Consultant in Stroke Medicine

The Stroke Unit of Portsmouth Hospitals University Trust is one of the busiest centres in the UK. We have over 5000 acute stroke referrals annually, and about 1100 – 1300 stroke admissions. Our stroke thrombolysis rate is among the highest in the country with over 200-250 patients thrombolysed every year. About 10% of our stroke patients are accepted for mechanical thrombectomy at the regional specialist centre in Southampton which constitutes the rate at the ten top Stroke centres nationally. Our reach and ability to open the revascularisation window is extended with our CT perfusion systems which is in operation 24/7. We have a 34-bed stroke unit in which there are 12 designated HASU beds, as well as a new purposefully built 30 bed rehab unit (shared with UKROC rehabilitation team) with 2 dedicated neuro-gymnasiums, and a 7-day outpatient TIA service. We regularly hit SSNAP B in acute Stroke care performance even with the newly updated and strictly tightened SSNAP requirements which stays outstanding in the region.

Currently, we are in partnership with Isle of Wight NHS Trust providing with consultant and senior support on a daily basis for thrombolysis on call cover out of hours and weekends.

We are looking to recruit an enthusiastic Consultant in Stroke Medicine to work alongside of other 6 Consultants and Stroke Specialist doctors in a well-motivated team. There is ample opportunity and encouragement to pursue research, improvement projects, teaching, and supervision.

The post holder will be doing a 1 in 7 on call rota alongside working with the MDT daily in the Stroke Unit to provide high quality care for our broad patient demographic. The post holder will be expected to contribute to education and supervision of our medical team, as well as training medical students from the University of Portsmouth graduate medical entry (KCL.) The Post holder will need to triage and review patients in the TIA clinic through the week alongside the ward-based responsibilities. Whilst on call, the post holder will need to review and support our Stroke Nurse Specialists, Stroke speciality doctor in the Emergency Department, and then remotely out of hours.

The Consultant in Stroke Medicine will be responsible for the management of Stroke patients along our care pathways. They will be part of a team of Stroke Consultants and Specialist doctors (some of whom are currently locum) managing hyper-acute & acute Stroke patients, TIA clinics, and regular Multidisciplinary team meetings. They will be required to contribute to a 1 in 7 on-call rota and provide with stroke expertise support to IOW stroke team.

• Responsibility for the ongoing management, diagnosis, and treatment of illness of inpatients with Stroke or Stroke mimic symptoms
• Provision of and responsibility for a comprehensive Acute Stroke and Stroke Rehabilitation Service with Consultant colleagues.
• Attend and contribute actively to departmental thrombolysis meetings, taking responsibility for actions where appropriate.
• Take responsibility for the associated administration related to the management of patients.
• Senior clinicians are expected to demonstrate Trust values throughout their day-to-day work being respectful and civil to colleagues.
• Cover for colleagues’ annual leave and other authorised absences.
• Clinical supervision of junior medical staff including the observance of local employment and human resource policies and procedures.
• Responsibilities for carrying out teaching, examination and accreditation duties as required and contributing to undergraduate, postgraduate, and continuing medical education activity, both locally and nationally.
• Participating in medical audit and the Trust’s Clinical Governance processes.
• Ensuring to remain updated with regular education and CPD.
• The post holder must always carry out his/her duties with due regard to the Trust’s Diversity and Inclusion Policies.
• It is the responsibility of all employees to comply with Trust Health and Safety policies and maintain a safe and healthy environment for patients, visitors, and staff.
• All employees have an individual responsibility to have knowledge of and employ the basic principles of infection control practice.
• In line with GMC’s Good Medical Practice, it is the responsibility of the post holder to ensure that all duties are carried out to the highest possible standard, and in accordance with current quality initiatives within the area of work.
• All staff who have access to or transfer data are responsible for this data and must respect confidentiality and comply with the requirements of the Data Protection Act 1998, in line with the Trust’s policies.

Essential

Desirable

• Competencies in brain CT perfusion interpretation and ability to act upon accordingly.
• PhD or higher degree or diploma

• Must be able to demonstrate a high level of clinical delivery and experience of Stroke Medicine.
• Fully competent and independent in delivering diagnostic and therapeutic care in acute stroke. CT, CTA, and MRI is essential, ability in CT perfusion interpretation is very much desirable.
• Understanding the current developments within the field of Stroke Medicine and Rehabilitation, and being able to apply with best evidence based practice.
• Have obtained or willing to undertake training in the following: Good Clinical Practice training, Clinical Supervision training, and Teach the Teacher training.

• Regular teaching and education of medical and non-medical teams.
• Quality improvement or audit relevant to the field.

• Demonstrate an understanding of the NHS leadership and management framework.
• Drive practice and civil working culture within the department and leading the service at consultant level.
• Work effectively and respectfully with your peers and other colleagues across the breadth of specialties.
• Understand and mange personal workload.
• Participate and lead other teams at consultant level; managing, leading, and inspiring junior colleagues.

• Full right to work in the UK.
• Comprehensive IT skills.
• Excellent communication skills in English in both written and oral.
• Self-awareness of one’s own impact on others.
• Be a good role model and ambassador for the trust and department, leading by example, ensuring good moral and ethical integrity.