Locum Consultant Cardiologist with an Interest in Cardiac Imaging

Job summary

Applications are invited for the post of Locum Consultant Cardiologist with a Specialist Interest in Cardiac Imaging at Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital (LHCH). This is an exciting opportunity to join a dynamic and expanding team of imaging cardiologists in one of the UK's leading specialist cardiothoracic centres. The successful applicant will have expertise in at least two advanced cardiac imaging modalities from echocardiography, cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) and cardiac computed tomography (CT). Experience in structural heart disease, valve and TAVI imaging is desirable but is not essential. The department is committed to supporting the development of additional imaging competencies, including structural heart, TAVI and advanced valve imaging, where appropriate. The successful applicant will join an established and supportive multidisciplinary imaging team and will contribute to the delivery and development of high-quality cardiac imaging across the Trust.

Main duties of the job

The appointee will join an established team of imaging cardiologists, working alongside the wider consultant cardiology and radiology teams to provide a broad range of multimodality cardiac imaging. The imaging service supports a wide range of clinical pathways including valvular heart disease, structural and interventional cardiology, cardiac surgery, electrophysiology and devices, inherited cardiac conditions, cardio-oncology and general cardiology. The successful applicant will contribute according to their individual expertise and areas of interest. The department provides a comprehensive range of advanced cardiac imaging including transthoracic and transoesophageal echocardiography, stress and 3D echocardiography, cardiac CT and cardiovascular MRI. The successful applicant will contribute to multidisciplinary team meetings and provide expert imaging opinion for both elective and urgent clinical cases.

About us

As the largest single site specialist heart and chest hospital in the UK, we, at Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, have a clear vision 'to be the best cardiothoracic integrated healthcare organisation'.

We provide specialist services in cardiothoracic surgery, cardiology, respiratory medicine both in the hospital and out in the community.

We serve a catchment area of 2.8 million people, spanning Merseyside, Cheshire, North Wales and the Isle of Man, and increasingly we receive referrals from outside these areas for highly specialised services such as aortics.

Our reputation for strong performance is important in delivering the best care for our patients and high quality clinical services. This is underpinned by a culture of research and innovation, delivered in modern estate and our encouragement of flexible working in a variety of forms.

Please visit our website - https://www.lhch.nhs.uk/

Please follow this link for a tour of our site - https://bit.ly/36ylsoq

Job responsibilities

The appointee will be joining a team of six imaging cardiologists, as well as the larger cardiology consultant group. Due to the expansion of LHCHs surgical and structural programmes, this is an exciting and rewarding time to be involved in tertiary centre cardiac imaging in Liverpool due to the increasing demand, improving investment in cardiac diagnostics/radiology, improving image quality and scanner capabilities, and advancing research. LHCH is a high-volume centre for cardiac CT and MRI, with the scanners being dedicated to cardiac work. The imaging cardiologists and radiologists form a supportive, cohesive, collaborative and efficient team who benefit from each others knowledge and experience.

LHCH provides an advanced echo service encompassing all aspects of echocardiography including stress, 3D, contrast, transoesophageal and echo in the catheter lab for interventional procedures. The cardiac diagnostics department is staffed with 20 highly skilled cardiac physiologists with individual BSE accreditation, with the same accreditation also awarded at departmental level. In the past 12 months, over 10,000 outpatient transthoracic echocardiograms were performed along with over 500 stress echo, 400 transoesophageal echo, 4500 in-patient scans and over 1000 scans for the community cardiology service. For stress echo, the department is able to offer all modalities including treadmill, bike, pacing and pharmacological stress. TOE is performed in a purpose-built endoscopy suite. The adult congenital heart disease imaging team are integrated with the imaging department and work in close collaboration with the imaging cardiologists. There are strong links with local secondary care cardiologists and a local network to which the appointee would be expected to contribute.

The TAVI/structural team work closely with the imaging group and currently consist of six interventional cardiologists. The service is expanding with new appointments imminent, and there is collaborative working with dedicated nurse specialists, cardiac and vascular surgeons. Approximately 500 TAVIs will be performed this year, with a recently established TEER service gaining experience and consultant recruitment. Additional structural work includes PFO, paravalvular leak and VSD closure.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Full registration with the GMC
• Entry on Specialist Register (or entry expected within 6 months)
• MRCP (UK), or provide evidence of equivalent training and experience

Desirable

• A higher degree e.g. MD, PhD

Clinical Experience

Essential

• Clinical training and experience equivalent to that required for gaining UK CCT in cardiology
• Ability to independently perform and interpret advanced cardiac imaging studies in at least two advanced cardiac imaging modalities from echocardiography, cardiovascular CT and cardiovascular MRI, with appropriate advanced/Level 2 or equivalent accreditation in the relevant imaging modalities
• For CT and/or CMR: a minimum of two years' practical clinical experience undertaking supervised and/or independent live scanning, including experience of operating as the responsible senior clinician for clinical imaging lists and making real-time decisions regarding image acquisition, protocol selection, scan modification and image quality
• Ability to offer imaging opinion on a range of problems, both emergency and elective
• Ability to take full and independent responsibility for clinical care of patients
• Understanding and evidence of clinical governance and audit

Desirable

• Experience in structural heart, valve or TAVI imaging
• Experience of advanced echocardiography including 3D, stress and/or transoesophageal echocardiography
• Experience of multimodality imaging in complex valve disease
• Experience in leading service change or improvement
• Evidence of participation in audit project

Teaching Experience

Essential

• Experience of supervising Tier 1 doctors
• Ability to teach clinical and operative skills.

Desirable

• Experience of teaching basic clinical skills to undergraduates.
• Experience of supervising Tier 2 doctors
• Ability to supervise postgraduate research.
• Level 1/2 accreditation as an educational supervisor

Research Experience

Essential

• Ability to apply research outcomes to clinical problems.
• Peer reviewed publications.

Desirable

• Success in grant applications
• Editorial experience

Personal Attributes

Essential

• Ability to work well within a team and establish good professional relationships
• Enquiring, critical approach to work
• Ability to communicate effectively with patients, relatives, GP's, nurses and other agencies.
• Ability to apply research outcomes to clinical problems
• Commitment to continuing medical education