Interview
1st April 2026
References
* One of your referees should be the Medical Director / Chief Medical Officer of your most recent NHS employer (or their nominated deputy), or equivalent for applicants from outside of the NHS.
* For applicants from outside of the NHS, referees to validate a period of three consecutive years of employment.
* For internal candidates, your referees should be your Clinical Director and Clinical Lead.
* For applicants who are still in a training post, or have completed training within the past year and have not worked in a non‑training NHS role since then, a reference from EACH of your two most recent Educational Supervisors.
Overview
We are recruiting for a Consultant in Medical Oncology who shares our ambition and vision to deliver the Best of Care by the Best People and has the drive to take us forward, by ensuring that the Trust continues to be the first choice for patients and our staff. The role involves close multidisciplinary working within the Acute Oncology Service, providing expert care for patients presenting with oncological emergencies, treatment‑related complications and new cancer diagnoses, alongside the opportunity to develop a specialist tumour‑site interest and lead service innovation.
Clinical Responsibilities
* Provide expert assessment, investigation and initial management of patients with known or suspected cancer who present acutely to the Emergency Department, Emergency Assessment Unit and the Oncology/Haematology ward.
* Supervise and coordinate the care of oncology inpatients, particularly those receiving active anti‑cancer treatment, ensuring complications of chemotherapy and radiotherapy are recognised early and managed appropriately.
* Collaborate with emergency medicine, acute medical and surgical teams to provide timely oncological input, avoid unnecessary admissions and deliver care in the most appropriate setting.
* Ensure rapid and effective referral to specialist oncology, site‑specific teams and palliative care services to support best outcomes and patient experience.
* Take clinical responsibility for patients presenting with malignancy of undefined primary origin and cancer of unknown primary, contributing to the development and leadership of the CUP service and MDT.
* Provide urgent first‑line chemotherapy for suitable patients, including those newly diagnosed with small cell lung cancer, until ongoing care is transferred to the responsible oncologist.
Leadership and Service Development
* Share responsibility for the development, delivery and ongoing improvement of the Acute Oncology Service, ensuring compliance with NICE guidance, national cancer standards and regional clinical indicators.
* Work closely with clinical nurse specialists, pharmacy, radiology, pathology and allied health professionals to ensure robust pathways and protocols are in place for the management of oncological emergencies, including metastatic spinal cord compression.
* Develop leadership roles aligned to service needs, such as leading CUP, education, audit, morbidity and mortality review, or research activity.
* Actively contribute to governance, quality improvement and peer review processes, supporting the Trust's Cancer Strategy and commitment to continuous improvement.
Outpatient and Specialist Responsibilities
* Deliver outpatient oncology clinics and develop a tumour‑site specific area of expertise, such as lung cancer or CUP, in line with Trust requirements.
* Liaise with chemotherapy services, specialist nurses, consultant colleagues, primary care and external partners to ensure coordinated, high‑quality care across the patient pathway.
* Attend and contribute to relevant site‑specific MDT meetings.
Education & Training
* Play an active role in the education and training of medical, nursing and allied health staff, including foundation doctors, specialty trainees and medical students.
* Support Trust‑wide education on oncological emergencies and acute oncology care.
* Engage in continuing medical education, including participation in regional education activities at Kent Oncology Centre.
* Demonstrate a commitment to research and innovation, including the recruitment of patients into clinical trials where appropriate, and contribute to audit and service evaluation to ensure care meets national and regional standards.
Professional and Managerial Responsibilities
* Uphold the highest standards of clinical governance, professional practice and patient safety, complying with all Trust policies and procedures.
* Attend local, regional and national meetings relevant to acute oncology and your tumour‑site interest, and act as a point of contact for advice during periods of consultant leave as required.
* Participate in agreed job planning, balancing direct clinical care and supporting professional activities, contributing to the overall leadership and sustainability of the Oncology service at Medway NHS Foundation Trust.
Equality and Workplace Environment
We are committed to Equality of Opportunity for everyone and will guarantee an interview to any disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria. Medway Maritime Hospital is a smoke‑free site; smoking is completely prohibited in all Trust buildings, grounds and car parks for patients, visitors, staff and contractors. This will ensure that the hospital is a better place to work and a better place for our patients to be treated.
Benefits
* Gym and an active health and wellbeing programme.
* On‑site nursery and cycle‑to‑work scheme.
* Range of staff benefits for all substantive and fixed‑term employees.
Culture and Values
We pride ourselves on working together as one to ensure that our shared vision of Better, Best, Brilliant is achieved. Our culture and values drive the Trust and are the heartbeat of who we are as an organisation. We are a great choice for people who want to develop their career in an ambitious environment. As a flexible‑working friendly organisation, we want to ensure that you can work in a way that is best for us, our patients and you. We aim to support you to work flexibly in a way that will suit you and us.
This role would suit an experienced oncologist or a clinician taking their first steps into a consultant career, with strong clinical judgement, a collaborative approach and a commitment to education, governance and service development. You will be motivated to improve patient pathways, support colleagues across the Trust and help shape the future of acute and specialist oncology care.
All staff at Medway comply with the Trust's and the Kent and Medway Safeguarding Board's policies on safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults.
#J-18808-Ljbffr