Job responsibilities
Bedfordshire hospitals imaging department is a friendly and cohesive team offering a high quality patient centred service with a broad range of specialities across the 2 sites.
This is an exciting time to join the imaging department at the recently merged Bedfordshire Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. The merger of Bedford and Luton & Dunstable Hospitals has led to the expansion of services, creation of new services, development of cross site working and procurement of new equipment including a cross site PACS system ( Phillips/Carestream), new USS, CT and MRI scanners. To support this we have expanded our consultant, middle grade and trainee numbers across the two sites. We are looking for a candidate who works well in a team, who is dynamic and wanting to develop and grow the service, and who is flexible enough to support the services across the two sites.
We are looking for a Consultant with broad experience in all aspects of neuroimaging to work alongside and lead the service. Expertise in neuroimaging such as MS, stroke and dementia reporting is essential. Luton is the stroke centre of the whole of Bedfordshire and supports Buckinghamshire for its out of hours stroke provision. Acute stroke imaging is provided 24/7 to support the provision of acute thrombolysis. CTA service is also provided locally to support patients requiring thrombectomy, which is provided by Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust.
The stroke unit is a high functioning unit supported by the imaging department. All imaging modalities and techniques are used to support this service including AI and CT perfusion.
The successful candidate is, expected to participate in the stroke MDT and MS MDT. A Dementia MDT is planned for the future.
Participating in the general radiology workload is essential and participation in other MDTs is encouraged and subject to agreement with the clinical director during job planning.
The successful candidate will also participate in the on call rota currently 1:18.
The formally merged department has established links with Bedford hospital, and flexibility for cross-site working may be necessary and will be positively encouraged and supported.
Home working is actively supported. All consultants have home reporting equipment including voice recognition software.
Participating in the general radiology workload is essential and participation in other MDTs is encouraged and subject to agreement with the clinical director during job planning.
The successful candidate will also participate in the on call rota at the Luton site currently 1:19.
The formally merged department has established links with Bedford hospital, and flexibility for cross site working is necessary and will be positively encouraged and supported. We recognise the importance of collaborative working and will encourage the successful applicant to continue to develop beneficial links with other local Trusts.
Over the years the imaging department has been proactive and innovative in developing new ways of working. This is to help support staff wellbeing, increase departmental productivity and to deliver high quality services for our patients. Below are a few but not exhaustive examples of innovative practice introduced locally.
The department developed an activity based dashboard almost a decade ago. This dashboard has supported business cases for expansion of workforce both in terms of radiology consultant and trainee numbers. Complexity scoring system was developed to provide a fair and more transparent way of measuring reporting output per PA.
Remote working/ home working was introduced a few years before the pandemic on a voluntary basis, to support flexible working. This was supported by the trust board and consultant colleagues and has been highly successful, particularly during the pandemic. Many consultants have 1 day of remote working built in to their job plans.
Changes to the on call particularly on the weekend to make it more manageable and safe led to a split on call on the weekend between 2 consultants supported by a Specialist Registrar on site. This change was incorporated after recruitment of additional consultants, specialist trainees and clinical fellows.
All of this innovative work has been positively acknowledged by GIRFT and CQC. This department has been designated as an exemplar site by GIRFT and outstanding and well led by CQC.
The allocation of programmed activities will be based on 8.5 for direct clinical care and 1.5 for supporting professional activities. The detailed job plans will be agreed in consultation with the Clinical Director, with the approval of the Medical Director and Chief Executive or his/ her representative.
The job plans will be a prospective agreement that sets out a consultants duties, responsibilities and objectives for the coming year. It will cover all aspects of a consultants professional practice including clinical work, teaching, research, education and managerial responsibilities. It will provide a clear schedule of commitments, both internal and external. In addition, it will provide personal objectives, including details of links to wider service objectives, and details of the support required by the consultant to fulfil the job plan and the objectives.
The pattern of work may change in the future to meet local changing needs and annual review meetings will take place in line with the new Consultant Contract, job planning and appraisal arrangements.
Our Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Travel between hospital sites may be required.
We have state-of-the art facilities placing us at the heart of cutting edge health care. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.
The Luton and Dunstable University Hospital (L&D) has always been renowned for its friendly atmosphere and good working relationships. The Hospital has an excellent track record of financial and senior executive stability.
The Trust has University Hospital status which provides an academic environment to the hospital. In addition to postgraduate training, we welcome medical students from the UCL Medical School throughout the year and by arrangement with the medical school provide a programme of clinical placements to support their education. We have an excellent reputation for junior staff training. Within the Centre of Multi-Professional Educational & Training (COMET) is the Medical Education Department, the library including an IT suite, and the Training & Development Department. The main aim of the Medical Education Department is to promote postgraduate and continuing medical education and training for all doctors and dentists. The Hospital actively promotes career development and progression for all staff.
The Hospital has excellent access to the surrounding areas with easy access to central London and the rural Chilterns. The rural areas include many attractive villages and towns within easy reach of the Hospital including St Albans and Harpenden. Excellent schools are found nearby. There is also very good access to the Midlands and North by road using the M1 or A1, or by rail to one of the Lutons three stations. A direct link using the new Busway takes passengers from Luton Train station just 7 minutes to reach a stop that is within a short walking distance of the hospital. London Luton Airport is within fifteen minutes of the hospital.
Applicants must be fully registered on the UK General Medical Councils Specialist Register and have FRCR. Specialist Registrars may apply if within 6 months of CCT.
Residence is required within ten miles by road or thirty minutes travelling time of the Hospital.
Candidates unable for personal reasons to work full-time are also invited to apply.
The appointment will be subject to full Occupational Health Clearance and Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check for the successful candidates prior to commencement.
Please note that all shortlisted candidates will be required to attend a pre-interview assessment process and thereafter successful applicants will be invited to interview for the post.
Closing Date: 7th April 2024
Assessment: 23rd April 2024
Interview Date: 3rd May 2024
Please refer to the Job Description for full details of the post.
