Clinical The post holders clinical duties will be primarily in the neurology department and with close collaboration with the Walton Centre Liverpool NMO Team. Aims and responsibilities of post: Under Consultant supervision to act as one of two clinical neurology fellows to work within the National Commissioned Neuromyelitis Optica (NMO) Team based in Oxford (the national service is shared between Oxford and Liverpool). It will cover paediatric and adult patients, with adults making up the majority, along with a paediatric fellow and the other NMO fellow. Clinical: The NMO clinical service covers outpatient clinics which are attended by Professor Palace, Dr Leite (Consultant Neurologists) and Dr Ramdas (Paediatric Neurologist) and Miss Sharma (Neuro-ophthalmology Consultant), two NMO Fellows cross covering each other, 2 Specialist Nurses, a new 2 day psychology post recently agreed, Occupational Therapist and Physiotherapist. The inpatient service is divided into adult admissions (on the neurosciences ward or the West Wing investigation unit), and the paediatric admissions (on the Paediatric ward under Dr Ramdas). This service will attract patients mainly from the Southern UK and is a joint National Service with the Liverpool team led by Dr Saif Huda. It involves inpatient assessments and treatment of NMO patients, phone advice to doctors, patients, families and their carers, audit of the service including helping to maintain the database, help in developing the highly specialized service. The NMO fellow will be expected to carry out research studies in NMO and encouraged to obtain a higher degree and to gain experience in presenting and talking at meetings. The post holder may be required to travel to other hospitals, patients houses. The candidate would normally have completed their core medical training and wish for a career in Neurology. Research Opportunities The candidate would normally have completed their core medical/paediatric training and wish for a career in a neurologically associated specialty. The candidate is expected to obtain a higher research degree during this post. Clinical and basic science research is integrated within the NMO team. These include focusing on Neuroimmunology experimental models, imaging research, neuropathology and treatment trials. It is expected the post holder will closely collaborate with the Liverpool NMO fellow and the team based there, assessing the functional implications of these, identifying specific phenotypes and testing new drugs. This post is an exciting opportunity to develop a broad publication portfolio and the post holder will be encouraged to present their work at national and international meetings. Facilities for study and training Good library and on line facilities are available at The John Radcliffe Hospital and at other libraries in the Central Oxford Hospitals. There is a specialist training program monthly on Fridays, which trainees at this stage can join. Teaching, Audit and Research Participation in audit is required. Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust is a teaching hospital trust, and the post-holder will be required to participate in programs for teaching clinical students, training junior doctors and in clinical examinations. It is expected that this will be an integral part of everyday clinical activity. The post-holders contribution to teaching, training and research will be included in the regular job plan review. Clinical Governance The post-holder will participate in all clinical governance activities, including clinical audit, clinical effectiveness, risk management, quality improvement activities as required by the Trust, and external accrediting bodies. Personal and Professional Development The post-holder will be required to keep himself/herself fully up-to-date with their relevant area of practice and to be able to demonstrate this to the satisfaction of the Trust. Professional or study leave will be granted at the discretion of the Trust, in line with the prevailing Terms and Conditions of Service, to support appropriate study, postgraduate training activities, relevant CME courses and other appropriate personal development needs. Management The post-holder will be required to work within the Trust's management policies and procedures, both statutory and internal, accepting that the resources available to the Trust are finite and that all changes in clinical practice or workload, or developments requiring additional resources must have prior agreement with the Trust. He/she will undertake the administrative duties associated with the care of his /her patients and the running of his/her clinical service under the direction of the lead clinician and/or directorate chair. NMO Clinical Fellow JD & PS November 2024 Risk Management The management of risk is the responsibility of everyone and will be achieved within a progressive, honest and open environment. Staff will be provided with the necessary education, training and support to enable them to meet this responsibility. Staff should be familiar with the: Major Incident Policy Fire Policy and should make themselves familiar with the local response plan and their role within that response. Responsibilities for Health & Safety The post holder is responsible for ensuring that all duties and responsibilities of this post are carried out in compliance with the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974, Statutory Regulations and Trust Policies and Procedures. This will be supported by the provision of training and specialist advice where required. Infection Control Infection Control is everyones responsibility. All staff, both clinical and non-clinical, are required to adhere to the Trusts Infection Prevention and Control Policies and make every effort to maintain high standards of infection control at all times thereby reducing the burden of Healthcare Associated Infections. All staff employed by the Trust have the following key responsibilities: Staff must decontaminate their hands prior to and after direct patient contact or contact with the patients surroundings. Staff members have a duty to attend mandatory infection control training provided for them by the Trust. Staff members who develop an infection (other than common colds and illness) that may be transmittable to patients have a duty to contact Occupational Health. Equality and Diversity The OUH values equality and diversity in employment and in the services we provide. We are committed to promoting equality and diversity in employment and will keep under review our policies and procedures to ensure that the job related needs of all staff working in the Trust are recognized. The Trust will aim to ensure that all job applicants, employees or clients are treated fairly and valued equally regardless of sex, marital status, domestic circumstances, age, race, colour, disablement, ethnic or national origin, social background or employment status, sexual orientation, religion, beliefs, HIV status, gender reassignment, political affiliation or trade union membership. Selection for training and development and promotion will be based on the individuals ability to meet the requirements of the job. NMO Clinical Fellow JD & PS November 2024 Freedom of Information The post holder should be aware of the responsibility placed on employees under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and is responsible for helping to ensure that the Trust complies with the Act when handling or dealing with any information relating to Trust activity. Patient and Public Involvement The Trust is committed to, and has a statutory duty to involve service users, carers and the public in the work of the organisation. We consider that patient and public involvement is the responsibility of every individual working for our Trust. All staff have a responsibility to listen to the views of patients and to contribute to service improvements based on patient feedback. You will be expected to support the Trust with this through your working practice. Serious Incidents All staff must report incidents and near misses so that the Trust can reduce the risk of harm by investigating and incorporating risk reducing measures to safe guard patients, visitors and staff, in accordance with the Trust Incident Reporting Policy. Childrens Rights The post holder will endeavor at all times to uphold the rights of children and young people in accordance with the UN Convention Rights of the Child. Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults The Trust is committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults throughout the organisation. As a member of the trust there is a duty to assist in protecting patients and their families from any form of harm when they are vulnerable. Information Governance You must maintain a Trust email account. All staff must complete annual information governance training that can be completed on-line. For further details, go to the Information Governance intranet site: General The post-holder will assume a continuing responsibility for the care of patients in his/her charge and the proper functioning of his/her department