Here at Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust, we are proud to provide expert, compassionate care for our local population. We are ranked as the third in the country for research, embedding education and training across the organisation. Our main hub is the Queen Alexandra Hospital, which is one of the largest hospitals on the south coast employing over 8,700 staff.

Our patients come from all walks of life and so do we. We hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds because it makes our hospital stronger. If you share our values and our enthusiasm for getting it right for patients, colleagues, and our community, you will find a home at Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust.

Are you looking to expand your skills? Would you thrive working in a large, supportive acute hospital with great teaching opportunities? If you are ready to expand your clinical skills, gain exposure, consolidate learning, progress your career and most importantly, directly influence the care that we provide to all our patients, we have the perfect opportunity for you.

We are looking to recruit an enthusiastic and highly motivated doctor, who is committed to excellence to join our dynamic team. This is a 6 month position with a possible further extension.

We know the importance of supported learning opportunities and are proud of the encouraging environment that our team cultivates – we promise departmental teaching, MDT meetings, grand rounds and journal clubs as well as study leave.  We have an excellent record of junior doctors progressing on to formal training programmes. 

Activity spans an acute rapid access rheumatology service, inflammatory arthritis, Rheumatological ultrasound, connective tissue disease, bone health and fracture liaison.  The department holds a variety of combined clinics, which are established with Orthopaedic, Dermatology and Pulmonary Hypertension. There are combined meetings with the respiratory and renal departments as well as links with the Systemic sclerosis and pulmonary hypertension services at the London Royal Free Hospital. The post holder will be able to attend these activities spread across outpatients, day case, a virtual outpatient environment and in-reach to the emergency department & inpatient wards during their attachment at Portsmouth.  Part of the role involves supporting dedicated Rheumatology Nurses to supervise the Department’s Disease modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD) / Biologics Monitoring Clinics, patient educational sessions and the patient advice and information line. The role is supported by secretarial and Front Office services. There are close links with other allied medical professionals and patient support groups.  

Teamwork is one of our Trust core values, and we ensure that all our medics have the opportunity to work collaboratively with supportive peers and senior colleagues – this is your opportunity to cement your training, where we are here to help you bring your best skills every day, with first class patient care at the centre of all we do.

Key Responsibilities:

• To work as a junior doctor, alongside nursing and allied health professional colleagues and senior medics to provide a safe clinical environment for the patients and visitors to the Trust
• Conduct 3 outpatient sessions per week as timetabled
• Take part in rostered in-hours and out of normal hours emergency work (1 in 3-4) when orientation complete and competence assessed.
• Weekdays on call 0900-1900, weekend on call 0900-1300 (1 in 3-4)
• Conduct in rotation with other junior doctors (1 in 4), rapid access attendances & joint injection sessions
• Supervise and assist Foundation and Core level doctors working with you and support teaching for medical students
• Attend radiological, educational and multidisciplinary sessions.
• Undertake audit at various times throughout the rotations.
• Communicate professionally and appropriately with nurses, allied health professionals, patients, relatives and all other medical staff.
• Take part in rostered in-hours and out of normal hours emergency work (1 in 3-4) when orientation complete and competence assessed.
• Proactively and positively contribute to the successful overall performance of the Trust

Benefits

Although this post is not approved for postgraduate training the duties are the same as the existing national approved training posts within specialty.  The successful candidate will be assigned a consultant clinical supervisor and will be encouraged to maintain an educational portfolio with appropriate assessments to their level of experience. There are regular departmental lunchtime teaching sessions which are open to all medical staff to attend.  There are also a wide range of opportunities to participate in clinical audit and improvement projects.

The Trust will also support you with a clinical appraisal which you can use towards your revalidation. We have a comprehensive support network with two consultants providing pastoral support to the Locally Employed Doctors within the Trust.

For Doctors who wish to remain with us, we have a newly implemented CESR programme to support doctors who are within 2 years of obtaining their Specialist Register membership.

Essential

• Full GMC registration with a licence to practice
• Primary medical qualification recognised by the GMC
• ALS/BLS Certificate from the Resuscitation Council UK or equivalent by the intended start date

Desirable

• Full MRCP desirable but not essential

Clinical Experience

• Evidence of completion of Foundation Level or Equivalent 2 year training programme & equivalent CT1-IMT3 training
• Demonstrable skills and experience of Rheumatology or General Medicine

Clinical Skills

Demonstrate evidence of being able to:

• Manage/prioritise time
• Manage information effectively
• Prioritise clinical needs
• Organise ward rounds
• Ability to maximise safety and minimise risk
• Monitor developing situations and anticipate issues
• Evidence of involvement in an audit project, a quality improvement project, formal research project or other activity

Knowledge

• Able to demonstrate appropriate level of clinical knowledge
• Knowledge and use of evidence based practice
• IT skills
• Effective, confident presentation ability
• Experience in and outside specialty
• Enthusiasm for and ability to learn practical procedures

Other

• Evidence of participation in audit
• Good oral and written communication skills
• Publications
• Prizes and honours
• Logical thinking, problem solving and decision making

Respect and Dignity

• Non-judgemental approach to patients
• Respects the privacy and dignity of individuals
• Demonstrate an understanding of equal opportunities

Quality of Care

• Able to organise oneself and prioritise clinical need
• Understanding of Clinical Governance
• Understanding of the principles of research

The health and wellbeing of our staff is at the forefront of everything we do. We are proud to be able to offer our staff some fantastic benefits including our on-site Nursery, access to our free Beach Hut for those long summer days, our on-site Wellness Centre including a gym and a swimming pool, access to our fantastic staff networks including LGBTQ, Race Equality and Disability, and awards ceremonies to recognise your achievements. We believe we can offer support to all of our staff when they need it the most.   

We welcome the unique contributions that you can bring in terms of your education, opinions, culture, ethnicity, race, sex, gender identity and expression, nation of origin, age, languages spoken, veteran’s status, colour, religion, disability, sexual orientation, and beliefs.