Consultant Paediatrician with interest in Rheumatology - 8PA inBrighton inBrighton PUBLISHED TUE 3 DEC 2024

An exciting opportunity to join a growing team in a modern, stand-alone Children's Emergency Department by the sea in the South East of England.

We have an exciting opportunity for a general paediatrician with an existing special interest in Rheumatology or for someone who would like the opportunity to be given training and to develop a special interest in rheumatology with supervision from the Great Ormond street team. Working as part of a busy and vibrant team, this role also supports the Chronic Fatigue specialty service at the Alex.

The start date of the post is as soon as possible within notice periods.

The post holder will:

Add value to the department of paediatrics and paediatric Rheumatology through strong professional leadership and contribute to the development of closer working patterns, guidelines, education and standards

Support consultant-led care in both out-patient and in-patient settings

Provide telephone advice for patients and families

Contribute to the undergraduate teaching program at BSMS and to postgraduate education and supervision within the department

• Participate in all the network related activities and Peer Review related activities - to ensure our care processes are reviewed regularly and actions taken to rectify or modify any shortcomings identified
• Support the development of improved facilities for research and participation in audit.

On Call Commitment:

The new consultant will participate on call for general paediatric only.

The 'consultant of the week' rota, providing care for all medical in-patients with a frequency of 1 in 12 weeks or 1 in 10 weeks ,

On call = 1 in 12 or 1 in 10 on call commitment for general paediatrician on-call.

There is prospective cover for annual leave.

About us

This is an exciting new post in general paediatrics which aims to improve the care and outcomes for children both with inflammatory and non-inflammatory musculoskeletal conditions. The postholder will be on the acute general paediatric on call rota and it is envisaged they will work closely with general paediatric colleagues, tertiary rheumatology services and services such as the function first clinic and chronic fatigue services.

Currently, children with inflammatory rheumatological disease (the majority with JIA but also SLE/JDM) are currently seen in a weekly rheumatology clinic. Children are referred to tertiary services as necessary, and those with more complex disease or requiring biologics and/or joint injections are currently required to travel regularly to a London tertiary service. The current caseload is around 60-80 under 16s.

In order to improve patient experience and reduce the need for patient travel a visiting clinic with a GOSH paediatric rheumatology consultant is planned. There will be the option of further training at GOSH if required, to develop expertise in DMARD prescribing and intra-articular steroid injections for example. Additionally there would also be the expectation that a local MDT approach with local physiotherapy occupational therapy and psychology would be developed.

It is also planned to recruit to a CNS to develop and support the service.

The postholder will also be expected to develop services for children with non-inflammatory musculoskeletal conditions and work closely with the Chronic fatigue service and the Function First service. Currently children with chronic joint pain and hypermobility are seen in general paediatrics and holistic service provision and rehabilitation options are limited. There is the opportunity to improve multidisciplinary services and outcomes for this group of young people and to develop education packages for both users and professionals working in the field.

It is anticipated that the applicant will have a broad acute general paediatric background and some experience of working with young people with chronic health conditions. Some experience in paediatric rheumatology would be welcomed but is not essential.

The department is committed to ensuring all consultants are treated equally and fairly.

The post holder accepts that they will also perform duties in occasional emergencies and unforeseen circumstances at the request of the appropriate consultant, in consultation, where practicable, with their colleagues, both senior and junior. While it has been agreed between the professions that they will perform such duties, the Secretary of State stresses that additional commitments arising under this sub-section are exceptions and you should not be required to undertake work of this kind for prolonged periods or on a regular basis.