Overview
The appointee will form part of an established team delivering a broad range of multi-modality imaging for services including heart valve clinic, TAVI and a developing interventional mitral programme, cardiac surgery (including minimally invasive surgery/aortic repair/Ross procedure), interventional cardiology, electrophysiology/devices, inherited cardiac conditions and cardio-oncology. There are weekly multi-disciplinary team meetings led by the imaging group for general cardiac imaging queries, mitral/aortic surgery and structural intervention.
As the largest single site specialist heart and chest hospital in the UK, Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital (LHCH) has a clear vision: to be the best cardiothoracic integrated healthcare organisation. We provide specialist services in cardiothoracic surgery, cardiology, respiratory medicine including adult cystic fibrosis and diagnostic imaging, both in the hospital and out in the community. We serve a catchment area of 2.8 million people spanning Merseyside, Cheshire, North Wales and the Isle of Man, with increasing referrals for highly specialised services such as aortics. The organisation emphasises research, innovation, modern facilities, and involvement of patients and families in service design. LHCH aims to form strong clinical and organisational relationships and collaborates with other providers to extend access and improve quality.
Our five strategic goals are: Quality; Service and Innovation; Value; Workforce; and Stakeholders. Our Mission is “Excellent, Compassionate and Safe care for every patient, every day.” The appointee will join a team of seven imaging cardiologists within the broader cardiology group. There is exciting expansion of LHCH's surgical and structural programmes, increasing demand, investment in cardiac diagnostics/radiology, and opportunities in research. LHCH is a high-volume centre for cardiac CT and MRI with dedicated cardiac scanners. The imaging cardiologists and radiologists form a supportive, cohesive, collaborative and efficient team.
Detailed description and main responsibilities
The appointee will join a team of seven imaging cardiologists, and will contribute to tertiary centre cardiac imaging in Liverpool. LHCH provides an advanced echo service covering all aspects of echocardiography (stress, 3D, contrast, transoesophageal) and echo in the catheter lab for interventional procedures. The cardiac diagnostics department employs 20 cardiac physiologists with BSE accreditation at both individual and departmental levels. In the past 12 months LHCH performed over 10,000 outpatient transthoracic echocardiograms, over 500 stress echoes, 400 transoesophageal echoes, 4500 inpatient scans and 1000 scans for the community cardiology service. Stress echo modalities include treadmill, bike, pacing and pharmacological stress. TOE is performed in a purpose-built endoscopy suite.
The adult congenital heart disease team is integrated within the imaging department, working closely with imaging cardiologists and local secondary care cardiologists. The TAVI/structural team comprises six interventional cardiologists and is expanding, with collaboration from nurse specialists, cardiac and vascular surgeons. Approximately 500 TAVIs are performed this year; a TEER service is developing with consultant recruitment. Additional structural work includes PFO, paravalvular leak and VSD closure. The valve clinic uses an MDT approach involving consultants, cardiac physiologists and a heart valve nurse to guide patients toward surgical or transcatheter treatment as appropriate.
The radiology department provides advanced cardiothoracic imaging technology, including two MRI scanners (a 1.5T cardiac-optimised Siemens Sola and a 3T VIDA) and two dual-energy CT scanners. CT images are analysed with dedicated software (Syngo via). There is a Consultant of the Week structure for daily in-patient reviews and an MDT/heart team for valve surgery, percutaneous valve intervention, aortic surgery, revascularisation and high-risk surgical cases, to which the appointee is expected to contribute. New consultant appointments may have a mentor and receive clinical support from senior colleagues. The job plan is flexible and can be tailored to the appointee’s interests.
Additional information and requirements
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early. Applicants are advised to apply promptly. Please review the job description and person specification to ensure you meet the essential requirements. All applicants will be informed by email whether they have been shortlisted for interview. As part of pre-employment checks we require satisfactory references (at least one written reference from the current or most recent employer, from a professional work email address). From April 2017, government policy requires criminal record certificates for Tier 2 visa applicants in Education, Health and Social Care sectors and for adult dependants where applicable. If you are a Tier 2 visa applicant, you may be required to provide a criminal record certificate from any country you have lived in for 12 months or more in the last 10 years. Employers are expected to implement the Care Certificate for applicable new starters (bands 1-4) within the first 6 months. Flexible working will be considered in line with Trust policies. The Trust is a no-smoking site. Advert closing dates may be shortened if sufficient applications are received. UKVI sponsorship guidance applies; refer to gov.uk for Skilled Worker Visa information: https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa/your-job
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