NHSCT Specialty Doctor Care of Elderly - Hospital at Home Team (Temporary post for 6 months)

Job details

• Branch: Larne/Cfergus/Nabbey incl Wabbey Hosp
• Location: Whiteabbey Hospital and Community Area's
• Salary: (See job details)
• Contract Type: Temporary
• Opening Date: 15/05/26
• Closes: Fri, 05 June 2026 @ 4:00 PM
• Interview Dates: To be confirmed

Notes

A waiting list may be compiled for similar termorary, full/part time posts which may arise within the next 3 months

Job Description

Job Title

Job Description

Specialty Doctor

Care of Elderly – Hospital at Home

Job Description

Specialty Doctor

Care of Elderly – Hospital at Home

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

Speciality Doctor Applicant Fact Sheet

Background

The Department of Health (NI) together with the British Medical Association, the Department of Health and Social Care (England), as well as the Department of Health (Wales) have been working together since February 2020 to formally negotiate a revised Specialty Doctor grade and introduce a new Specialist Grade.

In January 2021, an agreement was reached for a reformed specialty doctor contract and a new specialist contract.

These new contractual arrangements came into effect from 1 April 2021. The Specialty Doctor 2008 contract closed to new entrants on 31 March 2021 and all new Speciality Doctor appointments are to the 2021 Specialty Doctor and Specialist contracts.

If successful, you will be appointed under the terms and conditions of the 2021 Specialty Doctor contract.

Further details, including the 2021 Specialty Doctor terms and conditions of service are available on the Department of Health website. Click here to be taken to this external website. Information is also available on the BMA website.

JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE: Specialty Doctor, Care of Elderly / Hospital at Home Team

Temporary post to cover Mat leave.

Applications are welcome from those seeking a secondment from their current role. Please note that you should have permission to be released from your substantive post from your line manager in advance of applying.

DIRECTORATE/DIVISION: Medicine and Emergency Medicine

LOCATION: Whiteabbey Hospital & Community areas

REPORTS TO: Clinical Director, Medicine and Emergency Medicine

ACCOUNTABLE TO: Clinical Director, Medicine and Emergency Medicine

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 post sits within the Care of the Elderly team Hospital at Home (HAH) service.

HAH provides acute care on a short-term basis, for patients who are acutely unwell and in need of hospital level care. The HAH team will work closely with community services including primary care, NIAS, nursing homes, specialist nursing teams and community AHP teams, to embed pre-hospital referral pathways and promote communication and safe transfers of care.

The Specialty Doctor will provide support to Care of the Elderly Services with HAH. The post holder will have particular responsibility for the assessment of Care of the Elderly and Frailty patients, working closely with the Consultant Geriatricians in the management and future development of the HAH service. A nominated Consultant Geriatrician will monitor the appointee’s general development and participation in CPD.

The post sits within the wider Care of Elderly team in Antrim Area Hospital.

Antrim Area Hospital

Antrim Area Hospital is the main acute hospital serving the Northern Trust which is the largest HSC Trust in Northern Ireland, serving a population of 460,000. There are presently 423 inpatient beds at the Antrim site with recent developments including the provision of Care of the Elderly Wards and the completion of a new block to provide extra Palliative care and oncology services. Psychiatry services are provided from Holywell Hospital. Subacute hospital providing additional geriatric medicine/rehabilitation beds is situated in Whiteabbey. There are intermediate care beds also available for step-down care.

Medicine and Emergency Medicine Directorate

Medical specialties within the directorate at Antrim Hospital include cardiology, diabetes/endocrinology, gastroenterology, geriatric medicine, haematology, neurology, palliative care, renal medicine, respiratory medicine and rheumatology. Most consultants within these specialties, as well as providing a wide range of inpatient and outpatient services within their specialty, also participate in the emergency general medical admission rota and cover acute admissions to the MAU out of hours.

Geriatric

The appointee will provide Specialty Doctor support to the Hospital at Home Team which is based at Whiteabbey Hospital Site and currently working with East Antrim Area.

Ward A5 is the acute Frailty ward in Antrim Area Hospital which comprises 24 beds, including 4 isolation rooms. Ward A5 incorporates a 20 bedded Acute Frailty Unit as well as 4 care of the elderly isolation rooms. Care of patients in the ward are shared with 3 further Specialty Doctors and a team of Care of the Elderly Consultant Geriatrician’s.

Ward A6 is the Stroke ward in Antrim Area Hospital which comprises 24 beds, including 8 isolation rooms. The ward has 12 stroke beds and 12 care of elderly beds. Care of patients in the ward are shared with 3 further Specialty Doctors, and team of consultants.

Ward A7 is the Care of Elderly / Parkinson’s ward in Antrim Area Hospital which comprises 24 beds, including 8 isolation rooms. Care of patients in the ward are shared with 2 further Specialty Doctors, and team of consultants.

Additional support staff across the Care of the Elderly team include 2 IMT1, 2 FY2 trainees, 3 FY1 trainees, 5 Stroke Specialist Nurses and a Stroke Research Nurse (part time).

The Frailty Unit offers an alternative admission pathway providing specialist, multidisciplinary care for a specific cohort of frail elderly patients with urgent and emergency care needs. The focus of this service is on providing early Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment and a management plan for each patient to optimise patient care, and same day discharge. The unit runs Mon- Fri 9am-5pm.

There is 1.0 SPA session per week currently built into the job plan for to facilitate the candidate’s own special interest.

Staff in the Department

Dr J Cuthbertson, Clinical Lead/Consultant Geriatrician

Dr D Vahidassr, Consultant Geriatrician

Dr N Alam, Consultant Geriatrician

Dr V Krishnaswami, Consultant Geriatrician

Dr M Bhattad, Consultant Geriatrician

Dr A McLoughlin, Consultant Geriatrician

Dr J Grier, Consultant Geriatrician

Dr W McKeown, Consultant Geriatrician

Dr A Harper, Consultant Geriatrician

Dr N Joyce, Consultant Geriatrician

Dr A Al Saeedi, Consultant Geriatrician (Acting)

Dr C Harley, Consultant Geriatrician – Hospital at Home.

DR J Ritchie, Consultant Geriatrician – Hospital at Home.

Specialty Doctors

Dr A Thompson, Specialty Doctor, Stroke Medicine

Dr A McKelvey, Specialty Doctor Geriatric medicine

Dr S Turkington, Specialty Doctor Geriatric medicine

Dr H Sedek, Specialty Doctor Geriatric medicine

Dr N McCourt, Specialty Doctor Geriatric medicine

Dr E Higgins, Specialty Doctor Geriatric medicine

Dr Y Wilson, Specialty Doctor Geriatric medicine

1 x Locum Specialty Doctor Geriatric Medicine

Training Grades

2 IMT1

2 F2s

3 F1s

Acute Medicine

Antrim Area Hospital operates an Acute Medical Model. This model works on a live take basis with all adult patients being admitted through the Acute Admissions Area (AAA). Based on the patients’ clinical need an appropriate patient pathway is then chosen and these pathways include admission to Acute Medical Unit, Admission to Specialty Ward, ambulation through the Direct Assessment Unit (DAU) or treatment in the Programmed Treatment Unit (PTU).

Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy (OT) and social work triple assessment of older patients is now available at weekends to assist in early discharge and community follow up of appropriate patients.

Whiteabbey Hospital has sub-acute facilities for rehabilitation and is situated just outside Belfast. There are currently 23 intermediate care/GP beds.

There are also various outpatient clinics, psychiatric day unit, day surgery procedure unit and day time radiology based on the site.

The Day Rehabilitation Unit (DRU) is located on the ground floor of the new ward block in Whiteabbey hospital. Frailty Specialty Doctors support this service weekly in conjunction with a Consultant Geriatrician aiming to prevent hospital admission. Patients can be referred from any healthcare professionals. They should be medically stable and able to participate in rehabilitation. Common reasons for referral are recurring falls, deteriorating mobility or deteriorating functional ability.

It is an accessible one stop facility specialising in diagnosis and treatment of complex presentation of illness in the older patient. It is a consultant lead unit with permanent nursing staff and allied health professionals including Physio and OT. Access can also be made to speech & language therapy, dentist and podiatry. There is a “falls programme” including postural stability classes.

Support Services

The Radiology Department provides a full range of diagnostic services including MRI scanning, CT scanning, ultrasound - conventional and colour doppler, CT arteriography and radio isotope scanning. The Trust is now using a computerised system (NIPACs) and films can be accessed on the Antrim site. Causeway and Mid Ulster hospitals also have CT scanners and ultrasonography.

A full range of laboratory services are available including haematology, blood transfusion, bacteriology, clinical chemistry and histopathology.

KEY RESULT AREAS / MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

Hospital at Home Service will entail the provision of specialist medical care to acutely unwell frail older people who would be at the point of requiring an acute hospital admission. The Specialty Doctors will work alongside the consultants and a multi-disciplinary team. With an aim to provide alternative acute care pathway to hospital admissions and facilitate early turnaround of patients in ED or acute wards.

The appointee will work to a 10.0 PA job plan including HAH.

He/she will undertake all administrative duties allocated with the care of his/her patients.

The post holder will be a member of the Medicine and Emergency Medicine Clinical Directorate of the Northern Health and Social Care Trust. They will be expected to play a full part in the activities of the Directorate.

The post holder will be expected to work with the other specialists at Antrim Hospital to support existing and new geriatric medicine service developments including the hospital at home service.

They will also be expected to participate in clinical governance procedures, audit, and continuing professional development.

The post holder will contribute to teaching (undergraduate and postgraduate) activities undertaken within the Medical Directorate as well as contributing to clinical audit of the care given to Care of Elderly and Frailty Patients.

Consultant cover will be available to support decision making and formulating management plans.

The appointee will have a nominated consultant as supervisor and mentor.

The post holder will be expected to develop good working relationships with all hospital staff in order that as high a standard of care as possible can be provided to all patients.

The appointee will have access to shared office accommodation with PC facilities etc.

Supervision Arrangements

A named Consultant from the Care of Elderly / Stroke Team will supervise the appointee. The Consultant will be contactable Monday to Friday 9-5. Outside of these hours cover is provided by a named Consultant Physician.

Continuing Professional Development

The Specialty Doctor will be expected to attend all the regular established educational events organised for physicians – i.e. case presentation meetings, clinical meetings, Mortality and Morbidity and audit meetings, and will have access to relevant specialised training (CPR training, ALERT course etc). They will be encouraged to attend and contribute to appropriate CPD meetings. Antrim Area Hospital has a Medical Education Centre, with library facilities provided in association with the Medical library at Queens University, Belfast. Antrim Area Hospital is a recognised teaching hospital for Queen’s University Belfast, responsible for undergraduate medical teaching for third year and more senior students. The Specialty Doctor will be expected on some occasions to deputise for the consultants at bedside teaching sessions.

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

£61,542 - £99,216 per annum (pro-rata)

HOURS

10 PA’s 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

Qualifying service

Allocation

Alignment of leave

On first appointment or with up to 2 years service

5 weeks

Additional leave to be retained until qualifying service reaches 2 years.

Having completed a minimum of two years’ service as a SAS doctor and/or in equivalent grades or with previous entitlement

6 weeks

Additional leave to be retained until qualifying service reaches 7 years. Entitlement at 7 years remains at 6 weeks and 1 day in line with Framework Agreement and revised T&Cs

Having completed a minimum of seven years’ service as a SAS doctor and/or in equivalent grades

6 weeks and 1 day

Additional leave to be retained while doctors remain in the role Where doctors change roles with new contracts being issued the provisions of the revised Circular will apply from the start date of the new contract.

*All entitlements are pro–rata for part time staff

TERMS AND CONDITIONS -

You will be employed under the terms and conditions of service for Specialty Doctors in Northern Ireland (2021) which is available at:

https://www.health-ni.gov.uk/sites/default/files/publications/health/doh-terms-and-conditions-of-service-specialty-doctor.pdf

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 temporary, full/part time posts which may arise within the next 3 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: Specialty Doctor, Care of Elderly / Hospital at Home Team

Band of Post: Specialty Doctor

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.

Have at least 4 years’ full time postgraduate training (or its equivalent gained on a part time or flexible basis) of which at least 2 years will be in a specialty training programme OR as a fixed term specialty trainee in Care of Elderly or Acute Medicine

OR

Have equivalent experience and competencies

Shortlisting by Application Form

Only those applicants who state clearly on their application form that they have the required level of qualification/experience will be considered for interview

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

All applicants to have demonstrable skills in written and spoken English that are adequate to enable effective communications about medical topics with patients and colleagues which could be demonstrated by one of the following:

That applicants have undertaken undergraduate medical training in English;

Or

Have the following scores in the academic international English Language testing system (IELTS) – Overall 7, Speaking 7, Listening 6, Reading 6, Writing 6.

However, if applicants believe that they have adequate communication skills but do not fit into one of the examples they need to provide evidence.

Interview / Test

Knowledge

Appropriate knowledge base and ability to apply sound clinical judgement to problems.

Demonstrate understanding of the importance of audit and research

Interview / Test

DESIRABLE CRITERIA

SECTION 3: These will ONLY be used where it is necessary to introduce additional job related criteria to ensure files are manageable. You should therefore make it clear on your application form how you meet these criteria. Failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted

Factor

Criteria

Method of Assessment

Experience

Hospital at Home experience

Competent in use of Encompass system

Shortlisting by Application Form

.

1. Example Job Plan

Day

Time

Work Activity

Location

PAs

DCC

PAs

SPA