Anatomy Demonstrator - Institute of Clinical Sciences

Position Details
Institute of Clinical Sciences
Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK
Full time starting salary is normally in the range £27,511 to £30,046, with potential progression once in post to £33,797
Grade 6
Full Time FTC up to June 2022
Closing date 7 July 21
multi posts available

Background

These are fixed term posts available from September 2021 to June 2022 to suitably qualified individuals wishing to develop their skills in teaching anatomy as a basis for further career development. The main responsibility will be to teach Anatomy by means of small group teaching sessions and demonstration of prosected cadaveric material. Anatomy Demonstrators are part of the Anatomy teaching delivery team for Undergraduate and Postgraduate Medical, Dental, Pharmacy and Biomedical/Biomaterials Science students within modularised programmes of the College of Medicine and Dental Sciences.

Job Summary

The Anatomy unit of The Institute for Clinical Sciences is responsible for teaching gross anatomy, topographical anatomy, histology and neuroanatomy to first and second year pre-clinical students in most programmes of the College. Thus, we teach students studying for degrees in Medicine and Dentistry (as well as those registered for the Graduate Entry Medicine course), and students in years 1 - 4 of the Pharmacy (MPharm) course. We also teach key aspects of anatomy and histology to students on the Biomedical Science and Biomedical Biomaterials BSc/BMedSc. We provide teaching on prosected material for undergraduate and postgraduate students taking the Physiotherapy programme and those taking the MSc in Advanced Clinical Practice. In addition, we are responsible for the intercalated BSc in Clinical Anatomy for MBChB students.

Anatomy is mainly taught through small group teaching, with some lectures and interactive flipped sessions, using a systems-based approach in discrete modules, for instance Digestion System, Cardiovascular System, and Neuroscience. There are also two Regional Anatomy modules for Medical students which span a full academic year. Anatomy is generally taught in small groups of 16 students whom you will see regularly throughout any one module, but you rotate around the groups between modules. Students receive a worksheet which is uploaded onto our Virtual Learning environment (Canvas) to guide their preparations for tutorials. Demonstrators are expected to be able to lead and direct the student's learning and understanding during each session and to provide feedback on their learning through discussion. Various resources are provided - these include models, plastinated and potted specimens, Prosectorium sessions, Anatomage tables, Ultrasound machines, skeletons, videos, 3-D interactive software, use of drawing and simple models, reference books, posters, etc. Our aim is to increase understanding and integration of anatomy with other aspects of each programme. We include clinical correlations and research applications where appropriate in the worksheets to illustrate points of applied anatomy relevant to each programme. Histology is taught via preparory worksheets, guided matearial and interactive sessions on-line involving quizzes and polling. All undergraduate students have sessions in the Prosectorium where prosected specimens are demonstrated to illustrate three-dimensional anatomy: images of prosected material can also be beamed to small group teaching rooms to support sessions.

16 Medical students are selected each year on a competitive basis to undertake the intercalated BSc in Clinical Anatomy between Years 3 and 4, or Years 4 and 5 of the MBChB course. These students undertake full body dissection as part of their degree course. You may be invited to provide some academic input into these sessions.

At the end of each semester there is an examination period and you will be asked to help mark exam papers during this period. Some second year medical and dental students and intercalating BSc students have an anatomy viva-voce in which you may be involved.

Main Duties

• To teach Anatomy to 1st and 2nd year students on the MBChB, Graduate Entry Medicine, BDS and 1st - 4th year MPharmacy programmes, and/or to 1st and 2nd year students registered on the Biomedical Science and Biomedical Materials Science programmes and/or Intercalating BSc students. This will involve teaching students in small groups of 16 in HTA licensed classrooms, and the Anatomage room.
• Facilitate with two or three other members of academic staff and a member of technical staff Prosection-based sessions within the Prosectorium in small groups who circulate through 9-10 stations.
• Supervise class activities within a framework designed by others.
• To support student's acquisition of knowledge using Technology Enhanced Learning within a classroom setting.
• To introduce students to the use of ultrasound equipment in a non-clinical context.
• To record attendance and monitor progress of students at small group teaching sessions and prosections.
• To assist students as required, offering advice to help them with learning problems and directing them to Student Services if they require additional support.
• You may be invited to act as a personal Mentor for a small group of 3-4 students, meeting them individually 3-4 times during the academic year.
• To ensure that students adhere to the rules and regulations for working within an area licensed by the HTA.
• To ensure students adhere to Professional codes of conduct and University Health and Safty policies whilst in the HTA licensed areas.
• To assist the College Lead in Anatomy in other matters relating to the instruction of Anatomy, as required.
• Provide collegiate support to staff engaged in teaching.
• To mark assessments and examination papers, applying assessment criteria, as directed and to take part in the moderation required to ensure parity.
• To undertake second year viva voce examinations and viva voce assessments for intercalating BSc students.
• To invigilate assessments and end of year examinations as required
• Update own subject knowledge, to develop own teaching expertise and to help develop new teaching resources as required. Carry out administrative tasks related directly to the delivery of teaching

There are no clinical duties associated with these posts.

Person Specification

ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• A medical or dental degree and/or a degree in Anatomy or a related subject at MSc Level with sufficient and relevant anatomical experience.
• Detailed understanding and knowledge of human anatomy.
• Experience of working with human cadaveric material.
• An understanding of the legal and ethical implications of working in an area licensed by the Human Tissue Authority (HTA).
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to assess information and communicate effectively - both orally and in writing - within a multidisciplinary team and to engage interest and enthusiasm in undergraduate students.
• Ability to access and organise resources successfully with an ability to prioritise and meet deadlines.
• Ability to enthusiastically deliver teaching across programmes, and provide support and encouragement to students in the learning of anatomy.
• Able to work effectively within a multi-discipilnary team.
• Flexibility and a willingness to work extra hours as required during busy periods.
• Be capable of self-reflection and able to adapt in response to feedback and experience.
• Competence in using digital technologies

DESIRABLE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Experience of delivering anatomy teaching
• A demonstratable commitment to the student learning experience
• A member of the British Association of Clinical Anatomists, the Anatomical Society, or equivalent.
• Teaching qualification, or Associateship, Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy
• Able to work proactively with colleagues in other work areas, contributing specialist knowledge to achieve outcomes.
• Interest in furthering knowledge of digital technologies and developing their use for teaching and learning
• Experience of on-line teaching

Further particulars can be found here: http://www.download.bham.ac.uk/vacancies/jd/MDSFPs.pdf

Valuing excellence, sustaining investment

We value diversity and inclusion at the University of Birmingham and welcome applications from all sections of the community and are open to discussions around all forms of flexible working