Consultant in Medical Oncology – Breast Cancer and Acute Oncology

Job overview

The advertised job is for a Medical Oncology consultant post in the Department of Oncology at Chelsea & Westminster NHS FT. The post will be working cross-site at both The Chelsea & Westminster Hospital, Fulham Road and The West Middlesex Hospital, Isleworth.

The successful candidate will join existing site-specialist multidisciplinary teams in the field of Breast Cancer and will support the existing Acute Oncology Service on both hospital sites

It is anticipated that the post holder will support the delivery of systemic therapies in an expanding service, drive forward improvements in the service that we provide to our patients as well as to support clinical trials. In addition, they will lead the Acute Oncology Service.

The successful candidate will need to demonstrate professional excellence and the ability to deliver effective care. As a senior member of the team, the post holder will become a key part in the delivery of training and supervision of junior colleagues.

A successful candidate will be required to adhere to Trust policy on maintaining medical excellence and to be committed to maintaining their standard of performance by keeping their knowledge and skills up to date.

A reduced timetable would need to be requested prior to appointment for consideration by the Cancer Lead, but the Trust supports opportunities around flexible working.

Main duties of the job

Cancer Services at Chelsea & Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Each hospital site has an outreach Acute Oncology Service, a different consultant supports the CNS each day of the week. The post holder would be part of the AOS team at both hospital sites according to timetabled activity.  In addition, they would lead the AOS service, maintaining and developing the local AOS guidelines, linking with the existing OOH nurse-led UKONS service at Charing Cross Hospital and helping to develop  a nurse-led UKONS service locally. They will also link with the Charing Cross team regarding the SpR on-call rota.

Breast Cancer

The Breast Cancer service at WM is a busy service that sees and treats over 230 new cancers per year. The WM Breast MDT receives referrals predominantly from Hounslow and Richmond CCGs to the symptomatic breast clinics. A smaller proportion of referrals come from repatriation of patients from the West of London and the South West London Breast Screening Services.

This post is required to support the increasing workload of the Breast Oncology service and to support a 5-day Acute Oncology Service (AOS) across site.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The duties outlined below are not definitive and may be changed in accordance with the needs of the service.

Clinical Duties:

• Multidisciplinary team working is a key component of the working within the Trust and involves regular MDT meetings with colleagues
• To contribute  to the provision of a comprehensive, efficient and high-quality evidence-based Oncology service, with continuing responsibility for the care of patients in his/her charge, including all administrative duties associated with patient care (with administrative support)
• To deliver systemic anti-cancer therapy
• Attend and lead Acute Oncology ward rounds on both sites, providing oncological support to the AOS CNS and wider teams in the Trust
• To lead and develop the Acute Oncology service across the Trust sites
• Leadership, development and organisation of the services in his/her charge in line with Trust / Divisional business plans. Development of sub-specialty interest that fit in with Division needs and the strategic direction of the Trust.
• Responsibilities for carrying out teaching, examination and accreditation duties are required, and for contributing to undergraduate and postgraduate and continuing medical education activity.
• To engage in job planning and the appraisal cycle and to contribute to the appraisal of doctors in training.
• Provision of cover for Consultant colleagues’ periods of leave in accordance with arrangements agreed within the Trust policy.
• Participation in clinical audit and continuing medical education
• Conducting suitable duties in cases of emergencies and unforeseen circumstances. Specific duties of the cross-site post at Chelsea & Westminster FT
• To provide with colleagues day to day outpatient and inpatient care and supervision of patients with breast cancer as part of the multidisciplinary teams.
• To attend the weekly Breast Multidisciplinary meetings
• To provide, with colleagues, clinical care and supervision of patients attending the Day Unit for systemic and supportive therapies
• To help develop breast in cancer services across the organisation
• To actively participate in the recruitment to and development of breast and colorectal cancer research studies
• To care for any inpatient under their care
• To attend and lead the AOS ward round when timetabled, provide advice and support to other teams regarding inpatients with a cancer diagnosis admitted for other causes. To lead & develop the Acute Oncology Service Management & Leadership Responsibilities

Consultants are key members of the Division and are accountable and responsible for leading change to service that will improve patient experience. All consultants are expected to participate in clinical effectiveness activities. They are expected to maintain and foster improvements in quality and standards of clinical services.

• To contribute to the leadership and development of services in line with the Trust’s business plans
• Work within the Trust’s framework for Clinical Governance and Risk
• Undertake investigations and report writing of incidents and participate in clinical risk management
• Undertake direct supervision of junior colleagues and participate in departmental / Trust wide teaching programmes
• Adopt evidence-based practice including compliance with government guidance, e.g NICE
• Participation in clinical audit programmes
• Encourage research and development
• Ensuring that complaints & SI management is timely and effective, including management plans relating to  individual complaints