Consultant in Anaesthesia

Consultant Anaesthetist based at Darlington Memorial Hospital, County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust. A fantastic opportunity to continue your careerin anaesthesia.

Main duties of the job

The main duties of the role are to provide consultant led anaesthetic care for patients, both in elective and emergency settings.

On call commitment is 1:12 and is solely for theatres and Obstetrics. On Call for Intensive Care is provided by a separate consultant anaesthetist although there is always good communication and teamwork between all resident and non-resident staff on call. On calls at the weekend are usually 24 hrs with support from juniors in a 3 tier Rota.

About us

If you are being interviewed you must accept an interview slot in the system to continue, even if you have arranged with the manager

You must be able to produce ALL certificates stated essential in the person specification or you will not be able to complete pre-employment checks

We provide hospital services from two acute sites - Darlington Memorial Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham. We have a centre for planned care in Bishop Auckland and provide care from community hospitals in Chester-le-Street, Shotley Bridge, Barnard Castle, Sedgefield and Weardale as well as over 80 other community based settings and providing care in patients' homes.

We particularly welcome applications from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as BAME and disabled people are currently under-represented

From April 1 2024 we are unable to offer sponsorship for healthcare roles that do not meet the minimum salary £23,200, to apply you must have Right to Work in the United Kingdom. If you are in the UK on a VISA please ensure you have no restrictions that would prevent you from taking this post

Full Job Descriptions can be found in the adverts supporting documents

Job description
Job responsibilities

The Anaesthetic Department falls within the Surgical Care Group and comprises Anaesthetics, ITU, Theatres, Chronic Pain, Acute Pain, Pre-assessment and Day Surgery, along with surgical specialties. Clinical Director for Anaesthetics, Theatres and Intensive Care Medicine is Dr James Limb (Trustwide). The Lead Clinician for the Anaesthetic department at Darlington Memorial Hospital (DMH) is Dr Jothika Thimappa.

The successful applicant will primarily work at DMH and Bishop Auckland Hospital (BAH), although there may be a requirement to work at other trust sites. The anaesthetic departments culture is one of mutual respect with collective responsibility for the workload within the hospital.

Anaesthetic services are currently provided for elective and emergency patients requiring anaesthesia and/or resuscitation at DMH, BAH, UHND and Shotley Bridge.

At DMH site there are 11 operating theatres covering Community Dental, ENT (Day case), General Surgery (including major colorectal surgery, breast surgery and bariatric surgery), Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery, Obstetric and Gynaecological Surgery, Ophthalmology and Urology (Day case).

Emergency lists are provided in routine hours for Orthopaedic trauma, General surgery and Gynaecology, as well as an out of hours emergency theatre. There is a Consultant-led pre-assessment service with weekly clinics including CPEX testing.

The obstetric department, located on the 6th floor has its own theatre. An anaesthetic nurse provides assistance for all theatre cases.

DMH has an 11 bed combined ICU and high-dependency care. The unit is located adjacent to the theatre suite. This unit is used flexibly between level 2 and 3 beds. Three consultant sessions are allocated on each weekday. Facilities for renal replacement therapy are available for 3 patients. Plans are in the final stages for the expansion of ICU to 15 spaces.

Anaesthesia for CT Scanning and MRI services is available.

The use of regional techniques (neuraxial, upper and lower limb blocks) is widespread within the department. Facilities exist on the wards to continue major nerve blockade post-operatively and there is the support of an excellent acute pain service.

Out of hours cover is provided by a 3 tier resident on call rota. They are supported by 2 consultant on-call rotas, one covering theatres and obstetrics, and one covering ITU although the rotas support each other when busy and for covering A& E/Paeds emergencies/transfers. At the weekend there are dedicated consultants who cover critical care and orthopaedic trauma lists during daytime hours, as well as other theatre emergencies.

Consultants and Speciality Doctors are actively encouraged to support the weekly DMH based FRCA teaching programme. This comprehensive programme is available to all trainees and pre-FRCA Speciality Doctors and receives excellent feedback from both trainees and the School of Anaesthesia.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The post holder will undertake clinical work in conjunction with their clinical colleagues (24 Consultants, 9 specialty / specialist doctors and an average of 13 trainees) and other professional staff in order to maintain and develop Anaesthetic Services and develop specialist skills in accordance with the needs of the department.

The post holder will have a continuing responsibility for the care of patients in his/her charge and will contribute to the proper functioning of the department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine. Furthermore, the post holder will be required to undertake administrative duties directly associated with the care of patients. The post holder will supervise junior medical staff and have responsibility to ensure continuing patient care at all times. For management purposes, the post holder will be accountable to the Lead Clinician for ensuring the effective and efficient use of resources allocated.

The post holder will have scheduled activity with regular anaesthetic sessions based on a 4 week rolling session plan a degree of flexibility will be expected to meet the needs of the service. SPA activity will be timetabled within the weekly job plan. During some working weeks, flexibility in the ratio of DCC:SPA may be required although SPA time will always be paid back. As additional responsibilities are acquired, the number of SPAs may alter with remuneration agreed through the job planning process.

The post holder must be willing to undertake elective sessions in all sites undertaking surgery. The post holder must possess a UK driving license and be able to present for scheduled list start times as required by the Trust.

The post holder will be expected to participate in teaching.

Research and clinical audit activities, which are considered to be an integral part of normal duties, will be encouraged. Research funding may be available following successful application to local committees.

The post holder will be encouraged and supported to develop services, courses and to undertake innovation.

The post holder will be expected to deputise in the absence of colleagues.

The post-holder will be expected to perform additional duties in emergency and unforeseen circumstances as are essential for continuity of patient care.

The post holder will be responsible for the professional management and supervision of junior medical staff. The post holder will be expected to receive training and participate in educational and clinical supervision.

The post holder will be expected to participate in clinical governance arrangements in line with national and local guidelines.

If you are involved in the care of a patient who subsequently initiates a claim against the Trust you will be expected to provide, free of charge, an opinion and statement of facts about the case.

PROPOSED TIMETABLE AND JOB PLAN

The job plan

This is an indicative job plan, the final job plan/on-call arrangements will be agreed in partnership prior to appointment.

The following provides scheduling details of the clinical activity and clinically related activity components of the job plan which occur at regular times in the week. Agreement should be reached between the appointee and their Clinical Director with regard to the scheduling of all other activities, including the Supporting Professional Activities.

The job plan for approximately the first three months will be based on the proposed timetable shown below. A formal job plan will be agreed between the appointee and their Clinical Director within 3-6 months, and approved by the Medical Director. The job plan will then be reviewed annually in accordance with the Trust policy on Consultant Job Planning.

Each theatre session is 5.25 hours. Remuneration is 1.3125 PAs per working session (which includes pre and post op care).

The proposed Darlington Memorial Hospital / Bishop Auckland Hospital job plan

Week 1 Tuesday Trauma AM General PM

General AM Wed General PM

Fri ENT AM

Week 2 Tuesday General AM Gynae PM

Thursday Gynae AM Gynae PM

Friday Gynae PM

Week 3 Wed General AM General PM

Thursday Trauma AM Trauma PM

Fri ENT AM

Week4 Tuesday General AM General PM

Thursday Gynae AM Gynae PM

Friday ENT AM

Expected allocation of programmed activities for a 10 PA contract :

Direct Clinical Care 8.56 PA (includes 2PA for on call)

Supporting professional activity (SPA) 1.5 PA

Person Specification
Statutory Registration
Essential
Full registration with GMC. Specialist Registration with the GMC in Anaesthesia Applicants should have attained or be within 6 months of CCT date. Evidence of adherence to appraisal and GMC revalidation processes. Applicants are required to be fully registered with a licence to practise with the GMC and either on, or within 6 months of entry onto the Specialist Register on the date of interview. If applying for Full GMC Registration & Licence to Practice simultaneously with a CESR application, supporting documentary evidence must be provided at interview, to confirm an application has been submitted & is under consideration by the GMC. Desirable
Specialist registration with the RCOA Special Skills & Knowledge
Essential
Clinical skills appropriate for a Consultant in Anaesthesia Ability to train in theatre, at the bedside and in classroom settings. Experience of supervising trainees. Ability to organise and prioritise own work. Ability to delegate appropriately to trainee / non-consultant career grade anaesthetists. An understanding of the importance of research. Desirable
A recognised qualification in post-graduate teaching. Feedback from delivered teaching demonstrating high quality delivery. Formal training in management and demonstrable administrative skills. Evidence of completion of management projects. Qualifications
Essential
MBBS, MBChB or equivalent. Fellowship of the Royal College of Anaesthetists or equivalent. Desirable
ALS, ATLS, APLS/EPLS or other complimentary qualification. Experience
Essential
Experience in providing anaesthetic for the specialities provided by the Trust. Experience in Acute pain interventions. Experience of a significant audit project and a good knowledge of the principles of clinical governance. Desirable
Experience of team databases and scoring systems. Evidence demonstrating commitment to clinical audit with implemented outcomes benefiting patients. Publications in high-quality peer-reviewed journals and academic awards. Special Requirements
Desirable
Ability to innovate and develop services. Willingness to undertake additional professional duties to develop the division and the Trust.

Employer details
Employer name

County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Darlington Memorial Hospital NHS Trust

Hollyhurst Road

Darlington

County Durham

DL3 6HX

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