Specialty Doctor in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery | Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in Luton

Are you a skilled and compassionate medical professional seeking a rewarding career opportunity? We have a fantastic position available for a Specialty Doctor to join our esteemed Oral and Maxillofacial (OMFS) department. As a Specialty Doctor in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, you will play a pivotal role in providing exceptional patient care and contributing to the delivery of high-quality services within our OMF department. Your expertise will be utilised to diagnose, treat, and manage a diverse range of oral and maxillofacial conditions, including facial trauma, head and neck pathology, and dental implantology.

Working alongside a dedicated team of consultants, nurses, and other healthcare professionals, you will have the opportunity to enhance your clinical skills and make a significant difference in the lives of our patients. Our NHS OMFS department is renowned for providing exceptional patient care and fostering a supportive and inclusive working environment. As a Specialty Doctor, you will have access to state-of-the-art facilities, a strong network of experienced consultants, and opportunities to engage in research and clinical audit projects. Join our dynamic team and become an integral part of our mission to improve the oral and maxillofacial health and well-being of our patients. We are happy to consider applications from those seeking a job share or part-time working.

Key Responsibilities

• Undertake clinical assessments, investigations, and evaluations of patients presenting with oral and maxillofacial conditions.
• Develop and execute comprehensive treatment plans, providing both surgical and non-surgical interventions as appropriate.
• Perform surgical procedures, including extractions, biopsies, and minor oral surgery, while assisting consultants in more complex surgeries.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to ensure coordinated and patient-centered care.
• Participate in teaching and mentoring junior medical staff, contributing to the professional development of the department.
• Engage in continuous professional development and keep abreast of the latest advancements in oral and maxillofacial surgery.

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.

Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. Please ensure that you make your application as soon as possible.

The Specialty Doctor will be required to provide a middle grade level of staff for the Department. The Specialty Doctor will attend out-patient clinics, both general and specialist, with his/her supervising consultants. Dependant on the experience of the Specialty Doctor, he/she may be offered an independent theatre list. There is a huge demand for surgical dermatology and experience and interest in this would be desirable although appropriate training will be given.

Assess and manage where appropriate patients with maxillofacial trauma who may attend the accident and emergency department at Lister Hospital & QE11 during normal working hours in the weekdays. There will be administrative duties and other ad hoc attendances at clinics, theatre, etc. with other consultants as required in the absence of the regular junior members of staff. The Specialty Doctor will work under the supervision of and be responsible to his/her respective Consultant, or the on-call Consultant and, ultimately, the Clinical Director, at Luton and Dunstable Hospital, or his successor. The post will be based at Bedford Hospital. The appointee will be required to travel to the in-patient centre (Luton and Dunstable Hospital NHS Foundation Trust) when necessary. In case of difficulties of any kind, the Specialty Doctor will seek the advice of the appropriate consultant. The Specialty Doctor is not expected to participate in any work beyond his/her level of expertise.

The timetable for the post is attached at Appendix A. This will change from time to time to respond to the demands of the service. The time-table will be reviewed by the Clinical Director as part of the annual appraisal process. The successful candidate will participate fully in the regular Department Teaching and Audit meetings.

HOURS OF DUTY

• 10 sessions per week. Audit and CME sessions will be undertaken on site utilising the facilities within the Department or in the Postgraduate Medical Centre. The post-holder is required to attend the audit and teaching sessions at Luton and Dunstable Hospital on alternate Friday afternoons.
• So far as is consistent with the proper discharge of the above duties, the appointee will undertake to deputise from time to time for absent colleagues.
• The appointee will undertake, exceptionally, to perform additional duties in occasional emergencies and unforeseen circumstances.
• The appointee will undertake, exceptionally, to be available for such irregular commitments, outside normally rostered duties as are essential for patient care.

EMERGENCY COVER

Patients with maxillofacial emergencies during out-of-hours including weekends will attend Luton and Dunstable NHS Trust. The post involves a 1:8 second on-call weekend rota.

STUDY AND TRAINING

The Oral and Maxillofacial Department is recognised for postgraduate training by the Faculty of Dental Surgery. Facilities for study leave may be available with the consent of the supervising Consultant, Clinical Director and the Director of Medical Education (Associate Medical Director). The allocation is 30 days in a three year period as set out in the Terms and Conditions of Service for the grade. The budget for study leave is managed by the Director of Medical Education. Currently this is £3000 grant per 3 year period. You will be required to register with the Faculty for CME training. Although this is not formally a training grade, the Specialty Doctor is expected to join and actively participate in all aspects of education and training within the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Department.

QUALIFICATIONS/EXPERIENCE REQUIRED FOR APPOINTMENT

The successful candidate should have completed at least four years, full-time postgraduate training, at least two of which should be in a specialty training programme in oral and maxillofacial surgery and be competent in dento-alveolar surgery and management of maxillofacial trauma. A Membership or Fellowship in Dental Surgery is desirable. (FDS, MFDS, MJDF)

Please see attached job description for more information about this role and working at Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.