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An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Consultant in Acute Medicine to join a well-established Acute Medical team in North East England.

The Acute Medical Unit delivers a high-quality, patient-centred service for individuals presenting with acute medical conditions who are referred from the community, the emergency department, or outpatient clinics. The successful candidate will join an experienced, multidisciplinary team that provides consultant-led care across the Acute Medical Unit (AMU) and Same Day Emergency Care (SDEC) services.

The department values clinical excellence, teamwork, education, and service development, and is committed to maintaining a supportive environment that promotes work-life balance and professional development.

Main Duties of the Job

The Consultant will play a key role in the delivery and development of Acute Medical services.

Key responsibilities include:

• Provide consultant-led care for patients presenting with acute medical conditions
• Conduct post-take ward rounds on the Acute Medical Unit
• Undertake rolling reviews of new admissions throughout the day
• Provide consultant input into Same Day Emergency Care (SDEC) services
• Support the admission and assessment of patients referred from primary care and emergency services
• Participate in the consultant on-call rota for General Internal Medicine
• Provide specialist clinical advice to colleagues across the hospital and primary care
• Contribute to the leadership, management and strategic development of the Acute Medicine service
• Maintain clear clinical documentation and ensure effective communication with multidisciplinary teams
• Participate in clinical governance, quality improvement and risk management activities
• Contribute to teaching, training and supervision of junior doctors, physician associates and medical students
• Participate in continuing professional development, appraisal and revalidation

The role involves close collaboration with multidisciplinary teams, including nursing staff, advanced clinical practitioners, physician associates and allied health professionals, to ensure safe and efficient patient care.

Job Plan

The post is offered as 10 Programmed Activities (PAs).

Typical allocation:

Direct Clinical Care (9 PAs)

• Acute Medical Unit clinical sessions
• Same Day Emergency Care sessions
• Post-take ward rounds
• Administration related to patient care
• Scheduled on-call activity (approximately 1.25 PA)

Supporting Professional Activities (1 PA)

• Appraisal and revalidation
• Teaching and training
• Clinical governance and audit
• Continuing professional development

Flexible job plans and annualised working patterns may be discussed to support service delivery and work-life balance.

On-Call Commitment

• Participation in the General Medical consultant on-call rota
• Approximately 1:12 weekday on-call rota
• Approximately 1:6 weekend rota
• Weekend on-call includes consultant ward rounds and review of acute admissions

The on-call Consultant provides senior clinical oversight for the Acute Medical Unit and supports the on-call medical registrar.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Medical Degree (MBBS or equivalent)
• Full GMC registration with a licence to practise
• MRCP (UK) or equivalent qualification
• Eligibility for appointment as Consultant in Acute Medicine or General Internal Medicine

Desirable

• Higher postgraduate qualifications, such as an MD or a PhD
• Qualification as Clinical or Educational Supervisor

Experience

Essential

• Minimum 1 year NHS experience
• Extensive experience in Acute Medicine or General Internal Medicine
• Experience managing acute medical admissions and emergency presentations

Desirable

• Experience in specialities such as:
  • Respiratory Medicine
  • Care of the Elderly / Frailty
  • Diabetes
  • Rheumatology

Skills and Attributes

Essential

• Ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary clinical team
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Strong clinical leadership abilities
• Commitment to clinical governance and patient safety
• Ability to manage complex acute medical cases

Audit, Research and Teaching

Essential

• Experience participating in clinical audit and quality improvement
• Commitment to evidence-based clinical practice
• Experience teaching junior doctors and healthcare professionals

Desirable

• Evidence of research activity or publications
• Membership of the Society for Acute Medicine

Professional Requirements

• Full GMC registration with a licence to practise
• Participation in annual appraisal and revalidation
• Commitment to continuing professional development