Practitioner Info
SKS Joint Reconstruction Fellowship Program
Position Details
Position Title: Sydney Knee Specialists Joint Reconstruction Fellowship
Reports To: Dr Samuel J MacDessi MBBS (Hons) FRACS (Orth), FAOA
Stipend: $80,000-$90,000 p.a.
Address: St George Hospital Suites, Suite 201, Level 2, 131 Princes Highway, Kogarah, NSW 2217, Australia
Phone: +61 2 8307 0333
Job Description
The SKS Fellowship is an AOA-accredited program that provides subspecialty training in leading-edge reconstructive knee surgery. It is one of the most highly sought-after fellowships in Australia. SKS Fellows are trained to the high level of surgical skill and critical thinking that is essential in modern evidence-based arthroplasty and sports medicine; they are trained to become thought leaders of the future. Our Fellows also pursue several clinically relevant research projects during their appointment, with the aim of publication in peer-reviewed journals and presentation at national and international meetings. At the completion of the term, it is expected the Fellow will be proficient across the gamut of knee surgery, from routine cases through to complex knee reconstructions, and will be well equipped to practice as an independent consultant orthopaedic surgeon.
Clinical Experiences
The Fellow will be exposed to an extensive range of surgical cases across the fields of sports medicine (arthroscopy, ligament reconstruction, cartilage repair techniques and osteotomy), and arthroplasty (unicompartmental, patellofemoral, total and revision joint replacement). Training is provided by all four SKS specialists, Dr Samuel MacDessi (Fellowship Supervisor), Dr Darren Chen, Dr Bradley Seeto and Dr Gregory Wernecke.
Most of the surgical training will occur at St George Private Hospital, with the Fellow acting as primary surgical assistant. There is also a public operating list at Canterbury Hospital, which provides the opportunity to operate as primary surgeon when competency has been demonstrated. Other clinical sites include St Vincent’s and St Luke’s Private Hospitals in Sydney. Although there is no on-call commitment, the Fellow undertakes ward rounds at St George Private Hospital under the SKS team. The Fellow is expected to demonstrate clear preparation for each day’s cases and a self-directed learning style overall.
Assessment skills will be refined during supervised weekly consulting sessions, requiring the Fellow to examine patients and present cases that require both surgical and non-surgical management. Further educational experiences include regular hospital-based meetings and journal clubs, and bi-monthly inhouse radiology reviews where complex cases are presented and collaboratively addressed.
Research Experiences
The professional practice of SKS surgeons is deeply rooted in evidence-based medicine, and research is therefore a fundamental component of our Fellows’ portfolio. Research at SKS is conducted under the supervision of Dr MacDessi and Clinical Research Manager, Jil Wood, and is focused on clinically relevant enquiries that will inform outcomes for our patients and the future of orthopaedic science. The team is currently involved in investigation of topics such as kinematic alignment, soft tissue balancing techniques and robot-assisted arthroplasty. Depending on the project, the Fellow might be involved in literature searches, study design, protocol genesis, data acquisition, statistical analysis, interpretation of results, and manuscript writing, editing and submission.
During their tenure at SKS, it is expected that Fellows will complete at least one major research project of a standard suitable for publication in peer-reviewed journals and for poster/podium presentation at national or international conferences.
Further Educational Experiences
Our Fellows are afforded educational opportunities beyond the theatre and research walls. The practice covers costs associated with attendance at the annual Australian Orthopaedic Association meeting and encourages participation in other ad hoc lectures and tutorials. Additionally, we believe in the value of Fellows giving back, and they spend time helping to teach orthopaedic trainees and undergraduate students.
Requirements
Qualifications
Applicants must hold a higher degree in orthopaedic surgery from the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (or its international equivalent) and be eligible for AHPRA Medical Board certification. Applicants who also hold degrees in related disciplines such as biomechanical engineering, sports medicine or physiotherapy will be favourably considered. Candidates must be currently registered as a medical practitioner in the state of New South Wales (limited or provisional Board registration) and hold their own appropriate level of professional indemnity insurance.
Basic life support skills are assumed, but because Fellows are under the supervision of the Sydney Knee Specialist surgeons at all times, advanced skills are not required.
It is essential that applicants be highly fluent in both spoken and written English. If applicable, candidates will provide certified copies of IELTS examination results.
Our Practice and Our Surroundings
Sydney Knee Specialists is a private knee surgery practice focusing on uncompromising excellence in the surgical and non-surgical management of knee disorders. We have four practitioners, Dr Samuel MacDessi, Dr Darren Chen, Dr Bradley Seeto and Dr Gregory Wernecke, with clinics at Kogarah, Edgecliff and Miranda, three suburbs in the southern part of Sydney. Because most surgery is done at St George Private Hospital, and since our principal clinic is directly across the road, Fellows generally find it convenient to reside in this general area.
The hospital itself is a 280-bed facility owned by Ramsay Health Care, and having undergone a recent major redevelopment, St George Private is one of Australia’s most modern private hospitals. It is located in Kogarah, 20 minutes from the Sydney International Airport and 30 minutes from the CBD, with excellent public transport connecting it with all areas of metropolitan Sydney. St George Private is adjacent to the St George Public Hospital; both facilities are linked to the University of New South Wales.
Sydney is the oldest and most cosmopolitan city in Australia, and now home to more than 5 million people. Set on one of the world’s most stunning harbours, most people would easily recognise worldrenowned landmarks such as the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge; nevertheless, it is the combination of its physical beauty, laid-back outdoor lifestyle, world-class food and its cultural and ethnic diversity that make it one of the world’s most liveable cities. The City of Sydney is certainly one of the perks of becoming an SKS Fellow!
Contact Details
Applications for the Sydney Knee Specialist Joint Reconstruction Fellowship can be made by forwarding.
- A cover letter describing your interest in working with us
- A curriculum vitae with detail of clinical and research experience
- Three letters of recommendation
To Ms. Jil Wood, Clinical Research Manager, at info@sydneyknee.com.au.
We work closely with the AIMS Research (Australian Institute of Musculo-Skeletal Research) to source and develop relationships with the most highly qualified candidates around the globe. Contact there can be made directly to Ms Romaine Thornton-Bott at romaine@aimsresearch.com.au, with reference to the Sydney Knee Specialists Fellowship. Although we finalise placements several years in advance, we do maintain a waiting list and are happy to answer questions for serious candidates.