Job summary
This post is for a Consultant in Cardiology with opportunities to develop sub-speciality interest (which could include but not limited to heart failure, cardiac imaging, intervention etc).
A Recent business case approved three additional full time Consultant Cardiologist posts to support the expanding work load. The vacancy will offer an exciting opportunity for a highly motivated Medic to join a dynamic, rapidly expanding team delivering multidisciplinary acute care in St Helens & Knowsley Teaching Hospitals.
Applicants are required to hold Membership of the Royal College of Physicians (UK or equivalent qualifications. Applicants must be eligible for full registration with the GMC at the time of appointment.
Applicants must have entry on the GMC Specialist Register via one of the following:
- Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT)
(The proposed CCT date must be within 6 months of the interview)
- Certificate of Eligibility for Specialist Registration (CESR)
(CESR candidates must have written GMC confirmation upon successful application)
This is a general Cardiology post with sub-specialty interest that suits the right candidate in leading and expanding services in St Helens and Knowsley Hospital Teaching Hospitals. Future collaboration in job sharing with our tertiary center is being discussed. Suitable candidates will be supported to develop and maintain their sub-specialty skills.
Interviews will take place on Wednesday, 14th December, 2022
Main duties of the job
The work schedule will be based on a standard 40-hour contract of 10 Programmed Activities (PA's), with 7.5 clinical sessions. (a minimum of 2 of these are non-direct clinical: nDCC, i.e., admin, MDT, M & M etc).
There will therefore be 2.5 SPAs, including 1.5 for revalidation and 1 to be developed over the first 6 months of the post appointment.
Additional 0.5 PA is added for contribution to weekend Rota (currently 1:8). Out of hours work outside weekends ward rounds is mainly that of telephone advice with very infrequent hospital attendance. Current compensation for this element is 5%.
The clinical timetable has been designed to attract the best candidates to this Trust. It is however; open to discussion and alteration with the aims of being in the best interests of the service and meeting individual needs:
The exact allocations for consultant's sub-specialty interests and invasive cardiology will be arranged for each consultant according to competencies and coordinated with further new sessions created as required.
About us
Our Achievements
St Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is the only acute Trust in Cheshire and Merseyside, and one of the few in the entire country, to achieve the title of OUTSTANDING, rated by the Care Quality Commission.
We provide a full range of acute adult services to our local population of circa 360,000 and provide tertiary services across a much wider area in the North West, North Wales and Isle of Man. We are a Major Trauma Unit and the Mersey Regional Burns Unit.
Our '5 Star Patient Care' strategy is at the heart of all that we do; supporting our vision to provide world class services for all our patients by getting it right for every patient, every time.
Our latest achievements include:
- Acute Trust of the Year - HSJ Awards November 2019
- Trust rates Outstanding by the CQC - Inspection August 2018
- Top 100 places to work in the NHS (NHS Employers and Health Service Journal)
- Best acute Trust in the North West for quality of care (NHS Staff Survey 2021)
- Best place to work in the North West (NHS Staff Survey 2021)
In the NHS Staff Survey 2021 the Trust scored the highest marks in the North West for the following areas:
- Standard of care
- Best place to work
- Care of patients being the Trust's priority
- Staff engagement
- Staff morale
- Compassionate and inclusive
- Providing a safe environment for staff
Job description
Job responsibilities
For more information regarding the main responsibilities and requirements essential for this role please refer to the supporting documents heading and review the job description and person specification which will outline the duties of the role including a proposed job plan.
St Helens & Knowsley Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
A £338 million (PFI) investment has re-built and modernised both Whiston and St Helens Hospitals, resulting in modern state of the art health care facilities for the treatment and care of patients. St Helens Hospital was completed in 2008 and Whiston Hospital in 2010. The hospitals include 887 inpatient beds with state-of-the-art CT and MRI facilities existing on both hospital sites. CT and MRI scanners at St Helens have also recently been upgraded including installation of a high field 3 Tesla MRI scanner. The DEXA scanner is also located at St Helens Hospital.
The Trust provides a full range of acute inpatient, outpatient, day case and emergency services to local communities of St Helens, Knowsley, parts of Halton and Liverpool. The Regional Plastic Surgery and Burns Unit also extends its services to the whole of Cheshire, Merseyside, North Wales, and the Isle of Man.
As a Trust, our aim is to provide a high-quality service to all patients. We strive to meet the best standards for professional care whilst being sensitive and responsive to the needs of individual patients. Our valued workforce is recognised for their unique skills and talents with our teams of experts winning national awards on a regular basis.
Whiston Hospital
Whiston Hospital a busy teaching hospital which provides a comprehensive range of acute Medical and Surgical Services, Emergency Services, Maternity Services, Paediatrics and Medicine for Older People. The Regional Burns and Plastic Surgery Units are also based on this site. There is a Critical Care Unit consisting of ICU, HDU, CCU and an onsite Cardiac Catheter Laboratory. The stroke consultants deliver 24/7 thrombolysis to eligible patients presenting with acute stroke. There is a 30-bed Stroke Unit which accommodates both acute stroke patients and those with rehabilitation needs.
St Helens Hospital
St Helens Hospital is an Ambulatory Care Centre providing Intermediate Care and Day Surgery. Rheumatology, Dermatology and Diabetes services are based on this site and within easy reach of other acute specialties at Whiston Hospital.
Life in Merseyside
Merseyside, which includes the great city of Liverpool, is within easy reach of North Wales, the Lake District and the Peak District and provides an interesting mix of rural and urban life.
Liverpool is a vibrant, music city which has undergone a renaissance in recent years and has recently been named European City of Culture.
High quality schools are available in Liverpool, Wirral and Rainhill areas. The area has many sports facilities including championship golf courses, several sailing clubs and one of the finest windsurfing venues in Britain. Merseysiders are renowned for their friendliness and quick-witted humour and the region sports two of the finest football teams in the Premier League.
The town of St Helens is renowned for its glassworks and rugby. The district has a population of around 340,000 and is of mixed residential, industrial, and rural character. It is situated on the edge of Merseyside, between the open countryside of Cheshire to the south and Lancashire to the north.
Manchester City Centre is a short 23 miles from Whiston Hospital; accesses to motorway networks are a short 5-minute drive (including M62 and M6).
Both Whiston and St Helens Hospitals are within easy reach of the City of Liverpool (20 minutes by car), and access to motorway networks (including M62, M6, M57 and M58) is also convenient.
Job description
Job responsibilities
For more information regarding the main responsibilities and requirements essential for this role please refer to the supporting documents heading and review the job description and person specification which will outline the duties of the role including a proposed job plan.
St Helens & Knowsley Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
A £338 million (PFI) investment has re-built and modernised both Whiston and St Helens Hospitals, resulting in modern state of the art health care facilities for the treatment and care of patients. St Helens Hospital was completed in 2008 and Whiston Hospital in 2010. The hospitals include 887 inpatient beds with state-of-the-art CT and MRI facilities existing on both hospital sites. CT and MRI scanners at St Helens have also recently been upgraded including installation of a high field 3 Tesla MRI scanner. The DEXA scanner is also located at St Helens Hospital.
The Trust provides a full range of acute inpatient, outpatient, day case and emergency services to local communities of St Helens, Knowsley, parts of Halton and Liverpool. The Regional Plastic Surgery and Burns Unit also extends its services to the whole of Cheshire, Merseyside, North Wales, and the Isle of Man.
As a Trust, our aim is to provide a high-quality service to all patients. We strive to meet the best standards for professional care whilst being sensitive and responsive to the needs of individual patients. Our valued workforce is recognised for their unique skills and talents with our teams of experts winning national awards on a regular basis.
Whiston Hospital
Whiston Hospital a busy teaching hospital which provides a comprehensive range of acute Medical and Surgical Services, Emergency Services, Maternity Services, Paediatrics and Medicine for Older People. The Regional Burns and Plastic Surgery Units are also based on this site. There is a Critical Care Unit consisting of ICU, HDU, CCU and an onsite Cardiac Catheter Laboratory. The stroke consultants deliver 24/7 thrombolysis to eligible patients presenting with acute stroke. There is a 30-bed Stroke Unit which accommodates both acute stroke patients and those with rehabilitation needs.
St Helens Hospital
St Helens Hospital is an Ambulatory Care Centre providing Intermediate Care and Day Surgery. Rheumatology, Dermatology and Diabetes services are based on this site and within easy reach of other acute specialties at Whiston Hospital.
Life in Merseyside
Merseyside, which includes the great city of Liverpool, is within easy reach of North Wales, the Lake District and the Peak District and provides an interesting mix of rural and urban life.
Liverpool is a vibrant, music city which has undergone a renaissance in recent years and has recently been named European City of Culture.
High quality schools are available in Liverpool, Wirral and Rainhill areas. The area has many sports facilities including championship golf courses, several sailing clubs and one of the finest windsurfing venues in Britain. Merseysiders are renowned for their friendliness and quick-witted humour and the region sports two of the finest football teams in the Premier League.
The town of St Helens is renowned for its glassworks and rugby. The district has a population of around 340,000 and is of mixed residential, industrial, and rural character. It is situated on the edge of Merseyside, between the open countryside of Cheshire to the south and Lancashire to the north.
Manchester City Centre is a short 23 miles from Whiston Hospital; accesses to motorway networks are a short 5-minute drive (including M62 and M6).
Both Whiston and St Helens Hospitals are within easy reach of the City of Liverpool (20 minutes by car), and access to motorway networks (including M62, M6, M57 and M58) is also convenient.
Person Specification
Teaching Experience
Essential
- Evidence of appropriate teaching experience
Qualifications
Essential
- Eligible for full registration with the GMC at time of appointment
- Entry on the General Medical Council (GMC) Specialist Register via one of the following: 1.Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) (the proposed CCT date must be within 6 months of the interview) 2. Certificate of Eligibility for Specialist Registration (CESR)
- MBBS or equivalent medical qualification
- MRCP (UK) or equivalent medical qualification
Desirable
- MD/PhD or equivalent medical qualification
Clinical Experience
Essential
- Evidence of achievement of competencies by time of appointment in line with GMC standards/Good Medical Practice including: oGood clinical care oMaintaining good medical practice oGood relationships and communication with patients oGood working relationships with colleagues oGood teaching and training oProfessional behaviour and probity oDelivery of good acute clinical care
- Demonstrates the necessary range, depth and breadth of competencies specified in the cardiology curriculum and applying to this postxA/I
- Competency in Heart Failure management
- Competency in Pacing, Nuclear or Cardiology and/ or CT angiography
Desirable
- Cardiology subspecialty interest suitable for DGH development
Research Experience
Essential
- Demonstrates ability to undertake robust audit/research within team structure
Desirable
- Evidence of relevant academic and research achievements, e.g. degrees, awards, presentations, publications
Other Attributes
Essential
- All applicants to have demonstrable skills in written and spoken English that are adequate to enable effective communication about medical topics with patients and colleagues
- Demonstrates clarity in written/spoken communication & capacity to adapt language as appropriate to the situation. Able to build rapport, listen, persuade & negotiate
- Capacity to use logical/lateral thinking to solve problems / make decisions
- Capacity to work effectively with others. Able to work in multi-professional teams & supervise junior medical staff
- Capacity to take in others' perspectives and treat others with understanding; sees patients
- Capacity to manage/prioritise time and information effectively
- Ability to prioritise own workload
- Basic IT skills
- Ability to monitor developing situations and anticipate issues
- Ability to operate under pressure
- Demonstrates initiative & resilience to cope with changing circumstances
- Ability to take responsibility for own actions
- Up to date and fit to practice safely
Person Specification
Teaching Experience
Essential
- Evidence of appropriate teaching experience
Qualifications
Essential
- Eligible for full registration with the GMC at time of appointment
- Entry on the General Medical Council (GMC) Specialist Register via one of the following: 1.Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) (the proposed CCT date must be within 6 months of the interview) 2. Certificate of Eligibility for Specialist Registration (CESR)
- MBBS or equivalent medical qualification
- MRCP (UK) or equivalent medical qualification
Desirable
- MD/PhD or equivalent medical qualification
Clinical Experience
Essential
- Evidence of achievement of competencies by time of appointment in line with GMC standards/Good Medical Practice including: oGood clinical care oMaintaining good medical practice oGood relationships and communication with patients oGood working relationships with colleagues oGood teaching and training oProfessional behaviour and probity oDelivery of good acute clinical care
- Demonstrates the necessary range, depth and breadth of competencies specified in the cardiology curriculum and applying to this postxA/I
- Competency in Heart Failure management
- Competency in Pacing, Nuclear or Cardiology and/ or CT angiography
Desirable
- Cardiology subspecialty interest suitable for DGH development
Research Experience
Essential
- Demonstrates ability to undertake robust audit/research within team structure
Desirable
- Evidence of relevant academic and research achievements, e.g. degrees, awards, presentations, publications
Other Attributes
Essential
- All applicants to have demonstrable skills in written and spoken English that are adequate to enable effective communication about medical topics with patients and colleagues
- Demonstrates clarity in written/spoken communication & capacity to adapt language as appropriate to the situation. Able to build rapport, listen, persuade & negotiate
- Capacity to use logical/lateral thinking to solve problems / make decisions
- Capacity to work effectively with others. Able to work in multi-professional teams & supervise junior medical staff
- Capacity to take in others' perspectives and treat others with understanding; sees patients
- Capacity to manage/prioritise time and information effectively
- Ability to prioritise own workload
- Basic IT skills
- Ability to monitor developing situations and anticipate issues
- Ability to operate under pressure
- Demonstrates initiative & resilience to cope with changing circumstances
- Ability to take responsibility for own actions
- Up to date and fit to practice safely
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).
