Locum Consultant in Elderly Medicine

Job responsibilities

The appointee will join the Elderly Medicine department in the delivery of clinical excellence within the practice of Elderly Medicine.

There are 5 base DME wards at Luton and Dunstable University Hospital: including a Frailty unit, Rehab ward and additionally an Orthogeriatric ward, with a total of 134 inpatients. Luton is leading the way for frailty as a key element of an Integrated Care System (ICS) as part of the BMLK STP. At the heart of this is an ambition from all service providers to deliver high quality, joint-up care wrapped around the patient. Our ICS is the first in the UK to become Research Active, collaborating with the University of Bedfordshire, which means that policy directions and service models such as Lutons Frailty Framework, are developed to meet the needs of our Older Adults in the most appropriate and cost-effective way.

The Trust has been developing its DME strategy and is working across Bedfordshire with social care partners, Primary care networks, community and mental health service providers. Our aim is to improve patient care across the acute interface and deliver better patient outcomes as part of the Bedfordshire Care Alliance.

We have Nurse Specialists in Dementia, Falls and Frailty and as well as Acute Frailty in reach service to the Emergency Department at Luton and Dunstable University Hospital, we provide specialist OPD in Falls, Syncope and Parkinsons supported by specialist nurses.

Consultants joining the organisation are given dedicated time in their job plans for new service development and to pursue their sub specialty interest. We encourage applications from new Consultants, or those more experienced who are keen to have a fresh challenge, to join our team at this exciting time.

The post-holder and other consultant colleagues will be expected to cover each others absences on annual or study leave.

A Needs Based Care (NBC) model is embedded across the Medicine Clinical Service Lines (CSLs) where timely allocation is predicated on a patients clinical need and not on age. Early allocation of patients to a speciality team according to their clinical need, improved continuity of care across

seven days, with minimal handovers and an identified single responsible consultant is associated with safer practice, improved clinical outcomes and higher levels of patient and workforce satisfaction

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 mentors for new consultants, along with the other consultants in their absence. All clinical issues are openly discussed at formal and informal meetings.

The allocation of programmed activities will be based on 8.5 for direct clinical care and 1.5 for supporting professional activities. The detailed job plans will be agreed in consultation with the Clinical Director and the Consultants in the Department, with the approval of the Medical Director and Chief Executive or his/ her representative.

The job plans will be a prospective agreement that sets out a consultants duties, responsibilities and objectives for the coming year. It will cover all aspects of a consultants 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.

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.

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 Lutons 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 Councils Specialist Register and have MRCP. Specialist Registrars may apply if within 6 months of CCT.

Residence is required within ten miles by road or thirty minutes travelling time of the Hospital.

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.

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

Qualifications

Essential

• Medical Degree
• Relevant postgraduate qualification-MRCP

Desirable

• oMD or equivalent Higher Degree or evidence of relevant research

Registration

Essential

• oFull GMC Registration with a licence to practice
• oEntry onto the GMC Specialist Register:CCT(or within 6 months), CESR

Clinical experience

Essential

• oExcellent all round experience of DGH work
• oEvidence of thorough and broad training and experience in General Medicine / hyper acute, acute and rehabilitation aspects of stroke Medicine
• oAble to take full and independent responsibility for clinical work and delivering service without direct supervision.
• oSub Specialty interest in neuro-intervention and/or newer modalities of imaging to detect early ischemic strokes

Clinical Effectiveness

Essential

• oUnderstanding of clinical governance and ability to demonstrate ongoing CPD
• oExperience of guideline appraisal
• oParticipation in relevant local audits
• oAbility to interpret and apply clinical research

Desirable

• oParticipation in relevant national audits

Teaching

Essential

• oKnowledge and ability to teach all grades of trainees and medical students

Desirable

• oHas attended Teaching the Teachers or similar course

Clinical Governance

Essential

• oAble to demonstrate a broad understanding of the principles and elements of clinical governance.

Personal Skills/Circumstances

Essential

• oAbility to co-operate in a democratic team environment
• oFlexible attitude, team player with good management skills
• oLeadership Skills
• oResidence within 10 miles by road or up to thirty minutes travelling time of the hospital for purposes of on-call emergencies.

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).