Specialty Doctor in Geriatric Medicine

The Methodist Church in Britain; West Wick; On-site; GBP 54,000 - 74,000; Full time

Job summary

East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust is seeking a Specialty Doctor in Medicine for Older People to assess, treat and plan care for frail elderly patients from the emergency department to community services. The role involves direct patient care across acute wards and a stroke rehabilitation ward, with supervision from a consultant and opportunities to contribute to outpatient clinics and audit activities.

Experience in thrombolysis and neurovascular care, plus ALS certification, is desirable.

Qualifications

• MRCP or active progress towards MRCP exam.
• ALS certification or a recognised equivalent, gained and maintained.
• Full GMC registration.
• Four years of postregistration training, at least two in GIM and/or Geriatric Medicine.

Responsibilities

• Clinical assessment and care planning for frail older medical patients across the pathway.
• Initial management and resuscitation of deteriorating patients when required.
• Lead team response in cardiac arrests under life support guidelines.
• Collaborate with ED, AMU, wards and Intensive Home Support Service with multidisciplinary team.
• Refer to specialist teams and ensure safe discharge and follow-up.

Skills

Clinical leadership

Teaching

Audits

Teamwork

Education

MRCP

Job description

This Specialty Doctor post sits within the Medicine for Older People directorate at East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, covering acute wards and a stroke rehabilitation ward. The work centres on assessing, treating and planning care for frail older medical patients, from the emergency department to the community Intensive Home Support Service, under consultant supervision. The directorate is building its stroke and frailty pathways, with outpatient clinics and ortho-geriatric support. Full GMC registration is required.

What the job involves

• Clinical assessment, diagnosis, treatment and care planning for frail older medical patients across their pathway
• Immediate care for deteriorating patients, including initial resuscitation where appropriate
• Lead the team response in cardiac arrests and critically ill patients under life support guidelines
• Work across the emergency department, acute medical units, wards and the Intensive Home Support Service with the multidisciplinary team, under consultant supervision
• Refer to specialist teams where indicated and ensure safe discharge and follow-up
• Liaise with GPs and develop plans for patients in the Intensive Home Support Service
• Supervise resident doctors
• Attend and manage patients in outpatient clinics under consultant guidance
• Follow and contribute to Care Group guidelines and protocols
• Take part in Division of Medicine Grand Rounds and audit meetings
• Support quality improvement in the department
• Gain and maintain ALS certification or a recognised equivalent

What’s required

Qualifications

• MRCP, or evidence of active participation towards the MRCP exam
• ALS certification or a recognised equivalent, gained and maintained

Registration & licences

• Full registration with the General Medical Council

Experience

• Four years of postregistration training, at least two in a specialty training programme in General Internal Medicine and/or Geriatric Medicine, or comparable skills and competencies
• Satisfactory completion of previous posts providing training in acute and rehabilitation stroke care
• Experience and training in thrombolysis and neurovascular clinic
• Practical experience managing a wide range of orthogeriatric care, audit and acute medical problems
• Evidence of undergraduate and postgraduate teaching, with commitment to teaching within the Trust
• Experience of supervising junior staff

Skills & knowledge

• Familiarity with evidence-based practice and awareness of basic research methods
• Understanding of audit
• Understanding of NHS management systems, clinical governance and risk management
• Ability to communicate, liaise and work in teams with patients, relatives and colleagues across disciplines
• Ability to lead service development and promote best practice

Other

• Clear commitment to lifelong learning and keeping up to date in the specialty
• Attendance at professional meetings and courses

Nice to have

• Higher qualification such as an MD or MSc
• Previous research projects or publications
• Experience in other areas and specialist experience to lead in one or more areas of practice
• Attendance at courses in teaching, appraisal and mentorship
• Experience in appraisal and mentoring
• Previous management role or attendance at management courses
• IT skills
• Membership of postgraduate societies

What’s offered

• Job plan agreed individually, which may include time for CPD, research or departmental administration
• Support to gain postgraduate qualifications
• Support with CESR (previously Article 14) applications
• Opportunities to gain experience in specialty outpatient clinics
• Opportunities to attend further training and study
• Career development towards senior level in Geriatrics and Stroke