Consultant Radiologist - Cardiovascular Imaging

Job description

Job responsibilities

RADIOLOGY DEPARTMENT

The Radiology Department is embarking on an exciting new development with the creation of new posts to support the increasing demand of Lung Services and the introduction of two new CT (Siemens Force) 3T MRI scanner (Siemens VIDA) and 1.5T MRI (Siemens Sola).

The department originally opened in 2006 following a £80 million development. This development included two new catheter labs, additional operating theatres, a new expanded ITU for cardiothoracic services and provision of a diagnostic and treatment centre (DTC) for the Royal Liverpool and BROADGREEN NHS Trust (RLBUHT). The BGH DTC concentrates on cold orthopaedic and urological surgery. A new joint digital imaging department to service both Trusts was a fundamental part of the development.

There are three separately located bi-plane catheter laboratories and two single-plane labs installed. These are largely devoted to the performance of invasive diagnostic cardiology, Interventional cardiology and EP studies.

There is a separate echocardiography department within cardiology led by the imaging cardiologists. There are facilities for Stress Echo, TOE and 3D Echo.

The LHCH imaging strategy has identified the need to expand cardiovascular and cardiothoracic capacity to meet rising demand for non-invasive imaging. At present all cardiac MRI operates 12-hour days and CT operates 8 hours days.

There is a GA MRI list each month to support the ACHD referral pathway and an MRI service for patients having pacing devices and need an MRI scan.

LHCH is leading the National program for Lung Cancer Screening. This has increased the demand for oncologic imaging and lung biopsies.

There are integrated chest and cardiac imaging services with close interaction with the clinical chest physicians and cardiologists, with several regular relevant imaging meetings for discussion of clinical outcomes and participation in the clinical meetings of the relevant department is encouraged.

The department is fully digital with Carestream PACS integrated with HSS CRIS with digital dictation. Voice recognition software is available for those who wish to use it. There are currently fifteen LHCH PACS reporting workstations with Siemens Syngo Via and CVI42 software, allowing advanced CT and MRI post-processing on any Trust workstation, PC and from home. The images can be viewed anywhere in the Trust using the Carestream client. This can also be used from home using a Trust provided VPN or secure portal for on call review of images.

Audit/Research

The Trust has an active audit programme. It is expected that the post holder will take a full part in the audit programme. The Trust is one of two pilot sites for the UK Lung Cancer Screening Trial in collaboration with Liverpool University.

The trust has collaboration with Konica Minolta and has received a state-of-the-art plain film x ray machine that can acquire dynamic images and is only the second such device to be installed across the globe.

There is close collaboration with AIDENCE, an AI company to support the Lung Cancer Screening program.

The trust has entered an academic partnership with Imperial College London and the Brompton Hospital: The Institute of Cardiovascular Medicine and Science. This will foster strong academic development and the post holder would be encouraged to fully participate in joint projects.

There are regular discrepancy meetings and clinical meetings. Clinical Quality, Governance and the Trusts Patient Vision are integral to the Trusts day to day activities

Teaching

There is a formal programme of lectures based round the modular FRCR course held at the University of Liverpool. The new post holder would be supported to contribute to this and obtain training in workplace-based assessments and utilisation of the college e-portfolio in order to become an accredited Clinical Supervisor.

Some formal teaching of Speciality Trainees, radiographers and other trust staff will be expected. Informal tutorials for trainees and pre-examination tutorials prior to the part II FRCR would also be expected. Currently Dr Radike is the college tutor at LHCH.

MEDICAL STAFF

Dr J A Holemans Radiologist

Dr S Binukrishnan Radiologist

Dr K. Babar Radiologist

Dr M Ntouskou Radiologist

Dr M Radike Radiologist

Dr A Kharabish Radiologist

Dr M Gutierrez Radiologist

Dr Y AlKhatib Radiologist

Dr A. Reghunat Radiologist

Dr L Kuruvilla Radiologist

Dr A Khalatbari Imaging Cardiologist

Dr T Fairbairn Imaging Cardiologist

Dr R Cooper Imaging Cardiologist

Dr. J Hasleton Imaging Cardiologist

Dr S Srivastava Imaging Cardiologist

Dr P Lech Imaging Cardiologist

Dr S Elgamal Imaging ACHD Cardiologist

JOB PLAN

The job is intended to be a full time (10 PA) post in cardiovascular and cardiothoracic imaging radiology, desirably with experience in US, doppler and lung biopsies at Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital. The job plan will include 1.5 SPA.

The draft job plan is outlined under the terms and conditions section.

The successful candidate will have full secretarial support, a personal computer (training available if required) and office accommodation in line with other consultants in the unit.

There is a significant commitment to research and audit and a training commitment to the SpRs.

The trust supports the annual appraisal process and routine GMC revalidation for all consultants and all consultants undergo an annual job plan. The appointee will be expected to work flexibly on the basis of the needs of the Clinical Services Division and the Trust. The workload will be driven by the job planning process and be reviewed and changed appropriate to the requirements of the Trust by the Radiology Clinical Lead with the Divisional Head of Operations with ratification by the Medical Director. It should be noted that full mentorship will be provided to the successful candidate.

The Trust supports the requirements for continuing professional development (CPD) as laid down by the GMC and surgical colleges and is committed to providing time and financial support for these activities.

PATIENT REFERRAL PATTERNS

Referrals for MRI and CT are generated from within the organisation from chest, cardiology and surgery and from external organisations that require the specialist advice from the expert team of radiologist and imaging cardiologist at Liverpool Heart and Chest.

GENERAL PROVISION AND SUMMARY OF MAIN CONDITIONS OF SERVICES

1. General Provisions

1.1 The appointee will be expected to work with local managers and professional colleagues in the efficient running of services and will share with consultant colleagues in the medical contribution to management. Subject to the provisions of the Consultant Terms and Conditions of Services, he/she is expected to observe the Centres agreed policies and procedures, drawn up in the consultation with the profession on clinical matters and to follow the standing orders and financial instructions of the Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital. The appointee will be expected to follow the local and national employment and personnel policies and procedures.

1.2 All medical and dental staffs employed by the hospital are expected to comply with the agreed health and safety policies.

1.3 The appointee will have responsibility for the training and supervision of junior medical staffs who work with him/her and will devote time to this on a regular basis. If appropriate he/she will be named in the contracts of junior doctors in training grades as the person responsible for overseeing their training and as a main source of advice to such doctors on their careers.

2. Main Conditions of Service

2.1 The successful candidate(s) will normally be required to live within 30 minutes drive of the hospital.

2.2 Where, however the successful candidate already resides within 45 minutes drive of the hospital, he/she will not be required to remove his/her home nearer to the hospital.

2.3 Where the successful candidates present residence is more than 45 minutes drive from the hospital, he/she will be required to move his/her home to meet the residential clauses of his/her contract, unless he/she has the written consent of the Authority to the contrary.

2.4 The Terms and Conditions of Service state that the removal expenses shall be reimbursed, and grants paid only when the employing authority is satisfied that the removal of the practitioners home is required, and the arrangements proposed are reasonable. Therefore, successful candidates are advised not to enter into contractual arrangements for the removal of their home until such a time as the formal approval of the hospital is confirmed in writing.

2.5 If the appointment is on a part-time basis (9 PAs or less) the successful candidate will not be eligible under the Terms and Conditions of Services for the reimbursement of removal and associated expenses.

Person Specification

Management and Administration Experience

Essential

• Ability to organise and manage radiology speciality lists

Audit and Research Experience

Essential

• Experience of audit management.

Desirable

• Ability to apply research outcomes in radiology practice
• Peer reviewed publications.

Qualifications

Essential

• Full GMC Registration

Desirable

• Postgraduate degree (eg MSc, MD, PhD).

Experience

Essential

• Clinical training and experience equivalent to that required for gaining UK CCT Radiology training.
• Training in cardiovascular and cardiothoracic imaging.
• Ability to offer expert clinical opinion on a range of problems in cardiovascular MRI and CT, including coronary CT, structural heart imaging (TAVI reporting), cardiac MRI, stress cardiac MRI.
• Ability to take full and independent responsibility for clinical care of patients in the Radiology Department.

Desirable

• An area sub-specialisation and willingness to innovate and develop services.
• General / vascular, renal and Carotid Doppler.
• Congenital (adult) cardiac imaging (CT and/or MRI).

Personal Attributes

Essential

• Ability to work in a team and engage in innovation.
• Good interpersonal skills.
• Enquiring, critical approach to work.
• Caring attitude to patients.
• Ability to communicate effectively with patients, relatives, GPs, nurses, radiographers and other agencies.
• Commitment to Continuing Medical Education.

Teaching Experience

Essential

• Experience of teaching at Postgraduate level.
• Ability to teach image interpretation and reporting skills

Desirable

• Experience of supervising SPRs.
• Attendance of Training the Trainer 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).

Employer details

Employer name

Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital

Address

Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital

Thomas Drive

Liverpool

Merseyside

L14 3PE

Employer's website

https://www.lhch.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)