for junior doctors in training are now 48-hours (or 52hours if working on a derogated rota) averaged over 26 weeks (six months). Doctors
in training also have an individual right to opt-out if they choose to do so, but they
cannot opt-out of rest break or leave requirements. However, the contracts for
doctors in training make clear that overall hours must not exceed 56 hours in a
week (New Deal Contract requirements) across all their employments and any
locum work they do.
http://www.nhsemployers.org/PlanningYourWorkforce/MedicalWorkforce/EWT
D/Pages/EWTD.aspx
Pay – you should be paid monthly at the rates set out in the national terms and
conditions of service for hospital medical and dental staff and doctors in public health
medicine and the community health service (England and Wales), “the TCS”, as
amended from time to time. The payscales are reviewed annually. Current rates of
pay may be viewed at
http://www.nhsemployers.org/PayAndContracts/Pay%20circulars/Pages/PayCircular
sMedicalandDental.aspx Part time posts will be paid pro-rata
Pay supplement –depending upon the working pattern and hours of duty you are
contracted to undertake by the employer you should be paid a monthly additional
pay supplement at the rates set out in paragraph 22 of the TCS. The current
payscales may be viewed at
http://www.nhsemployers.org/PayAndContracts/Pay%20circulars/Pages/PayCircular
sMedicalandDental.aspx . The pay supplement is not reckonable for NHS pension
purposes. The pay supplement will be determined by the employer and should be
made clear in their offer of employment and subject to monitoring.
Pension – you will be entitled to join or continue as a member of the NHS Pension
Scheme, subject to its terms and rules, which may be amended from time to time. If
you leave the programme for out of programme experience you may have a gap in
your pension contributions. More information can be found at
http://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/pensions
Annual Leave – your entitlement to annual leave will be five or six weeks per annum
depending on your previous service/incremental point, as set out in paragraphs 205206 of the TCS. The TCS may be viewed at
http://www.nhsemployers.org/PAYANDCONTRACTS/JUNIORDOCTORSDENTISTS
GPREG/Pages/DoctorsInTraining-JuniorDoctorsTermsAndConditions150908.aspx
Sick pay – entitlements are outlined in paragraph 225 of the TCS.
Notice –you will be required to give your employer and entitled to receive from them
notice in accordance with paragraphs 195-196 of the TCS.
Study Leave –the employer is expected to offer study leave in accordance with
paragraphs 250-254 of the TCS. Local policy and procedure will be explained at
induction.
Travel Expenses – the employer is expected to offer travel expenses in accordance
with paragraphs 277-308 of the TCS for journeys incurred in performing your duties.
Local policy and procedure should be explained at induction.
Subsistence expenses – the employer is expected to offer subsistence expenses in
accordance with paragraph 311 of the TCS. Local policy and procedure should be
explained at induction.
Relocation expenses – the employer will have a local policy for relocation expenses
based on paragraphs 314 – 315 of the TCS and national guidance at
http://www.nhsemployers.org/PAYANDCONTRACTS/JUNIORDOCTORSDENTISTS
GPREG/Pages/DoctorsInTraining-JuniorDoctorsTermsAndConditions150908.aspx.
You are advised to check eligibility and confirm any entitlement with the employer
before incurring any expenditure.
Pre-employment checks – all NHS employers are required to undertake preemployment checks. The employer will confirm their local arrangements, which are
expected to be in line with national guidance at
http://www.nhsemployers.org/RecruitmentAndRetention/Employmentchecks/Pages/Employment-checks.aspx
Professional registration – it will be a requirement of employment that you have
professional registration with the GMC/GDC for the duration of your employment.
Though the post is covered by NHS Indemnity, you are strongly advised to register
with the MPS for professional indemnity.
Health and Safety – all employers have a duty to protect their workers from harm.
You should be advised by the employer of local policies and procedures intended to
protect your health and safety and expected to comply with these.
Disciplinary and grievance procedures – the employer will have local policies and
procedures for dealing with any disciplinary concerns or grievances you may have.
They should advise you how to access these, not later than eight weeks after
commencement of employment.
Educational Supervisor – the employer or a nominated deputy (usually the Director
of Medical Education) will confirm your supervisor on commencement.
General information on the Deanery’s management of Specialty Training
programmes, including issues such as taking time out of programme and dealing
with concerns or complaints, is available at www.oxforddeanery.nhs.uk and in the
national ‘Gold guide’ to Specialty Training at http://www.mmc.nhs.uk Please ensure
that you inform Oxford Deanery of any changes to your contact details.
Contacts:
Dr Clare Verrill, Lead Educator Cellular Pathology, Oxford University Hospitals
01865 220150 Clare.Verrill@OUH.nhs.uk
Dr Sanjiv Manek, Head of School of Pathology, Oxford Deanery
Sanjiv.Manek@OUH.nhs.uk
Dr Anna Schuh, Head of Translational Molecular Diagnostics, Oxford Cancer and
Haematology Centre
anna.schuh@nhs.net