Clinical Fellow Cardiac Electrophysiology

Job Description

FREEMAN HOSPITALDIRECTORATE OF CARDIOTHORACIC SERVICESCLINICAL FELLOW IN CARDIAC ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY (ST6+)REF. 317-TD-20-226We are delighted to be able to offer an opportunity for a highly motivated, ambitious individual to join our well integrated team.The purpose of this Fellowship in Cardiac Electrophysiology is to provide extensive training in advanced cardiac rhythm management at Freeman Hospital, one of the largest interventional electrophysiology centres in the UK, to supplement StR experience previous attained. The Fellowship will involve training in catheter ablation, including the use of a range of 3-dimensional mapping systems and other technologies, and complex device implantation, in addition to in-patient and out-patient assessment of patients presenting with electrical cardiac issues.Electrophysiology Services at Freeman Hospital The Cardiothoracic Centre at Freeman Hospital provides tertiary electrophysiology services for Tyne and Wear, Northumberland, County Durham and Cumbria, a population of approximately 2.5 million people. Approximately 800-900 electrophysiology procedures, 300 pacemaker implants and 325 complex device implants are undertaken each year. Additionally, Freeman Hospital is the regional referral centre for Adult Congenital Heart Disease, and is the cardiac transplant centre for the north of England. The post therefore provides exposure to ablation and device procedures in these more complex groups of patients.Interventional facilities include two dedicated catheter laboratories used for electrophysiology and devices, plus a third laboratory that is shared between adult electrical cardiology and the Paediatric Cardiology/ACHD team. The opportunity to gain experience in Paediatric Electrophysiology is therefore available if the successful applicant desires. The catheter laboratories are equipped with Bard LS Pro recording systems, with 6 electroanatomical mapping systems available for 3D mapping cases (2 Boston Scientific Rhythmia, 2 Biosense Webster CARTO 3 V4 and 2 St Jude Precision). Other technologies in use in the department include Arctic Front Advance Cryoballoon catheters and the ACUTUS AcQMap AF mapping system. Simple pacing procedures are also performed in a screening room.In addition, Freeman Hospital offers one of the few non-invasive arrhythmia ablation services (using SABR) currently available in the UK.Non-invasive facilities include physiologist-led pacing and defibrillator clinics, an ambulatory ECG department, exercise testing and echocardiography.Role of the EP Fellow The appointee will participate extensively under the supervision of a Consultant Electrophysiologist in interventional electrophysiology procedures, with some additional exposure to cardiac device implantation, including complex devices. In the past 12 months, the following numbers of ablation procedures were performed:SVT/typical flutter: 320Atrial fibrillation: 350Atrial tachycardia/atypical flutter: 60Ventricular tachycardia/PVCs: 65There therefore a high proportion of complex arrhythmia cases, most of which involve use of 3D mapping systems.The appointee will be expected to participate in the pre- and post-procedural care of patients they have performed procedures upon.There are a number of arrhythmia-related studies on-going within the department, originating both from within and external to the unit, and the post will involve taking an active role in contributing to patient recruitment and data collection. It would be expected that the appointee will have opportunities to submit data for presentation at national/international conferences.The EP Fellow will also be expected to contribute to the weekly EP MDT meeting, which involves education for trainees and physiologists, and discussion of the management of complex cases. They may also wish to attend the weekly Adult Congenital Heart Disease/Arrhythmia MDT meeting. There is also a monthly evening EP Journal Club which the appointee will be welcome to attend. The appointee will be encouraged to study for IBHRE or EHRA accreditation during their post if not already held.The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the most successful teaching NHS Trusts in the country. We have one of the highest numbers of specialist services of hospitals in the UK. With around 14,000 staff, the Newcastle Hospitals is one of the region’s major employers. We have a long-standing reputation for high quality clinical care with our staff’s commitment to excellence reflected in our consistent performance at the highest level. We are committed to being an “employer of choice” offering our staff superb benefits, looking after their wellbeing, and providing access to high-quality education, training, career progression and support which enables them to provide “healthcare at its best – with people at our heart”.We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and recognise the benefit in providing an inclusive environment. We value and respect the diversity of our employees and aim to recruit a workforce which reflects the communities we serve, and is equipped to deliver the best service to our patients. We welcome all applications irrespective of people’s race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion or belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity and in particular those from under-represented groups.For an informal discussion and further information regarding the opportunity and Directorate, please contact: Dr Ewen Shepherd, Consultant Cardiologist on , or via email at