Job summary
We
are looking for a Consultant Rheumatologists to join an enthusiastic and
energetic team, providing a comprehensive service to a population of c. 600,000
across County Durham and Darlington in an area with a high prevalence of
musculoskeletal disease. Joining a department that is developing a modern,
multidisciplinary hub and spoke service model, the post holder will be
encouraged and supported to develop Rheumatology services across County Durham
and Darlington specifically through the implementation of a NICE compliant
Early Arthritis Service. We provide Day
Case and Inpatient care at both Darlington Memorial Hospital and University
Hospital of North Durham. Out of hours care is provided by acute and general
physicians therefore there is no commitment to the acute medical rota but the
Trust would be willing to accommodate a dual accredited candidate and adjust
their Job Plan accordingly. The department has an innovative strategy to expand
and develop a comprehensive multidisciplinary team of extended scope
Physiotherapists and Pharmacists. Successful applicants will be encouraged and
supported to follow or develop specialist interests.
Main duties of the job
The post-holder will provide a full range of outpatient
Rheumatology services as well as to develop areas of special interest.
Encouragement including a financial bursary of £3000 will be offered to
candidates with appropriate training who wish to further develop their skills.
Contribution
to acute rheumatology in Darlington Memorial Hospital and out-reach sites on
rotation with the existing rheumatologists including:
Covering
internal rheumatology referrals from AMU and other wards/departments
Management
of rheumatology inpatients
Provision
of outpatient clinics
Establishment
of an Early Arthritis Service
Contribution
to undergraduate and postgraduate medical training
Contribution
to quality improvement and medical audit
Contribution
to research and teaching
There is no commitment to the acute medical rota but we
would be willing to accommodate a dual accredited candidate and adjust their
job plan accordingly.
There is no rheumatology on-call1.
About us
If you are being interviewed you must accept an interview slot in the system to continue, even if you have arranged with the manager
You must be able to produce ALL certificates stated essential in the person specification or you will not be able to complete pre-employment checks
We provide hospital services from two acute sites - Darlington Memorial Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham. We have a centre for planned care in Bishop Auckland and provide care from community hospitals in Chester-le-Street, Shotley Bridge, Barnard Castle, Sedgefield and Weardale as well as over 80 other community based settings and providing care in patients' homes.
We particularly welcome applications from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as BAME and disabled people are currently under-represented
Full Job Descriptions can be found in the adverts supporting documents
Over reliance on
AI-generated content is discouraged and may diminish the applicant's chances of
success
For the most up-to-date information on visa requirements and eligibility, please check online to determine whether you can apply.
From April 9th 2025 - Healthcare assistants - You must have a minimum of two years
of experience working within the NHS as a HCA for the Trust to consider
sponsorship (we will only consider sponsorship if you meet this criteria and
have a current visa expiring within 3 months)
Job description
Job responsibilities
Quality care is at the heart of our clinical strategy and
service delivery. Working closely with our colleagues in primary care and the
clinical commissioning groups, the focus is on services that offer care closer
to home, including prevention and early intervention with co-ordinated and
timely access to clinical opinion, diagnostics and multi-disciplinary
interventions.
We provide acute hospital services from Darlington Memorial
Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham and a range of planned
hospital care and rehabilitation services at Bishop Auckland Hospital.
We also provide step-down and outpatient services through a
local network of community hospitals.
Trust has developed an innovative strategy that will
increase the total number of consultant rheumatologists and has committed
significant financial resources to expand and develop a comprehensive multi-
disciplinary team of extended scope physiotherapists, pharmacists and nurses.
The service currently provides:
Outpatient
services including clinics and non-invasive investigations.
Day Case
facilities and inpatient reach is provided at both Darlington Memorial Hospital
and University Hospital of North Durham during normal working hours. Out of
hours, inpatient care is provided by acute and general physicians with ad hoc
support
Oversight
of nerve conduction testing which is provided to the Trust by the physiology
department.
DEXA
scan reporting is currently overseen by one of the Rheumatology Consultants.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Quality care is at the heart of our clinical strategy and
service delivery. Working closely with our colleagues in primary care and the
clinical commissioning groups, the focus is on services that offer care closer
to home, including prevention and early intervention with co-ordinated and
timely access to clinical opinion, diagnostics and multi-disciplinary
interventions.
We provide acute hospital services from Darlington Memorial
Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham and a range of planned
hospital care and rehabilitation services at Bishop Auckland Hospital.
We also provide step-down and outpatient services through a
local network of community hospitals.
Trust has developed an innovative strategy that will
increase the total number of consultant rheumatologists and has committed
significant financial resources to expand and develop a comprehensive multi-
disciplinary team of extended scope physiotherapists, pharmacists and nurses.
The service currently provides:
Outpatient
services including clinics and non-invasive investigations.
Day Case
facilities and inpatient reach is provided at both Darlington Memorial Hospital
and University Hospital of North Durham during normal working hours. Out of
hours, inpatient care is provided by acute and general physicians with ad hoc
support
Oversight
of nerve conduction testing which is provided to the Trust by the physiology
department.
DEXA
scan reporting is currently overseen by one of the Rheumatology Consultants.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Previous general medicine experience
Desirable
- Experience in DEXa scan and other rheumatology procedures
Special Skills & Knowledge
Essential
- Evidence of training in clinical management
- Understanding of audit and commitment to personal and departmental audit
Statutory Registration
Essential
- GMC Specialist Registration
Special Requirements
Essential
- ALS Interest in promoting and/or performing research in the Trust
Qualifications
Essential
- MBBS or equivalent
- MRCP or previous experience in the country
Desirable
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Previous general medicine experience
Desirable
- Experience in DEXa scan and other rheumatology procedures
Special Skills & Knowledge
Essential
- Evidence of training in clinical management
- Understanding of audit and commitment to personal and departmental audit
Statutory Registration
Essential
- GMC Specialist Registration
Special Requirements
Essential
- ALS Interest in promoting and/or performing research in the Trust
Qualifications
Essential
- MBBS or equivalent
- MRCP or previous experience in the country
Desirable
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.
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).
Additional information
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.
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).
