Consultant Radiologist in Derry, Londonderry

Consultant Radiologist (Special Interest in Breast Radiology)

Location: County Londonderry

Remuneration: £110,681 to £145,517 per annum (pro-rata, based on a standard 10 PA commitment)

Directorate / Division: Acute - Cancer and Diagnostics

Tenure: Permanent / Full-Time (10.5 PA contract offered; negotiable; applications for less than full-time hours welcomed)

Reports To: Clinical Lead Radiologist / Divisional Clinical Director

Accountable To: Chief Executive

Role Overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen to appoint a Consultant Radiologist with a Special Interest in Breast Radiology based in County Londonderry.

This newly funded post is designed to support the combined Symptomatic Breast Service and the regional Breast Screening Programme. The dedicated Breast Unit provides symptomatic breast services to the local population and breast screening to a combined catchment population exceeding 52,000, with ongoing demographic growth.

The appointee will join an established, forward-thinking multidisciplinary team comprising substantive breast radiologists, consultant radiographers, and advanced practice radiographers providing independent reporting, stereotactic biopsies, and vacuum-assisted breast excision. The unit utilises state-of-the-art diagnostic technology—including digital mammography with stereotactic and tomosynthesis biopsy capabilities, dedicated breast ultrasound, high-field breast MRI, and the rollout of Contrast-Enhanced Spectral Mammography (CESM). The service has also achieved Quality Standard for Imaging (QSI) accreditation and participates actively in high-level clinical research and national clinical trials.

Key Duties & Clinical Responsibilities

• Breast Radiology: Lead and participate in symptomatic breast one-stop clinics, breast screening assessment clinics, interval film reading, and multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings.

• Interventional & Diagnostic Procedures: Perform and interpret breast ultrasound, stereotactic/tomosynthesis-guided biopsies, vacuum-assisted core biopsies/excisions, and pre-operative wire/seed localisations.

• Advanced Breast Imaging: Deliver diagnostic reporting for breast MRI and contrast-enhanced spectral mammography (CESM), with opportunities to contribute to the planned introduction of MRI-guided breast biopsies.

• General Radiology Contribution: Support the general workload of the radiology department, including cross-sectional reporting (CT and MRI), ultrasound, and plain film reporting.

• Radiologist of the Day: Participate on a rotational basis as "Radiologist of the Day" to provide acute advice, protocolling, and liaison for inpatient and emergency teams.

• On-Call Commitment: Participate in the general radiology night and weekend on-call rota (currently operating on an approximate 1:17 frequency) with prospective cover. Emergency overnight CT reporting after 21:00 is supported by an external outsourced reporting provider. Home-reporting NIPACS workstations are provided prior to commencing on-call duties.

• Teaching & Training: Actively participate in the clinical training, supervision, and mentoring of radiology specialty registrars (on rotation from the regional training scheme), junior medical staff, and undergraduate medical students.

• Clinical Governance & Research: Participate in clinical audit, quality standard setting, discrepancy review meetings, and clinical trials supported in conjunction with the regional Cancer Centre.

Proposed Job Plan (10.5 Programmed Activities)

The provisional timetable illustrates the anticipated clinical allocation (typically 8.5 to 9.0 Direct Clinical Care PAs and 1.5 to 2.0 Supporting Professional Activities PAs), subject to mutual agreement upon appointment:

• Direct Clinical Care (DCC): 8.5-9.0 PAs

• Breast Screening Assessment Clinics

• Symptomatic Breast One-Stop Clinics

• Breast Film Reading & Cross-Sectional Reporting

• Breast MDT Preparation and Meeting

• General Ultrasound and Plain Film Reporting

• Radiologist of the Day (rotational duty)

• Supporting Professional Activities (SPA): 1.5 PAs core (covering audit, revalidation/CPD, QSI quality governance, teaching, and service improvement; extendable up to 2.5 SPAs for formally agreed additional responsibilities)

Weekly Timetable Framework:

• Monday: Breast Screening Assessment Clinic (Morning) | Breast Film Reading & Cross-Sectional Reporting (Afternoon)

• Tuesday: General Ultrasound Session (Morning) | Supporting Professional Activity (SPA) (Afternoon)

• Wednesday: Plain Film Reporting & MDT Preparation (Morning) | Radiologist of the Day (Afternoon)

• Thursday: SPA (0.5 PA) & Breast MDT (Morning) | Symptomatic Breast Clinic (Afternoon)

• Friday: Cross-Sectional Diagnostic Reporting (Morning) | Symptomatic Breast Clinic (Afternoon)

Essential Criteria

• GMC Registration: Full registration with the General Medical Council (GMC, London) with a current Licence to Practise (or eligible at appointment).

• Specialist Register: Entry on the GMC Specialist Register for Clinical Radiology (or eligible within 6 months of interview date via CCT, or via Portfolio Pathway / CESR, or European Community Rights).

• General Radiology Skills: Comprehensive clinical training, experience, and competence across general diagnostic modalities (plain film, ultrasound, CT, and MRI).

• Breast Subspecialty Competence: Adequate subspecialty training and expertise in Breast Imaging to function independently within a Breast MDT, including at least 6 months of working knowledge of the UK Breast Screening Programme.

• Clinical Governance: Clear understanding of clinical governance, medical audit, QSI accreditation standards, and evidence-based practice.

• Communication & Teamwork: Proven ability to work collaboratively within a multi-professional team and communicate with sensitivity and empathy.

• Mobility: Hold a current full driving licence valid in the UK with access to a car upon appointment (waived for applicants with a qualifying disability who have access to an approved alternative form of transport).

Desirable Criteria

• Fellowship of the Royal College of Radiologists (FRCR) or equivalent postgraduate qualification.

• Demonstrable experience in contrast-enhanced spectral mammography (CESM) or breast MRI-guided interventions.

• Additional subspecialty interest or experience complementary to the departmental profile (e.g., musculoskeletal or neuroimaging).

• Active track record in clinical research, clinical trials, or undergraduate/postgraduate medical education.

Benefits & Working Conditions

• Equipment & Digital Infrastructure: Filmless, paper-light working environment operating region-wide NIPACS with voice recognition, 3-monitor reporting stations, and dedicated home reporting equipment.

• Office & Secretarial Support: Dedicated medical secretarial support, shared consultant office accommodation, and full administrative infrastructure.

• Leave & Superannuation: 6 weeks and 2 days annual leave (rising after 7 years' consultant service), 10 statutory public holidays, study leave allowances, and automatic enrolment into the Health and Social Care Pension Scheme.

• Mentoring & Relocation: Comprehensive induction and mentoring arrangements for newly appointed consultants, with relocation financial assistance available for eligible candidates in accordance with Trust policy.

#J-18808-Ljbffr