Locum Consultant Rheumatologist

Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust; Luton; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional healthcare provider in Luton seeks a Consultant in Rheumatology to enhance the existing capacity within their department. The role involves providing specialty support to patients, training junior staff, and participating in research. Candidates should possess a medical degree, MRCP, and have experience in delivering DGH services. The position offers 10 programmed activities and opportunities for professional growth within a collaborative working environment.

Qualifications

• Must have Full GMC Registration with a licence to practice.
• CCT or CESR must be on Specialist Register at time of applying.
• Ability to demonstrate ongoing CPD.

Responsibilities

• Provide specialty rheumatology advice and support to patients.
• Support and train other medical staff in rheumatology.
• Develop a research interest compatible with the department.

Skills

Ability to teach all grades of trainees and medical students

Excellent all round experience of DGH work

Evidence of thorough and broad training in Rheumatology

Flexible attitude, team player

Leadership skills

Education

Medical Degree

MRCP

Job description

Job overview

The successful appointee will join a well-established rheumatology department comprising eight consultants and will enhance existing consultant capacity to support the delivery of a comprehensive rheumatology service. Sub-specialty interests relevant to a district general hospital, such as vasculitis or bone health, are welcomed, alongside enthusiasm for teaching, audit and research.

Weekly commitments will align with Royal College of Physicians guidance, the consultant contract and the agreed Job Plan. Senior rheumatologists will provide mentorship, supported by a collaborative departmental culture in which clinical matters are discussed openly in both formal and informal settings.

The job plan will include 8.5 programmed activities for direct clinical care and 1.5 for supporting professional activities. It will be developed in consultation with the Clinical Director and departmental consultants, and approved by the Medical Director and Chief Executive or representative.

As a prospective annual agreement, the job plan will define duties, responsibilities and objectives across all aspects of practice, including clinical work, teaching, research, education and management. It will outline scheduled commitments, personal objectives linked to wider service goals, and the support required to meet these aims. Working patterns may evolve to meet changing local needs, with annual review in line with consultant contract, appraisal and job‑planning arrangements.

Main duties of the job

The post holders will work with the other Consultants to provide specialty rheumatology advice and support to patients within the Trust. They will attend the weekly multi-disciplinary departmental meetings and weekly X‑ray meetings, and will be expected to help support and train the registrars and other junior medical staff in rheumatology / general medicine, and the Clinical Nurse Specialists.

Where possible, the post‑holder will be encouraged to develop a research interest, compatible with the background of the department and its facilities. Audit will be a mandatory part of the role.

The Rheumatology Directorate has close links with local General Practitioners and thereisan activeteachingprogramfor them,and alsofor allgradesofdoctors within the Trust.The post holder will be encouragedto continue teaching and training at all levels.

Clinical Governance and Audit projects are undertaken as an ongoing programme within the department of Rheumatology – examining local practice compared to National Standards of care (for example use of biologic therapy, DAS scoring, early arthritis pathways and comparison toBSR Standards) – and Trust‑wide. It is expected that the appointee will be actively involved in this.

Working for our organisation

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics‑led Maternity and Paediatrics. You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology.

Our Values

We not only recruit based on qualifications and experience – we recruit individuals who demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. We achieve this by using values based recruitment. We are dedicated to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone, we are committed to promoting equality and diversity, and creating a culture that values differences.

Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering first 6 months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all documents attached to ensure you familiarise yourself with all requirements of the job.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please refer to the Job Description for further details.

A 10 PA week consists of 8.5 PAs direct clinical care and 1.5 PAs for Supporting Professional Activity (SPA).

Job planning will be used to reflect the needs of the department, ensuring that contracted work is appropriately remunerated. An initial job plan review will be undertaken by the Clinical Director after 3 months and annually thereafter, or if the workpattern changes. Any additional PAs contracted by the Trust will be agreed as a separate part of the job plan by mutual consent.

Thejobplanwillconsistof10PA’sofroutinework. Theplanbelowisindicativeonly.

Morning

Mid- day

Afternoon

Monday

Rheumatology Clinic Luton

(1.0PA)

MedicalMeetingwith Lunch

12.30-13.30

Admin (0.5PAs)

In-patientreferrals (0.5 PAs)

Tuesday

Rheumatology Clinic Luton

(1.0PA)

HospitalGrand Round

12.30-13.30

SPA (1.0SPA)

Wednesday

Rheumatology Clinic virtual

(1.0PA)

Seenote

Admin (1.0PA)

Thursday

Rheumatology Clinic Bedford

(1.0PA)

RheumatologyDept. / X‑ray Meeting(0.25 PA)

SPA / Departmental meeting

(0.5SPA)(0.25PA)

Friday

Admin (1.0PA)

Rheumatology Clinic

Bedford

(1.0PA)

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria

• Medical Degree
• MRCP

Desirable criteria

• MD or equivalent Higher Degree or evidence of relevant research

Registration

Essential criteria

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

Clinical Experience

Essential criteria

• Excellent all round experience of DGH work
• Evidence of thorough and broad training and experience in Rheumatology
• Able to take full and independent responsibility for clinical work and delivering service without direct supervision.

Clinical Effectiveness

Essential criteria

• 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

Desirable criteria

• Participation in relevant national audits

Teaching

Essential criteria

• Knowledge and ability to teach all grades of trainees and medical students

Desirable criteria

• Has attended Teaching the Teachers or similar course

Personal Skills

Essential criteria

• Ability to co-operate in a democratic team environment
• Flexible attitude, team player with good management skills
• Leadership Skills

Clinical Governance

Essential criteria

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

Personnel Circumstances

Essential criteria

• 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

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.