The appointee will join the well-established department of eight existing consultants in rheumatology. The successful candidate will augment and complement the consultant capacity, helping to drive forward the department's vision of a comprehensive rheumatology service. A sub‑specialty interest in any area appropriate for a DGH (such as vasculitis or bone health) is welcomed, as is an enthusiasm for teaching, audit and research.
Main Duties of the Job
* Provide specialty rheumatology advice and support to patients within the Trust alongside other consultants.
* Attend weekly multi‑disciplinary departmental meetings and X‑ray meetings.
* Support and train registrars, junior medical staff and Clinical Nurse Specialists in rheumatology/general medicine.
* Develop a research interest aligned with the department’s background and facilities; audit is a mandatory part of the role.
* Engage in teaching and training at all levels, including local GPs and all grades of doctors within the Trust.
* Participate in ongoing clinical governance and audit projects, comparing local practice to national standards and trust‑wide benchmarks.
About Us
Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and surrounding areas on two busy sites in Bedford and Luton. Both 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 and delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology.
Our Values
We recruit not only on qualifications and experience but also on behaviours that underpin our Trust's core values. We are dedicated to inclusive recruitment practices, promoting equality and diversity, and creating a culture that values differences.
Job Description
Indicative timetable for routine work is 10 PA units. The following outlines a typical week:
* Monday – Rheumatology Clinic Luton (1.0 PA), morning medical meeting with lunch (12:30‑13:30), admin (0.5 PA), in‑patient referrals (0.5 PA).
* Tuesday – Rheumatology Clinic London (1.0 PA), hospital grand round (12:30‑13:30), SPA (1.0 SPA).
* Wednesday – Veterinary rheumatology clinic virtual (1.0 PA), admin (1.0 PA). (See note.)
* Thursday – Rheumatology Clinic Bedford (1.0 PA), rheumatology department/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).
End date of post – May 2027.
Person Specification
Qualifications
* Essential – Medical Degree, relevant postgraduate qualification MRCP or equivalent.
* Desirable – MD or equivalent higher degree or evidence of relevant research.
Registration
* Essential – Full GMC Registration (GMC Licence to Practice mandatory before employment), entry onto the GMC Specialist Register (CCT or within 6 months of receipt of CCT; CESR‑portfolio pathway for those on the Specialist Register).
Personal Circumstances
* Essential – Residence within 10 miles by road (or up to thirty minutes travel time) of the hospital for on‑call emergencies, fit to undertake the role with satisfactory occupational health clearance, satisfactory DBS clearance.
Clinical Experience
* Essential – Excellent all‑round DGH experience, thorough and broad training and experience in rheumatology, ability 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 local audits, ability to interpret and apply clinical research.
* Desirable – Participation in national audits.
Teaching
* Essential – Knowledge and ability to teach all grades of trainees and medical students.
* Desirable – Attended Teaching the Teachers or similar course.
Personal Skills
* Essential – Ability to cooperate in a democratic team environment, flexible attitude, team player with good management skills, leadership skills.
Clinical Governance
* Essential – Ability to demonstrate a broad understanding of the principles and elements of clinical governance.
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