Consultant Rheumatologist, University Hospital of North Durham

Consultant Rheumatologist, University Hospital of North Durham: (Company Name - Subscribers only)

We are looking for a Consultant Rheumatologists to join an enthusiastic and energetic team, providing a comprehensive service to a population of c. 600,000 across County Durham and Darlington in an area with a high prevalence of musculoskeletal disease. Joining a department that is developing a modern, multidisciplinary hub and spoke service model, the post holder will be encouraged and supported to develop Rheumatology services across County Durham and Darlington specifically through the implementation of a NICE compliant Early Arthritis Service. We provide Day Case and Inpatient care at both Darlington Memorial Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham. Out of hours care is provided by acute and general physicians therefore there is no commitment to the acute medical rota but the Trust would be willing to accommodate a dual accredited candidate and adjust their Job Plan accordingly. The department has an innovative strategy to expand and develop a comprehensive multidisciplinary team of extended scope Physiotherapists and Pharmacists. Successful applicants will be encouraged and supported to follow or develop specialist interests.

Main duties of the job

The post-holder will provide a full range of outpatient Rheumatology services as well as to develop areas of special interest. Encouragement including a financial bursary of £3000 will be offered to candidates with appropriate training who wish to further develop their skills.

Contribution to acute rheumatology in Darlington Memorial Hospital and out-reach sites on rotation with the existing rheumatologists including:

Covering internal rheumatology referrals from AMU and other wards/departments

Management of rheumatology inpatients

Provision of outpatient clinics

Establishment of an Early Arthritis Service

Contribution to undergraduate and postgraduate medical training

Contribution to quality improvement and medical audit

Contribution to research and teaching

There is no commitment to the acute medical rota but we would be willing to accommodate a dual accredited candidate and adjust their job plan accordingly.

There is no rheumatology on-call1.

About us

If you are being interviewed you must accept an interview slot in the system to continue, even if you have arranged with the manager

You must be able to produce ALL certificates stated essential in the person specification or you will not be able to complete pre-employment checks

We provide hospital services from two acute sites – Darlington Memorial Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham. We have a centre for planned care in Bishop Auckland and provide care from community hospitals in Chester-le-Street, Shotley Bridge, Barnard Castle, Sedgefield and Weardale as well as over 80 other community based settings and providing care in patients’ homes.

We particularly welcome applications from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as BAME and disabled people are currently under-represented

Full Job Descriptions can be found in the adverts supporting documents

Over reliance on AI-generated content is discouraged and may diminish the applicant’s chances of success

For the most up-to-date information on visa requirements and eligibility, please check online to determine whether you can apply.

From April 9th 2025 – Healthcare assistants – You must have a minimum of two years of experience working within the (Company Name - Subscribers only) as a HCA for the Trust to consider sponsorship (we will only consider sponsorship if you meet this criteria and have a current visa expiring within 3 months)

Details

Date posted

20 May 2025

Pay scheme

Hospital medical and dental staff

Grade

Consultant

Salary

£105,504 to £139,882 a year YC72 Pay Scale per annum pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

C9439-2526-0174

Job locations

University Hospital Of North Durham

North Road

Durham

DH1 5TW

Job description

Job responsibilities

Quality care is at the heart of our clinical strategy and service delivery. Working closely with our colleagues in primary care and the clinical commissioning groups, the focus is on services that offer care closer to home, including prevention and early intervention with co-ordinated and timely access to clinical opinion, diagnostics and multi-disciplinary interventions.

We provide acute hospital services from Darlington Memorial Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham and a range of planned hospital care and rehabilitation services at Bishop Auckland Hospital.

We also provide step-down and outpatient services through a local network of community hospitals.

Trust has developed an innovative strategy that will increase the total number of consultant rheumatologists and has committed significant financial resources to expand and develop a comprehensive multi- disciplinary team of extended scope physiotherapists, pharmacists and nurses.

The service currently provides:

Outpatient services including clinics and non-invasive investigations.

Day Case facilities and inpatient reach is provided at both Darlington Memorial Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham during normal working hours. Out of hours, inpatient care is provided by acute and general physicians with ad hoc support

Oversight of nerve conduction testing which is provided to the Trust by the physiology department.

DEXA scan reporting is currently overseen by one of the Rheumatology Consultants. Job description

Job responsibilities

Quality care is at the heart of our clinical strategy and service delivery. Working closely with our colleagues in primary care and the clinical commissioning groups, the focus is on services that offer care closer to home, including prevention and early intervention with co-ordinated and timely access to clinical opinion, diagnostics and multi-disciplinary interventions.

We provide acute hospital services from Darlington Memorial Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham and a range of planned hospital care and rehabilitation services at Bishop Auckland Hospital.

We also provide step-down and outpatient services through a local network of community hospitals.

Trust has developed an innovative strategy that will increase the total number of consultant rheumatologists and has committed significant financial resources to expand and develop a comprehensive multi- disciplinary team of extended scope physiotherapists, pharmacists and nurses.

The service currently provides:

Outpatient services including clinics and non-invasive investigations.

Day Case facilities and inpatient reach is provided at both Darlington Memorial Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham during normal working hours. Out of hours, inpatient care is provided by acute and general physicians with ad hoc support

Oversight of nerve conduction testing which is provided to the Trust by the physiology department.

DEXA scan reporting is currently overseen by one of the Rheumatology Consultants.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

• Previous general medicine experience

Desirable

• Experience in DEXa scan and other rheumatology procedures

Special Skills & Knowledge

Essential

• Evidence of training in clinical management
• Understanding of audit and commitment to personal and departmental audit

Statutory Registration

Essential

• GMC Specialist Registration

Special Requirements

Essential

• ALS Interest in promoting and/or performing research in the Trust

Qualifications

Essential

• MBBS or equivalent
• MRCP or previous experience in the country

Desirable

• MRCP part 1

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

• Previous general medicine experience

Desirable

• Experience in DEXa scan and other rheumatology procedures

Special Skills & Knowledge

Essential

• Evidence of training in clinical management
• Understanding of audit and commitment to personal and departmental audit

Statutory Registration

Essential

• GMC Specialist Registration

Special Requirements

Essential

• ALS Interest in promoting and/or performing research in the Trust

Qualifications

Essential

• MBBS or equivalent
• MRCP or previous experience in the country

Desirable

• MRCP part 1