Consultant Haematologist in Cockermouth

This new Consultant Haematologist post will work across the North East Central Alliance, a formal strategic partnership between County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust (CDDFT) and South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust (STSFT). The STSFT haematology service already provides the haematology service at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Gateshead. The appointment will contribute to the delivery and development of clinical and laboratory haematology services across the three trusts, serving a combined population of 1.3 million.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a dynamic team as the services come together to undertake a programme of sustained team expansion and service re-development. The detailed job description and job plan will be agreed with the successful candidate, taking account of their preferences, experience and subspecialty interests alongside the needs of the service. The post offers scope to develop a specialist interest and contribute to shared pathways, teaching, research and service improvement.

Main duties of the job include:

• A 1-in-10 attending week, providing Level 3 inpatient haematology care at SRH, managing two-week-wait referrals, liaison work and laboratory reporting.
• A 1-in-10 non-resident overnight on-call commitment, providing advice across STSFT, QE and CDDFT.
• Two adult haematology clinics per week during non-attending weeks across sites, covering haemato-oncology, haemostasis and thrombosis, and general haematology.
• Reviewing day-unit patients across sites.
• Prescribing inpatient and outpatient chemotherapy.
• Providing advice and guidance to GPs.
• Reporting bone marrow biopsies.
• Attending the weekly Consultant Grand Round at SRH and weekly MDT, with rotating involvement in the bone marrow morphology MDT.

Although full time, applications from candidates wishing to work less than full time are encouraged. Applicants must hold MRCP and FRCPath, be on the GMC Specialist Register with a licence to practise and, if UK-trained, hold a Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT).

About us: There are many reasons to work at our Trust. From our commitment to putting people first to our accessible services and award-winning teams. We have a passion for research, innovation and tackling inequalities. We are committed to respect, fairness and civility and promote a compassionate, caring and positive culture / working environment. We welcome all applications irrespective of race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion/belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity and in particular those from under-represented groups. Looking after our workforce's health and wellbeing is a priority for us. We also provide access to high-quality education, training, career progression and support. Flexible working is supported via our Flexible Working Policy.

The Trust employs around 8,746 people and provides a range of hospital services to a local community of around 430,000 residents. We also provide a range of more specialised services outside this area. We offer our staff outstanding benefits including a Fitness Centre (SRH), libraries at both hospital sites, chaplaincy support and access to a Care Co-ordinator to help staff with childcare arrangements.

Job responsibilities include:

• Provide consultant-led assessment, investigation, treatment and follow-up of patients with malignant and non-malignant haematological disorders, within the agreed clinical remit.
• Undertake outpatient clinics and day-unit work, including prescribing and monitoring systemic anti-cancer treatment, and provide inpatient care and ward liaison as set out in the job plan.
• Maintain continuing responsibility for patients under the post holder's care, with effective clinical documentation, handover, follow-up and arrangements for cover.
• Provide specialist advice to medical and surgical teams, primary care and other healthcare professionals, and work collaboratively with nursing, pharmacy, laboratory and allied health professional colleagues.
• Participate in the SRH on-call rota, including responsibility for haematology inpatients during attending periods and urgent assessment or hot-clinic activity within the agreed rota arrangements.
• Contribute to laboratory haematology and transfusion services, including blood film and bone marrow reporting and advice on coagulation and transfusion problems.
• Participate in relevant multidisciplinary team meetings, including preparation, clinical decision-making and implementation of agreed treatment plans.
• Work with regional centres to ensure timely referral for specialist investigations, intensive treatment, cellular therapies and transplantation.
• Contribute to shared care, including post-autologous transplant care at SRH, according to competence and agreed responsibilities.
• Provide prospective cover for colleagues during leave and support continuity of care during absence, within agreed service and job planning arrangements.

Person Specification:

• Professional Skills: Effective interpersonal and communication skills with patients, carers and colleagues. Ability to work as part of a multidisciplinary team and collaborate across sites and organisations. Experience of teaching and training undergraduates and postgraduates, with commitment to supervision and development of colleagues. Commitment to clinical governance, audit, quality improvement, continuing professional development and reflective practice. Ability to organise clinical work, maintain effective handover and contribute to service delivery and development.
• Experience: Broad experience in clinical haematology sufficient to undertake the agreed consultant duties and general haematology on-call responsibilities. Experience in routine laboratory haematology, including reporting blood films and bone marrow biopsies, and advising on coagulation problems and transfusion issues. Experience and training in induction therapy for acute leukaemia. Competence to administer intrathecal chemotherapy, supported by evidence of training and subject to local authorisation and competency requirements. Ability to assess clinical urgency, make sound decisions, recognise the limits of personal competence and seek appropriate specialist support.
• Desirable: Experience and training in autologous stem cell rescue and associated patient care. Participation in academic research, with presentations and peer-reviewed publications. Experience of developing multidisciplinary working for clinical service provision. Management and leadership skills, with evidence of contributing to service improvement.
• Qualifications: MRCP and FRCPath in Haematology, or equivalent qualifications. Full GMC registration and a licence to practise; inclusion on the GMC Specialist Register in Haematology, or eligibility for specialist registration within six months of interview. For UK trainees, CCT or anticipated CCT within six months of interview.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications.