Consultant in Haematology

Applications are invited for the above full time post made in accordance with the terms and conditions of service for the 2003 consultant contract (England).

This an exciting time to join the Haematology department at Bedfordshire Hospitals. The Pathology Laboratory is ISO 15189:2012 accredited in all areas, and the laboratory is currently able to support all the requirements of a Level 2a Clinical Haematology Service.

This is a replacement post joining a team of eight other Consultant Haematologists at Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. A degree of specialism between the consultants will be encouraged within the overall requirements of the departmental service.

The Key tasks for the role of Consultant in Haematology are;
- Maintenance of the highest clinical standards in the management of all patients presenting to the Hospital.
- To share, with colleagues in the Haematology Department the management of all adult patients referred to the Trust.
- Teaching and training of intermediate grade and, junior medical staff, nursing staff and medical students. In addition, the post holder will support Clinical Nurse Specialists.
- To actively participate in both departmental and Trust matters concerning Clinical Governance and audit.
- To have responsibility for and actively participate in continuing professional development (CPD).

Our 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. Travel between hospital sites may be required.

We have state-of-the art facilities placing us at the heart of cutting edge health care. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.

The clinical commitments of this post will include responsibility for inpatient (on the Luton site) and outpatient care of Bedford patients with haematological disorders. The duties also involve provision of laboratory haematology services.

A degree of specialisation between the consultants will be encouraged within the overall requirements of the departmental service.

The allocation of programmed activities will be based on 8.5 for direct clinical care and 1.5 for supporting professional activities. The detailed job plan will be agreed in consultation with the Clinical Director and the Consultants in the Department, with the approval of the Medical Director and Chief Executive or their representative.

The job plan will be a prospective agreement that sets out a consultant’s duties, responsibilities and objectives for the coming year. It will cover all aspects of a consultant’s professional practice including clinical work, teaching, research, education and managerial responsibilities. It will provide a clear schedule of commitments, both internal and external. In addition, it will provide personal objectives, including details of links to wider service objectives, and details of the support required by the consultant to fulfil the job plan and the objectives.

The pattern of work may change in the future to meet local changing needs and annual review meetings will take place in line with the new Consultant Contract, job planning and appraisal arrangements.

The post-holder will be expected to ensure their practice is in accordance with the principles of Clinical Governance, which must include appropriate clinical audit, evidence based practice, continued personal educational and professional development.

Clinics are 4 hours/1PA to include additional administration time which may be taken outside of the clinic environment.

The post holder will work with the other consultants to provide specialist management of patients within the Haematology Ward (based at Luton and Dunstable Hospital). At Bedford the post holder will provide specialist advice and expertise to Acute Medical teams caring for patients with haematological disorders, and provide speciality Haematology advice and support to other patients across both hospital sites.

The post holder will attend the weekly multi-disciplinary departmental meetings. Consultants within the department will be expected to provide cover for each other when not available for these meetings i.e. leave/tertiary site commitments. The post holder will be expected to help train and support 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 Clinical Haematology Department 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.

The post holder will also be encouraged to take on appropriate clinical managerial or additional si