Locum Consultant in Cardiology - Heart Failure & Cardiac MRI

Job overview

Applications are invited for the above full time post for this 660 bedded acute hospital serving a local population of approximately 400,000. The appointment will be made in accordance with the terms and conditions of service for the 2003 consultant contract (England).

This is an exciting opportunity to join a friendly team of fourteen existing consultants in Cardiology. The successful candidate for this locum post will complement the consultant capacity, to help drive forward the department’s vision of a comprehensive Cardiology service. Sub-specialty interest in any area appropriate is welcomed, as is an enthusiasm for teaching, audit and research.

Main duties of the job

The Key tasks for the role of the Locum Consultant in Cardiology are;

The appointee will join the Cardiology department in the delivery of clinical excellence within the practice of General Cardiology, heart failure and able to independently perform, supervise and teach cardiac MRI within the trust at Luton and Dunstable Hospital.

At Luton and Dunstable hospital we have an established HF services with 1 Consultant, 2.5 HF specialist nurses and 4 community HF nurses at Luton and 2 community HF nurses covering central Bedfordshire region. We also extend the service to adjacent areas of Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire. There is a well-established community HF service supported through MDT once a week on Wednesday. The post holder is expected to join the team to further develop the services.

The sub-specialty commitment of this post includes hear failure and cardiac MRI.

The appointee is also expected to support periodic pathway development and achieving national standards in HF management for the trust

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The main duties and responsibilities of the post include: -

• To offer dedicated specialist Heart Failure clinics with further discussion and agreement if necessary for General Cardiology or other specialist clinics.
• To participate in the provision of a high quality out-patient service, including patient administration.
• To work with other Consultants to provide specialty Cardiology advice and support to patients within the Trust.
• To have a specialty interest in heart failure and cardiac MRI and to develop service as required.

Other Tasks include: -

• The post-holder will attend and actively participate in the weekly multidisciplinary meetings and weekly governance meetings.
• Active participation in the management and development of the specialty and the introduction of new services.
• Contribute to the educational programme, including departmental meetings and teaching.
• Participate in Departmental Multidisciplinary Team Meetings.
• Contribute in the General Medicine educational programme, including weekly department meetings and teaching.
• Undertake high quality medical audit projects and participate in the collection of data required to meet national quality standards.
• Implement audit and research findings as appropriate in clinical practice.
• Participate and comply with the requirements for Continuing Professional Development and revalidation as laid down by the Royal College of Physicians. The trust is committed to providing the time and financial support for these activities

Weekly work commitments will be within the European directives on working hours and will also be influenced by the Royal College of Physicians recommendations, the new consultant contract and specified in the Job Plan. The senior Cardiologists in the department will act as the mentor for the new consultants, along with the other consultants in their absence. All clinical issues are openly discussed at formal and informal meetings.

The job plans will be a prospective agreement that sets out a consultant’s duties, responsibilities and objectives for the rest of the fixed term period.  It will cover all aspects of a consultant’s professional practice including clinical work, teaching, research, education and managerial responsibilities.  It will provide a clear schedule of commitments, both internal and external.  In addition, it will provide personal objectives, including details of links to wider service objectives, and details of the support required by the consultant to fulfil the job plan and the objectives.

The appointee will participate in clinical audit.  It is expected that the appointee will show a commitment to continuing medical education (CME).

The Luton and Dunstable University Hospital (L&D) has always been renowned for its friendly atmosphere and good working relationships. The Hospital has an excellent track record of financial and senior executive stability.

The Trust has University Hospital status which provides an academic environment to the hospital. In addition to postgraduate training, we welcome medical students from the UCL Medical School throughout the year and by arrangement with the medical school provide a programme of clinical placements to support their education. We have an excellent reputation for junior staff training.   Within the Centre of Multi-Professional Educational & Training (COMET) is the Medical Education Department, the library including an IT suite, and the Training & Development Department.  The main aim of the Medical Education Department is to promote postgraduate and continuing medical education and training for all doctors and dentists. The Hospital actively promotes career development and progression for all staff.

The Hospital has excellent access to the surrounding areas with easy access to central London and the rural Chilterns. The rural areas include many attractive villages and towns within easy reach of the Hospital including St Albans and Harpenden.  Excellent schools are found nearby.  There is also very good access to the Midlands and North by road using the M1 or A1, or by rail to one of the Luton’s three stations.  A direct link using the new ‘Busway’ takes passengers from Luton Train station just 7 minutes to reach a stop that is within a short walking distance of the hospital.  London Luton Airport is within fifteen minutes of the hospital.

Candidates unable for personal reasons to work full-time are also invited to apply.

Full GMC Registration (GMC Licence to Practice is mandatory before employment commences)

The appointment will be subject to full Occupational Health Clearance and Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check for the successful candidates prior to commencement.

Please note that all shortlisted candidates will  be invited to interview for the post.

Please refer to the Job Description for full details of the post.