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Job summary

Main area
Cardiology
Grade
Consultant in Cardiology
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Full time - 10 PA's
Job ref
418-M-CD-040-A
Employer
Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
F55 Cardiology
Town
Luton
Salary
£99,532 - £131,964 Per Annum
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
14/08/2024 23:59

Employer heading

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust logo

Consultant in Cardiology with special interest in Heart Failure

Consultant in Cardiology

Job overview

Applications are invited for the above full time post for this 660 bedded 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 will augment and complement the consultant capacity, to help drive forwards 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

The appointee will join our dynamic Cardiology department and play a pivotal role in the delivery of high quality General Cardiology and Heart Failure (HF) care at Luton & Dunstable Hospitals and within the trust. 

At Luton and Dunstable hospital we have an established HF services with 1 Consultant, 2.5 HF specialist nurses and 4 community HF nurses at Luton and 2 community HF nurses covering central Bedfordshire region. We also extend the service to adjacent areas of Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire. There is a well-established community HF service supported through MDT once a week on Wednesday. The post holder is expected to join the team to further develop the services. The appointee is also expected to support periodic pathway development and achieving national standards in HF management for the trust. The post holder will be encouraged to develop subspeciality clinics such as Heart Failure Rapid Optimisation Clinics (HFROC) or inherited cardiomyopathy clinics, cardiac disease in pregnancy clinics or valvular heart disease clinics. There may be the possibility to accommodate subspeciality areas such as Cardiac MRI, Cardiac CT, Echocardiography in the future.  They may be the possibility participate in Community Cardiology projects.

 

Working for our organisation

Our 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. Travel between hospital sites may be required.

We have state-of-the art facilities placing us at the heart of cutting edge health care. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.

Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. Please ensure that you make your application as soon as possible.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The successful candidate will complement the consultant capacity to enable an effective and seamless service for cardiology in both in-patient and elective settings. This will include ward rounds, consultant to consultant referrals, GP Advice and Guidance, MDT and outpatient clinics. 

The appointee will participate in the provision of seven day cover for the Cardiology bed base 1:8 rota and in future cardiology on call as per service expansion on rota.

The main duties and responsibilities of the post include: - 

·         The appointee will offer dedicated specialist Heart failure clinics and there will be flexibility to  set up General Cardiology or other specialist clinics.

·         To participate in the provision of a high quality out-patient service, including patient administration.

·         To work with other Consultants to provide specialty Cardiology advice and support to patients within the Trust.

·         To have a specialty interest in heart failure and develop the service as required.

 Other Tasks include: -

 ·         The post-holder will attend and actively participate in the weekly multidisciplinary meetings and weekly governance meetings.

·         Active participation in the management and development of the specialty and the introduction of new services.

·         Contribute to the educational programme, including departmental meetings and teaching.

·         Participate in Departmental Multidisciplinary Team Meetings.

·         Contribute in 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.

·         Prepare and participate in an annual appraisal in accordance with Trust policy.

·         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. The senior Cardiologists in the department will act as the mentor for the new consultants, along with the other consultants in their absence. All clinical issues are openly discussed at formal and informal meetings. 

The job plans will be a prospective agreement that sets out a consultant’s duties, responsibilities and objectives for the coming year.  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 fulfil the job plan and the objectives.

The pattern of work may change in the future to meet local changing needs and annual review meetings will take place in line with the new Consultant Contract, job planning and appraisal arrangements.

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

The pattern of work may change in the future to meet local changing needs and annual review meetings will take place in line with the new Consultant Contract, job planning and appraisal arrangements.

The appointee will participate in clinical audit.  It is expected that the appointee will 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 access 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 required to attend a pre-interview assessment process and thereafter successful applicants will be invited to interview for the post.

Closing Date: 14th August 2024

Assessment Date: 11th September 2024

Interview Date: 20th September 2024

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

Person specification

Qualification

Essential criteria
  • Medical Degree
  • Relevant postgraduate qualification - 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 Cardiology and General Medicine
  • Able to take full and independent responsibility for clinical work and delivering service without direct supervision.
  • Training in Heart Failure
Desirable criteria
  • Training in Advanced Heart Failure management
  • Training in Cardiac Transplantation and Mechanical Support
  • Experience in Community Cardiology

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

Personnel 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

Employer certification / accreditation badges

NHS Pastoral Care Quality AwardApprenticeships logoNo smoking policyAge positiveArmed Forces Covenant (Silver Award)Care quality commission - GoodDisability confident employerNational Preceptorship for Nursing Quality Mark 2024Employer with Heart

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.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Dr Manoj Goonwardene
Job title
Consultant and Clinical Director of Cardiology
Telephone number
01582 497947
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