Job summary
The post holder will be joining a group of dynamic andfriendly consultants in delivering high quality care for stroke patients. Thesuccessful applicant will work within the stroke medical team to support thecontinued development of the Trusts highly regarded Stroke Service and provideexpertise and support to the Hyper-Acute Stroke Unit and dedicated StrokeRehabilitation Unit.
We are keen to explore a candidates interests and try totailor a post to these, appreciating that a consultant working in a team withintheir area of interest is a valuable asset in driving forward servicedevelopment. Our existing consultant team comes from a wide range ofbackgrounds (including geriatrics, general medicine, acute medicine,neuro-rehabilitation) and provide a breadth of knowledge that is invaluable tothe service. We would be keen to add to that expertise and allow professionaldevelopment and job satisfaction.
Main duties of the job
You will support the team of junior doctors and dedicatedspecialist nurses and work within the wider MDT to achieve optimal patientoutcomes. The role will involve participation in our reperfusion on-callservice including thrombolysis and selecting patients for mechanicalthrombectomy at our local neurosciences centre.As a well-respected centre for collaborative stroke research there isthe opportunity to be at the forefront of stroke research delivery in alldomains and to enable innovative service improvement in order to provideoutstanding patient care.
The ideal candidate should have appropriate training asoutlined in the job specification and a well -developed medical knowledge,allowing the ability and confidence to function decisively and autonomously.Candidates should be hard-working, dependable, collegial, and professional inkeeping with GMC good medical practice.
About us
If you are being interviewed you must accept an interview slot in the system to continue, even if you have arranged with the manager
You must be able to produce ALL certificates stated essential in the person specification or you will not be able to complete pre-employment checks
We provide hospital services from two acute sites - Darlington Memorial Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham. We have a centre for planned care in Bishop Auckland and provide care from community hospitals in Chester-le-Street, Shotley Bridge, Barnard Castle, Sedgefield and Weardale as well as over 80 other community based settings and providing care in patients' homes.
We particularly welcome applications from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as BAME and disabled people are currently under-represented
From April 1 2024 we are unable to offer sponsorship for healthcare roles that do not meet the minimum salary, If you are in the UK on a VISA please ensure you have no restrictions that would prevent you from taking this post.
Full Job Descriptions can be found in the adverts supporting documents
Job description
Job responsibilities
Basedprimarily at UHND or BAH to provide in-patient and out-patient services.
Toundertake clinical work in conjunction with colleagues and other professionalstaff in order to maintain and develop stroke services and develop specialistskills in accordance with the needs of patients.
Responsiblein conjunction with colleagues for planning future developments of our strokecare pathway and stroke services.
Tomaintain continuing responsibility for the care of patients in their chargeand to provide a collaborative support to consultant colleagues in otherclinical disciplines in the hospital, and to general practitioners in CountyDurham and Darlington.
To covercolleagues in their absence and ensure continuous patient care.
Theprofessional and educational supervision of junior staff.
Participatein the postgraduate teaching of medical staff and undergraduates attached tothe Trust and in the training of all grades of staff across disciplines.
Toactively lead and develop research and innovation activities within strokeservices.
ContinuingProfessional Development (CPD) - The post-holder is responsible for ensuringthat he/she meets the national requirements for CPD, both internal and external. Youwill be expected to attend regularly,and contribute to, the weekly half-day educational activities held by the CareGroup. The Trust supports requirements for CPD as laid down by the RoyalColleges and is committed to providing support for these activities.
Toactively and regularly participate in clinical audit.
Thepost-holder will be expected to deputise in the absence of colleagues in casesof annual leave, study leave and sickness as far as practicable.
Whereappropriate, to work on behalf of the Trust to provide appropriateconsultations and services for other agencies.
To befamiliar with, and follow, national guidance and Trust policies, procedures andguidelines in relation to patient care, health and safety, governance andequality of opportunity.
PROPOSED TIMETABLE AND JOB PLAN
The final job plan/on-call arrangements will be agreed inpartnership prior to appointment. Thestroke service is committed to increasing flexibility in working hours andextended-days may be considered to suit the needs of the candidate and service.
It is anticipated that each PA of direct clinical time willattract a further PA of admin time.
Upon starting, a formal job plan will be agreed between theappointee and their clinical lead within the first 6 months, and approved bythe Medical Director. The job plan will then be reviewed annually in accordancewith the Trust policy on Consultant Job Planning.
We would be keen to discuss this in more detail withinterested candidates.
The post currently includes:
Commitmentto being on-call on a 1 in 6 basis
Participationof Physician of the week 1 in 6 (ward rounds)
Hyper-AcuteStroke Unit admissions
Outpatientclinics, including TIA and stroke follow-up
Supportingconsultant cover on our rehabilitation ward
The post-holder will be expected to deputise inthe absence of colleagues in cases of annual leave, study leave and sickness asfar as is practicable and ensure continuous patient care.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
1. MB BS degree or equivalent
2. Full registration with GMC
3. MRCP or Equivalent.
4. CCT or equivalent in an appropriate speciality and on the specialist register
Desirable
5. Preferably sub-speciality CCT in stroke medicine and CCT in GIM or entry on specialist register expected within 6 months or applied for entry
Statutory Registration
Essential
6. Full registration with GMC and inclusion on specialist register (or pending in next 6 months)
Experience
Essential
7. Independent ward rounds of acute inpatients presenting with stroke
8. Comprehensive patient management including other general medical conditions
9. Ability to make decisions at consultant level and take responsibility for the care of patients.
10. Knowledge and ability to assess potential candidates for reperfusion therapies related to stroke including IV thrombolysis and thrombectomy, and for neurosurgical referral
11. Recent experience and familiarity of UK hospital systems and practices (or equivalent)
12. Evidence of appropriate experience in stroke medicine and acute inpatient care
13. Able to take responsibility for delivering service without direct supervision
14. Up to date knowledge and evidence of continued professional development relevant to stroke medicine
15. Knowledge of NHS priorities with reference to stroke
16. Awareness of managerial role of a consultant in NHS and the ability to provide appropriate leadership within this role
17. Ability to organise and prioritise workload effectively
18. Ability to plan strategically and to exercise sound judgments when faced with conflicting issues
19. Ability to motivate and develop the multi-disciplinary team
20. Excellent communication skills and empathy
21. Flexibility to respond to changing patterns of work in line with service change
22. Computer literate - confident in using Microsoft office, e- mail, internet
Desirable
23. Evidence of involvement in service improvement and or patient safety projects
24. Rehabilitation expertise pertaining to stroke patients including spasticity management
25. Experience of teaching and training medical and non-medical staff and undergraduates across healthcare professions
26. Experience in clinical governance
27. Experience of protocol / pathway
28. Development and influence in change in management
29. Evidence of delivery of a significant quality improvement project
Special Skills & Knowledge
Essential
30. Previous active involvement in audit and QiP work
31. Evidence of active teaching of undergraduates, junior doctors, nurses or allied health professionals
32. Evidence of previous research experience or clinical effectiveness work
Desirable
33. Involvement in research, including previous CI / PI role where applicable
34. Leadership of an audit project
35. Certificate of Medical Education or other educational qualification
36. Willingness to become involved in departmental research projects and to lead some research or academic development