Consultant Geriatrician

Job summary

We are looking to appoint an Elderly Care Physician with an interest in Acute Frailty. The post holders will support 'front door frailty' service and will be supported by frailty Advance care practitioners who prepare patients who meet criteria and start a Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment in ED. There are opportunities to develop sub specialty services such as surgical liaison, dementia care, falls and community / intermediate care services.

The post will contribute to the management of the general medicine take through a contribution to the on call rota. The successful applicant will work with existing Care of the Elderly Consultants to deliver a comprehensive service for frail and complex patients.

There is a DME strategy which describes plans for development of a full range of DME services on both acute hospital sites from acute frailty / front door; ward based care for people with frail and complex needs; sub specialty service development and includes development of interface geriatric services

Main duties of the job

Responsible for the continuing care of acute elderly and medical inpatients based on frailty/ Care of Elderly ward.

o Carry out regular ward rounds, outpatient clinics and hospital consultations.

o Supervise junior medical staff.

o Participate in the Multidisciplinary Team meetings where appropriate.

o To develop an agreed subspecialty interest as agreed with the Trust and complimentary to the Trust's strategic plans and that of local Commissioners. ? Participate in the management of the service.

o Arrangements for leave (Annual Leave, and Professional Leave) will be made in consultation with colleagues in the Department to ensure continuity of cover for the work of

the Department. Permission for leave is given by the Clinical Director in line with the Annual Leave policy. The leave year runs from 1 April.

o The appointee should attend clinical governance meetings and contribute to the Service Line's audit programme.

o The appointee will recognise and support the need for flexibility in duties to ensure reliable provision of a high quality expeditious service for our patients. As such, all consultants will be expected to support trust service improvements and engage with an improvement culture.

o The junior doctors are divided into teams aligned to the consultants. An on-call rota system for junior doctors is in place to comply with the EWTD requirements.

Please see attached JD/PS

About us

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.

Job responsibilities

Responsible for the continuing care of acute elderly and medical inpatients based on frailty/ Care of Elderly ward.

Carry out regular ward rounds, outpatient clinics and hospital consultations.

Supervise junior medical staff.

Participate in the Multidisciplinary Team meetings where appropriate.

To develop an agreed subspecialty interest as agreed with the Trust and complimentary to the Trusts strategic plans and that of local Commissioners. Participate in the management of the service.

Arrangements for leave (Annual Leave, and Professional Leave) will be made in consultation with colleagues in the Department to ensure continuity of cover for the work of

the Department. Permission for leave is given by the Clinical Director in line with the Annual Leave policy. The leave year runs from 1 April.

The appointee should attend clinical governance meetings and contribute to the Service Lines audit programme.

The appointee will recognise and support the need for flexibility in duties to ensure reliable provision of a high quality expeditious service for our patients. As such, all consultants will be expected to support trust service improvements and engage with an improvement culture.

The junior doctors are divided into teams aligned to the consultants. An on-call rota system for junior doctors is in place to comply with the EWTD requirements.

Please see attached JD/PS

Post closes: 30.08.26

Dearden Assessment: 9th or 10th September (TBC)

AAC Date: 25.09.26

Person specification

Qualification

Essential

• Medical Degree
• MRCP or equivalent

Desirable

• MD or equivalent Higher Degree or evidence of relevant research

Registration

Essential

• Full GMC Registration (GMC Licence to Practice is mandatory before employment commences)
• Entry onto the GMC Specialist Register: ?CCT (or within 6 months of receipt of CCT at time of interview) ?CESR (must be on Specialist Register at time of applying

Clinical Experience

Essential

• Excellent all round experience of DGH work
• Evidence of thorough and broad training and experience in Elderly Medicine
• Able to take full and independent responsibility for clinical work and delivering service without direct supervision.

Clinical Effectiveness

Essential

• Understanding of clinical governance and ability to demonstrate ongoing CPD
• Experience of guideline appraisal
• Participation in relevant local audits
• Ability to interpret and apply clinical research

Desirable

• Participation in relevant national audits

Teaching

Essential

• Knowledge and ability to teach all grades of trainees and medical students

Desirable

• Has attended Teaching the Teachers or similar course

Clinical Governance

Essential

• Able to demonstrate a broad understanding of the principles and elements of clinical governance.

Personal Skills

Essential

• Ability to co-operate in a democratic team environment Flexible attitude, team player with good management skills Leadership Skills

Personal Circumstances

Essential

• Residence within 10 miles by road or up to thirty minutes travelling time of the hospital for purposes of on-call emergencies. Fit to undertake the role with satisfactory Occupational Health clearance Satisfactory DBS clearance