Job overview
We are recruiting a Locum Consultant in Audiovestibular Medicine, S/he will be joining the existing consultants in this area based St Helier Hospital. The work as a consultant is mainly carried out on the St Helier Site with some sessions held at Epsom Hospital. The service represents a modernisation of audiovestibular pathways and consultants closely with other trust specialists. This service is strongly supported and resourced by the Trust.
The audiology department provides a full range of tertiary diagnostic services, (including auditory brainstem response, otoacoustic emissions, acoustic reflex and speech audiometry, videonystagmography, VEMP and caloric test, vHIT, balance platform, mastoid vibration) and therapeutic interventions for imbalance, dizziness, tinnitus and hearing loss.
The work of the Consultant AVPs is supported by the audiologists and hearing therapists in the department.
We are part of a friendly and cohesive team. There are monthly adult and paediatric team meetings and regular clinical governance meetings and we participate in quarterly South West Regional Audit Group peer review meetings.
Main duties of the job
It is anticipated that the post holder will have 4.5DCCs, including Adult outpatient clinics and1.5 SPA sessions. The post includes 3.5 outpatient clinics and 1.5 session for clinic-related activity. The post has arisen due to increased demand for the adult neuro-otology service. The post-holder will:
1. In conjunction with other health professionals, investigate and manage adults with vertigo, and/or imbalance and tinnitus
2. Investigate progressive and fluctuating sensorineural hearing loss
3. Interpret audiovestibular test results in the context of clinical findings
There is scope for the post holder to develop their areas of interest within the department.
Working for our organisation
St George’s, Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals and Health Group cares for a population of four million people in South West London and North East Surrey. Our sites include St George’s Hospital, one of 11 major trauma centres in the UK and the largest healthcare provider and major teaching hospital in the area; St Helier Hospital, home to the South West Thames Renal and Transplantation Unit and Queen Mary's Hospital for Children; and Epsom Hospital, home to the South West London Elective Orthopaedic Centre (SWLEOC).
After years of collaboration, our two Trusts became a hospitals group in 2021. While remaining as two separate Trusts, being a hospitals group will help us to collaborate more closely on research, and the development, education, and training of our 17,000-strong workforce.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
General responsibilities of the posts
The purpose of these posts is to provide clinical and leadership consultant level input to the Trust’s Model of Care. As a senior employee of the Trust the post holder will work in close co-operation with, and support other clinical, medical professional and managerial colleagues in providing high quality healthcare to the Trust’s patients.
Central requirements and responsibilities of the posts are:
1.To show dynamism, enthusiasm and flexibility in participating in the reshaping of acute medical services at Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust and to work closely with the Clinical Director of Medicine.
2.To help provide a first class clinical service to all Trust patients.
3.To provide high quality leadership and support to medical staff, allied health care professionals, and Trust management.
4.To support and sustain teaching and research where possible in relevant clinical areas.
5.To work within the framework of applicable Trust policies, procedures, and clinical governance framework.
6.To work within contractual requirements, and in support of applicable Trust clinical development frameworks, business plans, and development strategies.
Clinical
1.To share in the organisation and provision of high quality clinical care for patients within the Trust.
2.To assess and review patients within the outpatients setting, including performing appropriate clinical procedures in this setting.
3.To provide senior support and input into clinical decisions taken by junior medical staff and other audiology staff within the department.
4.To ensure the provision of accurate and timely communication between the department, other units within the Trust (including critical care), and in primary or intermediate care settings.
5.To develop new procedures and strategies for patients referred to the speciality.
Management
1.To provide expert input into the ongoing development of audiovestibular assessment and management.
2.To provide ongoing input into meetings and development processes requiring the expertise of senior medical staff at departmental, divisional, Trust, regional or national level as required within the framework of an agreed Job Plan.
Teaching and Training
4. To devote time on a regular basis for teaching and training of junior medical staff and other audiology staff, contributing as appropriate to postgraduate and continuing medical education.
5. To be responsible for the management, appraisal and discipline of junior doctors who are assigned to you, after taking appropriate advice, where appropriate.
Governance
1.To maintain personal and professional development. The post holder will be expected to register with their respective Royal College for the purpose of CME/CPD and to fulfil the requirements of that registration and of revalidation.
2.To provide advice, as required to the Executive and Trust board, General Practitioners and other interested parties, on the provision of planning of clinical services locally, regionally and nationally in keeping with confidentiality agreements relating to Trust business.
3.To co-operate in the present framework agreement of management arrangements.
4.To fully participate in Clinical Governance arrangements across the Trust including participation in clinical audit, research (where appropriate), pursuing an agreed agenda with colleagues and the Trust Board and fully co-operating in implementing the results in order to achieve best practice.
5.To participate, on at least an annual basis in consultant appraisal and job planning reviews.
6.To comply with Trust policies and procedures where appropriate.
7.To ensure that all intellectual property rights of the Trust are observed.
Audit
6. To be actively involved in departmental, Trust wide, regional and national audit programmes.
7. To present where feasible the results of audits undertaken by the post holder.
Research
8. To be actively involved in research in this field, and to engage in joint research projects with other departments both within and outside the Trust
Proposed Job Plan
The proposed job plan for this post is attached. This will be discussed in detail with the post holder on appointment.
Job plans will be reviewed annually, following an appraisal meeting. The job plan will be a prospective agreement that sets out a consultant’s typical working pattern, duties, objectives and responsibilities for the coming year. It will cover all aspects of a consultant’s professional practice including clinical work, teaching, research, education, managerial responsibilities and external commitments.
On appointment of the post holder, the Clinical Leads will commence discussions to finalise the job plan which will become operational on appointment. The job plan is an indicative plan of the duties the post holder is likely to be asked to undertake.
Additional programmed activities may be offered to the post holder. Any offer of additional programmed activities will be based on the needs of the service and in line with the Trust objectives and will be reviewed on an annual basis.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
9. •Hold a medical qualification or qualification registered with the GMC •Entry onto the Specialist Register for GMC or be within six months of obtaining CCT/CCST in audiovestibular medicine or equivalent •Appropriate higher medical qualification •i.e. MRCP/MRCS or equivalent
Desirable criteria
10. •MD or equivalent higher degree or evidence of relevant research
clinical skills
Essential criteria
11. •High standard of clinical skill and expertise in the specialty •Able to contribute to the full range of skills required for the specialty
management
Essential criteria
12. •Audit/Research •Personal time management skills •Clinical Governance
personnal attributes
Essential criteria
13. •Ability to work in a multi-disciplinary team •Ability to work in partnership to deliver a patient centred service •Demonstrate an understanding and willingness to embrace user involvement •Good interpersonal skills •Enquiring, critical approach to work •Ability to communicate with patients and relatives •Commitment to continuing professional development •Willingness to undertake additional professional responsibilities to local, regional or national levels •Willingness to work with consultant colleagues and management to maintain and develop a comprehensive service •Able to make own arrangements for travel between working sites
Our mission: ‘to put the patient first by delivering great care to every patient, every day.’
There’s never been a better time to join the Epsom and St Helier team. Our hospitals are facing a bright and busy future, and our staff have a proven track record in providing high quality, compassionate care for our patients.
Boasting incredible staff benefits and dedicated training schemes, working for us will not only take your career forward, but could help to transform the lives of our patients and visitors.
We offer all employees some fantastic staff benefits, and are the only hospitals in Surrey to offer staff the London high cost area supplement. Our hospitals also benefit from great locations, so whether you're attracted to the bright lights of the city or the countryside of Epsom Downs, both are within easy reach.
FURTHER INFORMATION
**PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS POSITION MAY CLOSE EARLIER THAN THE STATED CLOSING DATE IF A SUFFICIENT NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS ARE RECEIVED. IF YOU WISH TO APPLY FOR THIS POSITION, YOU ARE ADVISED TO SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE**
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For new entrants into the NHS, your pay under the Agenda for Change or Medical & Dental Pay Bands, will normally be set at the minimum of the pay band as advertised.
If you apply for this position and do not hear from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been short-listed for interview on this occasion.
ESTH values diversity and is committed to the recruitment and retention of underrepresented minority groups. We particularly welcome applications from black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates, LGBTQ+ candidates and candidates with disabilities.
As a Disability Confident Employer we are working to create a workplace that enables all staff to reach their full potential. We are committed to this because we know that greater diversity and inclusion will lead to an even greater positive impact for the people we serve.
Internal applicants from underrepresented minority groups are encouraged to seek development support such as work shadowing and interview skills coaching.