Job responsibilities
Applications are invited for the post of a Consultant general paediatrician with an interest in neonatology. We are looking for an enthusiastic and highly motivated colleague to join our established team. Further subspecialty interests to complement those of the department would be welcomed. There are currently 7 programmed activities available for this post, although applications for those wishing to work less than full time, or wishing to work increased hours are welcome, and we would encourage you to discuss your interest. The successful candidate will join the existing paediatricians in providing neonatal cover in a service-week style rota, increasing from to a 1:7 in line with new BAPM recommendations. Outpatient based general paediatric/subspecialty commitments are undertaken when not on acute service.
The acute general paediatric ward is covered by 12 other consultants on a separate rota, although support is given when known patients or very small infants are admitted.
The Trust has clear objectives in terms of delivering excellent, safe and effective patient care and aims for services that are positively rated by patients, families and stakeholders. The Acute Trust has merged with the local community partnership Trust (1st April 2020), to enhance the working together across these services. The Trust merged with the nearby Yeovil Hospital Trust (1st April 2023) to provide equity of services throughout the county of Somerset, although this post would be based in Musgrove Park site (Taunton) for acute on call. Some clinics maybe provided in community locations or GP surgeries.
Taunton is in a beautiful part of the country and has all the benefits of a modern county town, whilst being only minutes from spectacular areas of outstanding natural beauty and dramatic coastlines. Both road and rail links are excellent, with frequent trains to London (1 hour 45 minutes) and the M5 close by.
- Professionally accountable to: Medical Director via Clinical Director and Clinical Lead
- Managerially accountable to: Chief Executive via Service Director
- Base: Musgrove Park Hospital, Taunton
Main duties of the Post
The post holder will provide consultant cover in a hot-week style on the neonatal unit on a 1:7 basis, providing care for infants on the neonatal unit, post-natal wards, and deliveries, and supervising junior staff. This includes 1:7 consultant out of hours on call for the neonatal unit. There is an expectation that the hot week neonatal Consultant will support the General Paediatric team in the care of acutely unwell children less than 10kg requiring HDU or ITU care.
The post-holder will provide out-patient services including general Paediatric clinics on the remaining weeks. Opportunities exist for a specialist interest clinic. Interests that complement those already in the department are encouraged. The post-holder may also contribute to the regular safeguarding clinics, providing assessments of physical safeguarding concerns. The department also provides a primary care referral triage/advice service, which the appointee would be expected to contribute to. The majority of clinics happen on the Musgrove Park site, however there is increasing expansion to providing clinics in other settings such as GP surgeries, or peripheral hospitals.
Interested candidates who are looking for less than full time, or increased hours are encouraged to contact us to discuss options.
It is important that the successful candidate shares the commitment of the department for excellence in clinical service and the policy of continuing development of innovative service delivery and high-quality training for all staff. They will be approachable, pro-active and able to provide advice and support to colleagues, junior doctors and members of the multidisciplinary team. The successful candidate will be able to work with a variety of professional people and participate fully as a member of a team working to develop and extend the Paediatric service. As well as caring for young people and their families we are looking for an individual who will care for themselves and the rest of the team that they work with.
All qualified staff have a responsibility to supervise unqualified/more junior staff and students on a day-to-day basis to ensure that patients receive appropriate care and that any untoward action is addressed.
In summary the post holder will contribute to the following clinical services:
- Inpatient care for babies on the neonatal unit and post-natal wards
- Hospital or primary care based general Paediatric and specialist interest clinics
- Supervision and teaching of junior doctors and allied health practitioners
- The care and support of other team members and colleagues
- On call duties for all infants in the maternity unit
- SPA activity
So far as is practicable the appointees will be expected to provide cover for annual and study leave of colleagues.
- Clinical Governance & Audit
In Taunton there is an active Clinical Audit department which supports clinical projects. The appointee will be expected to actively participate in audit. They will be expected to initiate and supervise audit projects related to NICU, General Paediatrics clinic work and his/her subspecialty interest. All audit projects, including trust directed audit are approved by the Clinical Effectiveness and Audit Committee. Participation in national audits is encouraged. The appointee is also expected to:
- Participate in the Trusts appraisal and continuing professional development processes for consultants.
- Participate in the Trusts incident reporting process, particularly in respect of the reporting and investigation of clinical incidents.
- To actively seek patient and user opinion in the development and delivery of patient care.
- All clinical staff are accountable and responsible for their own clinical competence and should limit their actions to those for which they are deemed competent.
- New techniques/practices have to receive effectiveness and business case approval.
- All staff are expected to comply with all Trust policies.
- Research
Research is encouraged, particularly when this is appropriate to the professional development of the successful candidate and to the service development of the department. The unit actively partakes in Regional and multi-centre trials and it is hoped that this will be maintained and developed. Opportunities are available within the Trust with applications for funding coordinated by the Trusts Research & Development Director. Those undertaking research are expected to comply with research ethics and governance policies. Research Ethical approval is required for all studies.
- Administration & Budgetary responsibilities
Responsibility for undertaking the administrative duties associated with the care of patients and the general administration of the department. The post holder will have a designated secretary and office within the department. Computer facilities will be provided. There is a requirement for all staff to assist in maximizing the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the Department, and to achieve financial balance.
To attend and contribute to the monthly department meetings and undertake other managerial roles within the trust and department according to interest and the needs of the department.
- Cover for Colleagues and Emergencies
To provide cover for colleagues in their absence. To deal with emergencies flexibly, as the occasion demands.
The Trust regards Infection Control as crucial to the provision of a safe service to patients. All medical staff will be expected to follow the Trusts policies with regard to Infection control. Decontamination of hands between patients is regarded as an integral part of the provision of the service. If staff are observed not practicing hand decontamination between patients then it is expected that the omission will be challenged.
- Appraisal, Job Planning and Mandatory annual training
The successful candidate will be required to participate actively in the annual appraisal and job planning process as well as maintain their Continuing Professional Development and good-standing with the RCPCH. In addition they will be expected to attend the mandatory annual update training (including essential learning updates, life support training, & child protection training). These are requirements for pay progression.
