Consultant in Rheumatology

The Methodist Church in Britain; Coalville; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Dedicated clinical support

Flexible working options

Specialty development opportunities

Job summary

North Cheshire and Mersey NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a substantive consultant rheumatologist to lead outpatient services, manage urgent referrals, and contribute to ultrasound screening and patient care pathways.

You will work across rheumatology with opportunities to develop a personal specialty interest and engage in governance, audits, and flexible service delivery.

Qualifications

• Thorough and broad training and experience in rheumatology, equivalent to UK CCT or due within six months of issue.
• Participation in clinical audit and good knowledge of clinical governance.

Responsibilities

• Deliver a consultant-led outpatient rheumatology service, the department's main setting.
• Manage urgent referrals through the early arthritis clinic and temporal arteritis pathway, with vascular ultrasound support.
• Work within the shared care agreement.
• Take part in the Electronic Advice and Guidance service run by consultants.
• Offer ultrasound screening in part of the clinics for early diagnosis of inflammatory arthritis.
• Take ward referrals, averaging five a week.
• Share clinical and non-clinical duties equitably with consultant colleagues.
• Complete at least 42 of 52 fixed sessions in a full year.
• Give expert clinical opinion across rheumatology, with full independent responsibility for delivering the service.
• Develop a personal specialty interest.

Skills

Excellent verbal and written English

Education

MB ChB or equivalent

MRCP(UK) membership or equivalent

Job description

A substantive consultant post in rheumatology with North Cheshire and Mersey NHS Foundation Trust, joining two established consultants in the department. The service is mainly outpatient-based, handling around 2,000 new referrals and 10,000 appointments a year, including urgent early arthritis and temporal arteritis pathways. Sessions amount to about 10 PAs worked flexibly across the week, with an interest in ultrasound screening welcomed. Entry needs GMC Specialist Register listing, or eligibility within six months of appointment, alongside MRCP membership.

What the job involves

• Deliver a consultant-led outpatient rheumatology service, the department's main setting
• Manage urgent referrals through the early arthritis clinic and temporal arteritis pathway, with vascular ultrasound support
• Work within the shared care agreement
• Take part in the Electronic Advice and Guidance service run by consultants
• Offer ultrasound screening in part of the clinics for early diagnosis of inflammatory arthritis
• Take ward referrals, averaging five a week
• Share clinical and non-clinical duties equitably with consultant colleagues
• Complete at least 42 of 52 fixed sessions in a full year
• Give expert clinical opinion across rheumatology, with full independent responsibility for delivering the service
• Develop a personal specialty interest

Qualifications

• MB ChB or equivalent
• MRCP(UK) membership or equivalent

Registration & licences

• Entry on the GMC Specialist Register in rheumatology, or eligibility to enter within six months of interview
• GMC licence to practise

Experience

• Thorough and broad training and experience in rheumatology, equivalent to UK CCT or due within six months of issue
• Participation in clinical audit and good knowledge of clinical governance

Skills & knowledge

• Expert clinical opinion across all aspects of rheumatology
• Able to work independently without direct supervision
• Thorough knowledge of GMC Good Medical Practice
• Excellent verbal and written English

Checks & eligibility

• Enhanced DBS disclosure

Other

• Medically fit to fulfil all aspects of the post
• Ability to travel to meet the requirements of the post
• Caring, honest and reliable
• Fosters good working relationships and co-operates in a democratic team, sharing duties equitably
• An interest in improving the core clinical service for patients with rheumatic problems, including developing ultrasound skills

Nice to have

• MD
• PhD

What’s offered

• Support for flexible working applications
• Dedicated physiotherapy, occupational therapy and secretarial support in the service
• Opportunity to develop own specialty interest