Consultant in Rheumatology

The Methodist Church in Britain; England; On-site; GBP 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Training and development

Staff health and wellbeing

Job summary

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust seeks an experienced rheumatology consultant to provide specialist advice across the Trust, contribute to building a comprehensive service, and teach junior doctors and nurses. The role includes mandatory audits and potential research activity within departmental facilities.

Entry to the GMC Specialist Register is required; on-call work necessitates living within 30 minutes of the hospital. Travel between sites may be required.

Qualifications

• Medical degree and MRCP or equivalent postgraduate qualification.
• Full GMC registration and licence to practise.
• Experience in rheumatology and district general hospital settings.
• Ability to take full, independent clinical responsibility without direct supervision.
• Participation in local audit and guideline appraisal.

Responsibilities

• Provide specialty rheumatology advice and support to patients across the Trust.
• Work with the consultant team to build a comprehensive rheumatology service.
• Attend weekly departmental multidisciplinary and X-ray meetings.
• Support and train registrars, junior medical staff and Clinical Nurse Specialists.
• Carry out mandatory clinical audit, including departmental and Trust-wide projects against national standards.
• Teach GPs and doctors at all grades.
• Develop a research interest where possible, compatible with departmental facilities.
• Take part in the department's ongoing clinical governance programme.
• Deliver routine clinic, admin and in-patient referral work within a 10 PA job plan.
• Travel between hospital sites when required.

Skills

Clinical governance

CPD ongoing

Teaching trainees

Team leadership

Flexible / adaptable

Education

MRCP or equivalent

Medical degree

Job description

This consultant post adds capacity to an eight-strong rheumatology department at Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. The core work is specialty rheumatology advice to patients across the Trust, with teaching of junior doctors and nurse specialists, and mandatory audit. Sub-specialty interest suited to a district general hospital, such as vasculitis or bone health, is welcomed, as are teaching and research. Entry to the GMC Specialist Register is required, and on-call work means living within 30 minutes of the hospital.

What the job involves

• Provide specialty rheumatology advice and support to patients across the Trust
• Work with the consultant team to build a comprehensive rheumatology service
• Attend weekly departmental multidisciplinary and X-ray meetings
• Support and train registrars, junior medical staff and Clinical Nurse Specialists
• Carry out mandatory clinical audit, including departmental and Trust-wide projects against national standards
• Teach GPs and doctors at all grades
• Develop a research interest where possible, compatible with departmental facilities
• Take part in the department's ongoing clinical governance programme
• Deliver routine clinic, admin and in-patient referral work within a 10 PA job plan
• Travel between hospital sites when required

Qualifications

• Medical degree
• MRCP or equivalent postgraduate qualification

Registration & licences

• Full GMC registration and licence to practise before employment
• Entry on the GMC Specialist Register (CCT, within 6 months of CCT, or CESR portfolio route, and on the register when applying)

Experience

• Excellent all-round district general hospital experience
• Thorough and broad training and experience in rheumatology
• Able to take full, independent clinical responsibility without direct supervision
• Experience of guideline appraisal and participation in local audit

Skills & knowledge

• Understanding of clinical governance principles and evidence of ongoing CPD
• Ability to interpret and apply clinical research
• Knowledge and ability to teach all grades of trainees and medical students
• Ability to co-operate in a democratic team environment
• Flexible, with good management and leadership skills

Checks & eligibility

• Satisfactory DBS clearance

Other

• Occupational Health clearance confirming fitness for the role
• Residence within 10 miles or 30 minutes' travel of the hospital for on-call emergencies

Nice to have

• MD or equivalent higher degree, or evidence of relevant research
• Specialist interest in axial spondyloarthritis
• Sub-specialty interest in a DGH area, such as vasculitis or bone health
• Participation in relevant national audits
• Attendance at Teaching the Teachers or a similar course
• Enthusiasm for teaching, audit and research

What’s offered

• Access to a programme of high-quality training and development
• Trust commitment to staff health and wellbeing