Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
We are looking for a motivated and experienced prescriber to join our Specialist Tier 3 Weight Management Service (SWMS) which provides evidence-based, individualised, high-quality holistic treatment to patients. The prescriber will work alongside the team to prescribe weight management drugs as part of the SWMS offer to appropriate patients.
This post would suit a prescriber with experience in prescribing GLP-1 receptor agonist medications for weight management or other indications (e.g. diabetes). The post holder will not be responsible for the wrap-around care required, but will have clinical responsibility for the assessment, prescription, and monitoring of any patient prescribed the medication.
The role may suit a General Practitioner with a specialist interest in obesity and relevant experience providing treatment for patients living with obesity.
The successful applicant will have a comprehensive understanding of the complex needs of obese individuals, associated co-morbidity management, and treatment options. The role involves having clinical responsibility for the medication pathway and working as an integral member of our multidisciplinary team.
The role includes assessment of patients' stage of obesity, associated causal factors, medical presentation/symptoms, co-morbidity management, and recommendations for treatment.
Main duties of the job
The Specialist Doctor/GPwER in the Specialist Weight Management Service will provide evidence-based, comprehensive, person-centred, and individualised medical care, working as part of a multidisciplinary team. The post holder will:
1. Plan and mobilise a GLP-1 medication pathway.
2. Have medical responsibility for patients under the Specialist Weight Management Service.
3. Have clinical responsibility for the medications pathway within the Specialist Weight Management Service.
4. Provide specialist pharmaceutical care and advice on medicines management for patients accessing the service.
5. Advise on urgent and expedite referrals from a medical perspective.
6. Offer personalised recommendations to optimise co-morbidity management, improving healthcare outcomes and promoting best care for people living with obesity.
7. Contribute to service development, guideline development, research opportunities, and governance activities such as audit and quality improvement processes.
8. Participate in the training and development of other members of the MDT and wider healthcare community.
9. Provide leadership for the timely and safe discharge of patients from services.
10. Communicate with other health and social care professionals.
About us
The Specialist Weight Management service is formed of psychologists and dieticians supported by our admin team, dietetics. It sits in the Diagnostic and Specialties division with good links to Tier 4, medical specialties, and the commissioners in ICB.
Job responsibilities
We expect the post-holder to develop and lead a high quality, robust medication pathway for patients referred to the specialist weight management service. This will include:
1. Clinical responsibility for the medications pathway within the Specialist Weight Management Service.
2. Development of guidance and protocols around the prescription of GLP-1 medication.
3. Introduction of a safe pathway for the provision of GLP-1 medication.
4. Contributing to complex case assessment alongside other colleagues from the MDT.
5. Leading SWMS MDT and informing clinical decision making.
6. Support review of referral information to triage suitability for service, level of urgency, and complexity (with the EOSS and SWMS Traffic Light Triage).
7. Responding to medication queries.
8. Reviewing current co-morbidity management and making recommendations for further management/optimisation or opportunities to support weight loss/prevent further gain.
9. Responding to requests to expedite referrals or service complaints.
10. Flagging/raising potential risk with colleagues overseeing relevant care and making onward referral where indicated.
11. Liaison with internal colleagues (e.g., Tier 4, Diabetes, Cardiology, etc.), primary care, and commissioners (ICB) where appropriate.
12. Leading Complex case MDT and supporting clinical decision making.
13. Supervision of nurses and other clinicians within the medical pathway as it develops.
14. Opportunity to promote Obesity Best Care Protocol and improved outcomes for a highly stigmatised patient group.
15. Advocacy for patient group within primary and secondary care.
16. Support more efficient decision making and faster throughput to treatment via robust Triage and screening.
17. Opportunity to contribute to wider evidence base in Tier 3 services through audit and evaluation.
18. Letters from MDT.
19. Service promotion within wider ICS.
20. Training within team and wider Healthcare community.
Person Specification
Qualifications
* MBBS or equivalent medical qualification MRCGP.
* Full General Medical Council registration.
* Intercalated BSc, BA or equivalent.
* SCOPE obesity accredited.
Clinical Experience
* Have completed at least four years (full time equivalent) post full registration as a medical practitioner. Equivalent service and competencies is also acceptable.
* Experience in prescribing GLP-1 receptor agonist medications for weight management or other indications (e.g. diabetes).
* Clinical experience in weight management.
* Multi morbidity/long term conditions experience.
Commitment to Specialty
* Demonstrable interest in obesity / weight / trauma-informed care.
* 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.
* Familiar with clinical governance.
* A willingness to accept responsibility and provide leadership.
* Awareness of current relevant developments within the wider NHS.
* Determination to have a key role in establishing and developing the service.
* Experience of clinical governance.
Personal Attributes:
* Flexibility and willingness to share clinical responsibility for patients.
* Conscientiousness to ensure careful transfer of care.
* Excellent interpersonal skills.
* Ability to communicate effectively with clinical, academic, and managerial colleagues.
* Able to work cooperatively as a team member.
* Ability to self-motivate.
Skills
* Capacity to communicate effectively.
* Capacity to take in others' perspectives and treat others with understanding, compassion, and respect.
* Contribution to teamwork.
* Capacity to achieve a balance between urgent and important demands.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
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