Spinal Fellowship

Description

Spine Fellowship Beacon Hospital Located in South Dublin, Beacon Hospital is one of the most advanced hospitals in Europe with 181 In-patient beds, 70 Day-case beds, 8 Operating Theatres, 3 Cath labs 4 Endoscopy Suites and over 1600 Healthcare Professionals and upwards of 350 Consultants. Beacon Hospital operates as a full service acute hospital providing 24 hour world class acute services including Orthopaedics, Cardiology, Women's Health, Urology, Vascular surgery, ENT, Neurology, General Surgery, Cancer care, General Medicine and Emergency Medicine. Department: Orthopaedic Department / UCD Beacon Hospital Academy Reporting To: Consultant Spine Surgeon(s) / Medical Director Prof Seamus Morris Mr Olan Carmody Mr Ian Feely Mr George Fournier Mr Martin Murphy Mr Jabir Nagaria Mr Marcus Timlin Clinically and professionally responsible to the supervising Orthopaedic Consultant / administratively accountable to the Head of NCHD Office for e.g. rostering, payroll, leave requests. The mission of Beacon Hospital is to provide quality care to all patients, in a respectful, safe and compassionate environment. In exercising this mission, Beacon Hospital will adhere to all health and safety regulations. Position Summary: The Spine Fellow will work within the Beacon hospital, providing high-level clinical, surgical, and peri‑operative care to spine surgery patients. The role is designed for a post‑training surgeon seeking advanced subspecialty exposure and preparation for independent private practice. The fellow will function at senior resident level, contributing to surgical efficiency, patient safety, and overall patient experience, while operating under the supervision of consultant spine surgeons. Key Responsibilities 1. Clinical Care & Patient Management Pre‑operative Responsibilities · Be available to perform independent assessment of elective spine surgery patients, including comprehensive history, focused neurological examination, and imaging review. · Optimise patients for surgery, including medical risk stratification, medication review, and peri‑operative planning. · Liaise with anaesthesia and other specialties regarding complex or high‑risk patients. Post‑operative Responsibilities · Conduct daily inpatient ward rounds and manage routine post‑operative care. · Communicate with treating consultants giving daily update · Communicate with treating consultants prior to initiating any specific treatment plan · Identify, assess, and initiate management of post‑operative complications, including but not limited to neurological deterioration, wound complications, CSF leak, infection, thromboembolic events, and pain control issues. · Coordinate discharge planning with nursing staff and allied health professionals. · Provide post‑discharge follow‑up planning, continuity of care and review. 2. Intra‑operative Responsibilities · Act as first assistant for complex spinal procedures. · Perform selected procedures as primary operator, commensurate with experience and under consultant supervision. · Demonstrate proficiency in open and minimally invasive spinal techniques. · Assist with operative setup, positioning, navigation, neuromonitoring interpretation, and instrumentation management. · Contribute to efficient operating theatre workflow while maintaining the highest standards of patient safety. 3. On‑Call & Acute Inpatient Care · Provide first‑line assessment and management of inpatient post‑operative issues. · Respond to acute neurological or surgical complications in a timely manner. · Coordinate urgent investigations and interventions as required. · Escalate care to the supervising consultant according to agreed clinical thresholds. · Review spinal in patient consult cases on request by spinal triage service · Participate in theatre schedule that includes weekend cover 4. Patient Communication & Experience · Communicate clearly, professionally, and empathetically with patients and their families. Reinforce consultant treatment plans and manage post‑operative expectations. · Underake daily ward rounds on the inpatient ward. · Contribute positively to patient satisfaction and the reputation of the surgical centre. 5. Practice Efficiency & Consultant Support · Prepare theatre lists and assist with pre‑operative planning. · Review imaging and operative strategies in advance of scheduled cases. · Complete accurate and timely documentation, including Spine Tango data entry, record PROMs, discharge summaries, and correspondence. · Coordinate care with physiotherapy, pain services, nursing staff, and administrative teams. · Support multiple consultants where required to enhance overall service efficiency. 6. Governance, Quality & Safety · Adhere to institutional policies, clinical pathways, and safety protocols. · Participate in clinical audit, outcome monitoring, and quality improvement initiatives. · Contribute to morbidity and mortality reviews as required. · Ensure compliance with professional, medico‑legal, and regulatory standards. 7. Teaching, Leadership & Professional Conduct · Provide teaching and supervision to junior medical staff, allied health professionals and nursing staff as appropriate. · Demonstrate leadership and professionalism within the clinical team. · Act as a role model for clinical judgement, ethical practice, and teamwork. Skills & Competencies Qualifications • Current Full Irish Medical Council Registration. · Completed specialist training in Orthopaedic Surgery or Neurosurgery. Job Specific Competencies and Knowledge · International candidates must have achieved a minimal score of 7 on the IELTS · BLS certification required. Personal Competencies · Proven ability to work as an effective team member. · Advanced clinical assessment and decision‑making skills in spinal disorders. · Strong operative skills appropriate to fellowship level. · Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities. · Ability to work independently while recognising limits and escalation requirements. · High level of organisational efficiency and attention to detail. Supervision & Scope of Practice The fellow will at all times work under the supervision of consultant spine surgeons in the Beacon hospital. The patient care pathway will be described by the treating spinal consultant. The fellow must communicate any proposed changes in care to the treating consultant in advance of implementation. Terms & Conditions · Appointment is for a fixed‑term fellowship. · Remuneration, on‑call requirements, and leave entitlements will be defined in the employment contract.