Job summary
Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust would like to invite applications for a Specialist Grade Doctor in Stroke Medicine to work at Cheltenham General Hospital.
We are looking for a dynamic and enthusiastic colleague to join our well-established stroke service for the continuing delivery of high-quality patient care and to work towards ongoing service improvement.
Main duties of the job
1. Maintenance of high quality patient centred care
2. Shared responsibility for the day to day management of the service and participation in strategic planning
3. Teaching and training within the multidisciplinary service
4. Active involvement in multidisciplinary team meetings and directorate clinical governance activity
5. Active participation in continuing medical education
About us
You will be joining a team of 7 consultants and associate specialists (including this role) who work really well together in a supportive team along side 8 stroke specialist nurses and a team of resident doctors. Although the role is advertised as full time, part time and flexible working options can be considered.
Stroke and TIA services have been reorganised following the Covid crisis and comprise a direct admission pathway via triage conversation with paramedics and GPs direct to CT avoiding ED which has been invaluable in bed crises to maintain the stroke pathway, a 8-10 bed HASU currently at Cheltenham General Hospital, with, then onwards to an acute (combined acute/rehab) unit also at CGH (ASU- Woodmancote ward 32 beds) and a subsequent 14 bed rehab unit at the Vale community Hospital, Dursley.
We have a well developed stroke Early Supported Discharge team covering the whole county (consisting of Physio, OT, SALT, Dietetics, Psychology, Orthoptists, Nurses(, and Community Stroke Nurses support patients in the community and coordinate their 6 month reviews. Our tertiary stroke centre for mechanical thrombectomy and neurosurgery is Southmead Hospital (NBT), Bristol available 24/7. We have a brilliant team of radiographers providing 24/7 access to CT and CTA and are implementing CT prefusion scanning to further optimise treatment pathways for our patients.
Job description
Job responsibilities
6. We expect the post-holder to help develop and lead a robust service in order to provide high quality care to stroke patients in a timely manner. Please note: If this is your first post as a Specialist Grade Doctor, we would stage this move to being in charge of patients and on call (as described below) in a planned way depending on need, to ensure confidence and readiness to step up.
7. We expect the post-holder to provide and safe, effective and efficient service to provide the best possible care to our stroke patients:
8. To cover HASU one day per week (Monday to Friday; 8am to 4pm). This includes a supporting the stroke specialist nurses and junior doctors with thrombolysis and thrombectomy assessments plus ward referrals we also support each other with back up HASU consultants if things become busy.
9. To review your patients while still on HASU, and onwards to ASU if required, by following your own patients from start to end of their time in hospital, providing real continuity of care to enable the best oversight of the patient journey supporting key decisions as required in partnership with the MDT.
10. To be responsible for 1 in 6 weekend ward rounds (8am to 2pm) (no on call)
11. To participate in the regional thrombolysis network rota for telephone advice and teleradiology (approx. 1:10-1:12 rota)
12. To cover for colleagues annual leave and other authorised absences, on a reciprocal basis.
13. To visit the Vale Community Hospital (Rehab SU) - infrequently (typically once in 6 weeks) for an advisory ward round for the GPs who have daily oversight of the patients there.
14. To be responsible for providing advice and input to stroke patients referred from other specialties
15. To provide telephone advice about stroke patients referred via GPs within the county via the Cinapsis (telephone advice) service
16. To provide outpatient clinics TIA clinics weekly, and alternate week follow up clinics.
17. To conduct clinical practice in accordance with contractual requirements within the parameters of our Divisions and Trusts agreed objectives
18. There is scope for development of subspecialty interests and to participate in research (see below)
19. Any other duties that may be required from time to time
Person Specification
Essential qualifications
Essential
20. Full General Medical Council registration
21. MRCP or equivalent experience
22. Completed a minimum of 12 years' medical work (either continuous period or in aggregate) since obtaining a primary medical qualification of which a minimum of six years should have been in a relevant specialty in the Specialty Doctor and/or closed SAS grades. Equivalent years' experience in a relevant specialty from other medical grades including from overseas
Desirable
23. Higher degree
24. Additional qualification in Quality Improvement, Medical Education, or other pertinent expertise
Clinical Experience
Essential
25. Proven clinical skills in Stroke medicine including thrombolysis and/or thrombectomy assessments
26. Ability to lead a multi-disciplinary team
27. Ability to work closely with colleagues in Acute Medicine and Emergency Medicine
Desirable
28. Experience in Medical Education and/or Research
Management & Administrative skills
Essential
29. Participation in clinical audit including completion of audit project
30. Understanding and experience of Clinical Governance and Quality Improvement
31. Willing and able to work with colleagues in other specialities, professions and roles to ensure the delivery of a high quality, safe and reliable service
32. A willingness to accept shared responsibility and provide leadership
33. Awareness of current relevant developments within the wider NHS
34. Determination to have a key role in establishing and developing the service
Desirable
35. Additional management qualification
Educational experience
Essential
36. Must have an interest in teaching all grades of hospital and professional staff
Desirable
37. Additional Education Qualification
Research Experience
Essential
38. Track record of critical reading
39. Ability to apply research outcomes to clinical problems
Desirable
40. Plans for possible ongoing research projects relevant to service
Personal Attributes
Essential
41. Effective team working skills
42. Conscientiousness, with drive, initiative, and enthusiasm
43. Caring and empathetic
44. Able and driven to take responsibility, show leadership and make decisions
45. Non-judgemental in approach to patients and colleagues regardless of the sexuality, ethnicity, disability, religious beliefs of financial status
46. Flexible and resilient
47. Committed to lifelong learning