Job responsibilities
We
provide specialist services in cardiothoracic surgery, cardiology, respiratory
medicine including adult cystic fibrosis and diagnostic imaging, both in the
hospital and out in the community.
We
serve a catchment area of 2.8 million people, spanning Merseyside, Cheshire,
North Wales and the Isle of Man, and increasingly we receive referrals from
outside these areas for highly specialised services such as aortic.
Heart
and lung disease continue to be amongst the biggest killers in the UK and the
communities we serve are marked by increased prevalence of cardiovascular
disease, higher levels of heart failure, hypertension, coronary artery disease
and an ageing population.
Our
reputation for strong performance is important in delivering thebest
carefor our patients and high-quality clinical services. This is
underpinned by a culture of research and innovation, delivered in modern estate
and facilitated by technology. New and upgraded clinical areas are designed
with patients and families fully involved to deliver their needs.
As part
of our long-term plan, we aim to form strong clinical and organisational
relationships where possible. There is clear evidence that partnerships improve
patient care and enhance quality and we aim to collaborate with a range of
other providers and professionals with the aimto extending access and
improve quality.
Our
vision is'to be the best - leading and delivering outstanding heart
and chest care and research'
The Centre is an NHS Foundation Trust, which
has seen a great deal of development in the last few years. As a result of major capital investment, the
Centre provides:
1900
staff
157
Medical and Surgical beds
9
dedicated Cardiothoracic Surgical Operating Theatres including a Hybrid Theatre
Endoscopy
Suite
Recovery
Room
30 bedded
Critical Care Unit
Radiology
department with two high end CT Scanners and two MRI scanners, 1.5T and a 3T
Pulmonary
function and Oesophageal laboratory
Dedicated
cystic fibrosis unit
5
Cardiac Catheterisation Laboratories and one pacing theatre
A 14-roomed private
wing also forms an important part of the Centre.
RADIOLOGY DEPARTMENT
The Radiology
Department is embarking on an exciting new development with the creation of new
posts to support the increasing demand of Lung Services and following the
introduction of two new CT (Siemens Force) in 2019 and 2021 and two new MRI
scanners, a 3T MRI scanner (Siemens VIDA) in 2018/19 and a new 1.5T in March 2023.
The department originally opened in 2006 following a £80 million development.
This development included two new catheter labs, additional operating theatres,
a new expanded ITU for cardiothoracic services and provision of a diagnostic
and treatment centre (DTC) for the Liverpool University Hospitals Foundation Trust
(LUHFT). The Broadgreen DTC concentrates
on cold orthopaedic and urological surgery. A new joint digital imaging
department to service both Trusts was a fundamental part of the development.
There are three separately located bi-plane catheter
laboratories and two single-plane labs installed. These are largely devoted to
the performance of invasive diagnostic cardiology, Interventional cardiology
and EP studies.
There is a separate echocardiography department within
cardiology led by the imaging cardiologists.
There are facilities for Stress Echo, TOE and 3D Echo.
The LHCH imaging strategy has identified the need to expand cardiac MRI,
cardiac and general CT capacity to meet rising demand for non-invasive imaging.
At present all cardiac MRI operates 12-hour days and CT operates 8 hours days.
There is a GA MRI list each month to support the ACHD referral pathway
and an MRI service for patients having pacing devices and need an MRI scan.
LHCH is leading the National program for Lung Cancer Screening. This has
increased the demand for oncologic imaging and lung biopsies.
There is an integrated cardiac imaging service with close interaction with
the clinical cardiologists, with several regular cardiac imaging meetings for
discussion of clinical outcomes and participation in the clinical meetings of
the cardiology department is encouraged.
The department is fully digital with Carestream PACS integrated with HSS
CRIS with digital dictation. Voice recognition software is available for those
who wish to use it. There are currently fifteen LHCH PACS reporting workstations
with Siemens Syngo Via and CVI42 software, allowing advanced CT and MR post-processing
on any Trust workstation, PC and from home. The images can be viewed anywhere
in the Trust using the Carestream client. This can also be used from home using
a Trust provided VPN or secure portal for on call review of images and home reporting.
JOB
PLAN
The job is intended to be a full time (10
12 PA) post in Cardiothoracic Imaging, preferably with a specialist interest in
cardiovascular imaging at Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital. The job plan will
include 1.5 SPA.
The draft job plan is outlined under the
terms and conditions section.
There is a dedicated cross-sectional Consultant on call rota for LHCH
and the current rota is 1 in 10. There is
a region wide Hub of SpR cover for the on call, which operates over all on-call
hours. Consultants provide support for the on-call SpRs, for LHCH cases only. A
remote radiology link connects to the PACS for the on-call cover for LHCH. There
is a separate rota for interventional radiology provided by IR at the LUFHT.
The successful candidate will have full
secretarial support, a home reporting kit and office accommodation in line with
other consultants in the unit.
There is a significant commitment to research
and audit and a training commitment to the SpRs. The trust supports the annual
appraisal process and routine GMC revalidation for all consultants and all consultants
undergo an annual job plan. The appointee
will be expected to work flexibly based on the needs of the Clinical Services
Division and the Trust. The workload
will be driven by the job planning process and be reviewed and changed
appropriate to the requirements of the Trust by the Radiology Clinical Lead with
the Divisional Head of Operations with ratification by the Medical Director. It should be noted that full mentorship will
be provided to the successful candidate.
The Trust supports the requirements for
continuing professional development (CPD) as laid down by the GMC and surgical
colleges and is committed to providing time and financial support for these
activities.
GENERAL
PROVISION AND SUMMARY OF MAIN CONDITIONS OF SERVICES
1. General Provisions
1.1 The appointee will be expected to
work with local managers and professional colleagues in the efficient running
of services and will share with consultant colleagues in the medical contribution
to management. Subject to the provisions
of the Consultant Terms and Conditions of Services, he/she is expected to
observe the Centres agreed policies and procedures, drawn up in the
consultation with the profession on clinical matters and to follow the standing
orders and financial instructions of the Liverpool Heart and Chest
Hospital. The appointee will be expected
to follow the local and national employment and personnel policies and
procedures.
1.2 All medical and dental staffs employed
by the hospital are expected to comply with the agreed health and safety
policies.
1.3 The appointee will have
responsibility for the training and supervision of junior medical staffs who
work with him/her and will devote time to this on a regular basis. If appropriate he/she will be named in the
contracts of junior doctors in training grades as the person responsible for
overseeing their training and as a main source of advice to such doctors on
their careers.
2. Main Conditions of Service
2.1 The successful candidate(s) will
normally be required to live within 30 minutes drive of the hospital.
2.2 Where, however the successful
candidate already resides within 45 minutes drive of the hospital, he/she will
not be required to remove his/her home nearer to the hospital.
2.3 Where the successful candidates
present residence is more than 45 minutes drive from the hospital, he/she will
be required to move his/her home to meet the residential clauses of his/her contract,
unless he/she has the written consent of the Authority to the contrary.
2.4 The Terms and Conditions of Service
state that the removal expenses shall be reimbursed, and grants paid only when
the employing authority is satisfied that the removal of the practitioners
home is required, and the arrangements proposed are reasonable. Therefore, successful candidates are advised
not to enter contractual arrangements for the removal of their home until such
a time as the formal approval of the hospital is confirmed in writing.
2.5 If the appointment is on a part-time
basis (9 PAs or less) the successful candidate will not be eligible under the
Terms and Conditions of Services for the reimbursement of removal and associated
expenses.
