Job summary
London North West Healthcare NHS Trust is seeking to appoint enthusiastic and passionate Consultants in Acute Medicine to join our dynamic and innovative team. This is an exciting and unique opportunity to work in a fast-paced and well-supported environment where delivering excellent patient care is at the heart of our service. We are seeking two colleagues to join the team based at Northwick Park Hospital, initially on a locum basis.
Northwick Park is a Major Acute Hospital with a busy medical take and an established reputation for patients presenting with a very wide range of medical conditions with a high degree of acuity. Recognition of the vital role that is played by Acute Medicine has seen the Trust make a substantial investment in the service. This will enable the department to develop three Acute Medical Unit wards (on a phased approach) with patients remaining under the care of the acute team for their duration on the unit. In addition the team runs the award-winning Ambulatory Emergency Care Unit and the well-established Medical High Dependency Unit. Participation in HDU will be optional dependent on previous experience and competencies.
The post holders will join six acute medicine consultants, fourteen acute/specialty consultants and thirty-three specialty medical consultants who together are responsible for providing the acute and general internal medicine service at Northwick Park Hospital.
Main duties of the job
These posts will contribute pro rata to the Acute Medicine Rotas in operation at the time of appointment and as they change with service reconfiguration. The medical team at Northwick Park takes around 90 to 120 referrals per day. Around 1/3 of these are streamed via the Same Day Emergency Care pathways, seen on the Ambulatory Care Units. Staffing of take, Ambulatory Care, AMU wards and HDU is being brought in line with RCP recommended staffing ratios with these new appointments.
The job plans at Northwick Park are annualised such that commitments are delivered over 42.4 weeks of the year (ie 318 DPA and 106 SPA per year).
This job is also available as permanent.
More details in the Job Description.
About us
London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust is one of the largest integrated care Trusts in the country bringing together hospital and community services across the boroughs of Brent, Harrow and Ealing. Our 9,000 staff, including 1,300 doctors and 4,000 nurses and serves a diverse population of approximately 850,000.The Trust was established in October 2014 following the merger of The North West London Hospitals NHS Trust and Ealing Hospital NHS Trust and has an annual budget of over £640 million.
This is a pivotal time for the Trust as we pursue a transformational programme of activity to improve the way healthcare is delivered across the acute and community settings in North West London. To evolve as an organisation, we must create an identity and culture that will support the ambitions we have for our services 'to provide excellent clinical care in the right setting by being compassionate, responsive and innovative.'
During this exciting period of opportunity and change, we have a clear plan to address our challenges and with the commitment of our teams we are making significant progress.
We continue to lead the way in a number of clinical services. Examples of excellence can be seen in our stroke service which is rated the best in the country and at St.Mark's Hospital, an internationally renowned specialist centre for colorectal diseases. We are also a leading provider in undergraduate and postgraduate medical training and education.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Acute Medicine (Northwick Park) with optional High Dependency Medicine.
The Acute Medicine service at Northwick Park University Healthcare NHS Trust has seen an exponential rise in demand over the last two decades following the closure of emergency and general medical services at a number of neighbouring hospitals. Regional placement of acute specialty services (vascular surgery and hyper- acute stroke units), have also added to the demand for Acute and General Medicine Services at our site.
Commensurate with this high demand for quality services, the Trust has generously supported a number of new consultant appointments along with appropriate junior medical, nursing, therapist and administrative staff. These two full-time NHS locum consultant appointments (10 Programmed Activities: 7.5 direct clinical and 2.5 supporting programmed activities) will add to the team of six acute, twelve acute/specialty and thirty-three specialty consultants, who together are responsible for providing the acute General Medicine Service at Northwick Park University Healthcare NHS Trust. We are planning to recruit up to 6 additional substantive roles in the longer term.
The Acute Medicine service is an integral part of the Urgent & Emergency Medicine Division. The service cares for a range of patients across Ambulatory Care, the Acute Medical Unit and the Medical High Dependency Unit.
Acute Medical Unit
The 74-bedded Acute Medical Unit is based over three wards (Crick, Darwin and Carroll) next to the Emergency Department, which has been extensively developed within the last five years to provide a state of the art environment. In addition a 33-bedded Older Persons Short Stay Unit is run by the Care of the Elderly department.
We continue to work on patient flow processes to ensure that all acute medical patients requiring admission are initially assessed and managed on one of these four wards.
We provide direct hands-on consultant cover for the Assessment Service thirteen hours per day, seven days per week and we envisage more changes to working practices in the future to enable us to meet all the required Quality Standards for Emergency Care as well as providing outstanding care for acutely ill medical patients.
Ambulatory Emergency Care UnitOur award winning Northwick Park Ambulatory Emergency Care Unit (AECU) was opened in March 2013 and currently receives up to 300 patients per week removing up to 30% of the acute medical take from in-patient areas. A variety of pathway and non-pathway conditions are treated on the unit, which is manned by acute physicians as per rota, supervising a dedicated team of advanced nurse practitioners, medical registrars and core trainees. The AECU is open seven days a week and is comprehensively equipped with diagnostics including ultrasound, ECHO and access to CT with specialist team input. The unit is continuing to grow and develop novel means of treating acute medical disease.
Medical High Dependency UnitThe Medical HDU is a six-bedded unit co-located with ITU and the level 1 Enhanced ward. Patients with critical care needs including nasal high flow oxygen, CPAP, NIV and vasosuppressor support can be cared for in the unit. mHDU is run by a combination of respiratory and acute physicians. Participation in HDU cover is optional depending on previous critical care experience.
The Acute Medicine Service has a strong multi-disciplinary ethos supported by our excellent Matrons, dedicated Administrative staff and a seven day therapy service.
We are particularly lucky to be supported by an outstanding management team. The Acute Medical units on both sites are supported by training and trust grade registrars and junior doctors. We have an award winning scheme for recruitment of Trust Grade Rotation SHOs. We recognize that our Acute Medicine Service must continue to evolve to meet the needs of our local community. We welcome applications from individuals who seek to innovate and introduce best practice.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Acute Medicine (Northwick Park) with optional High Dependency Medicine.
The Acute Medicine service at Northwick Park University Healthcare NHS Trust has seen an exponential rise in demand over the last two decades following the closure of emergency and general medical services at a number of neighbouring hospitals. Regional placement of acute specialty services (vascular surgery and hyper- acute stroke units), have also added to the demand for Acute and General Medicine Services at our site.
Commensurate with this high demand for quality services, the Trust has generously supported a number of new consultant appointments along with appropriate junior medical, nursing, therapist and administrative staff. These two full-time NHS locum consultant appointments (10 Programmed Activities: 7.5 direct clinical and 2.5 supporting programmed activities) will add to the team of six acute, twelve acute/specialty and thirty-three specialty consultants, who together are responsible for providing the acute General Medicine Service at Northwick Park University Healthcare NHS Trust. We are planning to recruit up to 6 additional substantive roles in the longer term.
The Acute Medicine service is an integral part of the Urgent & Emergency Medicine Division. The service cares for a range of patients across Ambulatory Care, the Acute Medical Unit and the Medical High Dependency Unit.
Acute Medical Unit
The 74-bedded Acute Medical Unit is based over three wards (Crick, Darwin and Carroll) next to the Emergency Department, which has been extensively developed within the last five years to provide a state of the art environment. In addition a 33-bedded Older Persons Short Stay Unit is run by the Care of the Elderly department.
We continue to work on patient flow processes to ensure that all acute medical patients requiring admission are initially assessed and managed on one of these four wards.
We provide direct hands-on consultant cover for the Assessment Service thirteen hours per day, seven days per week and we envisage more changes to working practices in the future to enable us to meet all the required Quality Standards for Emergency Care as well as providing outstanding care for acutely ill medical patients.
Ambulatory Emergency Care UnitOur award winning Northwick Park Ambulatory Emergency Care Unit (AECU) was opened in March 2013 and currently receives up to 300 patients per week removing up to 30% of the acute medical take from in-patient areas. A variety of pathway and non-pathway conditions are treated on the unit, which is manned by acute physicians as per rota, supervising a dedicated team of advanced nurse practitioners, medical registrars and core trainees. The AECU is open seven days a week and is comprehensively equipped with diagnostics including ultrasound, ECHO and access to CT with specialist team input. The unit is continuing to grow and develop novel means of treating acute medical disease.
Medical High Dependency UnitThe Medical HDU is a six-bedded unit co-located with ITU and the level 1 Enhanced ward. Patients with critical care needs including nasal high flow oxygen, CPAP, NIV and vasosuppressor support can be cared for in the unit. mHDU is run by a combination of respiratory and acute physicians. Participation in HDU cover is optional depending on previous critical care experience.
The Acute Medicine Service has a strong multi-disciplinary ethos supported by our excellent Matrons, dedicated Administrative staff and a seven day therapy service.
We are particularly lucky to be supported by an outstanding management team. The Acute Medical units on both sites are supported by training and trust grade registrars and junior doctors. We have an award winning scheme for recruitment of Trust Grade Rotation SHOs. We recognize that our Acute Medicine Service must continue to evolve to meet the needs of our local community. We welcome applications from individuals who seek to innovate and introduce best practice.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- CCT in General Internal Medicine (or expected within six months of interview)
- MRCP or equivalent
- ALS certificate (active)
Desirable
- CCT in Acute Medicine (or expected within six months of interview)
- Experience of High Dependency and Intensive Care Medicine
Registration
Essential
- Entry on Specialist Register in General Internal Medicine and Acute Medicine (or entry expected within six months of interview)
Knowledge & Expertise
Essential
- Clinical training and experience equivalent to that required for gaining UK CCT in Acute and General Internal Medicine.
- Clinical training, experience and leadership in High Dependency Unit environment
- Ability to take full and independent responsibility for clinical care of complex acute medicine patients
- Experience of working in a Medical/Acute Assessment Unit
- Ability to take full and independent responsibility for the management of acute medical emergencies
- Experience of working in a multi-cultural environment
Desirable
- Clinical training and experience in intensive care medicine
Teaching
Essential
- Experience in undergraduate clinical teaching
- Ability to teach clinical skills to medical and nursing staff and other disciplines
Desirable
- Training in medical education including work based assessments, educational supervision and appraisal
Management and Audit
Essential
- An understanding of the current NHS environment, particularly in relation to reforms, initiatives and issues
- An understanding of challenges to LNWH NHS Trust and strategic objectives
- Understanding of the importance of audit
- Management course
- Record of relevant audits
Research & publications
Essential
- Experience in research and potential to develop and execute clinical research projects
Desirable
- Relevant research publications in peer-reviewed journals
Personal skills
Essential
- Enjoys busy working environment and working in a team
- Ability to communicate fluently in English.
- A compassionate approach to patients
- Ability to organise and prioritise workload effectively
- Ability to plan strategically, execute tasks and to exercise sound judgment when faced with conflicting pressures
- Ability to motivate and develop the multi-disciplinary team, balancing departmental and personal objectives
- Ability to engage in and lead change management.
Desirable
- Has demonstrated qualities of team leadership
- Proven ability to lead a team in an acute assessment/high dependency unit setting
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- CCT in General Internal Medicine (or expected within six months of interview)
- MRCP or equivalent
- ALS certificate (active)
Desirable
- CCT in Acute Medicine (or expected within six months of interview)
- Experience of High Dependency and Intensive Care Medicine
Registration
Essential
- Entry on Specialist Register in General Internal Medicine and Acute Medicine (or entry expected within six months of interview)
Knowledge & Expertise
Essential
- Clinical training and experience equivalent to that required for gaining UK CCT in Acute and General Internal Medicine.
- Clinical training, experience and leadership in High Dependency Unit environment
- Ability to take full and independent responsibility for clinical care of complex acute medicine patients
- Experience of working in a Medical/Acute Assessment Unit
- Ability to take full and independent responsibility for the management of acute medical emergencies
- Experience of working in a multi-cultural environment
Desirable
- Clinical training and experience in intensive care medicine
Teaching
Essential
- Experience in undergraduate clinical teaching
- Ability to teach clinical skills to medical and nursing staff and other disciplines
Desirable
- Training in medical education including work based assessments, educational supervision and appraisal
Management and Audit
Essential
- An understanding of the current NHS environment, particularly in relation to reforms, initiatives and issues
- An understanding of challenges to LNWH NHS Trust and strategic objectives
- Understanding of the importance of audit
- Management course
- Record of relevant audits
Research & publications
Essential
- Experience in research and potential to develop and execute clinical research projects
Desirable
- Relevant research publications in peer-reviewed journals
Personal skills
Essential
- Enjoys busy working environment and working in a team
- Ability to communicate fluently in English.
- A compassionate approach to patients
- Ability to organise and prioritise workload effectively
- Ability to plan strategically, execute tasks and to exercise sound judgment when faced with conflicting pressures
- Ability to motivate and develop the multi-disciplinary team, balancing departmental and personal objectives
- Ability to engage in and lead change management.
Desirable
- Has demonstrated qualities of team leadership
- Proven ability to lead a team in an acute assessment/high dependency unit setting
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).
