Consultant Geriatrician

Job Overview

The Frailty Virtual Ward is a multidisciplinary team led by a Geriatrician, providing integrated pathways and collaborative working across acute and community services. This role offers the opportunity to shape the future development of this new service in York, providing acute care to patients in their own home environment, supporting early hospital discharge and admission avoidance.

The post holder will be based in York and will require the ability to travel across the community services footprint. A full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle are essential, with mileage reimbursement provided.

Core working hours are daytime, with no on-call requirements. The current service operates Monday to Friday 8am till 4pm, with ambitions to provide a 7-day service in the future. This may involve weekend working with appropriate remuneration.

This post can be full or part-time and will be offered for a fixed term of 12 months. We are looking for a start date in August, with flexibility regarding the exact date.

Main Duties

The post holder will assess patients in their own home environment, working collaboratively within the multidisciplinary team to devise holistic management plans. Day-to-day duties include triaging referrals, carrying out comprehensive geriatric assessments, performing diagnostics, creating treatment plans, and referring to specialty colleagues as appropriate.

We are seeking a friendly, enthusiastic, and innovative individual who will work well with the team to meet service demands. A keen interest in frailty and a desire to develop skills and expertise in geriatrics or extended roles in general practice are essential.

As this is a new and expanding service, opportunities for quality improvement projects will be available to further develop the Frailty Virtual Ward.

Working for Our Organisation

York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides a comprehensive range of acute hospital, community, and specialist healthcare services for approximately 800,000 people. Our mission is to be a valued and trusted partner within our care system, delivering safe and effective care to our population.

We are situated in a fantastic part of the country, with two national parks, a beautiful coastline, and the city of York, consistently voted one of the best places to live in the UK.

We are proud of our 8,500 staff, working across 9 hospital sites, supporting safe and high-quality patient-centred care on a day-to-day basis.

Detailed Job Description and Main Responsibilities

For more information, please see the attached job description.

Armed Forces Friendly Employer

We are holders of the Gold Award from the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme, actively promoting SaBRE - Supporting Britain's Reservists and Employers. We welcome Defence personnel to apply to work with us.

Disability Confident and Mindful Employer

We are committed to meeting the needs of employees and applicants with disabilities or mental health conditions. We encourage applications from people with disabilities and offer adjustments to make our application process accessible.

Person Specification

Personal Attributes and Experience

Essential Criteria

• Holds a full UK driving licence and has access to their own vehicle

Communication and Interpersonal Skills

Essential Criteria

• Able to communicate effectively in written and spoken English
• Able to discuss treatment options with patients and carers in a way they can understand
• Experience of working in multidisciplinary teams
• Able to establish good working relations with patients, carers, and multidisciplinary colleagues

Desirable Criteria

• Understands the responsibilities of being an employee of the NHS

Knowledge and Skills

Essential Criteria

• Competence in basic clinical procedures
• Able to prioritise clinical need, time, and workload
• Understands the importance of working effectively in teams
• Ability to assess, recognise, and initiate management of the acutely ill patient and play an effective part in advanced life support

Desirable Criteria

• Knowledge of UK health systems, practices, and values; awareness of current issues in the NHS
• Understands the importance and impact of information systems in healthcare
• Evidence of continuous professional development

Qualifications and Experience

Essential Criteria

• Has achieved MBBS or equivalent medical qualification
• ALS training or equivalent
• Evidence of NHS employment in a training or service post
• Satisfactory completion of Foundation Training or equivalent
• Full registration with the GMC at time of starting the post

Desirable Criteria

• Distinctions, scholarships, prizes
• Experience of research
• Additional degrees e.g. MSc, PhD
• Experience in Elderly Medicine