Vacancy: Clinical Fellow for BGS CGA resource project

We are recruiting a temporary, part-time Clinical Fellow to assist us with reviewing and updating the information we provide on comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA), to simplify and promote the concept by bringing it together in a new practical format, backed by evidence.  

Background and context  

Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA) is a cornerstone of good quality healthcare for older people. BGS’s 2023 blueprint document, Joining the dots, sets out the case for embedding CGA into the older person’s healthcare journey, highlighting the need for a multi-professional approach to CGA across health and care settings. 
 
The BGS currently hosts two main toolkits on CGA, the most recent of which was updated in 2018. Other BGS resources, such as the Silver Book II and End of Life Care in Frailty, contain sections which address CGA in specific contexts. We are looking to review and update the information we provide on CGA, to simplify and promote the concept by bringing it together in a new practical format, backed by evidence. By opening it up to new audiences, we hope to empower healthcare professionals to confidently, competently and consistently embed CGA into their care of older people.  

Our ambition is for the BGS to be the go-to destination for anyone looking to undertake CGA, across care settings/sectors, specialties, and professional roles. We want to present clear information that is useful and accessible to those who aren't yet familiar with CGA, all the way through to those who are already heavily involved with CGA but would benefit from additional tools, materials or evidence to help them get the most out of the process. 

CGA Clinical Fellow job description  

We are recruiting a temporary, part-time clinical fellow to assist us with this project. This person will be responsible for reviewing current CGA information, tools and evidence available on the BGS website and elsewhere. They will be required to rewrite and re-present this information in a structured, clear and concise manner in line with the objectives of the project, adding new information applicable to different settings and members of the multidisciplinary team. We are looking for someone with a solid practical and theoretical understanding of CGA, who shares our vision of bringing clear and relevant information to new and existing audiences. Ideally they will have an understanding of existing barriers to successful CGA and ideas about practical tools or information which could potentially help overcome these. They will be able to draw upon the BGS’s network of Committees, Councils and Special Interest Groups for feedback on specific aspects which may fall outside the postholder’s own expertise or network (for example, in different settings or by multiprofessional colleagues). There will also be support available from the BGS secretariat as well as from nominated members of the BGS Clinical Quality Committee. 

We would be looking for someone to start in post within 2-4 weeks of the appointment being confirmed and to complete the work by November 2024. It would suit a healthcare professional already working in a less than full time role, who is able to fit this in in between their clinical and other commitments. Past BGS Clinical Fellows have found undertaking projects like this to be a valuable addition to their CV  and an opportunity to make connections with leaders in geriatric medicine. The time commitment could be flexible, depending on the individual’s commitments, but we would anticipate it being 1 day per week, for a maximum of 10 weeks.  

Essential skills and experience required  

  • Practical and theoretical knowledge of CGA and an interest in sharing this with others.  
  • Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary team to provide care for older people.  
  • Ability to manage projects and to drive progress.  
  • Good communication skills, written and verbal.  
  • Initiative and good organisational skills.  
  • Experience of working collaboratively, inclusively and respectfully with colleagues.  
  • Problem-solving, adaptability and creativity.  
  • Applicants should be a member of the BGS.  
  • Availability to start within 2-4 weeks of the appointment being confirmed.  

Desirable skills and experience  

  • Experience developing resources for a healthcare professional audience  
  • Familiarity with BGS and other resources relevant for the healthcare of older people living with frailty  

Application process 

Interested applicants are invited to submit a CV and a statement of up to 400 words stating how they would approach the task and what they would bring to the role. Applications should be submitted to Amy Brewerton (a [dot] brewerton [at] bgs [dot] org [dot] uk) by Friday 9 August at 9am. Short online interviews will be held on the afternoon of Wednesday 14 August. Applications should confirm that candidates are available to start in the role within 2-4 weeks of the interview date. 

Renumeration 

The successful applicant's current annual salary will be matched, pro rated for 1 day per week over 10 weeks (capped at £180 per day or £47,000 annual salary FTE).  

Timings 

  • Application deadline: 9am on 9 August  
  • Interviews: 14 August
  • Appointment confirmed: by 19 August  
  • Appointment commences: Late August/early September 2024 
  • CGA resource launched: Early 2025