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Residency Position: Senior Clinical Training Scholarship in Diagnostic Imaging - University of Cambridge, UK

Residency Position: Senior Clinical Training Scholarship in Diagnostic Imaging - University of Cambridge, UK

Senior Clinical Training Scholarship in Diagnostic Imaging (Residency Position)

University of Cambridge, Department of Veterinary Medicine, The Queen's Veterinary School Hospital

To start 1 July 2024, or as soon as possible thereafter

Please note:  The ability to take up this Scholarship is contingent upon you being able to evidence your right to work in the UK, or through gaining the right to work via the UK immigration system. Evidence will need to be provided before an offer can be made. Regrettably, this Scholarship is not suitable for sponsorship via the Skilled Worker or Temporary Worker visa routes as the minimum requirements cannot be met.

Training Programme

Duration:  One year in the first instance, renewable for periods of one year up to a total of three years.

Aims of the Senior Clinical Training Scholarship (SCTS)

This Scholarship is a training position designed to provide a good foundation in all aspects of veterinary diagnostic imaging and as training for the European Diploma in Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging.

The Scholar will be under the direct supervision of the Clinical Supervisor and Programme Director:

Marie-Aude Genain, Docteur Vétérinaire, MSc, AFHEA, Dip ECVDI, MRCVS
European Veterinary Specialist in Diagnostic Imaging
RCVS recognised specialist in Diagnostic Imaging
Principal Radiologist

With additional supervision from:

Professor Michael Herrtage MA BVSc DVSc DVR DVD DSAM DECVIM DECVDI MRCVS
RCVS Recognised Specialist in Small Animal Medicine and Diagnostic Imaging
European Specialist in Companion Animal Internal Medicine and Diagnostic Imaging
Emeritus Professor of Small Animal Medicine

Conor Rowan MVB DVMS DipECVDI MRCVS
Clinical Radiologist

Paddy Mannion BVMS, DVR, Dip ECVDI, MRCVS
Director of Cambridge Radiology Referrals

Time allocation

At least 66% of time during the SCTS should be spent on managing clinical cases through the diagnostic imaging department. Up to 40% but not less than 8 weeks of time will be allocated each year for study and holidays.

Over the three-year SCTS, time will be spent in the following areas:

  • Radiography and radiology
  • Diagnostic ultrasonography including echocardiography
  • Magnetic resonance imaging of small animal cases
  • Scintigraphy
  • Computed tomography
  • SCTS research project
  • Remaining time spent as private study / writing papers

The clinical training will utilise the small and large animal cases referred to the Hospital and the first opinion cases seen at the RSPCA Clinic and the Equine and farm animal Clinics.  The SCTS will be expected to discuss cases with the relevant senior clinicians. Attendance is expected at daily film reading rounds and Hospital rounds as well as small animal and equine seminars, weekly journal club meetings, clinico-pathological meetings and pathology rounds.

The SCTS will be required to undertake a course in medical physics at the Clinical School at Addenbrooke’s Hospital.

Resources

This SCTS programme will be based at The Queen’s Veterinary School Hospital, University of Cambridge.

The Hospital facilities include:

  • Diagnostic imaging capabilities including radiography, ultrasonography, MRI, scintigraphy, fluoroscopy and CT
  • Fully equipped and staffed diagnostic facilities for the examination and treatment of small and large animal medical and surgical conditions
  • Fully equipped and staffed small and large animal theatres. There is a state of the art small animal surgical suite and five operating theatres, including endoscopy and laparoscopy
  • Fully staffed nursing wards and intensive care facilities
  • On site clinical pathology and histopathological staff and laboratories
  • A well-stocked veterinary library and access to the local human teaching hospital (Addenbrooke’s) library.
  • Easily accessible computer and internet facilities with access to on-line journals

Emergency service

The SCTS will participate fully in the out-of-hours diagnostic imaging rota gaining valuable and essential experience in managing the diagnostic imaging needs of urgent and emergency cases. Participation in the out of hours weekday and weekend rota is shared. Full back-up cover is provided by senior surgeons, physicians, neurologists, radiologists and anaesthetists.

First opinion practice

The SCTS will participate in the rota for attendance at the first opinion practice.

Departmental Structure and SCTS Training

The Department has a well-established and highly successful diagnostic imaging SCTS programme with an outstanding achievement for specialist qualifications of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons and the European College of Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging.

Teaching and Continuing Professional Development

The SCTS will be expected to attend the day release courses organised by the University of Cambridge on teaching and learning in higher education. These courses deal with education methods (lectures, seminars and small group teaching etc.) for lecturers involved in tertiary education. There are also computer and audio-visual courses available.

Scholars have to prepare and attend presentations given by and to members of the department for critical appraisal by colleagues in the Hospital. In addition to this, continuing education presentations to patient owners, veterinary surgeons and nurses will be a requirement of the SCTS programme.

Excellent support will be provided to the SCTS from other clinicians in the small animal department including staff in medicine, surgery, anaesthesia, ophthalmology, neurology and clinical pathology.

Research Programme

Clinically orientated research to advance the understanding and management of small animal cases is an important and vital aspect of the SCTS training. The SCTS will be allocated time during the first and second year of the SCTS to complete a clinical research project. The SCTS will be encouraged to apply for research grants in order to gain experience in grant applications and management.

Undergraduate Teaching Participation

The SCTS will be encouraged to participate in

  • 4th and 5th year clinical and practical classes. In the second and third year of the SCTS the Scholar may be involved in the didactic lectures to the fourth and fifth year veterinary students.
  • 6th year clinical teaching on the radiology rotations. During the clinical rotations she or he will be expected to contribute to seminars, practicals and case rounds. This will provide the opportunity for the development of seminar presentation techniques, supervision of students performing procedures, clinical case management and continuous assessment of students.

Collaborative Arrangements

Scholars are encouraged to spend a short period of study at an alternative institution. We have strong links to internationally acclaimed referral hospitals both in the United Kingdom and abroad, and externships are encouraged. The SCTS will be expected to organise the externship.

Publications

The SCTS will be expected to prepare and publish at least two scientific papers in refereed journals during the programme. The SCTS will also be encouraged to attend small animal and equine congresses where diagnostic imaging is involved. He or she will be expected to present papers on these topics at scientific meetings such as the Annual Congress of the British Small Animal Association, the European College of Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging, European Association of Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging and/or the American College of Veterinary Radiology.

Examinations

The qualification that the applicant will study for is:    

  • The Diploma of the European College of Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging

After year two the SCTS should be eligible to sit the first part of the ECVDI examination. The SCTS should be eligible to sit the final part of the ECVDI examination by the end of the third year.

TO START 1 JULY 2024, OR AS SOON AS POSSIBLE THEREAFTER

1.         Scholarship application procedure

Scholarship applicants should supply the following documents:

  • A completed SCTS Application Form (SCTS1)
  • A Curriculum Vitae
  • A covering letter giving reasons for wishing to undertake the Scholarship in the Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge

Please ensure that the above documents are submitted as one document and as one attachment. There is a dedicated place for applicants to copy and paste a CV and a Covering Letter on the SCTS Application Form (SCTS 1).

References may be taken up early in the selection process in order to facilitate shortlisting for interview. Scholarship applicants should indicate if this is likely to cause any difficulty with a current employer.

Applications should be submitted via e-mail to vetmed@vet.cam.ac.uk  with the above documents as one attachment no later than the closing date: 17 April 2024.

The Department will endeavour to notify scholarship applicants who have been shortlisted for interview within ten days of the closing date for applications.

Interviews will be held the week commencing 22 April 2024.

2.         Selection criteria for applicants

The following are essential:

  • Either Membership of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, or possession of a veterinary degree that qualifies the holder for Membership of the RCVS
  • Either successful completion of a recognised small animal rotating internship, or at least two years’ experience in small animal practice
  • An interest and understanding of the clinical importance of diagnostic imaging
  • Experience of working, and willingness to work, as part of a team
  • Willingness to seek, and to accept, guidance and supervision
  • Ability to prioritise tasks and demands
  • Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written
  • Ability to deal with a wide range of people, excellent interpersonal skills
  • A good understanding of the professional context of veterinary medicine

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

The Scholarship is for one year in the first instance, renewable for periods of one year up to a total of three years. The Scholarship is subject to an initial monitoring period of six months, and to review on an annual basis.

The annual award for a Scholarship awarded with a start date between 1 October 2023 and 30 September 2024 (subject to change from Oct 2024) is:

Year 1 £27,820.00

Year 2 £27,820.00

Year 3 £27,820.00

The Scholar will be required to enrol for an appropriate postgraduate qualification (e.g. ECVDI Diploma). Study leave will be allocated according to the guidelines of the specific postgraduate qualification.

The purpose of the Scholarship is to:

  • enable the Scholar to receive full-time training under the direct supervision of clinical academic members of staff
  • gain the clinical caseload, research and teaching experience that is prescribed as a prerequisite for undertaking the examinations for the postgraduate qualification for which she/he is enrolled.

The Scholar will be assigned a Clinical Supervisor, who will take responsibility for overseeing all aspects of the training of the Scholar.

The Scholar will be required to undertake the clinical duties (including out-of-hours duties and first opinion practice duties) necessary to gain the appropriate training.

CPD opportunities may arise during the course of the Scholarship and the Scholar will be authorised to undertake these if deemed necessary and approved by the Clinical Supervisor.

The Scholar’s research project will be agreed between the Scholar, the Clinical Supervisor, and the SCTS Research Advisory Panel.

The Scholar will be required to participate in undergraduate and occasionally postgraduate teaching, as directed by the Clinical Supervisor.

The Scholar and the Clinical Supervisor will meet on a monthly basis during the initial monitoring period, in order to establish training targets and to discuss the Scholar’s progress, and annually thereafter.

Details of targets and progress will be recorded on a monitoring form that will be signed by the Scholar and the Clinical Supervisor and submitted to the Director of the SCTS programme.

At the end of each year a written report on the Scholar’s progress will be made by the Clinical Supervisor to the Director in charge of the SCTS programme.

The undertaking of external professional activities will only be permitted in exceptional circumstances, and must be discussed with, and approved by, the Clinical Supervisor and the Director in charge of the SCTS programme, and must not interfere with Scholarship duties.

CPD opportunities will arise during the course of the Scholarship and the Scholar will be encouraged to undertake these, subject to discussion and agreement with the clinical supervisor. An annual allowance of up to £1000 is available to contribute to the cost of CPD or specialist College-related fees (enrolment, submission of credentials and exam fees etc). An additional £500 is also available at the start of the training programme for specialist College-related fees. As such, the total allowance over the three year training programme is £3500. SCTSs can claim their RCVS professional registration fees from the CPD allowance.

The Scholar’s research project will be agreed between the Scholar and the Clinical Supervisor, and a small start-up grant of £500 is available to support research-associated costs.

The Hospital does not pay for examination fees, and the Scholar is expected to cover these.

  1. Teaching, Demonstration and other Paid Work

A Scholar may undertake teaching and demonstrating in the University and the Colleges, subject to the Clinical Supervisor's approval, provided that the total demand on their time, including time spent in preparation, does not normally exceed six hours a week.

  1. Holiday entitlement

Not more than 28 days' holiday, including public holidays, may be taken in each year of the Scholarship. On a bank holiday, clinical and out-of-hours duties will be undertaken on a rota basis. Holidays should be agreed in advance with the Clinical Supervisor. In the event that the Scholarship ends early, holiday will be on a pro rata basis.  Participation in the Christmas rota is required starting with Christmas 2023.

  1. Sickness absence

If the Scholar is absent through illness for more than one week, the Clinical Supervisor should be informed, and medical certificates should be forwarded to the Director of the SCTS Programme.

During absence covered by medical certificates in any one year of the Scholarship, payment of the Scholarship will be continued at the full rate for four weeks.  In the case of absence through sickness for periods exceeding four weeks, the continuation of the Scholarship will be considered in the light of the circumstances of the individual case.

  1. Interruption of Training

Scholars are expected to complete their training in a single continuous period.  No requests for interruption of training will be approved for the purposes of employment, temporary lectureships, exchanges, voluntary service overseas, or expeditions/sports.

Requests for interruption of training for reasons of maternity will be considered in the light of individual circumstances.

Requests for interruption of training arising out of other personal or family reasons will receive sympathetic consideration.

There will be no entitlement to payment of the Scholarship award during periods of interruption of training.

  1. Reporting

The Scholar will be required to participate in monthly meetings with the Clinical Supervisor during the initial monitoring period. If these meetings reveal any deficiency in the academic or professional progress of the Scholar, a written warning and advice on correction of the deficiencies will be given. The Scholar will be encouraged in these circumstances to seek the advice and support of a senior clinician unconnected with their training. Failure to remedy the deficiencies may lead to termination of the Scholarship on the advice of the Clinical Supervisor and the Director in charge of the SCTS programme.

The Scholar will be required to provide a written report and undergo an oral assessment at the end of year one and at the end of year two of the award, in order that satisfactory academic and professional progress may be assessed. Unsatisfactory progress may result in the Scholarship not being renewed.

  1. Termination of Awards

The award of the Scholarship may be terminated summarily in the absolute discretion of the University during the initial monitoring period. Thereafter the award of the Scholarship may be terminated by the failure of the Scholar to make satisfactory academic or professional progress as identified by the reporting procedures described in 5 above.

The award of the Scholarship may be terminated by the failure of the Scholar, after a written warning, to comply with the terms and conditions of the Scholarship.

In the event of the termination of an award the Scholar will have the right of appeal to an independent panel consisting of the Dean of the Veterinary School, and another senior member of staff chosen by the Strategy & Executive Committee from the panel of senior members appointed for this purpose by the Strategy & Executive Committee.

In the event of termination of an award, a Scholar will, wherever possible, be given reasonable formal written notice of the date on which the training will be deemed to have ended.

  1. Income Tax

The award of a Scholarship is not normally regarded as income for income tax purposes. It should be noted that earnings from sources such as teaching and demonstrating received during the final year of the award will be aggregated with income from post-award employment when income tax liability is assessed for the fiscal year in which the award terminates.

  1. National Insurance

The University of Cambridge will not make any payment for National Insurance contributions in connection with any paid teaching or demonstrating undertaken by the student.

  1. Intellectual Property Rights

Subject to the circumstances set out below in this clause, all intellectual property, know-how, results, documents, and other information generated by the Scholar in the course of research ("Activities") undertaken during the period of the Scholarship ("the Results"), shall be owned by the University of Cambridge, and by signing these Terms and Conditions the Scholar undertakes to do all such things necessary to vest the Results and all rights therein, in the University.

In the circumstances where the Scholar is working on Activities which are wholly or partly funded from grants held by another institution, the ownership of intellectual property, the rights to exploit that intellectual property and any commercial benefit derived from such exploitation, will depend on the contributions of the parties and any existing third party rights and will be subject to a separate agreement entered into by all the parties (the University, the Head of Department, the Clinical Supervisor, the Sponsor where relevant and the Scholar).

  1. Communications to Press, Radio and Television

Communications to the press, radio or television, expressing personal views, excluding scientific communications to the scientific and veterinary press, may not be communicated from the Department's address or using the Department's name except by the prior permission of the Head of Department.

The consent of the Head of Department is required before expressing views in public on matters connected with the work of the Department of Veterinary Medicine.

  1. University Policies

Scholars are required to conform with all published policies of the University relating to Health and Safety, Dignity at Work, Equal Opportunities, Use of Computer Facilities Email and the Internet, Smoke free policy, Data Protection Act Guidance for Staff, and any other similar policies issued by the University from time to time.

  1. Dogs on site policy

Please note that it is the Department’s policy that members of staff, clinical training scholars and students joining the Department are discouraged from bringing dogs on site.

  1. Standard Operating Procedures

Scholars are required to follow the Standard Operating Procedures of the Queen's Veterinary School Hospital and its diagnostic laboratories.

  1. Professional qualifications and MRCVS

The Scholar must hold a veterinary degree recognised by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, and upon commencement of the Scholarship provide proof (in the form of a registration number) of Membership of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons.