Locum Consultant in Cardiology - Heart Failure & Cardiac MRI

NHS; Luton; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in the United Kingdom is seeking a Locum Consultant in Cardiology specializing in heart failure and cardiac MRI. This full-time role involves supporting a dedicated team within a renowned hospital, with responsibilities including clinical excellence and educational contributions. Applicants must hold full GMC registration and relevant clinical experience. Opportunities for teaching and career development are provided in a supportive environment.

Qualifications

• Full GMC Registration with a licence to practise required.
• Experience in Cardiology and General Medicine.
• Ability to interpret and apply clinical research.

Responsibilities

• Join the Cardiology department to deliver clinical excellence.
• Support and expand the heart failure service across regions.
• Participate in multidisciplinary meetings and governance.

Skills

Clinical governance

Teaching ability

Leadership skills

Education

Medical Degree

MD or equivalent Higher Degree

Job description

Locum Consultant in Cardiology - Heart Failure & Cardiac MRI

The closing date is 17 November 2025

Applications are invited for this full‑time post for a 660‑bed acute hospital serving a local population of approximately 400,000. The appointment will be made in accordance with the terms and conditions of service for the 2003 consultant contract (England).

This is an exciting opportunity to join a friendly team of fourteen existing consultants in Cardiology. The successful candidate for this locum post will complement the consultant capacity, to help drive forward the department's vision of a comprehensive Cardiology service. Sub‑specialty interest in any area appropriate is welcomed, as is an enthusiasm for teaching, audit and research.

Main duties of the job

• Join the Cardiology department in the delivery of clinical excellence within general cardiology, heart failure and supervise/teach cardiac MRI at Luton and Dunstable Hospital.
• Support the established HF service, which includes 1 Consultant, 2.5 HF specialist nurses and 4 community HF nurses at Luton and 2 community HF nurses covering the central Bedfordshire region; extend the service to adjacent areas of Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire.
• Participate in the weekly multidisciplinary service‑development meetings and national standard pathways for heart failure management.
• Maintain sub‑specialty commitment to heart failure and cardiac MRI, and further develop the service as required.
• Assist in periodic pathway development and achieving national standards in HF management for the trust.

Job responsibilities

• Offer dedicated specialist heart failure clinics with further discussion and agreement if necessary for general cardiology or other specialist clinics.
• Participate in the provision of a high‑quality out‑patient service, including patient administration.
• Work with other consultants to provide specialty cardiology advice and support to patients within the Trust.
• Develop service as required based on specialty interest in heart failure and cardiac MRI.
• Attend and actively participate in the weekly multidisciplinary meetings and weekly governance meetings.
• Contribute to the educational programme, including departmental meetings and teaching.
• Participate in departmental multidisciplinary team meetings.
• Contribute to the general medicine educational programme, including weekly department meetings and teaching.
• Undertake high‑quality medical audit projects and participate in the collection of data required to meet national quality standards.
• Implement audit and research findings as appropriate in clinical practice.
• Participate and comply with the requirements for Continuing Professional Development and revalidation as laid down by the Royal College of Physicians. The Trust is committed to providing the time and financial support for these activities.

Weekly work commitments will be within the European directives on working hours and will also be influenced by the Royal College of Physicians recommendations, the new consultant contract and specified in the Job Plan. Senior Cardiologists in the department will act as mentors for the new consultants, along with other consultants in their absence. All clinical issues are openly discussed at formal and informal meetings.

The Job Plan will be a prospective agreement that sets out a consultant's duties, responsibilities and objectives for the rest of the fixed‑term period. It will cover all aspects of a consultant's professional practice including clinical work, teaching, research, education and managerial responsibilities. It will provide a clear schedule of commitments, both internal and external. In addition, it will provide personal objectives, including details of links to wider service objectives and details of the support required by the consultant to fulfill the job plan and the objectives.

The appointee will participate in clinical audit and is expected to show a commitment to continuing medical education (CME).

The Luton and Dunstable University Hospital (L&D) has always been renowned for its friendly atmosphere and good working relationships. The Hospital has an excellent track record of financial and senior executive stability.

The Trust has University Hospital status which provides an academic environment to the hospital. In addition to postgraduate training, we welcome medical students from the UCL Medical School throughout the year and, by arrangement with the medical school, provide a programme of clinical placements to support their education. We have an excellent reputation for junior staff training. Within the Centre of Multi‑Professional Educational & Training (COMET) is the Medical Education Department, the library including an IT suite, and the Training & Development Department. The main aim of the Medical Education Department is to promote postgraduate and continuing medical education and training for all doctors and dentists. The Hospital actively promotes career development and progression for all staff.

The Hospital has excellent access to the surrounding areas with easy to central London and the rural Chilterns. The rural areas include many attractive villages and towns within easy reach of the Hospital including St Albans and Harpenden. Excellent schools are found nearby. There is also very good access to the Midlands and North by road using the M1 or A1, or by rail to one of the Luton’s three stations. A direct link using the new Busway takes passengers from Luton Train station just 7 minutes to reach a stop that is within a short walking distance of the hospital. London Luton Airport is within fifteen minutes of the hospital.

Applicants must be fully registered on the UK General Medical Council’s Specialist Register and have MRCP. Specialist Registrars may apply if within 6 months of CCT.

Candidates unable for personal reasons to work full‑time are also invited to apply.

The appointment will be subject to full Occupational Health Clearance and Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check for the successful candidates prior to commencement.

Please note that all shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview for the post.

Please refer to the Job Description for full details of the post.

Person Specification

Qualification

• Medical Degree
• MD or equivalent Higher Degree or evidence of relevant research

Registration

• Full GMC Registration with a licence to practise
• Entry onto the GMC Specialist Register: CCT (or within 6 months of receipt of CCT at interview) CESR (must be on Specialist Register at time of applying)

Clinical Experience

• Excellent all‑round experience of DGH work
• Evidence of thorough and broad training and experience in Cardiology and General Medicine
• Able to take full and independent responsibility for clinical work and delivering service without direct supervision.
• Sub‑specialty interest in heart failure and cardiac imaging MRI.

Clinical Effectiveness

• Understanding of clinical governance and ability to demonstrate ongoing CPD
• Experience of guideline appraisal
• Participation in relevant local audits
• Ability to interpret and apply clinical research
• Participation in relevant national audits

Teaching

• Knowledge and ability to teach all grades of trainees and medical students
• Has attended Teaching the Teachers or similar course
• Ability to co‑operate in a democratic team environment
• Flexible attitude, team player with good management skills
• Leadership Skills

Clinical Governance

• Able to demonstrate a broad understanding of the principles and elements of clinical governance.

Personnel Circumstances

• Residence within 10 miles by road or up to thirty minutes travelling time of the hospital for purposes of on‑call emergencies.
• Fit to undertake the role with satisfactory Occupational Health clearance
• Satisfactory DBS clearance

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.

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust