Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The post will be available as a full time (described below) or part time post. Job plan of a part-time post will be by agreement with the Supervisor of Post.

St Richard’s Bariatric Unit provides bariatric surgery services for the West Sussex, East Sussex, Kent and parts of Hampshire.  We have been recognised by IFSO as an International Centre of Excellence in Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery.  It is one of the longest established and busiest bariatric services in the UK. The service is geared towards treating over 300 patients per year. This includes primary, revision and emergency Bariatric surgery. Outpatient multi-disciplinary new patient and follow up clinics are conducted in the specialist Bariatric clinic. The service is supported by a dedicated specialist Bariatric physician, a team of specialist anaesthetists, 2 specialist nurses, a surgical care practitioner, a team of supporting dietitians, 2 psychologists and a dedicated administrative team. There is HDU and ITU support if necessary.

All new patients attend a one-stop multi-disciplinary bariatric clinic where they are assessed by a specialist physician, surgeon, anaesthetist, dietitian and specialist nurse. Psychology assessment is also available during the clinic. The bariatric fellow plays an active part in this clinic each week.  If listed for surgery, patients are treated within the Department of Health’s 18-week pathway.

Most weeks there are at least 3 all day operating lists, as well as the new patient clinic, follow up clinics and, occasionally, endoscopy sessions. The Fellow’s time is protected to allow attendance at all Bariatric operating lists and new patient clinics. Duties also include inpatient care and the organisation of the care of bariatric emergencies which are often referred from other hospitals in our catchment area.

We have developed strong links with the Universities of Surrey and Chichester and there is an opportunity to be heavily involved in research and audit projects. The Trust has a very supportive R&D department.

The Fellow will be involved in the General Surgery on call rota at middle grade level (1 in 8). However, this is an out of hours commitment only and should not impact on exposure to Bariatric activity. Similarly, there is an opportunity for further exposure to all other aspects of general surgery, if desired, and to run independent operating lists, dependent on the experience and competence of the successful applicant.  The post works along the lines of a Senior Registrar post, with responsibilities supervising the more junior residents on the Upper GI unit.  Therefore, it is aimed at an Upper GI trainee with advanced laparoscopic skills (preferably including suturing) in their final year of training or, preferably, post CCT.  Prior experience in Bariatric Surgery is preferred but not essential as we have successfully trained surgeons to independent practice in Bariatric Surgery with no prior experience.