Consultant in Geriatrics (Acute and Community)

Job summary

The Trust is looking to recruit a Consultant in Geriatric Medicine, based at both the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) in Woolwich and in the Greenwich Community Frailty team based at Memorial Hospital, Shooters Hill, Woolwich. The postholder will join a team of 10 consultants in QEH and be part of the community frailty team delivered by Oxleas Foundation Trust.

The post has been created to develop and consolidate new ways of working, enabling flow from acute settings to community teams. This is an opportunity for a Consultant Geriatrician to develop a broad range of experience, working across both the acute Frailty service delivered by Lewisham and Greenwich Trust and the community frailty service which is currently expanding to form part of the four integrated neighbourhood teams in Greenwich.

The post is full time (10 PAs) and based at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woolwich and Memorial Hospital, Shooters Hill.

A formal job plan will be agreed between the post holder and their Clinical or Divisional Director for Lewisham and Greenwich Trust and the Clinical Director or Service Director of Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust within three months of their commencement date. The role is equally split between the two Trusts.

Main duties of the job

To support the development on-going development of a comprehensive geriatric medicine service and development of Frailty within the Greenwich integrated neighbourhood teams

Support and develop the interface frailty services for ED and relevant clinical areas

Develop the Geriatrician role within the four integrated neighbourhood teams in Greenwich, specifically supporting the MDT needs of the moderately and severely frail population.

Support, lead and develop integrated care working with ICB's and community partners

Be an advocate for the care of older people within the organization.

Lead, support and mentor junior medical staff within the department and ensure training requirements are met.

About us

Our people are our greatest asset. When we feel supported and happy at work, this positivity reaches those very people we are here for, the patients. Engaged employees perform at their best and our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) initiatives contribute to cultivate a culture of engagement. We have four staff networks, a corporate EDI Team and a suite of programmes and events which aim to insert the 5 aspirations:

1. Improving representation at senior levels of staff with disabilities, from black, Asian, and ethnic minorities background, identify as LGBTQ+ and women, through improved recruitment and leadership development
2. Widening access (anchor institution) and employability
3. Improving the experience of staff with disability
4. Improving the EDI literacy and confidence of trust staff through training and development
5. Making equalities mainstream

Job responsibilities

Clinical Responsibilities

The support and further development of the initiatives within the Department of Geriatric Medicine (as described above), and the consolidation of current inpatient clinical services for older people.

General Responsibilities

• To provide high quality health care for older patients referred for diagnosis and treatment,
• To respond to inpatient and outpatient referrals from other specialties
• To provide prompt advice for General Practitioners
• To participate in educational and audit meetings
• To meet CPD and revalidation requirements
• To provide cover for Consultant colleagues during periods of leave
• To support the Hospitals Clinical Governance Strategy
• To contribute to all other aspects of the Directorate and trust affairs

Medicine for the Elderly

• To provide a consultant-led service in the specialty
• To lead daily board rounds and ward rounds on relevant wards
• To lead on the new initiatives for the care of older people
• To contribute to research in Medicine for the Elderly in an area of special interest
• To contribute to meeting the 18 week outpatient target
• To contribute to meeting the 4 hour waiting time target in the Emergency Department
• To contribute to otherquality indicators where relevant
• To contribute to community services (Bat phone and Frailty Clinic)

Medical Education & Teaching

• To supervise and teach Medical Students.
• To participate in formal teaching of the Medicine in Old Age Syllabus to Year 4 medical students, and acute medicine to Year 3 students.
• To supervise and manage trainee medical staff (in conjunction with other Consultants on the firm and in the Department) and ensure training requirements are met
• To provide post-graduate training in Medicine for the Elderly for all grades of Medical Staff and for non-medical clinical staff.
• To contribute to regular training and teaching sessions for General Practitioners and to foster increased knowledge and skills within the local Medical Community
• To be a Clinical supervisor and Education supervisor to a number of trainees.

Clinical Audit/ Clinical Governance/ Research

To participate in clinical audit and implement audit findings as appropriate.

To support NIHR funded research.

Continuing Professional Development

• 1. Participate in continuing professional development at local and national level
• 2. Implement audit and research findings as appropriate in clinical practice
• 3. Prepare and participate in an annual appraisal in accordance with Trust policy
• 4. A willingness to undertake additional professional responsibilities at local, regional or national levels

Policy, Planning and Management

• 1. Support the Trust to deliver quality patient care
• 2. Contribute to the development of clinical and organisational protocols and guidelines
• 3. Assist in the development of the Annual Service Plan for the Directorate and Division and participate in the strategic planning of the service

4. Comply with all Trust policies.To lead or participate in the development of improved workflow through the Radiology Department, ensuring better patient experience and increased efficiency. This is a specimen plan reflecting proposed activities. Flexibility in these sessions is necessary depending on the changing demands on the service.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential

• MBBS or equivalent MRCP or equivalent
• Full registration with the GMC and hold a licence to practise and be on the GMC Specialist
• Register for Geriatric Medicine or within six months of obtaining CCT at the time of interview
• Broad based general training

Desirable

• MD/PhD or other higher degree

Training

Essential

• Broad based training and wide experience of acute & general medicine
• Broad-based training in Geriatric Medicine

Desirable

• A special interest within Geriatric Medicine complementing those currently in the directorate.
• An interest in managing frailty in acute care and the community would be particularly welcome

Clinical Experience

Essential

• Understanding of the principles of clinical governance and clinical risk.
• Understanding and experience of audit.

Desirable

• Previous broader experience of clinical governance, clinical risk management and associated areas

Clinical Audit

Essential

• Wide experience of, and strong commitment to, undergraduate and postgraduate teaching (UHL is a main campus site of the Kings College London School of Medicine).

Desirable

• Evidence of ability to organise training / teaching events
• Interest in, or previous experience of, clinical or service development research including successful delivery of research objectives

Teaching Experience

Essential

• Understanding of the implications of the NHS Plan and other national guidance and policy relevant to the provision of geriatric medicine.
• Understanding of NHS organisation and management
• A commitment to participate in the management of the Directorate of Medicine.

Desirable

• Formal management course with previous management experience especially of change management.
• Understanding of, or previous experience of, working closely with older people's services

Management and Administrative Experience

Essential

• Knowledge of research methodology & Clinical trials

Other Attributes

Essential

• Good communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to lead a multidisciplinary team
• Flexibility to respond to the varying needs of a busy department