Consultant in Medical Oncology

NHS; Gillingham; On-site; GBP 109,000 - 146,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in Gillingham is seeking a Consultant in Medical Oncology to deliver high-quality oncology services. The successful candidate will play a vital role in acute inpatient and outpatient care, working closely with multidisciplinary teams to ensure excellent patient outcomes. Responsibilities include supervising oncology inpatients, participating in clinical governance, and contributing to education and training of staff. The opportunity for flexible working arrangements is available along with competitive compensation.

Benefits

Staff benefits

Gym

Health and wellbeing programme

On-site nursery

Cycle to work scheme

Qualifications

• Full GMC Registration with a Licence to practice.
• CCT in Medical Oncology or nearing completion.
• Experience in acute oncology.

Responsibilities

• Deliver expert oncology care across inpatient and outpatient settings.
• Lead multidisciplinary teams in patient-centered cancer care.
• Develop and deliver outpatient oncology clinics.

Skills

Clinical judgement

Collaborative approach

Commitment to education

Education

Full GMC Registration with a Licence to practise

Basic Medical Degree

MRCP UK or equivalent

CCT in Medical Oncology or within 6 months of CCT date at time of interview

Tools

Research publications

Job description

* One of your referees should be the Medical Director / Chief Medical Officer of your most recent NHS employer (or their nominated deputy), or equivalent for applicants from outside of the NHS.

For applicants from outside of the NHS, referees to validate a period of three consecutive years of employment.

For internal candidates, your referees should be your Clinical Director and Clinical Lead.

For applicants who are still in a training post, or have completed training within the past year and have not worked in a non-training NHS role since then, a reference from EACH of your two most recent Educational Supervisors.

We are recruiting for a Consultant in Medical Oncology who shares our ambition and vision to deliver the Best of Care by the Best People and has the drive to take us forward, by ensuring that the Trust continues to be the first choice for patients and our staff.

The role involves close multidisciplinary working within the Acute Oncology Service, providing expert care for patients presenting with oncological emergencies, treatment-related complications and new cancer diagnoses, alongside the opportunity to develop a specialist tumour-site interest and lead service innovation.

Main duties of the job

We are seeking an enthusiastic and driven Consultant Medical Oncologist to join Medway NHS Foundation Trust, contributing to the delivery of high-quality acute, inpatient and outpatient oncology services. The role involves close multidisciplinary working within the Acute Oncology Service, providing expert care for patients presenting with oncological emergencies, treatment-related complications and new cancer diagnoses, alongside the opportunity to develop a specialist tumour-site interest and lead service innovation.

This role would suit an experienced oncologist or a clinician taking their first steps into a consultant career, with strong clinical judgement, a collaborative approach and a commitment to education, governance and service development. You will be motivated to improve patient pathways, support colleagues across the Trust and help shape the future of acute and specialist oncology care.

About us

Here at Medway, we pride ourselves on working together as one to ensure that our shared vision of Better, Best, Brilliant is achieved. Our culture and values are what drives the Trust and is the heartbeat of who we are as an organisation.

Our Trust is a great choice for people who want to develop their career in an ambitious environment.

Would you like to work flexibly? In the NHS, we are reminded every day of how important life is. As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for us, for our patients and for you. Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement which will not mean sacrificing time for personal interests or family commitments. We aim to support you to work flexibly in a way that will suit you and us.

All of our substantive & fixed term employees can enjoy a range of staff benefits, a gym, an active health and wellbeing programme, an on‑site nursery and a cycle to work scheme.

We are taking positive action to ensure that we can attract, recruit and retain the best talent and would welcome more applicants from under - represented groups to support the Trusts commitment to a diverse, inclusive and an employer of choice workforce.

All staff at Medway comply the Trust's and the Kent and Medway Safeguarding Board's policies on safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults.

Job responsibilities

The Consultant Medical Oncologist will provide senior clinical leadership in the delivery of safe, effective and high-quality oncology care across acute, inpatient and outpatient settings at Medway NHS Foundation Trust. The post holder will work closely with the Oncology Specialty Lead, Acute Oncology Service (AOS), multidisciplinary teams within the Trust, and colleagues from Kent Oncology Centre/Maidstone to ensure seamless, patient‑centred cancer care.

Clinical ResponsibilitiesThe post holder will participate fully in the Acute Oncology Service, providing expert assessment, investigation and initial management of patients with known or suspected cancer who present acutely to the Emergency Department, Emergency Assessment Unit and the Oncology/Haematology ward. They will supervise and coordinate the care of oncology inpatients, particularly those receiving active anti‑cancer treatment, ensuring complications of chemotherapy and radiotherapy are recognised early and managed appropriately. A key responsibility is to work collaboratively with emergency medicine, acute medical and surgical teams to ensure timely oncological input, avoid unnecessary admissions and deliver care in the most appropriate setting.

The consultant will ensure rapid and effective referral to specialist oncology, site‑specific teams and palliative care services, supporting best outcomes and patient experience. They will take clinical responsibility for patients presenting with malignancy of undefined primary origin and cancer of unknown primary, contributing to the development and leadership of the CUP service and MDT. Where appropriate, the post holder will provide urgent first‑line chemotherapy for suitable patients, including those newly diagnosed with small cell lung cancer, until ongoing care is transferred to the responsible oncologist.

Leadership and Service DevelopmentThe post holder will share responsibility for the development, delivery and ongoing improvement of the Acute Oncology Service, ensuring compliance with NICE guidance, national cancer standards and regional clinical indicators. They will work closely with clinical nurse specialists, pharmacy, radiology, pathology and allied health professionals to ensure robust pathways and protocols are in place for the management of oncological emergencies, including metastatic spinal cord compression.

The consultant will be expected to develop leadership roles aligned to service needs, such as leading CUP, education, audit, morbidity and mortality review, or research activity. They will actively contribute to governance, quality improvement and peer review processes, supporting the Trusts Cancer Strategy and commitment to continuous improvement.

Outpatient and Specialist ResponsibilitiesThe role includes responsibility for delivering outpatient oncology clinics and developing a tumour‑site specific area of expertise, such as lung cancer or CUP, in line with Trust requirements. This involves close liaison with chemotherapy services, specialist nurses, consultant colleagues, primary care and external partners to ensure coordinated, high‑quality care across the patient pathway. Attendance and contribution to relevant site‑specific MDT meetings is required.

Education, Training and ResearchThe post holder will play an active role in the education and training of medical, nursing and allied health staff, including foundation doctors, specialty trainees and medical students. They will support Trust‑wide education on oncological emergencies and acute oncology care. Ongoing engagement in continuing medical education is expected, including participation in regional education activities at Kent Oncology Centre.

The consultant will demonstrate a commitment to research and innovation, including the recruitment of patients into clinical trials where appropriate, and will contribute to audit and service evaluation to ensure care meets national and regional standards.

Professional and Managerial ResponsibilitiesThe post holder will uphold the highest standards of clinical governance, professional practice and patient safety, complying with all Trust policies and procedures. They will attend local, regional and national meetings relevant to acute oncology and their tumour‑site interest, and act as a point of contact for advice during periods of consultant leave as required. The role includes participation in agreed job planning, balancing direct clinical care and supporting professional activities, and contributing to the overall leadership and sustainability of the Oncology service at Medway NHS Foundation Trust.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Full GMC Registration with a Licence to practise
• Basic Medical Degree
• MRCP UK or equivalent
• Higher qualifications / degree e.g. MD, PhD or equivalent - Desirable
• CCT or equivalent in Medical Oncology or within 6 months of CCT date at time of interview
• Entry on the General Medical Council (GMC) Specialist Register via one of the following: a) Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) (the proposed CCT date must be within 6 months of the interview) b) Certificate of Eligibility for Specialist Registration (CESR) or equivalent from the European Union.

Experience

• Knowledge of Health Service Management
• Experience of research and publications in relevant areas
• Research experience and published work in diabetes and endocrinology

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

£109,725 to £145,478 a yearPer Annum/pro rata