NHSCT Acute Consultant in Medicine

Job details

• Branch: Causeway Hospital
• Location: Causeway Hospital Site: Main Building
• Salary: (See job details)
• Contract Type: Permanent
• Opening Date: 17/07/26
• Closes: Fri, 07 August 2026 @ 4:00 PM
• Interview Dates: To be confirmed

Notes

A waiting list may be compiled for similar permanent/temporary, full/part time posts which may arise within the next 12 months.

Job Description

Acute Consultant in Medicine

Causeway Hospital

Job Description

The Northern Health and Social Care Trust (NHSCT) is responsible for the delivery of safe and effective health and social care (HSC) services to the population of the Northern Trust area in Northern Ireland.

We provide compassionate care with our community in our community. In order to do this we require the commitment of a highly skilled and professional workforce that meets the need of the service.

The diagram below outlines our values and our objectives which support the delivery of compassionate care within our community.

The below diagram details the values and associated behaviours that we expect staff working within Health and Social Care (HSC) to display at all times;

HSC Value

What does this mean?

What does this look like in practice? - Behaviours

Working Together

We work together for the best outcome for people we care for and support. We work across Health and Social Care and with other external organisations and agencies, recognising that leadership is the responsibility of all.

I work with others and value everyone’s contribution

I treat people with respect and dignity

I work as part of a team looking for opportunities to support and help people in both my own and other teams

I actively engage people on issues that affect them

I look for feedback and examples of good practice, aiming to improve where possible

Compassion

We are sensitive, caring, respectful and understanding towards those we care for and support and our colleagues. We listen carefully to others to better understand and take action to help them and ourselves.

I am sensitive to the different needs and feelings of others and treat people with kindness

I learn from others by listening carefully to them

I look after my own health and well-being so that I can care for and support others

Excellence

We commit to being the best we can be in our work, aiming to improve and develop services to achieve positive changes. We deliver safe, high-quality, compassionate care and support.

I put the people I care for and support at the centre of all I do to make a difference

I take responsibility for my decisions and actions

I commit to best practice and sharing learning, while continually learning and developing

I try to improve by asking ‘could we do this better?’

Openness & Honesty

We are open and honest with each other and act with integrity and candour.

I am open and honest in order to develop trusting relationships

I ask someone for help when needed

I speak up if I have concerns

I challenge inappropriate or unacceptable behaviour and practice

JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE: Acute Consultant

BAND: Consultant

DIRECTORATE/DIVISION: MEM

LOCATION: Causeway Hospital

REPORTS TO: Clinical Director and Medical Director for professional issues

ACCOUNTABLE TO: Chief Executive

FLEXIBLE WORKING PROVISIONS AVAILABLE

All employees have the opportunity to request Flexible Working from the first day of their employment, regardless of their role, band or service they work in.

Successful applicants are encouraged to discuss with their manager what Flexible Working provisions may be available in the role they are taking up, prior to commencing employment, to help them achieve a positive Work/Life Balance

JOB SUMMARY

This is a new post based at Causeway Hospital. The appointee will join the acute medical team. These developments seek to move Causeway’s medical model of care towards the recommendations made by the Acute Medicine Task Force; RCP London (2007). The site has also recently secured funding for an acute ambulatory unit and the post holder will oversee this unit as part of the acute medical team.

Background

Causeway Hospital is one of two acute hospitals in the Northern Health and Social Care Trust offering 24 hour, 7 day a week acute services.

Other hospitals within the Northern Health and Social Care Trust include Antrim Hospital (40 miles from Causeway Hospital) which also provides a 24 hour, 7 day a week acute services. Whiteabbey Hospital, Newtownabbey and Mid-Ulster Hospital, Magherafelt provide subacute rehabilitation, intermediate care and a range of outpatient and day patient services but do not offer 24 hour acute services.

Altnagelvin Hospital, (Western Health and Social Care Trust) is 30 miles from Causeway Hospital and local elderly residents requiring fracture rehabilitation are transferred to Causeway Hospital for this purpose.

Clinical networks with both Causeway Hospital and Altnagelvin Hospital have been developed in some specialties and it is envisaged that further networks will develop in other specialties.

The Area

Causeway Hospital serves a population of 100,000 plus a large tourist population during holiday times, particularly summer months. The town also accommodates a substantial student population.

The largest town in the Causeway Locality is Coleraine, which is approximately 55 miles from Belfast. The locality includes a large coastal area stretching from Castlerock to Cushendall and reaches inland to the country towns of Ballymoney, Garvagh, Kilrea and Rasharkin.

The University of Ulster is situated on the outskirts of Coleraine and there is good liaison between the University and Causeway Medical staff. There is potential for further joint research.

The area has a high standard of residential accommodation. There is a wide selection of schools and recreational facilities are excellent.

Hospital Services

Causeway Hospital opened in May 2001. It is a modern hospital, of low-rise design on a large landscaped site.

There are 240 in-patient beds and a dedicated Day Procedure Unit with excellent out-patient facilities with well established medical and specialist medicine clinics.

Acute Medicine

The appointee will work with the acute medical team and oversee the new acute ambulatory unit on site. Rapid Access Clinics, Direct Access for Primary Care and Integrated Care Pathways.

The Trust aims to improve the interface between emergency, general medicine and primary care. Working towards this the Direct Assessment Unit was set up as the first step in facilitating direct referrals by GPs for patients requiring unscheduled hospital assessment / admission. It is also one of the spokes in the GP Unscheduled Care Access Hub which aims to provide alternative clinical pathways for patients rather than attendance at the Emergency Department. This will allow secondary and primary care professionals to work across the care interface in a more seamless fashion

The Acute Ambulatory Unit is a new dedicated assessment area in Causeway Hospital. This area is protected for the use of assessing patients referred into hospital by GPs. The formation of the direct admission area is part of the Trust’s commitment to offer an improved patient journey for patients referred by GPs requiring hospital assessment and management. It is anticipated that this option will help reduce pressure on the extremely busy Emergency Department and provide a better patient experience. The Acute Ambulatory Unit will be open from 9am-5pm, Monday to Friday and is supported by specialty doctors. It is anticipated that the Acute Ambulatory Hub would manage 8-10 patients per day. This would include new referrals and Rapid Access appointments. It is expected this would increase to at least 15 patients per day in the second year of the service. The acute consultants currently working in Causeway hospital are:

Dr Waleed Muhammad (locum) Dr Shahid Farooq (locum) Dr Alistair Hamilton (locum) Dr Ajeet Kumar (locum)

3.5WTE specialty doctors acute medicine

1WTE physicians associate

The hospital has resident medical staff who are rostered to the acute medical team.

Clinical Support services on site – include

Full accredited (CPA – UK Ltd) diagnostic laboratory

Multi-slice CT Scanner commissioned in 2007 with 24 hour Consultant Radiologist cover.

Carotid Doppler assessment service for TIA/stroke

Excellent non-invasive cardiology investigative services

Pulmonary function laboratory on site.

An X-ray PACs system enables viewing of X-rays on any computer terminal throughout the hospital. Isotope scans and MRI scans are available in Antrim Hospital. Angiography services are accessed from Belfast (55 miles distance) and Altnagelvin Hospital. The trust has recently developed a DEXA bone density service for NHSCT patients and plans for an on site MRI scanner are well advanced.

Bed Complement

General Medicine – 43 beds

Coronary Care/Medical Monitoring Unit – 14 beds

ICU/High Dependency – 3 ICU beds/2 ICU and 2 HD beds

Elderly Care/Rehabilitation Unit – 30 beds

Medical Admission Unit – 19 beds

Other on-site services

General Surgery (including Paediatric Surgery and Urology)

Day Procedure Unit

Paediatric Medicine

Obstetrics/Gynaecology

Acute Psychiatry

DAU – frailty

Medical Investigation Unit staffed by Clinical Physiologists which provides

Non invasive Cardiac investigations – echocardiograms, Exercise Stress Tests and Holter monitoring.

Gastroenterological Investigations

Pulmonary Function Assessment

Endoscopy Facilities in the Day Procedure Unit

Fibreoptic Bronchoscopy

Gastroscopy

ERCP

Colonoscopy

Cystoscopy.

The Resuscitation Training Officer provides ALS courses and on-going training in Basic and Immediate Life Support.

The appointees will have an office near to the AMU with telephone and internet access. Each new consultant post attracts 0.5 WTE secretarial support and additional secretarial resources can be made available.

Specialist Nursing Staff

There are specialist respiratory, diabetes and nurse practitioners available on site to support the ambulatory unit.

Allied Health Professional Hospital Cover

Physiotherapy cover – 08.30-17.00 Monday to Friday. 9am -1 pm Sundays

Occupational Therapy – 0800-1600 Monday to Friday. 9am – 1pm Sundays

Social Work Cover – 0900-1700 Monday to Friday and 0900-1300 WeekendsAntrim and Causeway Hospitals are both teaching hospitals aligned to QUB and UU, and teaching and training of undergraduate and postgraduate learners across a wide range of health professions takes place on all Northern Trust sites. The successful candidate would be expected to undertake teaching within their specialty field as per the requirements of both their own teams/services and of external linked organisations (QUB/UU, etc).

The majority of NHSCT Consultants have roles as recognised postgraduate trainers for NIMDTA, and the successful candidate would be expected, where appropriate, to possess or achieve the necessary competences to carry out this role within the post.

KEY RESULT AREAS / MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

To provide high quality inpatient and ambulatory services in acute medicine at Causeway Hospital according to the job plan.

Participation with other Consultants in the facility for patients requiring admission to hospital including participation in the day to day management of patients admitted to the Medical Assessment Unit/CCU/General Medical wards.

The post holder will be responsible for ongoing care of their inpatients at Causeway Hospital and for providing consultation services in ambulatory for other medical teams and other directorates. He/she will undertake all administrative duties allocated with the care of his/her patients.

The appointee will work to a 10PA job plan (full-time). The Trust is currently assessing consultant workloads across all specialties and any additional programmed activities required to deliver service provision over 10PAs should be subject to regional approval process and also subject to annual review.

The post holder would be expected to participate in the hospital education programs. The 10PA job plan therefore includes 1.5 SPAs allowing the post holder to meet the requirements for revalidation.

Participation in a Consultant on-call rota including prospective cover on a 1:11 weekday and 1:6 weekend basis. Emergency procedures are performed as required. Inpatient work load involves up to approximately 12 patients at a time although this can vary according to demand.

The post holder will be expected to work closely with the other specialists at Causeway and Antrim Hospitals to support existing and new developments in acute Medicine services.

The post holder will be a member of the Medicine and Emergency Medicine Clinical Directorate of the Northern Health and Social Care Trust. He/She will be expected to play a full part in the activities of the Directorate including participation in interview panels and committees as required.

He/she will also be expected to participate in clinical governance procedures, morbidity and mortality meetings, audit, postgraduate education, junior medical staff educational supervision, continuing professional development and contribute to undergraduate teaching programs within the Directorate.

The postholder will be encouraged to develop an area of academic interest and to participate in research and audit. Funding can be applied for through the Trust’s Research Fellowship Scheme.

The post holder will be expected to develop good working relationships with all staff within the Trust in order that as high a standard of care as possible can be provided to all patients. In addition the post holder will develop good working relationships with the local General Practitioners.

The Trust supports the requirements of CME/CPD as laid down by the Royal Colleges and is committed to providing adequate time and financial support for these activities.

The post holder will be required to participate in appraisal, annual job plan review and procedures necessary for re-validation.

He/she will be encouraged to develop/support research activity within the Northern Board.

GENERAL MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES

Ensure the appropriate governance and risk management arrangements are in place for the services you are responsible for and take appropriate action to identify and manage risk and to maintain safety of users, staff and others in accordance with relevant regulations, policies and procedures;

It is essential to ensure that the highest standards of infection prevention and control are maintained to ensure patient and client safety and maintain confidence in the Trust. As a Manager, you must ensure that you implement all instructions/ policy in this area and that all staff are made aware of and fully comply with these;

Where the post-holder has responsibility for managing a budget, ensure that services are managed and developed both in accordance with agreed and funded priorities as set out on a yearly basis and in accordance with Standing Financial Instructions, particularly ensuring your compliance with payroll documentation procedures and timescales;

Ensure the necessary arrangements are in place in regard to the ‘Knowledge and Skills Framework’ outlines, where this applies, for the posts for which you have management responsibility and ensure that each member of staff has an annual development and performance review, a personal development plan and that arrangements are in place to ensure that staff have maximum opportunity to progress through gateways in their pay bands and to contribute effectively towards our objectives;

Promote a culture of continuous service improvement amongst your staff, encouraging their participation and that of service users in reviewing and modernising current services and in service development;

Make sure you are trained and competent in the relevant policies and procedures which apply to the management of staff and other resources and abide by these policies; seeking advice as necessary from senior management or specialist staff as necessary;

Communicate effectively with staff and maintain productive working relationships amongst your staff and with others;

Delegate appropriate responsibility and authority to staff in order to ensure optimum and effective service delivery and decision-making, whilst retaining overall accountability and responsibility for outcomes;

Promote a culture of learning and development and facilitate arrangements for and participate in training and development of staff as agreed for the performance of their duties. Where training is in accordance with relevant standards make sure you have the relevant competences in order to carry out this responsibility;

Promote equality of opportunity for all by personal action, both in the management of your staff and in the provision of care to service users in accordance with the Trust’s Equality of Opportunity Policy and Equality Scheme;

Take responsibility for ensuring appropriate standards of environmental cleanliness and for encouraging staff to maintain standards in their work area. Have an awareness of environmental issues and take appropriate action, for example to ensure the efficient use of energy and other resources, recycling etc.;

Make sure that staff are aware of Trust policies regarding the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018, the Freedom of Information Act 2000, the Environmental Information Regulations 2004 and Records Management and that they must not disclose, withhold, retain or dispose of any information unless legally authorised.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Employees of the Trust will be required to promote and support the mission and vision of the service for which they are responsible and:-

At all times provide a caring service and to treat those with whom they come into contact in a courteous and respectful manner

At all times demonstrate practice the HSC values of Working Together, Excellence, Openness & Honesty and Compassion

Carry out their duties and responsibilities in a manner which assures patient and client safety

Comply with all instructions in regard to Infection Prevention and Control

Demonstrate their commitment by their regular attendance and the efficient completion of all tasks allocated to them

Comply with the Trust’s Smoke Free Policy

Carry out their duties and responsibilities in compliance with health and safety policy and statutory regulations

Adhere to equal opportunities policy throughout the course of their employment

Ensure the ongoing confidence of the public in service provision

Adhere to the Code of Conduct for HSC Employees which aims to guide staff, managers and employers in the work that they do and the decisions and choices they have to make. Professional staff are expected to follow the code of conduct for their own professions as well as this code.

RECORDS MANAGEMENT

All employees of the Northern Health & Social Care Trust are legally responsible for all records held, created or used as part of their business within the Northern Health and Social Care Trust, including patient/client, corporate and administrative records whether paper based or electronic and also including e-mails. All such records are public records and are accessible to the general public, with limited exceptions, under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, the Environment Regulations 2004, the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018. Employees are required to be conversant and to comply with the Northern Health and Social Care Trust policies on Information Governance including (for example) the ICT Security Policy, Data Quality and Data Protection Policy and Records Management Policy and to seek advice if in doubt.

SALARY

£110,681 - £145,517 per annum (pro-rata for part-time)

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

HOURS

40 hours per week.

Opportunities for flexible working are available for all staff in line with the flexible working policy.

MEDICAL

Appointment will be subject to a successful pre-employment health assessment.

HOLIDAYS

We offer an attractive annual leave package for medical staff as detailed below

Grade

Annual Leave entitlement

Public/Statutory Holidays

Consultant

*6 weeks & 2 days on entry to the grade

*6 weeks & 4 days after 7 years’ service

10 days

*All entitlements are pro–rata for part time staff

PENSION

The post-holder can participate in the Health Social Care Pension Scheme.

NORTHERN TRUST BENEFITS

You can explore the benefits on offer to you in the Northern Trust by clicking here

WAITING LIST

A waiting list may be compiled for similar permanent/temporary, full/part time posts which may arise within the next 12 months.

PAY PROTECTION

Legacy Trust Staff who apply for a promotion after 1 April 2011 should be aware that they will lose their legacy protection arrangements and will be entitled to pay protection in accordance with circular HSS (JNF)(1) 2011.

This circular will also apply to legacy staff who are currently in receipt of protection and who move post on promotion.

RELOCATION /REMOVAL EXPENSES

Eligible staff can avail of our attractive relocation / removal package upon request.

CRIMINAL OFFENCES, INVESTIGATION AND CHARGES

Having a criminal record will not necessarily debar you from working with the Trust. This will depend on the nature of the position, together with the circumstances and background of your offences or other information contained on a disclosure certificate. Where it is necessary to obtain an Access NI disclosure the Trust operates in line with the Access NI Code of Practice (www.nidirect.gov.uk/publications/accessni-code-practice).

If you require further information or a copy of the policy on the recruitment of ex-offenders or the policy on the Secure Handling, Use, Storage and Retention of Disclosure Information, please contact the Trust Human Resources Department

CLOSING DATE

Completed application forms should be submitted via www.jobs.hscni.net or returned to Medical Resourcing, Holywell Hospital, 60 Steeple Road, Antrim, BT41 2RJ or medicalandseniorresourcing@northerntrust.hscni.net on or before the closing date.

Canvassing, either directly or indirectly, will be an absolute disqualification.

We will review this Job Description and it may include any other duties and responsibilities we determine in consultation with the jobholder. We do not intend it to be rigid and inflexible but rather to provide guidelines within which the jobholder works.

PERSONNEL SPECIFICATION

Title of Post: Consultant Physician In Acute Medicine

Notes to applicants

You must clearly demonstrate on your application form under each question, how you meet the required criteria as failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. You should clearly demonstrate this for both the essential and desirable criteria.

Shortlisting will be carried out on the basis of the essential criteria set out in Section 1 below, using the information provided by you on your application form.

Proof of qualifications and/or professional registration will be required if an offer of employment is made – if you are unable to provide this, the offer may be withdrawn.

Volunteering experience may be considered appropriate in particular for roles within the context of direct patient/client care.

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA

SECTION 1: The following are ESSENTIAL criteria which will initially be measured at shortlisting stage although may also be further explored during the interview/selection stage. You should therefore make it clear on your application form whether or not you meet these criteria. Failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. The stage in the process when the criteria will be measured is stated below.

Factor

Criteria

Method of Assessment

Qualifications/ Registration

Experience

Full registration or eligibility for registration

(must be registered at time of appointment)

with the General Medical Council (GMC),

London and a Licence to Practice.

Membership of Royal College of Physicians (MRCP) OR appropriate equivalent qualification.

Entry on the GMC Specialist Register for General or Acute Medicine via

a. CCT (proposed CCT date must be within 6 months of interview date) or

b. Portfolio Pathway/CESR or

c. European Community Rights

An appropriate higher degree (e.g. an MD, PhD or equivalent) is desirable.

At the date of taking up the post, the successful candidate must be registered with the Royal College of Physicians for CME or CPD

Shortlisting by Application Form

Other

Hold a current full driving licence which is valid for use in the UK and have access to a car on appointment. This criteria will be waived in the case of applicants whose disability prohibits driving but who have access to a form of transport approved by the Trust which will permit them to carry out the duties of the post

Shortlisting by Application Form

Eligibility

Eligibility to live and work in the UK by intended start date

Pre-employment checks

SECTION 2: The following are ESSENTIAL criteria which will be measured during the interview/ selection stage:

Skills / Abilities

Ability to develop effective working relationships on an individual and multi-disciplinary basis with all levels of staff.

Ability to organise and manage the work of a clinical department and team.

Effective oral and written communication skills.

Excellent leadership skills.

Ability to be a flexible team member.

Evidence of undergraduate and postgraduate teaching abilities.

Ability to cope with and effectively organise the workload of a consultant.

Interview / Test

Knowledge

Knowledge of job requirements.

Knowledge and understanding of developments in the Health and Social Services.

Knowledge and understanding of clinical governance and the individual responsibilities it implies.

Knowledge of the principles of clinical audit.

Interview / Test

Value Based Recruitment

Value Based Recruitment is a process adopted by the Northern Trust to attract and select employees on the basis that their individual values and behaviours align with those of the Trust.

It focuses on the ‘how’ and ‘why’ people do what they do.

Candidates who are short-listed for interview will need to demonstrate at interview that they have the required knowledge, skills, competencies and values to be effective in this new role.

In answering the value based questions you have the opportunity to share examples of when you have demonstrated values relevant to the Northern Trust.

June 25

Job Plan

This job plan is subject to change (by mutual agreement with the appointee) during the forthcoming year as a result of planned changes to the profile of acute services within the Trust during this time.

Acute Consultant Job Plan

Day

Time

Location

Work

Categorisation

No. of PAs

Monday

AM

0800-1200

CAU

Acute Medicine

DCC

1.0

PM

1200-1400

CAU

Activities related to CPD and revalidation

SPA