Consultant in Rheumatology

The appointee will join the well-established department of eight existing consultants in rheumatology. The successful candidate will augment and complement the consultant capacity, to help drive forwards the department's vision of a comprehensive rheumatology service. Sub-specialty interest in any area appropriate for a DGH (such as vasculitis, bone health or axial spondyloarthritis) is welcomed, as is an enthusiasm for teaching, audit and research., The post holders will work with the other Consultants to provide specialty rheumatology advice and support to patients within the Trust. They will attend the weekly multi-disciplinary departmental meetings and weekly X-ray meetings, and will be expected to help support and train the registrars and other junior medical staff in rheumatology/general medicine, and the Clinical Nurse Specialists.

Where possible, the post-holder will be encouraged to develop a research interest, compatible with the background of the department and its facilities. Audit will be a mandatory part of the role.

The Rheumatology Directorate has close links with local General Practitioners and there is an active teaching program for them, and also for all grades of doctors within the Trust. The post holder will be encouraged to continue teaching and training at all levels.

Clinical Governance and Audit projects are undertaken as an ongoing programme within the department of Rheumatology - examining local practice compared to National Standards of care (for example use of biologic therapy, DAS scoring, early arthritis pathways and comparison to BSR Standards) - and Trust-wide. It is expected that the appointee will be actively involved in this.

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.