Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Pleural work - The pleural service is expanding and sees over 1000 referrals per year. Candidates require RCR level 1 thoracic ultrasound certification, and over the course of their 1 year attachment a logbook would be created targeting requirements to obtain RCR level 2. This is expected to be achieved through pleural clinic lists including dedicated mesothelioma clinics, consultant supervised lists, and enhancement of their repertoire of pleural procedural skills (including direct guidance procedures, pleural biopsies, lung biopsies, competency in neck ultrasound and nodal biopsy, insertion and removal of indwelling catheters). A new medical thoracoscopy commenced in summer 2019.  

The fellows would also be expected to teach and assist in procedures to ensure foundation doctors, core trainees and pre-RCR level 1 respiratory specialty trainees are given the necessary opportunities and experiences in pleural procedures.  It would be expected that the fellows would complete the relevant BTS national audits, participate in patient recruitment to multi-centred national pleural disease trials and begin to develop a research portfolio through observational and retrospective studies.

Endobronchial ultrasound - We perform nearly 300 procedures per year. Training will be achieved by being part of the lung cancer team, learning patient selection through referrals and clinic, radiological interpretation and attending consultant supervised lists. The candidate must already be competent in standard flexible bronchoscopy.

Other elements - There will be involvement in teaching Plymouth University Medical students. This will involve an organisational component, small group teaching, bedside teaching, assessments and involvement in examining. The fellow would be able to propose a special study unit for medical students in a relevant area (lung cancer or pleural disease). To complement the teaching, enrolling for a postgraduate diploma in medical education would be encouraged – with time allocated to complete this.

General medical experience - The candidate is expected to work a normal working week. As part of the busy respiratory team, there is general medical experience daily on the wards. However, there is an opportunities to support the medical registrar out of hours rota  (excluding nights) at the candidates discretion.

Essential requirements - Candidates should be Specialty trainees in Respiratory medicine or equivalent, nearing competency in bronchoscopy and have RCR level 1 Thoracic ultrasound. Non UK graduates without MRCP must provide written evidence of appropriate knowledge, training and experience.