Consultant Abdominal and Ultrasound Radiologist

Consultant Abdominal and Ultrasound Radiologist

Employer Location Plymouth Salary Depending on experience Dependant on Experience Closing date 9 Feb 2024

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An opportunity has arisen for a Consultant Radiologist to join the existing team of 50 Consultants to provide specialist abdominal and ultrasound imaging in addition to general radiology services. This is an additional post commencing at a time of significant and exciting developments within the trust, to support expansion of imaging capacity through the development of a fully NHS-owned and operated Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) in the city centre.

The successful applicant will complement a team of 5 WTE consultant GI radiologists and 4 WTE Uro/GI/General radiologists to deliver comprehensive diagnostic radiology services to the Plymouth region, and tertiary imaging for regional hepatology, hepatobiliary, complex renal, bladder and prostate cancer and andrology services. UHP provides the full range of upper and lower GI surgery, and the regional hepatology and hepatobiliary services. UHP is a renal transplant centre. There is a comprehensive local uroradiology and GI, imaging service, including uro-oncology work, and non-cancer urology imaging. The Plymouth uro-oncology MDT combines with the Royal Cornwall Hospital urology surgical team for major cancer cases which are discussed jointly via video link. There are regional MDT provision for GI cancers, HPB, and neuroendocrine services.

Main duties of the job

General clinical duties include the reporting, vetting and prioritisation of imaging requests, attending clinical-radiological meetings, and providing on-call services for diagnostic radiology.

Successful applicants would be expected to contribute to the general diagnostic radiology service as well as partake in audit, teaching, research, and MDT meetings.

All radiology consultants are actively involved in teaching for the Peninsula Medical School and Peninsula Radiology Training Program.

The post-holder will be provided with a PC and PACS workstation, with the option to locate one of these off-site to facilitate home working. If the applicant wishes to work primarily remotely, this can be discussed.

The post holder will be required to comply with all Trust Policies notably in relation to job planning, appraisal and leave taking in line with Departmental and Trust objectives.

The post holders will be expected to share the on-call commitment equally with the existing consultants. There is also an expectation that successful candidates will participate in 7 day working, in a pattern which supports the provision of general inpatient services across 7 days.

About us

Situated in one of the most beautiful locations imaginable, few cities can rival Plymouth's stunning location sandwiched between the incredible Southwest coastline and the wild, natural beauty of Dartmoor National Park - in short, there really is nowhere quite like it. Plymouth offers numerous opportunities for outdoor activities and a vibrant urban culture, lying on the beautiful natural harbour that is Plymouth Sound and surrounded by the unspoilt beaches of Cornwall and South Devon, this is a wonderful opportunity to experience a beautiful part of the UK.

University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust provides comprehensive secondary and tertiary healthcare and is the largest teaching hospital in the Southwest Peninsula, receiving circa one million people through its doors each year.

The Radiology department at UPHT, Plymouth is a large teaching department responsible for specialist registrar training. Derriford Hospital is a large Teaching Hospital providing secondary and tertiary care to a population of 1.7 million. It is a busy Trauma centre. The main x-ray service is accommodated within two large adjacent departments, and a third smaller one in A& E. There are 6 CT scanners, 5 MRI scanners,2 fluoroscopy suites, 3 interventional suites and 18 ultrasound rooms. There is a nuclear medicine department including radiopharmacy

Job description
Job responsibilities

The Radiology department at UHPT is a large teaching department responsible for specialist registrar training. Derriford Hospital is a large Teaching Hospital providing secondary and tertiary care to a population of 1.7 million. It is a busy Trauma centre. The main x-ray service is accommodated within two large adjacent departments, and a third smaller one in A& E.

The trust has a full Insignia PACS service connected to all Imaging

modalities, installed in 2013. There is Voice Recognition integrated to the Radiology Information System (Wellbeing RIS with Dragon VR). Both PACS and RIS are shared systems operating across the South-West Peninsula, allowing for near seamless image sharing between the trust and neighbouring hospitals.

Reporting of inpatient and ED imaging is provided on an extended working day basis by radiology consultants (9am 7pm), with radiology registrars providing out-of-hours cover 9pm 9am with both neuroradiology and general radiology consultants providing non-resident on call. Weekends are fully staffed by radiology registrars, again with both neuroradiology and general radiology consultants providing non-resident on call. In addition, 7 day working has been established with daily inpatient ultrasound and additional low-acuity CT reporting being provided by consultants.

The current frequency of general on call is approximately 1 in 18.

CT

There are six multi-slice CT scanners (GE Revolution Apex Cardiac/Dual energy OP scanner, GE Revolution Trauma/In patient scanner, GE HD750 64 slice IP Scanner, 2 Optima GE 64 slice OP Scanners, and a GE Optima CT 540 for intervention/IPs) providing a complete CT service. The department is a development site for GE CT and with GE runs international cardiac training. There is CT scanning within the fluoroscopy suite providing a CTC service. Radiotherapy planning is on a separate oncology unit scanner. All GE CT scanners are capable of performing CT angiography and we have CT perfusion capacity on 5 of the 6 scanners. Dual-energy CT capacity is also provided across several of the scanners and is currently an underutilised technology.

The FHP and CDC builds will add a further three new CT scanners to the fleet.

MRI

There are 6 MRI scanners on site (2 Siemens Vida 3T, Siemens 1.5 -Sola, 1.5T Philips Integra Nova and Philips Integra 1.5T modular unit. 0.3 peripheral MSK MRI scanner). A 3rd 3T scanner is available as a joint project with Plymouth University (Siemens Prisma). The MRI service operates an extended working day from 8am to 8pm with a radiographic shift-system. We have occasional visiting mobile MRI units, although additional capacity at the CDC site is intended to replace the use of outsourced mobile units.

Fluoroscopy

There are two fluoroscopy suites (one conventional, one C-arm) providing GI, urology, gynae, paediatrics and MSK lists. The suites are scheduled for upgrade and refurbishment in 2023.

Intervention

The department includes two Phillips interventional suites one of the current units includes a 3D rotational angiography facility and bi-planar imaging.

In March 2022 we started to build a new IR room containing a Siemens Icono Bi-plane, followed immediately by replacement of the other suites with another Icono and an Artis Q ceiling. This refurbishment will also include a 2 bedded wait area and interventional ultrasound room. This is an interim solution while the Trust builds a new 4 story extension containing ED, Same-Day Emergency Care, an Interventional Radiology department complete with Siemens Icono biplanes rooms (x2), Siemens Pheno (x1) and Artis Q ceiling, interventional CT and ultrasound rooms, plus 12 bed day care unit, recovery bays and consultation rooms. The floor above will include an Interventional theatre complete with Siemens Pheno plus consultant and administrative offices and meeting rooms.

Ultrasound

The ultrasound department is based within X-ray West and provides a full non obstetric diagnostic and therapeutic service, including contrast, fusion, elastography and intervention. There are 10 ultrasound examination rooms within the University Hospitals footprint, all equipped with modern high specification machines (Canon), as well as 2 high spec portable machines. Ultrasound is also provided in peripheral sites including the Radiology Academy and Cumberland centre (a further 8 rooms by Autumn 2022). We pride ourselves in having a forward thinking, collaborative department lead jointly by radiologists and sonographers, focussed on providing cutting-edge, high-quality patient-centred US and exemplary training. We have 3 consultant sonographers and have embraced skill mix our sonographers can undertake FNAs, drainages, therapeutic injections, neonatal and contrast studies as well as the full range of diagnostic scans.

Nuclear Medicine

Nuclear Medicine is near the Main X-ray Department and is run by a full-time Consultant in Nuclear Medicine and a full-time Consultant Radiologist. The Department participates in the training of Radiology Specialist Registrars. The service is well equipped and is a phase-3 test site for GE imaging equipment. Plymouth is the site for static Peninsula PET provision in collaboration with Alliance Medical.

There are satellite x-ray departments at Liskeard, Tavistock, Launceston, Kingsbridge and two small departments in Plymouth at Mount Gould Hospital and the Cumberland Centre. These departments are staffed by radiographic and sonographic staff only.

Peninsula Radiology Academy:

The Peninsula is host to one of the 7 Radiology Academies in the UK and is one of the few purpose-built units of its kind in the world. The site has full PACS, state of the art ultrasound and a variety of novel teaching methods including interventional simulators and access to interventional models. The teaching is underpinned by the electronic learning database, which covers the whole of the radiology curriculum and is the largest electronic teaching system in Europe. It has won several educational awards and supplements the excellent teaching delivered by the consultants in the Peninsula. The training scheme is highly regarded for the quality of opportunity and teaching and takes up to 16 Registrars per year. The successful applicant would be encouraged to become involved in the teaching program. The Academy facility is being further developed to provide teaching and training to radiography and sonography students in addition to radiology registrars, with additional plain film and ultrasound suites providing further learning opportunities.

GENERAL WORKLOAD

General x-ray examinations

~195,000

Barium examinations

~3,600

Ultrasound examinations (non-obstetric)

~41,000

CT scans

~44,500

MRI scans

~22,000

Breast screening (mobile van)

~21,000

Symptomatic and screening ultrasound/FNA/Core biopsies

~5,505

Nuclear Medicine examinations

~8,400

The Directorate would support any research interests of the Consultant in conjunction with the Trust lead for R & D. All consultants are expected to actively participate in the departments audit and clinical governance program.

Please see job description and person specification for detailed job content

Person Specification
Education, qualifications & special training
Essential

Full GMC registration Fellowship Royal College of Radiologists (or equivalent) CCT in radiology and entry on Specialist Register (or expected within 6 months of interview)

Desirable

MD, PhD or other postgraduate degree

Particular skills and experience
Essential

Clinical training and experience equivalent to that required for gaining UK CCT in radiology Broad skills in general and cross-sectional imaging including acute imaging services Ability to offer expert opinion on full range of standard GI and/or Urological imaging Ability to support GI and Urology MDT work in a cancer and tertiary surgical centre Ability to perform broad range of general and specialist ultrasound examinations Ability to supervise radiology StRs across a broad range of imaging Ability to teach and supervise reporting radiographers Willing to participate in radiology on-call rota

Desirable

Ability to provide specialist imaging in support of support regional andrology service

Research & clinical audit
Essential

Ability to apply evidence-based approach to management of clinical problems Evidence of completed audit projects

Desirable

Completion of clinical research. Publications in peer-reviewed journals Ability to undertake basic science research Ability to lead research team Previous success in grant applications to national funding bodies

Teaching
Essential

Ability to teach clinical and practical skills

Desirable

Experience of teaching clinical skills to undergraduate and post graduate students Ability to supervise postgraduate research

Communication & interpersonal skills
Essential

Well-presented CV Ability to communicate well with patients and staff, both orally and in writing Honesty and reliability Ability to work in a team Enquiring, critical approach to work Caring attitude to patients, relatives, GP's, nurses and other agencies Commitment to Continuing Medical Education Leadership qualities

Desirable

Information technology skills Willingness to undertake additional professional responsibilities at local, regional or national levels

Management
Essential

Ability to advise on efficient and smooth running of specialist service Ability and willingness to participate in Department, Directorate and Trust Management Experience in audit

Desirable

Experience in medical management

Practical Requirements
Essential

Ability and willingness to work hours of the job, shifts, on-call with any reasonable adjustment to take account of any local requirement or disability Ability to move between sites if required

216-ML-RAD5915223

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