Specialty Doctor in Rheumatology

Job responsibilities

We are seeking an experienced and enthusiastic individual to join the renowned Rheumatology Department at LTHT as a Specialty Doctor. Candidates with experience of complex rheumatic inflammatory conditions and advanced therapies are particularly encouraged to apply. The post will be mainly outpatient based with general and specialist clinics. A commitment to participate in quality improvement and education is essential. There are also significant opportunities to participate in research. Please contact Dr S Dass, Lead Clinician for Rheumatology (shouvik.dass@nhs.net) and Karen Cox, Business Manager for Rheumatology (karen.cox12@nhs.net) for further information.

The Rheumatology Department at Leeds has a national and international reputation for high quality clinical care and research. The department offers both secondary and tertiary level care across several subspecialty areas. It is an NHS England Specialist Centre for Rheumatology. Most of the departments work is outpatient based but there are also specific inpatient beds.

Timetable:

Wed AM Early Arthritis Clinic

Weds PM- Education/CPD

Thurs AM Connective Tissue Diseases clinic

Thurs PM joint injection clinic

Fri AM Spondyloarthropathy Clinic

Fri PM Administration

The postholder is expected to have a role in training and education. This would be for medical students as clinic based teaching and to deliver educational sessions for resident doctors. The postholder would also present clinical cases and teaching presentations at the weekly academic meeting as per a pre-planned schedule. The rheumatology department is involved with a variety of local, regional and national postgraduate teaching courses.

There is a weekly programme of departmental clinical, educational, governance and research meetings with internal and external presentation. The postholder is expected to participate in audit and projects related to service delivery and improvement.

The Department is keen to provide mentoring, either officially or informally, to support current work as well as considering future opportunities and career development. The postholder will also participate in the standard annual appraisal process, leading to revalidation.

Qualifications

Essential

• MBBS or equivalent medical qualification
• Be eligible for full registration with, and hold a current licence to practise from, the GMC at intended start date
• Eligibility to work in the UK.
• Advanced Life Support Certificate from the Resuscitation Council UK or equivalent (as required to complete Foundation competences) by intended start date
• Is up to date and fit to practise safely and is aware of own training needs.
• All applicants to have demonstrable skills in written and spoken English adequate to enable effective communication about medical topics with patients and colleagues demonstrated by one of the following:
• Applicants have undertaken undergraduate medical training in English.
• OR
• Achieved the minimum score of 7 across all 4 of the following categories in the academic International English Language Testing System (IELTS) in a single sitting within 24 months at time of application Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing. (An overall minimum score of 7.5)
• OR
• Achieved the minimum Grade B across all 4 of the following categories in the Occupational English Test (OET) in medicine in a single sitting within 24 months at time of application Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing. (You must provide your candidate number)
• If applicants believe they have adequate communication skills, but do not have evidence in one of the above forms, they must provide alternative supporting evidence of language skills

Desirable

• MRCP Part 1

Personal Skills

Essential

• Communication Skills:
• Demonstrates clarity in written/spoken communication & capacity to adapt language as appropriate to the situation
• Able to build rapport, listen, persuade & negotiate
• Problem Solving & Decision Making:
• Capacity to use logical/lateral thinking to solve problems/make decisions, indicating an analytical/scientific approach
• Empathy & Sensitivity:
• Capacity to take in others perspectives and treat others with understanding; sees patients as people
• Demonstrates respect for all
• Managing Others & Team Involvement:
• Able to work in multi-professional teams & supervise junior medical staff
• Ability to show leadership, make decisions, organise and motivate other team members for the benefit of patients through, for example, audit and quality improvement Projects
• Capacity to work effectively with others
• Organisation & Planning:
• Capacity to manage/prioritise time and information effectively
• Capacity to prioritise own workload & organise ward rounds
• Evidence of thoroughness (is well prepared, shows self discipline/ commitment, is punctual and meets deadlines)
• Vigilance & Situational Awareness:
• Capacity to monitor developing situations and anticipate issues
• Coping with Pressure and managing uncertainty:
• Capacity to operate under pressure
• Demonstrates initiative & resilience to cope with changing circumstances
• Is able to deliver good clinical care in the face of uncertainty
• Values:
• Understands, respects and demonstrates the values of the NHS Constitution (e.g. everyone counts; improving lives; commitment to quality of care; respect and dignity; working together for patients; compassion)

Experience

Essential

• 12 months experience after full GMC registration or equivalent, and evidence of achievement of foundation competences, in line with GMC standards / Good Medical Practice; including:
• make the care or your patient your first concern
• provide a good standard of practice and care
• take prompt action if you think that patient safety, dignity or comfort is being compromised
• protect and promote the health of patients and of the public
• treat patients as individuals and respect their dignity
• work in partnership with patients
• work with colleagues in the ways that best serve patients interests
• be honest and open and act with integrity
• never discriminate unfairly against patients or colleagues
• never abuse your patients trust in you or the publics trust in the profession.
• Evidence of achievement of CT/ST1 competencies in medicine or Surgery (as defined by the curricula relating to Core Medical training or Core Surgical Training)
• Ability to apply sound clinical knowledge and judgement to problems
• Ability to prioritise clinical need
• Ability to maximise safety and minimise risk
• Recognition of, and ability to undertake the initial management of, an acutely ill patient
• Demonstrates understanding of research, including awareness of ethical issues
• Demonstrates understanding of the basic principles of audit, clinical risk management, evidence-based practice, patient safety, and clinical quality improvement initiatives
• Demonstrates knowledge of evidence-informed practice

Desirable

• Previous/current experience of working within the NHS
• Previous experience in working in Rheumatology and Rehabilitation Medicine
• Aptitude for practical skills, e.g. manual dexterity
• Successful completion of relevant skills course(s),
• Research and audit skills:
• Evidence of relevant academic and research achievements, e.g. degrees, prizes, awards, distinctions, publications, presentations, other achievements
• Evidence of involvement in an audit project, a quality improvement project, formal research project or other activity which:
• focuses on patient safety and clinical improvement
• demonstrates an interest in and commitment to the specialty beyond the mandatory curriculum
• Teaching:
• Evidence of interest in, and experience of teaching
• Evidence of feedback for teaching
• Instructor status (or a recommendation for instructor status) in an advanced life support course (ALS, ATLS, EPLS, APLS) or equivalent course

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).