Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Consultant Rheumatologist to come and join our dynamic team. We can offer unrivalled work life balance being a stone's throw from the Herefords' cafes and shopping. Being situated in the heart of our community we are hard working, innovative and passionate about providing a wide range of NHS Rheumatology services to our community.
Nestling in the shadow of England's border with Wales, Herefordshire's varied offer much to discover for those of all ages: discover a bustling cathedral city, fine market towns, picturesque villages, ancient castles, modern music art and culture, churches, areas of woodland and agricultural areas that include cider apple orchards and hop yards. There are excellent schools, both state and independent. The major towns and cities close to Herefordshire, such as Bristol, Cheltenham, Cardiff, Malvern and Stratford, as well as the two neighbouring cathedral cities of Worcester and Gloucester, are all easily accessible by road and rail.
The Rheumatology Department which services the population of Herefordshire, Powys (in Wales) and Shropshire border is unique in its cross border working and in so many other ways.
Main duties of the job
Consultant Rheumatologist
Clinics can be a mix of subspecialty and general clinics. Usual mix would be 1 subspecialty clinic per week with the rest general clinics. There are specific clinics running for ankylosing spondylitis, ultrasound, transition and osteoporosis currently. There are also dedicated slots available for cyclophosphamide patients. Clinic templates currently suggest 2 new patients and 6-7 follow ups in a morning clinic and 2 new patients and 5 follow ups in an afternoon clinic.
Please see the job description attached for further details.
About us
Wye Valley NHS Trust is a member of an NHS Foundation Group with South Warwickshire NHS FT and the George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust.
We are a progressive and forward looking trust with ambitious plans to improve quality and integrate patient pathways through close collaborative working with our partners to deliver the quality of care we'd want for our family and friends.
More than 3,000 people work for the Trust - they tell us it's a great place to work, blending the busyness of a DGH with the benefits of working in a beautiful rural and unspoilt county like Herefordshire.
We can offer a great work-life balance and have a fine tradition of working with staff to help them achieve their full potential.
Russell Hardy, Trust Chairman: "The strength of the Trust is its amazing staff; a great place to work, a great place to develop your career and a great place to reach your potential."
Our values -Care, Accountability, Respect and Excellence - are at the heart of all we do. We believe in providing the right care in the right place at the right time...all the time.
Job description
Job responsibilities
This post will cover a number of general Rheumatology clinics with the option to develop specialist clinics in the individuals area of interest. We welcome applicants who can bring new skills and areas of expertise to our expanding department.
The indicative job plan is for 10 PAs though applicants interested in working part-time will also be considered
DEPARTMENTAL SUPPORT
The Department has broad clinical interests with particular subspecialty interests in early inflammatory arthritis, systemic vasculitis, ultrasound and osteoporosis. A full range of services is provided, including paediatric rheumatology (with a visiting consultant from Birmingham Childrens Hospital) and adolescent rheumatology clinics. The department has considerable expertise in musculoskeletal ultrasound and a dedicated diagnostic ultrasound machine.
Biologics service
The department has over 800 patients on biologics. This is supported by pharmacists (1.3 WTE), a biologics nurse (1.0 WTE), a full time biologics co-ordinator and a full time assistant. All patients are monitored on a dedicated biologics database.
Parenteral Cytotoxic Treatment
There are well developed systems for the prescription and administration of parenteral immunosuppression. We currently have approximately 200 patients receiving subcutaneous methotrexate and we treat approximately 10 patients per year with intravenous cyclophosphamide, usually for systemic vasculitis and connective tissue diseases.
Daycase Facilities
Intravenous cyclophosphamide, biologic therapies, pamidronate, zoledronic acid, ilpoprost, and methylprednisolone and subcutaneous methotrexate and denosumab are given on the MacMillan Renton and Fred Bulmer Units.
Inpatient Facilities
The departments policy is to, whenever possible, manage patients as outpatients. When admission is required patients are admitted to the medical wards. The majority of rheumatology ward work is generated by referrals from the general medical and orthopaedic teams rather than planned admissions which are extremely rare.
Outpatient Services
The department currently delivers clinics at the County Hospital and Llandrindod Wells Memorial Hopsital. We have a mix of face to face and virtual clinics in place. Prior to the pandemic we also offered clinics in Ross-on-Wye and Ledbury which we are aiming to re-establish in future. Our philosophy is that where possible to deliver outpatient care closer to patients homes combining community delivered clinics with virtual outpatient appointments.
The department receives approximately 1300 new referrals per annum and sees approximately 8000 follow ups.
Job description
Job responsibilities
This post will cover a number of general Rheumatology clinics with the option to develop specialist clinics in the individuals area of interest. We welcome applicants who can bring new skills and areas of expertise to our expanding department.
The indicative job plan is for 10 PAs though applicants interested in working part-time will also be considered
DEPARTMENTAL SUPPORT
The Department has broad clinical interests with particular subspecialty interests in early inflammatory arthritis, systemic vasculitis, ultrasound and osteoporosis. A full range of services is provided, including paediatric rheumatology (with a visiting consultant from Birmingham Childrens Hospital) and adolescent rheumatology clinics. The department has considerable expertise in musculoskeletal ultrasound and a dedicated diagnostic ultrasound machine.
Biologics service
The department has over 800 patients on biologics. This is supported by pharmacists (1.3 WTE), a biologics nurse (1.0 WTE), a full time biologics co-ordinator and a full time assistant. All patients are monitored on a dedicated biologics database.
Parenteral Cytotoxic Treatment
There are well developed systems for the prescription and administration of parenteral immunosuppression. We currently have approximately 200 patients receiving subcutaneous methotrexate and we treat approximately 10 patients per year with intravenous cyclophosphamide, usually for systemic vasculitis and connective tissue diseases.
Daycase Facilities
Intravenous cyclophosphamide, biologic therapies, pamidronate, zoledronic acid, ilpoprost, and methylprednisolone and subcutaneous methotrexate and denosumab are given on the MacMillan Renton and Fred Bulmer Units.
Inpatient Facilities
The departments policy is to, whenever possible, manage patients as outpatients. When admission is required patients are admitted to the medical wards. The majority of rheumatology ward work is generated by referrals from the general medical and orthopaedic teams rather than planned admissions which are extremely rare.
Outpatient Services
The department currently delivers clinics at the County Hospital and Llandrindod Wells Memorial Hopsital. We have a mix of face to face and virtual clinics in place. Prior to the pandemic we also offered clinics in Ross-on-Wye and Ledbury which we are aiming to re-establish in future. Our philosophy is that where possible to deliver outpatient care closer to patients homes combining community delivered clinics with virtual outpatient appointments.
The department receives approximately 1300 new referrals per annum and sees approximately 8000 follow ups.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Full GMC registration with Licence to Practice, and on the specialist register in rheumatology with proven skills and up-to-date experience in rheumatology Or Full GMC registration and within 6 months of obtaining specialist registration at the time of interview via CCT, CESR or European Community Rights
Desirable
- Higher degree (MD or PhD)
Skills
Essential
- Ability to cope with the demands of a DGH-based consultant
- Ability to critically assess published research and incorporate it into clinical practice where appropriate
- Ability to work effectively and constructively with management
Experience
Essential
- Experience in the management of a broad rheumatology caseload, and appropriate subspecialty training
- Willingness and ability to fulfil the key elements of the job description
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Full GMC registration with Licence to Practice, and on the specialist register in rheumatology with proven skills and up-to-date experience in rheumatology Or Full GMC registration and within 6 months of obtaining specialist registration at the time of interview via CCT, CESR or European Community Rights
Desirable
- Higher degree (MD or PhD)
Skills
Essential
- Ability to cope with the demands of a DGH-based consultant
- Ability to critically assess published research and incorporate it into clinical practice where appropriate
- Ability to work effectively and constructively with management
Experience
Essential
- Experience in the management of a broad rheumatology caseload, and appropriate subspecialty training
- Willingness and ability to fulfil the key elements of the job description
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
