Job overview
Applications are invited for the above full time post for this 660 bed acute hospital serving a local population of approximately 400,000. This appointment will be made in accordance with the Terms and Conditions of Service for Hospital Medical and Dental Staff (England) 2002.
This is a maternity cover post and will NOT be renewed.
You will work with emergency medicine and acute medicine teams to provide high-quality care to patients requiring unscheduled care. You will join a motivated and progressive team in a supportive environment to develop your career.
This appointment will be made as per the NHS Terms and Conditions of Service Hospital Medical and Dental Staff (England) 2002.
This post is suitable for doctors who:
1. Wish to pursue a career in Emergency Medicine (EM) or Acute Medicine.
2. Seek NHS experience and are looking for an opportunity to consolidate their skills and complete a Certificate to Enter Specialty Training (CREST form).
3. Have experience in either Emergency or Acute Medical Care.
4. Are able to work shifts, including out of hours, nights, and weekends.
Successful candidates will be offered a 12-month Fixed Term Contract with the possibility of annual extension and progression.
Main duties of the job
Key Responsibilities / Outcomes:
5. Assess and examine unscheduled care patients in the Same Day Emergency Care Unit, Acute Medical Take, and the Emergency Department.
6. Initiate and interpret investigations, recommending appropriate treatments.
7. Exercise a high degree of personal autonomy when assessing and planning care for an agreed caseload of patients with a range of presenting complaints.
8. Develop and maintain extensive specialist knowledge and experience in Emergency & Acute Medicine, acting as a resource for consulting clinical teams and allied health professionals.
9. Contribute to achieving and maintaining Key Performance Indicators for Emergency & Acute Medicine.
10. Support work within Emergency & Acute Medicine related to national audits.
11. Support recruitment into clinical research being carried out in unscheduled care patients.
12. Communicate with GPs and other health professionals to enable effective patient care.
13. Contribute to the development of efficient pathways of care per current best practices and national guidelines.
14. Be an active participant in the development of Emergency & Acute Medicine through the Trust.
Ensure confidentiality at all times, releasing confidential information obtained during employment only to those acting in an official capacity per the provisions of the Data Protection Act and its amendments.
Working for our organisation
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.
Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications has been received. Please ensure that you make your application as soon as possible.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
This post has been developed to facilitate the new model of unscheduled clinical care in Luton & Dunstable University Hospital and recognizes the importance of the multidisciplinary team in delivering urgent care. The post holder will be accountable for ensuring that patient care is of high standards at all times and that standards of care and treatment meet the department’s requirements.
The post holder will be expected to work with the Emergency & Acute Medicine Clinical Teams to take forward best practices. The post holder will work alongside the Emergency Department & Acute Medicine doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals at Luton & Dunstable Hospital. They will be required to work in different areas of the Unscheduled Care pathway to assess and examine patients, present them, initiate and interpret investigations, and recommend treatment. They will need to liaise with other professionals and specialties as required and complete necessary documentation relating to their patients. The post holder will participate in all aspects of the patient pathway as appropriate and is expected to provide expert assistance to senior doctors and perform delegated duties with a high degree of clinical knowledge and skills. The role will support other services as needed for patient flow as well as contribute to decision-making for patients to be admitted, transferred, or discharged. The post holder will possess, develop, and maintain specialist knowledge and experience in the department and will act as a resource for consulting clinical teams and allied healthcare professionals.
A designated consultant with individual mentorship to oversee career development will supervise the post holder. Post holders will be encouraged to take part in audits, research, departmental teaching/training, and represent the team in departmental, local, and external meetings.
The post holder will be expected to work flexibly, which will involve a shift pattern including weekends and nights as part of the wider clinical team. The role will develop flexibly over time per evolving unscheduled care objectives and will take into account the appointee’s interests.
The post will suit enthusiastic, innovative practitioners who share a vision of delivering excellent emergency/urgent care as part of a committed multidisciplinary team. You will need excellent communication and teamwork skills, be enthusiastic, and have a strong drive to develop your clinical skills.
The post holder must be eligible for full registration with the GMC at the time of appointment and must be able to evidence the achievement of Foundation competencies by the time of appointment in line with GMC standards in Good Medical Practice.
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 Luton’s 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.
All applicants will be required to demonstrate a working knowledge of the English language.
Full registration with the General Medical Council is required at time of application.
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 refer to the Job Description for full details of the post.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
15. MBBS or equivalent medical qualification
Application Completion
Essential criteria
16. ALL sections of application form FULLY completed
Clinical Skills
Essential criteria
17. Acute Care Safe: Up to Date ALS. Hospital at night team working / experience. Out of hours experience relevant to the job.
18. Relevant Specialty clinical knowledge; capacity to apply sound clinical knowledge relevant to the job, specialty knowledge exam.
19. Clinical judgement: experience in making clinical decisions and managing risk. Knows when to seek help, able to prioritise clinical need.
20. Practical skills: shows aptitude for practical skills, required for the job.
21. Proven ability to work effectively in different clinical settings required in the job
Desirable criteria
22. ALS instructors certificate
Specialty specific skills related to the post
Essential criteria
23. A minimum of 4 months of clinical experience in Emergency Medicine and Acute Medicine. Ability to assess and manage all acute emergencies.
Eligibility
Essential criteria
24. Eligible for full registration with the GMC at the time of appointment. Evidence of the achievement of Foundation competencies by the time of appointment in line with GMC standards in Good Medical Practice including ●Good clinical care ●Maintaining good medical practice ●Good relationships and communication with patients ●Good working relationships with colleagues ●Good teaching and training ●Professional behaviour and probity ●Delivery of good acute clinical care Eligibility to work in the UK.
Clinical Governance
Essential criteria
25. Clinical Governance: Capacity to be alert to dangers or problems. Demonstrates awareness of good decision making. Aware of own limitations. Track record of engaging in clinical governance, reporting errors, learning from errors.
26. Audit: Evidence of active participation in audit.
27. Teaching: Evidence of interest and experience in teaching where required in the job.
Desirable criteria
28. Research Skills: Demonstrates understanding of the principles of research, evidence of relevant academic and research achievements.e.g. degrees, prizes, awards, distinctions, publications, presentations, other achievements.
29. Teaching: Evidence of experience in teaching where required in the job.
Fitness to Practise
Essential criteria
30. Applicant's knowledge is up to date and fit to practise safely
Language Skills
Essential criteria
31. All applicants to have demonstrable skills in written and spoken English that are adequate to enable effective communication about medical topics with patients and colleagues, which could be demonstrated by ;
32. a) Having undertaken undergraduate medical training in English
33. b) Having scores in the academic International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or equivalent to those required for recruitment to MMC specialty training programmes.
Health
Essential criteria
34. Meets professional health requirements (in line with GMC standards in Good Medical Practice)
Communication Skills
Essential criteria
35. Effective communication skills: demonstrates clarity in written/spoken communication and capacity to adapt language as appropriate to the situation.
36. Empathy and sensitivity: capacity to listen and take in others’ perspectives.
37. Works in partnership with patients: always considers patients preferences when discussing treatment options. Always considers the full impact of clinical decisions on the patients, Practice shared decision making. Directs and supports patients to access the information they need to support decision making.
Desirable criteria
38. 360 feedback
39. Patient survey feedback and reflections.
Personal Skills
Essential criteria
40. Team working: demonstrated experience working in a team, values the input of other professional in the team.
41. Managing others and team involvement: capacity to work co-operatively with others and demonstrate leadership when appropriate. Capacity to work effectively in multi-professional teams.
42. Coping with pressure: capacity to operate under pressure. Demonstrates initiative and resilience to cope with the setbacks & adapt to rapidly changing circumstances.
43. Problem solving & decision making: capacity to use logical /lateral thinking to solve problems & make decisions.
44. Organisation and planning: capacity to organise oneself and prioritise own work. Demonstrates punctuality, preparation and self-discipline. Understands importance of information technology.
45. Flexible approach to work: able to adapt and work with employers to deliver improved patient care.
46. Equality and diversity: promotes equality and values diversity.
Desirable criteria
47. Able to adapt to work with employers to deliver Leadership skills: experience in leadership
48. Demonstrates skills needed for effective delegation within the team: 360 feedback
49. Driver with a valid license.
Probity
Essential criteria
50. Professional integrity and respect for others: capacity to take responsibility for own actions and demonstrate a non-judgmental approach towards others. Displays honesty, integrity, awareness of confidentiality and ethical issues.
Committment to on-going professional development
Essential criteria
51. Learning and personal development: demonstrates interest in the specialty required for the job. Demonstrates a commitment to maintaining professional skills and knowledge relevant to the job.
52. Demonstrates a willingness to fully engage in appraisal. Self-awareness and ability to accept and learn from feedback.
Desirable criteria
53. Extracurricular activities / achievements relevant to the job.
54. Specialty exams.
Applicant requirements
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.