Rheumatology Consultant

Job overview

Rheumatology services in East Kent Hospitals University NHS Trust are delivered on three main sites (WHH, KCH & QEQMH) as well as at community outpatient clinics at Dover, Folkestone and Estuary View, Whitstable. General Rheumatology services are provided.

The department is now a designated specialised Rheumatology centre, enabling local, rapid treatment of patients with Lupus and Vasculitis with NHS England approved treatments. There are regular multidisciplinary Rheumatology and Vasculitis MDTs.

Main duties of the job

The starting 10 PAs contract will include both direct clinical care (DCC) and supporting activity (SPA). Extra PAs may be available to applicants for personal or professional reasons to work more than 40 hours per week. We are also able to have discussions regarding part time hours.

The job plan will include clinics (4/5 per week), ward work and general medicine on call.

We will work with you to develop your specialist interests whether these be further developing our existing services, or looking to develop new services for our Trust. We will work with you to shape the ideal job plan upon successful appointment, and review it with you after three months and then annually – so you can keep the perfect fit. We will also provide the essential resources to support you in your duties, including administrative support.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The Consultant will have a continuing responsibility for the care of patients in their charge and to undertake the administrative duties associated with their care. They will be expected to work collaboratively with the Clinical Director and Care Group Management on organisational and budget issues. The Post holder will work closely alongside other Rheumatologists in post to create a pleasant working environment with teamwork at the heart of what you do. The post requires delivery of both inpatient and outpatient Rheumatology services to the local population in East Kent Hospital University Foundation Trust. The on-call commitment and acute hospital sessional commitment to medicine and rehabilitation will be organised with the Consultant’s colleagues to ensure both delivery of this goal and continuity of responsibility for inpatient care. The on-call commitment will include week day cover and weekend cover, 1:16. In addition to general medical and rehabilitation duties there are flexible commitments, including administration, management, committee work, pastoral visits, relative interviews etc. The Rheumatology Directorate has a strong history of Clinical Leadership, and we will encourage new colleagues to develop their Leadership and Management skills with education programs and mentorship.

An Early Arthritis clinic is delivered at the base hospital and opportunities exist for musculoskeletal ultrasound training. There are monthly Rheumatology and Vasculitis MDTs and a weekly biologics MDT.

The appointee will be expected to deliver a service covering all aspects of Rheumatology, particularly early arthritis & biologics management. A special interest will be welcomed.

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.