Job summary

A high performing organisation, rated good by the CQC, witha track record of success. This is an exciting time to join the Acute Medicineand Medicine Specialties Teams at County Durham and Darlington NHS FoundationTrust.

The aspirations for our patient focused services are bold We are aforward thinking team that prides itself on providing high quality clinicalcare.

We aim to have a true 7 day service and, to realise that aim, we areincreasing our consultant physician workforce by 50% over the next 2 years.

There will also be a marked increase in junior medical staff to support. We arelooking for dynamic and motivated Geriatrician Consultants to join our friendlyand dynamic team, to develop and embed high quality care for the frail andolder patient in a number of different clinical settings.

As weexpand key services and frailty pathways to benefit the frail and olderpatient, we are developing and enhancing our elderly care and frailty strategyto expand sub-specialties, including;

Acute Frailty (SDEC), Complex FrailtyUnits, Frailty Specialist Units, Movement Disorder Services, Ortho-Geri's, SurgicalLiaison, Virtual Wards and Outpatient activity.

Main duties of the job

The basic whole-time contract is for 10 programmedactivities (PAs); DCC ( PAs admin time and educational supervision timeincluded within this) additional SPA.

The job plan is indicative only and is negotiable to takethe candidates aspirations / special interest / part time working into account.

There will be a discussion with successfulcandidates regarding the final job plan / on-call arrangements, prior to theinterview and appointment to ensure the job plan reflects both the individualsand organisation goals.

Additional programmed PAs may be available foradditional activities and specialist interests if desired. Additional SPA timemay be available depending on individual and service requirements.

About us

If you are being interviewed you must accept an interview slot in the system to continue, even if you have arranged with the manager

You must be able to produce ALL certificates stated essential in the person specification or you will not be able to complete pre-employment checks

We provide hospital services from two acute sites - Darlington Memorial Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham.

We have a centre for planned care in Bishop Auckland and provide care from community hospitals in Chester-le-Street, Shotley Bridge, Barnard Castle, Sedgefield and Weardale as well as over 80 other community based settings and providing care in patients' homes.

We particularly welcome applications from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as BAME and disabled people are currently under-represented

We are unable to offer sponsorship for roles that do not require a professional registration, to apply you must have Right to Work in the United Kingdom.

If you are in the UK on a VISA please ensure you have no restrictions that would prevent you from taking this post

Full Job Descriptions can be found in the adverts supporting documents

Job description

Job responsibilities

The post-holder will be expected to undertake clinical workin conjunction with their clinical colleagues and other professional staff inorder to maintain and develop eldery care and acute frailty services.

The post-holder willbe based at the University Hospital North Durham, Darlington Memorial Hospitalor Bishop Auckland Hospital.

The post holder will be expected :

Toundertake clinical work in conjunction with colleagues and other professionalstaff in order to maintain and develop Elderly Care services and to developspecialist skills in accordance with the needs of the department.

Responsibilityin conjunction with colleagues for planning future developments of the service.

Will havecontinuing responsibility for the care of patients in their charge and willbe expected to provide a comprehensive clinical service alongside Consultantcolleagues.

Expectationto cover colleagues in their absence and ensure continuous patient care.

Formanagement purposes and use of resources, accountable to the Clinical Directorof the Medical Directorate and will ensure the effective and efficient use ofresources allocated.

Responsiblefor the professional and educational supervision of junior medical staff.

Expectedto participate in the postgraduate teaching of medical staff and undergraduatesattached to the Trust and in the training of all grades of staff.

Researchactivities, which are considered to be an inherent part of normal clinicalduties, will be encouraged and limited research funding may be availablefollowing successful applications to the local research and developmentcommittee.

ContinuingProfessional Development (CPD); responsibility for ensuring that you meet thenational requirements for CPD, both internal and external.

Attend regularly,and contribute to, the weekly half-day educational activities held by the CareGroup. The Trust supports requirements for continuing professional developmentas laid down by the Royal Colleges and is committed to providing support forthese activities.

Activelyparticipate in clinical audit.

Participatein clinical governance arrangements in line with national and local guidelinesand in respect of undergraduate and postgraduate teaching in the Trust inaccordance with current best practice.

Involved inthe care of a patient who subsequently initiates a claim against the Trust andexpectation to provide, free of charge, an opinion and statement of facts onthe case.

On call commitments; the post includes a GIMoncall commitment.

Person Specification

Special Skills & Knowledge

Essential

• Previous management experience or formal management and leadership training
• Previous active involvement in audit and QiP work
• Evidence of active teaching of undergraduates, junior doctors, nurses or allied health professionals
• Evidence of previous research experience or clinical effectiveness work
• Good clinical skills
• To be able to offer expert clinical opinion on a range of problems within the service
• Understands factors affecting patient safety
• Experience and understanding of audit and conducting clinical audit
• Demonstrates awareness of developing situations in clinical environment
• Demonstrates ability to solve problems & make timely decisions, even when under pressure
• Able to use IT to enhance patient care

Desirable

• Certificate of Medical Education or other educational qualification
• Willingness to becomeinvolved in departmental research projects and to lead some research or academic development

Special Requirements

Essential

• An interest in teaching all grades of hospital and professional staff
• Personal Skills
• Willingness and ability to participate equally in a multi-disciplinary team
• Able to cope with stress
• Good discipline and motivation
• Flexible team worker
• Excellent communication / interpersonal skills
• Demonstrates empathy when communicating with patients and relatives / carers, including the response to complaints
• Commitment to CME and CPD Willingness to undertake additional
• professional duties
• Demonstrates honesty, integrity and awareness of confidentiality and ethical issues relevant to emergency medicine
• Demonstrates interest and realistic insight into future role(s) of emergency medicine and external factors that may affect it
• Demonstrates punctuality, being able to organise self, and flexibility
• Demonstrates non-prejudicial or non-judgmental attitude to others
• Demonstrates self-awareness and ability to respond constructively to feedback

Desirable

• Willingness to become involved in departmental research projects and to lead some research or academic development
• Extracurricular activities or achievements in local area
• Demonstrates awareness of health, social and economic challenges facing the community served by the relevant departments

Qualifications

Essential

• MBchB or equivalent
• MRCP

Desirable

• Research degree, Masters degree or Teaching Qualification
• Certificate of Medical Education or other formal training programme
• Training in sub-specialty complementary to that of the existing Consultants

Experience

Essential

• Good clinical skills including the management of acutely unwell medical patients and up to date knowledge in geriatric medicine
• Experience in working within a multi- disciplinary team with good communication skills
• Ability to liaise well with colleagues in other specialties
• Experience of supervising training and teaching trainees
• Able to provide evidence of career planning through appraisal process
• Evidence of being up to date with professional development

Desirable

• Experience of close liaison with community services
• Experience of service development
• Evidence of research experience and clinical effectiveness work

Statutory Registration

Essential

• Full registration with the GMC (and licence to Practice)
• CCT in geriatric medicine, or within 6 months of expected CCT at time of appointment, or on the speciality register through equivalent training and experience.
• Applicants wishing to apply for CESR are welcome to apply. Training in sub-specialty complementary to that of the existing Consultants

Desirable

• Ability to use the evidence base and clinical to support decision making

Last updated : 2024-06-19