Job Summary
The successful appointee will join a well-established rheumatology department comprising eight consultants and will enhance existing consultant capacity to support the delivery of a comprehensive rheumatology service. Sub-specialty interests relevant to a district general hospital, such as vasculitis or bone health, are welcomed, alongside enthusiasm for teaching, audit and research.
Weekly commitments will align with Royal College of Physicians guidance, the consultant contract and the agreed Job Plan. Senior rheumatologists will provide mentorship, supported by a collaborative departmental culture in which clinical matters are discussed openly in both formal and informal settings.
The job plan will include 8.5 programmed activities for direct clinical care and 1.5 for supporting professional activities. It will be developed in consultation with the Clinical Director and departmental consultants, and approved by the Medical Director and Chief Executive or representative.
As a prospective annual agreement, the job plan will define duties, responsibilities and objectives across all aspects of practice, including clinical work, teaching, research, education and management. It will outline scheduled commitments, personal objectives linked to wider service goals, and the support required to meet these aims. Working patterns may evolve to meet changing local needs, with annual review in line with consultant contract, appraisal and job‑planning arrangements.
Main Duties of the Job
The post holders will work with the other Consultants to provide specialty rheumatology advice and support to patients within the Trust. They will attend the weekly multi‑disciplinary departmental meetings and weekly X‑ray meetings, and will be expected to help support and train the registrars and other junior medical staff in rheumatology/general medicine, and the Clinical Nurse Specialists.
Where possible, the post-holder will be encouraged to develop a research interest, compatible with the background of the department and its facilities. Audit will be a mandatory part of the role.
The Rheumatology Directorate has close links with local General Practitioners and there is an active teaching programme for them, and also for all grades of doctors within the Trust. The post holder will be encouraged to continue teaching and training at all levels.
Clinical Governance and Audit projects are undertaken as an ongoing programme within the department of Rheumatology – examining local practice compared to National Standards of care (for example use of biologic therapy, DAS scoring, early arthritis pathways and comparison to BSR Standards) – and Trust‑wide. It is expected that the appointee will be actively involved in this.
About Us
Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation 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. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics‑led Maternity and Paediatrics. You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology.
Our Values – we not only recruit based on qualifications and experience – we recruit individuals who demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. We achieve this by using values based recruitment. We are dedicated to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone, we are committed to promoting equality and diversity, and creating a culture that values differences.
Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering first 6 months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all documents attached to ensure you familiarise yourself with all requirements of the job.
Details
Date posted: 19 December 2025
Pay scheme: Hospital medical and dental staff
Grade: Consultant
Salary: £109,725 to £145,478 a year 10 PA
Contract: Fixed term
Duration: 12 months
Working pattern: Full‑time
Reference number: 416‑GM‑Rheum‑254
Job locations: Cross‑Site (Based at Bedford)
Kempston Road
Bedford/Luton
MK42 9DJ
Job Responsibilities
A 10 PA week consists of 8.5 PA direct clinical care and 1.5 PA for Supporting Professional Activity (SPA). Job planning will be used to reflect the needs of the department, ensuring that contracted work is appropriately remunerated. An initial job plan review will be undertaken by the Clinical Director after 3 months and annually thereafter, or if the work pattern changes. Any additional PAs contracted by the Trust will be agreed as a separate part of the job plan by mutual consent. The job plan will consist of 10 PAs of routine work. The following is an indicative schedule.
* Monday: Rheumatology Clinic Luton (1.0 PA); Medical Meeting with Lunch 12.30‑13.30; Admin (0.5 PA); In‑patient referrals (0.5 PA)
* Tuesday: Rheumatology Clinic Luton (1.0 PA); Hospital Grand Round 12.30‑13.30; SPA (1.0 SPA)
* Wednesday: Rheumatology Clinic virtual (1.0 PA); **See note**; Admin (1.0 PA)
* Thursday: Rheumatology Clinic Bedford (1.0 PA); Rheumatology Dept./X‑ray Meeting (0.25 PA); SPA/Departmental meeting (0.5 SPA (0.25 PA))
* Friday: Admin (1.0 PA); Rheumatology Clinic Bedford (1.0 PA)
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
* Medical Degree
* MRCP
Desirable
* MD or equivalent Higher Degree or evidence of relevant research
Registration Essential
* Full GMC Registration with a licence to practice
* Entry onto the GMC Specialist Register: CCT (or within 6 months of receipt of CCT at time of interview) // CESR (must be on Specialist Register at time of applying)
Clinical Experience Essential
* Excellent all‑round experience of DGH work
* Evidence of thorough and broad training and experience in Rheumatology
* Able to take full and independent responsibility for clinical work and delivering service without direct supervision.
Clinical Effectiveness Essential
* Understanding of clinical governance and ability to demonstrate ongoing CPD
* Experience of guideline appraisal
* Participation in relevant local audits
* Ability to interpret and apply clinical research
Desirable
* Participation in relevant national audits
Teaching Essential
* Knowledge and ability to teach all grades of trainees and medical students
Desirable
* Has attended Teaching the Teachers or similar course
Personal Skills Essential
* Ability to co‑operate in a democratic team environment
* Flexible attitude, team player with good management skills
* Leadership Skills
Clinical Governance Essential
* Able to demonstrate a broad understanding of the principles and elements of clinical governance.
Personnel Circumstances Essential
* Residence within 10 miles by road or up to thirty minutes travelling time of the hospital for purposes of on‑call emergencies.
* Fit to undertake the role with satisfactory Occupational Health clearance
* Satisfactory DBS clearance
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.
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.
Employer Details
Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Cross‑Site (Based at Bedford)
Kempston Road
Bedford/Luton
MK42 9DJ
Employer's Website
https://www.bedfordshirehospitals.nhs.uk/working-here/
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