Consultant in Rheumatology

The Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust is seeking to appoint an enthusiastic Consultant Rheumatologist to join our department. We offer a consultant led and delivered service which allows long term doctor patient relationships. If you enjoy patient care then this is the place to work. There are opportunities to develop a special interest as well as undertake research to allow you to grow your career.

There are no on call duties nor GIM commitments. This post can be on either a full-time or part-time basis there could also be a possibility of making a part time post into full time if complemented with research and/or internal medicine.

To provide a service in Rheumatology with responsibility for outpatients, day case rheumatology procedures and in-patient referrals requiring rheumatology specialist input. To provide cover for Consultant and Senior colleagues in respect of periods of leave. Participate in medical audit and research as appropriate. Ensure that the requirements of clinical governance are met.

The Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust (TRFT) is a combined acute and community Trust serving our local population of around 270,000 people. Our vision is to always act the right way and be proud to provide exceptional healthcare to the communities of Rotherham.

As a Trust we are on a journey to excellence and our people and culture are at the heart of everything we do for patients. In the latest NHS Staff Survey, we are the second most improved Trust in England for would you recommend the Trust as a place to work? and were one of the most improved for staff engagement overall.

But dont just take our word for it each year hundreds of colleagues receive nominations for our Excellence and Proud awards, showcasing our brilliant people and recognising their achievements. Our people make a difference to the lives of patients every day and we are proud of the improvements we are making.

All of our 5,100 colleagues are key to our improvement journey and we are continuing to improve our services by upholding the Trusts values of Ambitious, Caring and Together. If you are passionate about making a difference, then please apply to join us on our journey to excellence.

All Consultant interviews will be performed in person (face to face). If there are any exceptional circumstances as to why a candidate cannot attend in person then a possible virtual interview will be considered by the Executive panel but is not guaranteed.

The Department

There are currently 3 Consultants - 2 in post and one vacant post.

Rotherham is part of the South Yorkshire rotation, which also covers Sheffield Teaching Hospitals, Barnsley Hospital and Doncaster General Infirmary. The Specialty trainee may undertake low intensity general medicine whilst in Rotherham spending one day a week on the Acute Medical Unit.

We have a dual FY2 post with health care for the elderly. When not working in Rheumatology they are based on an orthopaedic ward caring for those with complex medical needs peri-operatively. They also take part in the general medical on call rota. The post holder rotates on a 4 monthly basis.

There are 3 Nurse Specialists.

There are two whole time equivalent secretaries supported by one whole time typist.

Facilities and support services

There are dedicated outpatient facilities within the main hospital. There is direct access to the electronic patient record as well as the paper notes.

We no longer have dedicated in-patient beds, so if a patient needs admission they are admitted under the acute medical take and then we will review as necessary.

There is a shared day case facility (12 chairs and 4 beds) with others requiring chemotherapy and biologics. The facility is run by highly skilled nurses who are all chemotherapy trained. There is rarely a significant wait for therapy. Rheumatology patients are reviewed by the nurse specialist on the day.

We have dedicated physiotherapy and unusually have access to two hydrotherapy pools, one of which is on site.

Our occupational therapists can do home visits, are expert at splinting, hand therapy and can teach pacing and mindfulness as needed.

The hospital has an in house orthotics service with a dedicated gait analysis laboratory.

The osteoporosis service is based at the hospital and provides both scanning and an outpatient service as needed. The department has excellent relationships with the orthopaedic surgeons. Patients who are unknown to the rheumatologists and who present with an acute hot joint are usually cared for by the Orthopaedic team. We have a good arthroplasty service including wrist and elbow replacements.

Ultrasound scans of joints are undertaken in the radiology department and on-demand by the rheumatology department. We have good access to CT, MRI and PET scanning. We have a vascular ultrasound service for patients with suspected giant cell arteritis (GCA). Intra-articular joint injections that require imaging are undertaken either by rheumatology…