Job summary
- Main area
- rheumatology
- Grade
- NHS Medical & Dental: Consultant
- Contract
- Permanent: Maternity cover
- Hours
- Full time - 10 sessions per week (Current job plan has NWT on thurs PM and all day friday (except for ward weeks))
- Job ref
- 279-MWWTGCONRHEUM-675
- Employer
- University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Worthing Hospital
- Town
- Worthing
- Salary
- £109,725 - £145,478 Per Annum
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 05/11/2026 23:59
Employer heading
Consultant Rheumatologist
NHS Medical & Dental: Consultant
Job overview
We are seeking to appoint a substantive Consultant Rheumatologist. The appointee will work with Consultant colleagues to provide a comprehensive service for residents across West Sussex. The Rheumatology department is part of the MSK Directorate including Trauma and Orthopaedics and Pain Management. The post will be based predominantly at Worthing and Southlands Hospitals. However there will be some sessions at other Trust locations if and when required.
The post offers an excellent opportunity for you to develop as a Consultant and also contribute to service development.
Main duties of the job
- Outpatient clinics: assessment of all new patients at their first appointment; review of follow-up patients; discussion and review of follow-up patients seen by Speciality Doctors and clinical nurse specialists (CNS); joint injections and other procedures.
- Ward referrals and other DCC duties: specialist review of inpatients referred by other medical teams with rheumatic complaints; weekly combined radiology MDT.
- Administrative duties directly related to this: out-patient clinic letter dictation and signing; blood and imaging report signing; result letter dictation; GP referral letter grading; prescription of biologic drugs, parenteral osteoporosis and DMARD medication; medical report writing.
- Telephone and email advice: giving advice on the management of rheumatic diseases to GPs, allied health professionals, other specialists.
- Clinical audit: writing local audit proposals and reports; collecting clinical audit data; presenting results; participation in regional and national clinical audits (data collection).
- Clinical and educational supervision of CNSs and clinical assistants
- Involvement with the Trust Clinical Governance programme. There will be a commitment to supporting the education of medical students from Brighton (BSMS) in their placements, and the potential to develop managerial and research interests. There are strong links to the KSS Deanery and Brighton & Sussex Medical School.
- Rheumatology On-Call Commitment: None
Working for our organisation
Working for our organisation
At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always deliver Excellent Care Everywhere, as shown in our Outstanding for Caring CQC rating. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of staff networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 3) and a Veteran Aware Trust.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Outpatient clinics: assessment of all new patients at their first appointment; review of follow-up patients; discussion and review of follow-up patients seen by Speciality Doctors and clinical nurse specialists (CNS); joint injections and other procedures.
· Ward referrals and other DCC duties: specialist review of inpatients referred by other medical teams with rheumatic complaints; weekly combined radiology MDT.
· Administrative duties directly related to this: out-patient clinic letter dictation and signing; blood and imaging report signing; result letter dictation; GP referral letter grading; prescription of biologic drugs, parenteral osteoporosis and DMARD medication; medical report writing.
· Telephone and email advice: giving advice on the management of rheumatic diseases to GPs, allied health professionals, other specialists.
· Clinical audit: writing local audit proposals and reports; collecting clinical audit data; presenting results; participation in regional and national clinical audits (data collection).
· Clinical and educational supervision of CNSs and clinical assistants
· Involvement with the Trust Clinical Governance programme. There will be a commitment to supporting the education of medical students from Brighton (BSMS) in their placements, and the potential to develop managerial and research interests. There are strong links to the KSS Deanery and Brighton & Sussex Medical School.
Person specification
Essential
Essential criteria
- Basic medical degree
- FRC/MRC specialty - e.g. FRCS, MRCP, etc. or its recognised equivalent.
- Full and specialist registration (with a licence to practise) with the GMC or be eligible for registration within six months of the interview. • If you trained in the UK, you must also have a Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) in Rheumatology or be within six months of receiving it by the interview date. • If you trained outside the UK, you must provide evidence that your qualifications are equivalent to the UK CCT. (Equivalence must be confirmed by GMC by date of AAC)
Desirable criteria
- Higher Degree
- PhD Rheumatology
Clinical Skills & Experience
Essential criteria
- • Evidence of advanced skills in management of general rheumatology and rare autoimmune rheumatic conditions
- • Evidence of interest in CTD/ vasculitis
- • Evidence of competency injecting joints
- • Understanding of clinical risk management
Knowledge
Desirable criteria
- • Breadth of experience in and outside specialty
Organisation & Planning
Essential criteria
- • Experience and ability to work in multi-professional teams.
- • Understanding of: NHS / Clinical governance / Resource constraints
Desirable criteria
- • Evidence of managerial skills: Achievements / Course attended
Teaching Skills
Essential criteria
- • Evidence of an interest and commitment to teaching
Desirable criteria
- • Recognised teaching qualification
Academic and Research
Essential criteria
- • Evidence of participation in audit
Desirable criteria
- Research experience
- Publications
- • Prizes and honours
Career Progression
Essential criteria
- • Appropriate progression of career to date
Personal Attributes
Essential criteria
- • Evidence of:- Good communication skills both oral and written
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 Alastair Hepburn
- Job title
- Consultant Rheumatologist
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 01903205111
- Additional information
Dr Alastair Hepburn, Consultant Rheumatologist or Mr Madhu Rao, Clinical Director
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