Consultant in Sexual Health & HIV Medicine

Overview

Blackpool Sexual Health Services is seeking a new consultant in GUM and HIV to join an established team of medics, nurses and other health care professionals. The post is hosted by Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and operates clinics across Lancashire and South Cumbria.

The successful post holder will provide sexual health and HIV clinical sessions from Whitegate Health Centre, Blackpool and Fatima Health Centre, Preston (see indicative job plan). The service collaborates with local universities and NHS partners to deliver education, teaching and research opportunities.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert clinical practice in sexual health and HIV, including assessment, diagnosis, treatment and ongoing management.
• Offer a range of contraceptive methods and provide specialist clinical services as dictated by service needs and individual skills.
• Support service provision by non-medical staff within the service and provide clinical advice to primary, secondary and tertiary care services.
• Assess and counsel patients with unplanned pregnancy and refer to appropriate agencies for subsequent care including termination of pregnancy services.
• Maintain clinical skills and professional accreditation; participate in ongoing personal development, appraisal and revalidation.
• Maintain accurate records and use IT appropriately; provide on-call advice across Lancashire and South Cumbria for HIV medicine and sexual health.
• Ensure secretarial support, dedicated office space and IT facilities are available for the post.
• Demonstrate knowledge and experience in STI management, manage STI cases and provide contraception as needed.
• Engage in continuous clinical leadership of the service in partnership with the Head of Department and senior staff.

Managerial and Leadership Responsibilities

• Support initiatives to improve and modernise the sexual health service in line with commissioning criteria and professional guidelines (BASHH, BHIVA, FSRH).
• Contribute to medical administration and provide professional and managerial support for clinicians within the service.
• Lead day-to-day clinical management and contribute to the strategic development of the service.
• Represent the service on sexual health groups and other strategic groups as requested; maintain high standards aligned with professional bodies.

Teaching and Education

• Participate in undergraduate teaching and support sessions for medical, nursing and allied health students; engage with GMC-required standards.
• Contribute to supervision and training of postgraduate trainees; the Trust hosts Junior Doctors in training placements with Health Education England North West.
• Access to facilities including Health Professionals Education Centre, library services, clinical skills and simulation suite; opportunities for faculty development and mentorship.

Clinical Audit, Research and Development

• Carry out an ongoing program of clinical audit and participate in regional and national audits where appropriate.
• Engage with Research, Development and Innovation; contribute to evidence-based care and opportunities to participate in NIHR portfolio studies.
• Opportunity for honorary academic appointments with Lancaster University for supervising PhD/MSc students and related activities.

Contractual, Appraisal and Development

• Continued responsibility for patients in care and administrative duties of the clinical department; Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust will be the employer.
• Participate in annual GMC-aligned appraisal and revalidation processes; maintain CME/CPD per college guidelines with Trust study leave support.
• Clinical leadership development and New Consultant/Senior SAS induction programs with coaching and mentoring support.

Location and Service Area

The Trust serves Blackpool, Fylde, Wyre and broader Lancashire and South Cumbria; clinics operate in Blackpool and Preston with the potential for cross-site sessions.

Qualifications and Requirements

• Full and specialist registration with a licence to practice (GMC).
• Experience in sexual health and HIV clinical practice and STI management.
• Commitment to education, audit, research and service development.

Please note: Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) requirements may apply as part of pre-employment checks. Details of DBS cost and updates are provided in the applicant information. This post may be subject to screening requirements in line with NHS guidelines.