Locum Consultant Radiologist Musculoskeletal Radiology

Job responsibilities

The Radiology department at Derriford Hospital, Plymouth is a large teaching department responsible for specialist registrar training. The main x-ray service is accommodated within two large adjacent departments.

CT

There are six multi-slice CT scanners (GE Revolution Apex Cardiac/Dual energy OP scanner, GE Revolution Trauma/In patient scanner, GE HD750 64 slice IP Scanner, 2 Optima GE 64 slice OP Scanners, and a GE Optima CT 540 for intervention/IPs) providing a complete CT service. The department is a development site for GE CT and with GE runs international cardiac training. There is CT scanning within the fluoroscopy suite providing a CTC service. Radiotherapy planning is on a separate oncology unit scanner. All GE CT scanners are capable of performing CT angiography and we have CT perfusion capacity on 5 of the 6 scanners.

MRI

There are 5 MRI scanners on site (2 Siemens Vida 3T, Siemens 1.5 -Sola, 1.5T Philips Integra Nova and Philips Integra 1.5T modular unit). A 3rd 3T scanner available as a joint project with Plymouth University (Siemens Prisma). The MRI service operates an extended working day from 8am to 8pm with a radiographic shift-system. We have occasional visiting mobile MRI units.

Fluoroscopy

There are two fluoroscopy suites (one conventional, one C-arm); these are scheduled for upgrade and refurbishment in 2022/23.

Intervention

The department includes a newly installed Siemens Icono Biplane interventional suite and two Phillips interventional suites; one of which includes a 3D rotational angiography facility and bi-planar imaging. Both Philips machines are in the process of being replaced with a Siemens Icono Biplane machine and and Artis Q monoplane machine.

All interventional suites have access to dedicated ultrasound machines.

Ultrasound

The ultrasound department is based within x-ray West and provides a full non obstetric diagnostic and therapeutic service, including contrast, fusion, elastography and intervention. There are 10 ultrasound examination rooms within the University Hospitals footprint, all equipped with modern high specification machines (Canon), as well as 2 high spec portable machines. Ultrasound is also provided in peripheral sites including the Radiology Academy and Cumberland centre (a further 8 rooms by autumn 2021).

X-Ray

In addition to two adjacent departments at Derriford Hospital, there are satellite x-ray departments at Liskeard, Tavistock, Launceston, Kingsbridge and two small departments in Plymouth at Mount Gould Hospital and the Cumberland Centre. These satellite departments are staffed by radiographic and sonographic staff only.

Peninsula Radiology Academy:

The Peninsula is host to one of the 3 Radiology Academies in England and is the only purpose-built unit of its kind in the world. The site has full PACS, state of the art ultrasound and a variety of novel teaching methods including interventional simulators and access to interventional models. The teaching is underpinned by the electronic learning database, which covers the whole of the radiology curriculum and is the largest electronic teaching system in Europe. It has won several educational awards and supplements the excellent teaching delivered by the consultants in the Peninsula. The training scheme is highly regarded for the quality of opportunity and teaching and takes 12-18 SpRs per year. The successful applicant would be encouraged to become involved in the teaching program.

The hospital has a full Insignia PACS service connected to all Imaging modalities, installed in 2013. There is Voice Recognition integrated to the Radiology Information System and PACS.

We have a mature remote working system established, with many consultants working at least 50% of their time from home with full PACS workstations and secure routers to emulate on-site reporting.

The work of the department

The Radiology department at UPHT, Plymouth is a large teaching department responsible for specialist registrar training. Derriford Hospital is a large Teaching Hospital providing secondary and tertiary care to a population of 1.7 million. It is a busy Trauma centre.

GENERAL WORKLOAD 2021/22

General x-ray examinations

~156,000

Fluoroscopy

~22,00

Ultrasound examinations (non-obstetric)

~54,000

CT scans

~55,500

MRI scans

~29,000

Angiography

~35,000

Nuclear Medicine examinations

~9,858

CLINICAL MEETINGS

Regular clinico-radiological meetings are held in nearly all specialities. There are in excess of 50 meetings per month. In addition to the conventional clinico-radiological meetings, MDTs have been set up in all recommended areas and have radiological input in all but the meeting relating to dermatological malignancy.

THE JOB ITSELF

TITLE: Consultant Radiologist (Musculoskeletal Radiology)

RELATIONSHIPS: The post holder will interact with the consultant radiologists and radiology trainees, radiographic and clerical staff in the Imaging Directorate and will have clinical involvement with a wide range of clinical teams in the hospital and with general practitioners. The post holder will be managerially responsible to the Clinical Director for Imaging, and professionally responsible to the Medical Director.

The employer is the Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust.

The post is based on a whole time appointment. Any Consultant who is unable for personal reasons to work full-time will be eligible to be considered for the post. The Trust is committed to flexible working arrangements including job-sharing. Such arrangements will be discussed with any shortlisted candidate on a personal basis.

DUTIES OF THE POST

The post is to share responsibility for provision of an inpatient and outpatient Musculoskeletal with five existing Consultants and one MSK Sonographer.

It is expected that the post holder will also make a contribution to general radiological services - including sessions in plain film reporting and CT. All consultants are actively involved in teaching for the Peninsula Medical School and the Peninsula Radiology Training Programme.

The post holder can expect shared office accommodation with shared secretarial support. The post holder will have a dedicated PACs workstation.

The post holder will be required to comply with all Trust Policies notably in relation to job planning, appraisal and leave taking in line with Departmental and Trust objectives. The programmes shown are for illustrative purposes and could be subject to modification, in agreement with the post holder and the Clinical Director.

The Directorate would support any research interests of the Consultant in conjunction with the Trust lead for R & D. All consultants are expected to actively participate in the departments audit and clinical governance programme.

Programmed activity

Number

Direct clinical care (including unpredictable on-call)

8.0

Supporting professional activities

1.5

Other NHS responsibilities

0.5

External duties

TOTAL PROGRAMMED ACTIVITIES

10

Education, qualifications and Special Training

Essential

• Full GMC Registration
• Fellowship Royal College of Radiologists (or equivalent)
• CCT in radiology and entry on specialist register or expected within 6 months of interview

Desirable

• MD, PhD or other postgraduate degree

Particular skills and experience

Essential

• Clinical training and experience equivalent to requirement for gaining UK CCT in radiology
• Clinical training and experience of MSK Radiology
• Ability to offer expert clinical opinion on full range of both emergency and routine general radiological situations

Desirable

• Experience in other aspects of MSK imaging

Research & clinical audit

Essential

• Ability to apply evidence-based approach to management of clinical problems.
• Evidence of completed audit projects

Desirable

• Completion of clinical research
• Publications in referred journals
• Ability to undertake basic science research
• Ability to lead research team
• Previous success in grant applications to national funding bodies

Teaching

Essential

• Ability to teach clinical and practical skills.

Desirable

• Experience of teaching clinical skills to undergraduate, postgraduate and PAMS
• Ability to supervise postgraduate research

Communication& interpersonal skills

Essential

• Well-presented CV
• Ability to communicate well with patients and staff, both orally and in writing
• Honesty and reliability
• Ability to work in a team
• Enquiring, critical approach to work
• Caring attitude to patients, relatives, GP's, nurses and other agencies
• Commitment to continuing medical education
• Leadership qualities

Desirable

• Information technology skills
• Willingness to undertake additional professional responsibilities at local, regional or national levels

Management

Essential

• Ability to advise on efficient and smooth running of specialist service
• Ability to participate in Department, Directorate and Trust Management.
• Experience in audit

Desirable

• Experience in medical management.

Practical Requirements

Essential

• Ability and willingness to work defined hours, shifts and on call with any reasonable adjustment to take account of any local requirement or disability
• Valid driving licence

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).