Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust

Locum Consultant Rheumatologist

The closing date is 21 September 2025

Job summary

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.

About us

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

Details

Date posted

05 September 2025

Pay scheme

Hospital medical and dental staff

Grade

Consultant

Salary

£109,725 to £145,478 a year Per annum/pro rata

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Job share

Reference number

359-MSD7419031

Job locations

Maidstone Hospital

Hermitage Lane

MAIDSTONE

ME16 9QQ


Job description

Job 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 Trusts patients, and to make a contribution to future thinking about the Trusts 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 Trusts 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.

Job description

Job 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 Trusts patients, and to make a contribution to future thinking about the Trusts 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 Trusts 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

  • 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

  • Higher degrees e.g. MSc, MD, PhD
  • A sub-specialist or relevant non-clinical interest
  • Full competence in use of MSK USS

Audit

Essential

  • Evidence of participation in audit projects

Desirable

  • Evidence of designing and leading audit project, with completion of the audit cycle

Research

Essential

  • An understanding of general principles, scientific method and interpretation of literature

Desirable

  • Evidence of personal research projects and their presentation
  • Publications in peer-reviewed journals
  • Up to date GCP training
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • 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

  • Higher degrees e.g. MSc, MD, PhD
  • A sub-specialist or relevant non-clinical interest
  • Full competence in use of MSK USS

Audit

Essential

  • Evidence of participation in audit projects

Desirable

  • Evidence of designing and leading audit project, with completion of the audit cycle

Research

Essential

  • An understanding of general principles, scientific method and interpretation of literature

Desirable

  • Evidence of personal research projects and their presentation
  • Publications in peer-reviewed journals
  • Up to date GCP training

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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).

Employer details

Employer name

Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust

Address

Maidstone Hospital

Hermitage Lane

MAIDSTONE

ME16 9QQ


Employer's website

https://www.mtw.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust

Address

Maidstone Hospital

Hermitage Lane

MAIDSTONE

ME16 9QQ


Employer's website

https://www.mtw.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Lead Rheumatologist

Dr Bella Waller

arabellawaller@nhs.net

07514984256

Details

Date posted

05 September 2025

Pay scheme

Hospital medical and dental staff

Grade

Consultant

Salary

£109,725 to £145,478 a year Per annum/pro rata

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Job share

Reference number

359-MSD7419031

Job locations

Maidstone Hospital

Hermitage Lane

MAIDSTONE

ME16 9QQ


Supporting documents

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