The Post: CONSULTANT IN REHABILITATION MEDICINE
THE REGIONAL HYPER-ACUTE REHABILITATION UNIT (RHRU)
The RHRU is one of eight Level 1 specialised rehabilitation services, commissioned by NHS England, and provides post-acute specialised inpatient rehabilitation primarily for working age adults with severe complex disability, whose rehabilitation needs are beyond the scope of their local rehabilitation services. It includes 15 – 16 Level 1a specialist rehabilitation beds and 8-9 hyper-acute rehabilitation beds serving a catchment population of >12 million from London and the home counties. Established in 1992, the RHRU has a national and international reputation as a leading centre of clinical excellence, research and development in rehabilitation.
The appointee will be expected to work with the multi-disciplinary teams on the ward, supporting the Unit Director and providing supervision to junior medical staff. This is an opportunity to develop further skills and gain experience in Rehabilitation Medicine.
The new Consultant will join the RHRU Medical team to provide specific expertise in the management of acute and complex medical conditions following brain injury, liaising with other specialities within the hospital and across London as necessary.
THE POST
We are seeking to appoint a clinician who has completed training in Rehabilitation Medicine or is already holding a substantive consultant post.
The key role for this post is to take primary responsibility for the medical care and rehabilitation of in-patients on the RHRU.
Although 8 of the RHRU beds are formally commissioned as hyper-acute beds, the unit operates a flexible policy between its Level1a and hyper-acute beds, which enables the patient to remain on the unit and continue their rehabilitation during periods of medical instability. At any one time there may be up to 8-9 patient with unstable or potentially unstable medical needs.
Typical reasons for instability include intercurrent infection, autonomic dysfunction, cardiovascular instability, renal insufficiency, desaturation / respiratory distress, tracheostomy and/or ventilation, post-operative recovery, pulmonary embolism.
The successful candidate will demonstrate a good knowledge and first-hand experience of managing these acute problems, in addition to their specialist knowledge / experience of rehabilitation and management of patients with complex disabilities. The candidate should have experience in interventional procedures such as botulinum toxin injections for spasticity and hyper-salivation, both guided by ultrasound.
The appointee will be expected to work with the multi-disciplinary teams on the ward, supporting the Unit Director and providing supervision to junior medical staff. This is an opportunity to develop further skills and gain experience in Rehabilitation Medicine.
The new Consultant will join the RHRU Medical team to provide specific expertise in the management of acute and complex medical conditions following brain injury, liaising with other specialities within the hospital and across London as necessary.
The successful applicant must have training in rehabilitation and acute medicine with experience in the management of patients with complex neurological disabilities. You will be expected to contribute to teaching and training, as well as to audit and research. Northwick Park is a large district teaching hospital in North West London
Applicants should have full GMC registration and experience, evidence of Specialist Rehabilitation training.
We offer excellent training and development opportunities, a friendly working environment and flexible working.
We welcome applications to reflect our diverse local populations of age, gender, race and disability.
For further information about the role and responsibilities of this post, please see attached job description.
This advert closes on Sunday 5 Jan 2025