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Job summary

Main area
Acute Medicine
Grade
NHS Medical & Dental: Specialty Doctor
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Full time - 10 sessions per week (10 sessions per week)
Job ref
418-M-GM-531
Employer
Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Luton and Dunstable University Hospital
Town
Luton
Salary
£59,175 - £95,400 Per annum
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
30/06/2025 23:59

Employer heading

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust logo

Specialty Doctor in Acute Medicine

NHS Medical & Dental: Specialty Doctor

Job overview

Applications are invited for the above full time posts for this 660 bedded acute hospital serving a local population of approximately 400,000. The appointment will be made in accordance with the terms and conditions of service for the 2003 consultant contract (England).

The post will be based in the Acute Medicine facility consisting of 68 beds incorporating an Emergency Assessment Unit, two short-stay wards, an acute clinic and a new Ambulatory Care Centre. The unit has 6 Consultants. The post holder will be encouraged to participate in educational and quality development activities (including audit) and will have opportunities to undertake research projects.

Main duties of the job

The Specialty Doctor will work under the supervision of and be responsible to their respective consultant and ultimately the Clinical Director for Acute Medicine.

The key tasks for the Specialty Doctor in Acute Medicine are;

Maintain the highest clinical standards in the management of all patients and provide a senior level of support to the department

Assess and manage where appropriate patients with a range of conditions within acute medicine 

Attend ward rounds with consultants and specialty training doctors.  They may be responsible for unaccompanied ward rounds

Perform additional duties in exceptional circumstances during emergencies or unforeseen circumstances

Actively participate in both departmental and Trust matters concerning clinical governance and audit. Regular contribution to departmental meetings, journal club and medical grand rounds

In case of difficulties of any kind, they will seek the advice of the appropriate Consultant.  They are not expected to participate in any work beyond their level of expertise

Have responsibility for and actively participate in continuing professional development appraisal and revalidation

Be expected to undertake administrative duties such discharge letters

Communicate with patients, their relatives and carers, members of the multidisciplinary team, other specialties, GPs and the wider community services

Produce, maintain and update departmental clinical management guidelines in line with evidence based best practice.

Working for our organisation

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation 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.  Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics. You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology.

Our Values

We not only recruit based on qualifications and experience - we recruit individuals who demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. We achieve this by using values based recruitment. We are dedicated to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone, we are committed to promoting equality and diversity, and creating a culture that values differences.

Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering first 6 months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all documents attached to ensure you familiarize yourself with all requirements of the job.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The appointee will join the Acute Medicine department in the delivery of clinical excellence within the practice of Acute Medicine.

The department is staffed by a diverse multidisciplinary team and we have a reputation of being friendly, welcoming and supportive. Our medical staff have a variety of special interests and we are happy to support and encourage our Specialty Doctors in developing these.

The team is supported by strong, skilled and experienced nursing staff, (Healthcare Assistants and other allied health professionals.

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 Luton’s 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 with the UK General Medical Council, and have a minimum of 4 years post graduate clinical experience with a minimum of 2 years in Acute Medicine.

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 refer to the Job Description for full details of the post.

Person specification

Registration

Essential criteria
  • GMC Licence to Practice (before commencement of employment)
  • Full GMC Registration

Personnel Circumstances

Essential criteria
  • Fit to undertake the role with satisfactory Occupational Health clearance
  • Satisfactory DBS clearance

Qualifications

Essential criteria
  • Medical Degree
  • Relevant postgraduate qualification MRCP, MRCS etc
Desirable criteria
  • Additional relevant clinical experience

Clinical Experience

Essential criteria
  • Excellent all round experience of DGH work
  • Minimum of 4 years post graduate clinical experience with minimum of 2 years in Acute Medicine
  • Ability to work independently, but aware of own limitations and know when to seek advice from senior colleagues
  • Performing a comprehensive assessment of a patient with acute symptoms
  • A comprehensive knowledge of adverse drug reactions, drug interactions and how these might be affected by different diseases
  • Up-to-date ALS
Desirable criteria
  • ALS instructors certificate

Teaching

Essential criteria
  • Interest in and ability to contribute to teaching and learning of more junior doctors and medical students
Desirable criteria
  • Publications and presentations

Clinical Effectiveness

Essential criteria
  • Understand the principles of audits
Desirable criteria
  • Understanding CPD
  • Experience of audits

Personnel Skills

Essential criteria
  • Ability to co-operate in a democratic team environment
  • Flexible attitude, team player with good management skills
  • Capacity to operate under pressure. Demonstrates initiative and resilience to cope with the setbacks & adapt to rapidly changing circumstances capacity to use logical /lateral thinking to solve problems & make decisions
  • Capacity to organise oneself and prioritise own work. Demonstrates punctuality, preparation and self-discipline. Understands importance of information technology

Clinical Governance

Essential criteria
  • Able to demonstrate an understanding of the principles and elements of clinical governance

Employer certification / accreditation badges

NHS Pastoral Care Quality AwardApprenticeships logoNo smoking policyAge positiveArmed Forces Covenant (Silver Award)Care quality commission - GoodDisability confident employerNational Preceptorship for Nursing Quality Mark 2024Employer with Heart

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Peter Albert
Job title
Clinical Lead
Telephone number
01582497947
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