Locum Consultant Rheumatologist in Bedford

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Locum Consultant Rheumatologist

The closing date is 03 July 2026

The successful appointee will join a well-established rheumatology department comprising eight consultants and will enhance existing consultant capacity to support the delivery of a comprehensive rheumatology service. Sub‑specialty interests relevant to a district general hospital, such as vasculitis or bone health, are welcomed, alongside enthusiasm for teaching, audit and research.

Weekly commitments will align with Royal College of Physicians guidance, the consultant contract and the agreed Job Plan. Senior rheumatologists will provide mentorship, supported by a collaborative departmental culture in which clinical matters are discussed openly in both formal and informal settings.

The job plan will include 8.5 programmed activities for direct clinical care and 1.5 for supporting professional activities. It will be developed in consultation with the Clinical Director and departmental consultants, and approved by the Medical Director and Chief Executive or representative.

As a prospective annual agreement, the job plan will define duties, responsibilities and objectives across all aspects of practice, including clinical work, teaching, research, education and management. It will outline scheduled commitments, personal objectives linked to wider service goals, and the support required to meet these aims. Working patterns may evolve to meet changing local needs, with annual review in line with consultant contract, appraisal and job‑planning arrangements.

Main duties of the job

The post holders will work with the other consultants to provide specialty rheumatology advice and support to patients within the Trust. They will attend the weekly multi‑disciplinary departmental meetings and weekly X‑ray meetings, and will be expected to help support and train the registrars and other junior medical staff in rheumatology/general medicine, and the Clinical Nurse Specialists.

Where possible, the post‑holder will be encouraged to develop a research interest, compatible with the background of the department and its facilities. Audit will be a mandatory part of the role.

The Rheumatology Directorate has close links with local General Practitioners and there is an active teaching programme for them, and also for all grades of doctors within the Trust. The post holder will be encouraged to continue teaching and training at all levels.

Clinical Governance and Audit projects are undertaken as an ongoing programme within the department of Rheumatology – examining local practice compared to National Standards of care (for example use of biologic therapy, DAS scoring, early arthritis pathways and comparison to BSR Standards) – and Trust‑wide. It is expected that the appointee will be actively involved in this.

About us

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation 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. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics‑led Maternity and Paediatrics. You will be joining a friendly, high‑performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high‑quality training and development to help you grow your career. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology.

Our Values

We not only recruit based on qualifications and experience – we recruit individuals who demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trust’s core values. We achieve this by using values‑based recruitment. We are dedicated to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone, we are committed to promoting equality and diversity, and creating a culture that values differences.

Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering first 6 months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all documents attached to ensure you familiarise yourself with all requirements of the job.

Job responsibilities

Please refer to the Job Description for further details.

A 10 PA week consists of 8.5 PAs direct clinical care and 1.5 PAs for Supporting Professional Activity (SPA).

Job planning will be used to reflect the needs of the department, ensuring that contracted work is appropriately remunerated. An initial job plan review will be undertaken by the Clinical Director after 3 months and annually thereafter, or if the work pattern changes. Any additional PAs contracted by the Trust will be agreed as a separate part of the job plan by mutual consent.

The job plan will consist of 10 PAs of routine work.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Medical Degree
• MRCP
• MD or equivalent Higher Degree or evidence of relevant research

Registration

• Full GMC Registration with a licence to practice
• Entry onto the GMC Specialist Register: CCT (or within 6 months of receipt of CCT at time of interview) // CESR (must be on Specialist Register at time of applying)

Clinical Experience

• Excellent all‑round experience of DGH work
• Evidence of thorough and broad training and experience in Rheumatology
• Able to take full and independent responsibility for clinical work and delivering service without direct supervision.

Clinical Effectiveness

• Understanding of clinical governance and ability to demonstrate ongoing CPD
• Experience of guideline appraisal
• Participation in relevant local audits
• Ability to interpret and apply clinical research
• Participation in relevant national audits

Teaching

• Knowledge and ability to teach all grades of trainees and medical students
• Has attended Teaching the Teachers or similar course

Personal Skills

• Ability to co‑operate in a democratic team environment
• Flexible attitude, team player with good management skills
• Leadership Skills

Clinical Governance

• Able to demonstrate a broad understanding of the principles and elements of clinical governance.

Personnel Circumstances

• Residence within 10 miles by road or up to thirty minutes travelling time of the hospital for purposes of on‑call emergencies.
• Fit to undertake the role with satisfactory Occupational Health clearance
• Satisfactory DBS clearance

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

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.

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust