BHP Clinician Scientist - Clinical

The BHP Clinician Scientist scheme is hosted by the University of Birmingham on behalf of Birmingham Health Partners (BHP). Birmingham Health Partners is a strategic alliance of six NHS Trusts (Birmingham Women's and Children's NHS Foundation Trust, The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust, Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health Foundation Trust, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust), Health Innovation West Midlands, Aston University, and the University of Birmingham, which aims to transform the health, wellbeing and economic growth of the city-region.

This is the fourth round of the pioneering BHP Clinician-Scientist Programme, a postdoctoral initiative to help develop the very best of the next generation of clinical academics. Successful candidates will join a cohort of eight postholders in specialties ranging from Public Health to Paediatric Medicine. The programme includes wrap-around career development to target fully funded, highly prestigious, external clinical intermediate fellowships such as the MRC Clinician Scientist, NIHR Advanced Fellowships or equivalent Wellcome schemes, amongst other funding opportunities.

The programme funds a 10PA consultant-level job plan with a 50:50 split between clinical service at a BHP member NHS Trust and academic activity at the University of Birmingham. The scheme is open to all clinical specialties. There are 3 positions available.

The programme is designed with two clear exits in mind: a fully funded intermediate fellowship with subsequent transition to a permanent clinical academic contract, or a transition to a permanent NHS consultant contract with one of the partner NHS Trusts.

The initial contract is fixed term for 5 years including a 3-year probation period with annual joint appraisal. Review in the third year will assess individual future career trajectory and determine either continuation as a university-based staff member or transition within the remaining contract to a full-time permanent NHS consultant position. Where an independent fellowship is secured, the postholder will be expected to transfer to it as soon as reasonably practicable.

ROLE SUMMARY

You will contribute at a senior level to clinical service and research. You will be expected to contribute to academic citizenship, demonstrated through generous, mutually respectful, and supportive working relationships with all staff and students.

MAIN DUTIES — CLINICAL

For hospital-based clinical appointees, you will join an integrated clinical service in one of the partner NHS Trusts. Depending on the clinical service area, you will work across all relevant clinical activities of that service as defined by the Clinical Service Lead or manager, to develop and deliver a modern clinical service. Where relevant, you will develop an area of sub-specialty interest aligned to your research interests and fitting with the needs of the clinical service. You will participate in all clinical governance activities, including clinical audit, clinical effectiveness, risk management, and quality improvement activities as required by the Trust and external accrediting bodies.

The Direct Clinical Care PAs will be worked flexibly by agreement with consultant colleagues as part of an annualised job plan. There is no prospective cover provided within the weekly job plan. Any on-call out of hours will be shared between the consultant team and included as part of the weekly job plan.

MAIN DUTIES — RESEARCH

To pursue sustained cutting-edge research through original activity and scholarship, including:
- Contributing to the management of research activities and/or supervising other research staff as appropriate
- Successful pursuit of external intermediate fellowships and other comparable funding bids
- Consistently publishing internationally excellent research, with some research regarded as world leading, resulting in a sustained, highly respected reputation of international quality
- Supervising and examining PhD students, both within the host institution and externally
- Providing expert advice internally and externally
- Peer reviewing articles for peer-reviewed academic journals and grant applications by research councils and/or other major funding bodies
- Leading sustained impact activity including public engagement and making a significant contribution to policy development at national and international level
- Developing novel methodologies and techniques appropriate to the type of research being pursued

PERSON SPECIFICATION — QUALIFICATIONS

Essential:
- Higher Degree (PhD or MD)

For medically qualified, hospital-based applicants:
- Full/Eligible for GMC Registration
- Inclusion on, or within 6 months of inclusion on, the Specialist Register in a secondary care GMC specialty, or clinical training and experience equivalent to that required for gaining UK Certificate of Completion of Training
- Evidence of higher specialty exams (e.g. MRCP, MRCS, MRCPCH, MRCOG, MRCPsych or equivalent)

For other healthcare professionals:
- Appropriate discipline-specific registration to undertake clinical activity

CLINICAL EXPERIENCE

- Comprehensive clinical experience
- Evidence of understanding of and adherence to the principles of Good Medical/Dental Practice as set out by the GMC or other governing bodies
- Experience of integrated clinical service, complex community services, and managing general patients as well as your own subspecialty
- Ability to take full and independent responsibility for clinical care of patients in the specialty area

RESEARCH

- Existing programme of applied, translational and/or basic science research
- Academic profile with the potential for developing local research collaborations

PERSON SKILLS

- Experience in building and leading a multidisciplinary team
- Capable of building strong and effective professional relationships and communicating effectively with patients, families and colleagues
- Gains confidence and trust from others with good interpersonal skills
- Able to respond to and cope with change
- Demonstrates honesty and integrity
- Commitment to continuing professional development and clinical governance

OH and DBS clearance required prior to appointment.