We are seeking to appoint a substantive Consultant Rheumatologist to join our dynamic and forward thinking Rheumatology team comprising 8 Consultants (3 part-time), junior medical staff, Specialist nurses and a full Allied Health Professional (AHP) team. The Rheumatology team is also part of the Integrated Musculoskeletal, Pain and Rheumatology Service (IMPReS) working closely with the rest of the specialties to provide prompt and excellent care. The post will be based predominantly at Royal Blackburn Hospital, however there will be some sessions at other Trust locations. This post is available on a full time 10 Programmed Activities (PAs) basis, however applicants looking for part-time work are also welcomed.
The post offers excellent opportunities for you to develop as a consultant and also contribute to service development and shape the future of the Trust's Rheumatology Service. For an appropriately dual-trained candidate, additionally sessions supporting the work of the medical division will be possible.
The post holder will be expected to play an active role in Junior Medical Staff Training and Undergraduate and Postgraduate Teaching alongside Clinical Audit, Research and Clinical Governance. Research is encouraged and full facilities are available.
East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust is a large, integrated healthcare organisation.
With over 7800 staff and 970 in-patient beds, we are a large provider of Acute District General and Specialised Hospital services, as well as Community Services and Childrens Mental Health Services.
Our Board is professional, ambitious and capable.
Our vision is 'To be widely recognised for delivering safe, personal and effective care'.
Quality and safety are at the heart of everything we do and we are committed to providing harm free care. Our fabulous, highly trained staff are key to our growing reputation as a great place to receive treatment, as well as a great place to work.
RCP approval pending.
The job consists of roughly 7.5 sessions of direct patient related activity in rheumatology, 2.5 PAs of Supporting Professional Activities.
In brief the patient related activity comprises 3 weeks of predominantly outpatient work, with every fourth week being predominantly ward / referral work as 'Consultant of the week' (please see example timetable at end of job description.) It is expected that the appointee would run their clinics to Royal College guidelines with 6 new patients or 12 follow ups or a combination per 1 PA clinic session. If specialist / complex clinical services are developed, then this may reduce numbers of patients expected. Where there is travel between sites – travel time would appropriately reduce the clinic time / activity. There is no out of hours on call commitment for Rheumatology, but it is expected that consultants would support the medical on call service with urgent Rheumatological advice if required. Facilities are available for home working up to 1 day a week, currently SPA does not have to be undertaken on site.
This advert closes on Friday 13 Mar 2026