Consultant in Integrated Sexual Health

Job summary

Applications are invited for a substantive full time 10 PA Consultant position in Integrated Genitourinary (GUM), contraception and HIV services.

A part time/job share position would be considered for this role.

The post is based within Somerset Wide Integrated Sexual Health Service (SWISH) with one day per week within the HIV service (The Starling Service). Somerset Foundation NHS Trust has been successful in securing the bid to deliver the integrated sexual health services for Somerset from April 2024 so this is an exciting time to join us as we develop and deliver our new service delivery model.

The service is county-wide and our focus is to meet the geographical challenges by improving patient access, improving efficiency and increasing patient involvement with a new PPI programme. This has all been underpinned by introduction of a triumvirate management structure for SWISH with representation from an administrative lead, nursing lead and medical lead to ensure all staff voices are represented in the implementation process. There is also ongoing work to further integrate the SWISH and Starling services.

We work closely with our supportive and collaborative commissioners who appreciate the needs and challenges of delivering a specialist sexual health service and are increasingly involved with the implementation process.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will be expected to provide clinical care for our local population and to promote opportunities for innovation within the service. The successful candidate will work in the main hub in Taunton and community hospital sites. They will work closely with the multidisciplinary team, including consultant colleagues, specialty doctors and nursing staff, providing support and advice. The post includes both out-patient and in-patient HIV care at Yeovil District Hospital and the main hub at Musgrove Park Hospital. The post holder will also be encouraged to develop a specialist clinical interest, supporting the service to continue to establish an increasingly specialist service.

The post holder will contribute to clinical, teaching, audit and management support for the staff and department in general.

SWISH and Staring are within the Families Directorate of Somerset Foundation Trust. The SWISH main hub is at Millstream House in Taunton with clinics also held at community hospitals in Minehead, Bridgwater, Frome, Chard, South Petherton and Burnham-on-Sea. A new integrated Sexual health and HIV clinic in Yeovil is planned as part of the 2024 contract implementation.

About us

As an organisation, Somerset NHS Foundation Trust offers employees a wide range of benefits including flexible working, NHS pension scheme, generous annual leave allowance and a commitment to career development.

You will be eligible for our Blue Light Card and a wide range of NHS exclusive shopping & leisure discounts.

We are proud of our skilled, diverse workforce and as an inclusive employer we welcome applications from all backgrounds.

Working in Somerset enables you to enjoy the idyllic countryside, areas of outstanding beauty and stunning coastlines whilst still only being a stone's throw away from bustling city centres like Bristol, Bath and Exeter and only two hours away from London.

There are excellent educational facilities in the area and, when compared to other regions, house prices are reasonable.

Somerset offers the countryside and the cosmopolitan - there is truly something for everyone

We really value the impact that you as a Consultant will have on our patients and services; we therefore offer an enhanced benefits package (subject to criteria) which includes:

Welcome to Somerset FT payment A generous relocation package, including Visa and travel costs Job description

Job responsibilities

Main Duties of the PostClinical Duties

Able to manage STIs presenting in an integrated SH service and manage PREP, post-exposure prophylaxis (PEPSE) for HIV infection and complex cases. To provide counselling, initiation and continuation of all contraception methods including LARC and emergency contraception. To provide telephone and e-mail advice inhouse and for other health care professionals , GPs, secondary care, pharmacists. Counsel and advise on termination of pregnancy and refer on to appropriate services. Providing HIV care and treatment according to service needs and individual competency. To work collaboratively with clinical teams to develop innovative pathways in sexual health and contraception. Encouraged to develop special interest clinic based on service needs

Undergraduate students

The appointee will be Clinical Teacher Lead - Genitourinary Medicine for the Peninsula Medical School (PMS) year 3 students. This includes PA funded by the University of Plymouth. Genitourinary Medicine clinical teaching is provided as a 10 week block in year three of the curriculum. Groups of 3-4 students spend a week in the department and then rotate on to another specialty. In effect there will be three-four different students each week for a 10 week period. (Students from Bristol University are placed with the department throughout the year out with the arrangements for PMS students ).

Teaching

The appointee (in common with other senior members of the trust) will be expected to supervise the doctors in training, to participate in teaching and be involved with the postgraduate programme generally.

Provide high quality teaching to undergraduates, postgraduates, nurses and other clinical staff together with other members of the medical staff. Actively participate in training of healthcare professionals including GPs, higher specialist trainees and midwives in LARC provision, and development of pathways across primary and secondary care. Provide and take part in educational activities within SWISH, and for other health care professionals fitters forum, GP training day etc. To take part in the protected departmental teaching time for clinical staff. To undertake mandatory training and any other training relevant to the role as required by Somerset NHS Foundation Trust. To participate in research activity as appropriate and in line with the Research Governance framework.

Research

Research is encouraged, particularly when this is appropriate to the professional development of the successful candidate and to the service development of the department. Opportunities are available within the Trust with applications for funding encouraged and support by the research team and the regional NIHR funded CRN.

Clinical Audit

The appointee will be expected to actively participate in audit. He/she will be expected to initiate and supervise audit projects related to his/her particular sub-specialty interest. He/she will liaise with the audit specialty Lead or act as audit lead if required. All audit projects, including Trust directed audit are approved by the Clinical Effectiveness and Audit Committee. Participation in national audit is encouraged. The appointee will be expected to contribute to the development and reporting of Clinical Quality Standards.

Clinical Governance

All clinical staff are accountable and responsible for their own clinical competence and should limit their actions to those for which they are deemed competent. Clinical staff are also required to comply with the requirements of their professional organizations regarding supervision.

To be aware of and comply with the Trusts policies and procedures relating to Clinical Governance and Health and Safety at Work. To support the Clinical Governance programme for the service, cascade good clinical practice guidance of BASHH, Faculty of SRH & NICE to the team and contribute to develop PGDs. To become familiar with local clinical policies, guidelines, and protocols, and contribute to implementation within the service. To participate in the Trusts incident reporting process, particularly in respect of the reporting of clinical incidents. To seek actively patient and user opinion in the development and delivery of patient care. Develop and maintain the competencies required to carry out the duties required of the post. Maintain own professional development and participate in the Trusts appraisal and job planning process. Actively take part in the Swish Best Practice Group meetings and contribute to local and national audits. To fulfil requirements for recertification of qualifications as set out by the relevant National Body, Royal College or Faculty.

Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

The Trust supports the requirements for CPD as laid down by the GMC and Royal Colleges and is committed to providing time and financial support for these activities.

Administration/Budgetary Responsibilities

Responsibility for undertaking the administrative duties associated with the care of patients and the administration of the department.

Appraisal, Job Planning and Mandatory Annual Training

The successful candidate will be required to participate actively in the annual appraisal and job planning process. In addition they will be expected to attend the mandatory annual update training.

Revalidation

The Trust has the required arrangements in place, as laid down by the Royal Colleges to ensure that all doctors have an annual appraisal with a trained appraiser and supports all consultants going through the revalidation process.

Mentoring

The Trust is committed to setting up a mentor for all newly qualified consultants. Full support and guidance comes from the Clinical Director during the first 6 months. Our Responsible Officer coordinates a mentor from 6 months of joining Yeovil Hospital.

The salary and incremental increases are subject to annual review and in accordance with the National NHS Terms and Conditions of Service for Consultants in England.

Job Plan

The successful applicant and Clinical Director will agree a prospective Job Plan that sets out their main duties and responsibilities, a schedule for carrying out their Programmed Activities, managerial responsibilities, accountability arrangements, objectives and supporting resources.

Suggested job plan (to be discussed further some activity is likely to be provided flexibly, this timetable is indicative only. All sessions entailing travelling to outlying community hospitals will have the travel time included as DCC).

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Weekend

MORNING 9am 1pm

South Petherton

DCC

Taunton Millstream House

SPA

Taunton Millstream House

DCC

Patient admin

HIV clinic

Yeovil/Millstream

DCC

Taunton Millstream

DCC

AFTERNOON 1-5pm

South Petherton

DCC

Taunton Millstream House

SPA

Taunton Millstream House

DCC

HIV clinic

Yeovil/Millstream

DCC

Taunton Millstream

/ Plymouth student teaching

EVENING 5-8pm

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

Full GMC registration Diploma in GU Medicine CCT in GU Medicine (or be eligible within 6 months of interview date Diploma in HIV Medicine Diploma of the Faculty of Sexual & Reproductive Health Letter of Competence (LoC) in Subdermal Implants (SDI) and Intrauterine Devices (IUT).

Desirable

FSRH Registered trainer

Clinical Experience

Essential

Wide experience in management of STIs including complex conditions Counselling and provision of all methods of contraception including LARC.

Desirable

Experience in HIV care and treatment An understanding of the value of Psychosexual Medicine within an integrated sexual health service

Management and Admin experience

Essential

Ability to work effectively with a multidisciplinary team Organisational skills

Desirable

Management experience Suitable computer skills to enable appropriate, timely and accurate recording of patient information on the electronic patient records system

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