Consultant in Audiovestibular MedicineNHS
Job summary
We are excited to be recruiting two part-time Consultants in Audiovestibular Medicine. They will be joining the existingconsultants based at St Helier Hospital. The work as a consultantis mainly carried out on the St Helier Site with some sessions held at Epsom Hospital. The service represents a modernisation of audiovestibular pathways andconsultants work closely with other trust specialists. This service is strongly supported and resourced by the Trust. The posts include sessions in both Adult and Paediatric Audiovestibular Medicine and include the opportunity to further develop the paediatric dizzy clinic.
Audiovestibular medicine (AVM) has been established in the Trust since 1989. It is part of the Department of Audiology AVM and Hearing Therapy. There are six consultants in the department and one specialist registrar who is on the Pan-Thames Specialist Registrar rotation. The service is well received and supported by local general practitioners and the majority of the referrals received come from GPs and otherconsultants within the trust. Referrals are also received from neighbouring CCGs and from boroughs further afield without AVM provision.
Main duties of the job
The speciality is outpatient-based with no designated beds for inpatient activity although there is good liaison with the ENT specialist for access to the operating list for paediatric ABR testing under GA where appropriate, and access to day case beds on QMCH for sedated ABR testing. Adult AVM clinics are held at Ferguson House in the recently refurbished audiology department, and the Springall Outpatient Unit, and also at Epsom. Paediatric AVM clinics are held at the Queen Mary's recently refurbished Audiology Unit and Outpatient Department, where there are plenty of opportunities for collaboration with other paediatric specialists.
- It is anticipated that the 2 post holders will provide adult and/or paediatric AVM outpatient clinics according to service needs and the candidates' interests. There is also an opportunity to provide and further develop a paediatric dizzy/vestibular clinic.The post includes 3.5 outpatient clinics, 1 session for SPA, and 1.5 session for clinic related activity. The post has arisen due to a vacancy, and continued increased demand for the AVM service. The post-holder will, in conjunction with other health professionals, investigate and manage:
- Adults and children with, vertigo, imbalance and/or tinnitus.
- Investigate progressive and fluctuating sensorineural hearing loss
- Interpret audiovestibular test results in the context of clinical findings
There is scope for the post holder to develop their areas of interest within the department.
Job description
Job Title: Consultant in Audiovestibular MedicineGrade: Medical & Dental Consultant Substantive: 2 x 6PA PostsContract: SubstantiveDepartment: Specialty MedicineReports To: Clinical Lead for AVMAccountable To: Clinical DirectorSite: St Helier and EpsomHours of work(p/w): 6PAs (24 hours per week)Post DescriptionWe are recruiting 2 part time , 6PA consultants in Audiovestibular Medicine, they will be joining theexisting consultants in this area based St Helier Hospital. The work as a consultantis mainly carried out on the St Helier Site with some sessions which may be held at EpsomHospital. The service represents a modernisation of audiovestibular pathways andconsultants closely with other trust specialists. This service is strongly supported andresourced by the Trust.Audiovestibular Model of Care at Epsom and St Helier University HospitalsTrustAudiovestibular medicine (AVM) has been established in the Trust since 1989. It ispart of the Department of Audiology. There are 6 consultants in the department andone specialist registrar who is on the Pan-Thames Specialist Registrar rotation. Theservice is well received and supported by local general practitioners and the majorityof the referrals received come from GPs and other consultants within the trust. Weprovide ototoxicity monitoring for the Royal Marsden Hospital in Sutton. Referrals arealso received from neighbouring CCGs and from boroughs further afield without AVMprovision.The speciality is outpatient-based with no designated beds for inpatient activityalthough there is good liaison with the ENT specialist for access to the operating listfor paediatric ABR testing under GA where appropriate, and access to day case bedson QMCH for sedated ABR testing, when necessary. Clinics are held at FergusonHouse in the recently refurbished audiology department, and the Springall OutpatientUnit, for adult patients, and at the Queen Marys Hospital for Childrens recentlyrefurbished Paediatric Audiology Unit and Outpatient Clinics for paediatric patients.The entire range of audiovestibular and neuro-otological symptoms are seen in bothpaediatric and adult AVM clinics.The staffing component of the Department comprises:3 x Band 8 heads of service (Adult and Paediatric)2 x Hearing therapists6 x Band 7 senior Specialist Audiologists7 x band 6 senior Audiologists4 x band 5 Audiologists5x band 3 assistant audiologistsAudiology POD admin teamThe audiology department provides a full range of tertiary diagnostic services,(including auditory brainstem response, otoacoustic emissions, acoustic reflex andspeech audiometry, videonystagmography, VEMP and caloric test, vHIT, balanceplatform, mastoid vibration) and therapeutic interventions for imbalance, dizziness,tinnitus and hearing loss.The work of the Consultant AVPs is supported by the audiologists and hearingtherapists in the department. There is also good support and interaction with theadvisory service for children with hearing loss from the boroughs of Merton, Suttonand Surrey and other professionals in the multi-disciplinary team around the child.The team also benefit from being members of a dynamic and proactive CHSWG.Medical investigations such as radiological and phlebotomy services are provided onsite. There is specialist radiological input: monthly radiology meetings, fortnightlyneuroradiology meetings, and access to play specialist support for childrenundergoing investigations and procedures as needed. Some investigations, such as3T MRI, and neurovestibular physiotherapy can be accessed by referring to StGeorges Hospital as we are now part of the same organisation (GESH). Joint MDTwith regional clinical genetics is held quarterly. There are 8 interesting/challengingcases meetings, shared with St Georges AVM colleagues, per year.We are a friendly and cohesive team. There are monthly adult and paediatric teammeetings, regular clinical governance meetings and we participate in quarterly SouthWest Regional Audit Group peer review meetings.Consultant Audiovestibular Medicine PostsIt is anticipated that the 2 post holders will provide adult and/or paediatric AVMoutpatient clinics according to service needs and the candidates interests. There isalso an opportunity to provide and further develop a paediatric dizzy/vestibular clinic.The post includes 3.5 outpatient clinics, 1 session for SPA, and 1.5 session for clinic related activity. The post has arisen due to a vacancy, and continued increaseddemand for the AVM service. The post-holder will: In conjunction with other health professionals, investigate and manageadults and children with, vertigo, imbalance and/or tinnitus Investigate progressive and fluctuating sensorineural hearing loss Interpret audiovestibular test results in the context of clinical findingsThere is scope for the post holder to develop their areas of interest within thedepartment.Secretarial / Administrative SupportThere is administrative and secretarial support for the post.Main Responsibilities and DutiesPrinciple Duties of the PostThe principal duty of this post is to provide a comprehensive clinical service topatients.1. To at all times, comply with the GMCs guidance on Good Medical Practiceas amended or substituted from time to time.2. To ensure that patient confidentiality is maintained at all times.3. To undertake duties as defined within the attached job plan in so far aspracticable and in agreement with your Clinical Director.4. To be responsible and managerially accountable for the reasonable andeffective use of Trust resources that you use and influence, andprofessionally accountable to the Medical Director.5. On commencement to ensure personal attendance at the Trusts corporateInduction (or arranged Consultant Induction).6. To participate in the Trusts Statutory & Mandatory training programme.7. To be responsible for the Clinical Management of in and out patients underyour care.8. Review ward referrals either in person or to give advice to junior membersof the teamTeaching & Training To share responsibility with other Consultants for the recruitment, appointmentand supervision of junior medical staff in accordance with Trust policies. To devote time on a regular basis for teaching and training of junior medicalstaff, contributing as appropriate to post-graduate and continuing medicaleducation. To devote time, through agreement on a regular basis for teaching and trainingof medical students as part of agreed teaching arrangements with theFoundation School.Management & Governance1. To be responsible for the management, appraisal and discipline of juniordoctors who are attached to you, after taking appropriate advice, whereappropriate.2. To maintain personal and professional development. The post holder will beexpected to register with their respective Royal College for the purpose ofCME/CPD and to fulfil the requirements of that registration.3. To provide advice, as required to the Executive and Trust board, GeneralPractitioners and other interested parties, on the provision of planning ofclinical services locally, regionally and nationally in keeping with confidentialityagreements relating to Trust business.4. To co-operate in the present framework agreement of managementarrangements.5. To fully participate in Clinical Governance arrangements across the Trustincluding participation in clinical audit, research (where appropriate), pursuingan agreed agenda with colleagues and the Trust Board and fully co-operatingin implementing the results in order to achieve best practice.6. To participate, on at least an annual basis in consultant appraisal and jobplanning reviews.7. To comply with Trust policies and procedures where appropriate.8. To ensure that all intellectual property rights of the Trust are observed.Proposed Job PlanThe proposed job plan for this post is attached below. This will be discussed in detailwith the post holder on appointment.Job plans will be reviewed annually, following an appraisal meeting. The job plan willbe a prospective agreement that sets out a Consultants typical working pattern,duties, objectives and responsibilities for the coming year. It will cover all aspects ofa Consultants professional practice including clinical work, teaching, research,education, managerial responsibilities and external commitments.On appointment of the post holder, the Clinical Director may commence discussionsto finalise the job plan which will become operational on appointment. The job plan isan indicative plan of the duties the post holder is likely to be asked to undertake.Additional programmed activities may be offered to the post holder. Any offer ofadditional programmed activities will be based on the needs of the service and in linewith the Trust objectives and will be reviewed on an annual basis.The post is predominantly expected to be at St Helier hospital. If cross site workingis necessary then allowance for travelling time between sites will be made within theprogrammed activities detailed on the job plan.Private PracticeThe post holder should ensure that any private practice commitments are discussedwith your Clinical Director and entered into the prospective job plan. Any change tothese will need to be discussed between the post holder and the Clinical Director andrecorded in an amended job plan. Consultants will be required to ensure that theymeet the code of conduct for private practice at all times.Any successful Candidate will be given an opportunity to meet and discuss and agreethe Job plan in detail in accordance with the Trust Job planning Process.
About us
St George's, Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals and Health Group cares for a population of four million people in South West London and North East Surrey.Our sites include St George's Hospital, one of 11 major trauma centres in the UK and the largest healthcare provider and major teaching hospital in the area; St Helier Hospital, home to the South West Thames Renal and Transplantation Unit and Queen Mary's Hospital for Children; and Epsom Hospital, home to the South West London Elective Orthopaedic Centre (SWLEOC).
After years of collaboration, our two Trusts became a hospitals group in 2021. While remaining as two separate Trusts, being a hospitals group will help us to collaborate more closely on research, and the development, education, and training of our 17,000-strong workforce.