Job summary
- Main area
- Medicine
- Grade
- NHS Medical & Dental: Locum Consultant
- Contract
- 12 months (fixed term)
- Hours
- Full time
- Part time
- Job share
- Job ref
- 359-MSD7419031
- Employer
- Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Maidstone Hospital
- Town
- MAIDSTONE
- Salary
- £109,725 - £145,478 Per annum/pro rata
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 21/09/2025 23:59
Employer heading
Locum Consultant Rheumatologist
NHS Medical & Dental: Locum Consultant
Job overview
This is an appointment to the Specialty Medical Directorate which provides clinical services at both Maidstone Hospital and Tunbridge Wells Hospital. There are opportunities to undertake outreach clinic in local community hospitals. Job share and less than full time applicants are welcome. The full-time post-holder will undertake five out-patient clinic sessions in Rheumatology across the sites.
The new consultant will participate in quality improvement and service development across the trust. Successful applicant will provide leadership and supervision to the multidisciplinary team, including registrars and nurse specialists. The rheumatology consultant team shares additional responsibilities including provision of advice and guidance for primary care colleagues, triaging of referrals and reviewing ward referrals. Development of sub-specialty interests and relevant non-clinical skills are strongly encouraged. Participation in General Medicine/Acute Medicine is optional.
Depending on the quality of applicants, the trust is prepared to appoint multiple candidates.
Main duties of the job
The successful candidate will join the team of Rheumatologists who currently provide local services across the Trust. The Rheumatology department runs dedicated early synovitis, connective tissue disease, ultrasound and osteoporosis clinics. There is a weekly biologic MDM. The department delivers a high-quality audited biologic program that has published outcomes. We have a weekly MDT for switchers. Currently c.1600 new referrals are seen in the clinics each year along with c. 7400 follow-up appointments. There is access to an ultrasound machine at both sites.
The department aims to formalise existing partnership with other specialties (ophthalmology, respiratory, renal), so that patients benefit from continuous improvement in care quality.
Clinicians from our trust are engaged in regional initiatives, including the design of high cost drug pathways and participation in Large Vessel Vasculitis MDT and sitting on a regional MDT for HLH. A Rheumatological special interest is encouraged and would be an advantage. The successful candidate will ideally contribute to in research and will be active in nurse and junior doctor education/development. Active participation in audit and clinical governance is expected.
Dual training in General Medicine and contributing to the medical on call rota would be welcome, but optional.
This position is for an initial 12 months contract, with opportunity for extension and/or conversion into a long term substantive position.
Working for our organisation
Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust
The Trust was established in April 2000 through the merger of Mid Kent Healthcare Trust and Kent & Sussex Weald NHS Trust. It provides general hospital care to ~590,000 people in West Kent and North East Sussex, and specialist cancer services to ~1.8 million. Its main hospitals are Tunbridge Wells Hospital (TWH) in Pembury and Maidstone Hospital (MGH), where the Trust HQ is also based. Key personnel include: Chair: Dr Annette Doherty, Chief Executive: Mr Miles Scott, Chief Medical Officer: Dr Sara Mumford
Clinical services are delivered via nine Directorates. Within the Specialist Medicine Directorate (which includes Rheumatology): Lead for Rheumatology: Dr Bella Waller, Clinical Director: Dr Matt Szeto, Chief of Service (Medicine & Emergency Care): Dr Simon Webster
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
To provide a high standard of care to any patient for whom you have clinical responsibility, including any patients referred to you and cared for by you or by members of your team and any patients of consultant colleagues when you are covering for leave.
To participate in clinical and service developments with the aim of ensuring a high standard of patient care across the Trust.
To work in close co-operation with other medical, professional and managerial colleagues, both within and outside the specialty, to provide high quality health care to the Trust’s patients, and to make a contribution to future thinking about the Trust’s strategic direction.
To participate fully in and share leadership of the clinical governance of the specialty covering its Trust-wide activities. To attend clinical governance half-days as detailed in the Trust’s Guide to Job Planning unless on agreed leave or while attending emergencies.
To participate actively in departmental audits, sharing co-ordination of audit activities within the department and implementation of change.
To take an active responsibility for undergraduate and postgraduate teaching, training and supervision.
To assume responsibility, both personally and corporately with consultant colleagues, for the management of junior medical staff. You are expected to be involved in their professional development, both clinical and personal as per guidance from the Deanery.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- Registered with GMC
- MB BS (or equivalent)
- MRCP or equivalent
- Broad experience of Rheumatological medicine
- On GMC Specialist Register for Rheumatology (or within 6 months of CCT date)
Desirable criteria
- Higher degrees e.g. MSc, MD, PhD
- A sub-specialist or relevant non-clinical interest
- Full competence in use of MSK USS
Audit
Essential criteria
- Evidence of participation in audit projects
Desirable criteria
- Evidence of designing and leading audit project, with completion of the audit cycle
Research
Essential criteria
- An understanding of general principles, scientific method and interpretation of literature
Desirable criteria
- Evidence of personal research projects and their presentation
- Publications in peer-reviewed journals
- Up to date GCP training
Employer certification / accreditation badges
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.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Dr Bella Waller
- Job title
- Lead Rheumatologist
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 07514984256
- Additional information
or additionally - please contact
Service Manager Rheumatology, temp Endo/Diab & NAHAU
Medical Specialities
07514984256
Mon 8 am – 4 pm, Tues to Fri 8 am – 3pm
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