Job Summary
We are expanding the service within the Department of Developmental Paediatrics based in Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust. We are looking to appoint a Consultant in Developmental Paediatrics to expand the service offer and to reduce waiting times across our catchment area. The department is going through an exciting period of change and modernisation and the post provides an opportunity to help shape the new service, particularly with the new Alder Hey Children's Hospital site and a forthcoming Neuro Developmental Centre. Although the post is full‑time, part‑time work or job‑share arrangements can be considered. The Consultant will have the exciting opportunity to develop the service further and provide clinical leadership within the team.
The appointee will join a dynamic and forward‑thinking team of 17 Consultants, seven SAS doctors working in Neuro‑disability and Neuro‑development, social and educational paediatrics covering North Mersey (Liverpool, Knowsley, Sefton). The Complex Neurodisability service cares for children with cerebral palsy, Down's and other neuro‑genetic syndromes, neuromuscular disorders, progressive neurological conditions and neuro‑developmental problems requiring investigation.
Main Duties of the Job
It is envisaged that this post will attract 10 programmed activities per week (8.5 PA direct clinical care and 1.5 PA supporting professional activities), in accordance with Trust Policy for new consultants. Increases beyond 1.5 SPA, in respect of appropriate activities, can be negotiated by mutual agreement following annual job planning reviews.
The post holder will share, with the Developmental Paediatric Patch Team, clinical responsibility for referrals from Primary Care, other Consultants within the Trust, Child Mental Health and Social Services/Education, allowing for flexibility according to the skills of the successful applicant.
Job Responsibilities
Clinical work particularly around:
* Vulnerable children and children looked after
* Developmental delay – assessment and management of children with neuro‑developmental disorders
* Assessment and diagnosis of ADHD and ASD working jointly with ADHD/ASD Specialist Nurse
* Behavioural problems – assessment for underlying developmental aetiologies
* Joint MD spasticity management clinics
* Complex care clinics in special schools
* Joint working with LD teams and CAHMS and development of pathways to improve access to services
* Development of pathways and protocols to improve care for children with complex needs, including supporting the development of follow‑up services for high‑risk infants with adverse perinatal events
Teaching & Academic role:
* Participate in the teaching and training of undergraduates and postgraduates and provide clinical and educational supervision.
* Offer training in child development to health personnel and staff in partner agencies.
* Develop research interests in area of expertise.
Managerial responsibilities:
* Supervise junior staff.
* Participate in departmental and local authority meetings related to strategic planning.
* Take an active role in service review and development with fellow Consultants.
CPD, Audit & Clinical Governance:
* Participate in CPD activity for which financial support is available.
* Initiate and undertake appropriate audit within the department.
* Take part in the clinical governance programme.
The community Paediatrics team provides a safeguarding service, and the clinician may be given an opportunity to support the safeguarding service if this is an area of interest. This would be appropriately adjusted in the job plan.
Person Specification – Essential
* Full GMC registration – MRCPCH or equivalent. On the GMC Specialist Register with UK CCT or equivalent in relevant paediatric specialty. Applicants with general paediatric CCT to demonstrate equivalent experience and competencies to those gained by CCT in Community Child Health and capable of working at Consultant level in Community Paediatrics.
* Level 3 Child Safeguarding training.
* Valid BLS Training.
* Portfolio Pathway (formerly CESR) applicants must be on the Specialist Register at the point of application.
* Ability to take full and independent responsibility and clinical management for complex patients.
* Teaching experience in a wide variety of settings.
* Experience in audit and clinical governance principles, including evidence of understanding audit principles, patient safety and organisational risks, and having taken a lead role in at least two audit projects in relevant clinical areas.
* Teaching skills and experience; ability to supervise the clinical work of doctors in training and other staff.
* Good oral and written communication skills.
* Ability to organise and prioritise personal workload and that of others.
* Ability to build effective relationships and work collaboratively with staff at all levels of the organisation.
* Evidence of being a team player and effective communicator as part of a multi‑agency team.
* Ability to conduct a comprehensive assessment of children with complex neuro‑disability, including psychosocial factors.
* Demonstrated ability to lead a multidisciplinary team.
* Effective time management, able to work under pressure.
* Well‑developed reflective and self‑care skills and ability to foster these attributes in others.
* Highly developed IT skills.
* Self‑motivated to set and achieve targets; flexible in regard to teamwork; reliable work record.
* Demonstrable commitment to ongoing professional development, clinical governance and service improvement.
* Demonstrated competence across the NHS Leadership Qualities Framework (LQF) Delivering the Service cluster: Leading change, Holding to account, Empowering others, Effective and strategic influencing, Collaborative working.
* Knowledge of recognised tools for the assessment of developmental disorders (e.g., Griffiths scales, SOGS).
* Understanding of multi‑agency working in the context of complex neuro‑disability management; good knowledge of child safeguarding theory and practice; awareness of paediatric legislation; familiarity with NICE guidance on childhood epilepsies, spasticity and cerebral palsy.
Person Specification – Desirable
* Higher degree (e.g., MSc, MD, DCH, DCCH, MBA) or any relevant postgraduate qualification.
* Valid APLS and NLS.
* Experience in other areas of child health (General Practice, Child Mental Health, Obstetrics, Public Health).
* Specialist experience in child protection.
* Ability to work unsupervised and make decisions.
* Formal training in teaching.
* Demonstrated ability to lead and supervise a multidisciplinary team.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and requires a Disclosure and Barring Service check for any previous criminal convictions.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled Worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit https://www.gov.uk/guidance/criminal-record-checks-for-overseas-applicants.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.
Employer Details
Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust
Alder Hey Hospital
Eaton Road
Liverpool
L12 2AP
Website: https://alderhey.nhs.uk/
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