Consultant Cardiologist with special interest in ACHD

Consultant Cardiologist with special interest in ACHD

• To provide a consultant led service in Cardiology with specialisation in Adult Congenital Heart Disease.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

To deliver care to patients with adult congenital heart disease at University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust through outpatient clinics, inpatient care and subspecialty MDTs.

Provide inpatient care on cardiology wards, assessment of cardiac patients on MAU, inpatient referrals and Advice and Guidance service to GPs by participating on the non PCI consultant rota, currently 1 in 10 weeks, with appointment of 4 additional consultants over the next 12 months.

Participate in innovative community integration models to provide cardiac care to local population.

Ability to contribute to other subspecialty areas in cardiology depending on training and skills.

Main duties of the job

Role Requirements

You will be expected to undertake two outpatient ACHD clinics in a full week. You will also be a point of contact for ACHD advice and support for inpatient care of patients with congenital heart disease and would also be expected to attend our joint level 1 centre congenital cardiology MDT meetings. You will also be expected to support the advice and guidance service for ACHD and General Cardiology outpatient queries with the support of ACHD nurse specialist. You will be expected to take part on Braunton ward rota which is currently 1 in 10. You will also be part of the rota to provide inpatient cardiology reviews and Advice and Guidance services to GPs, currently 1 in 10.

About us

We are a people business - where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff, who are committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence and great customer care. The Trust has great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment. We offer all of this in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure. PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION WILL BE ELECTRONIC, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY. If you have any issues with applying online and need additional support including reasonable adjustments with the application process please contact the recruitment manager for this post who will put you in touch with the recruitment team. We recognise that work life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants around less than full time/flexible working for our advertised roles. Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss this prior to your application submission. We commit to giving this full consideration in each case. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, as diversity strengthens our teams. It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.

Job responsibilities Main Responsibilities Clinical Duties

• Deliver consultant-led outpatient ACHD care through two weekly clinics, supported by echocardiography and physiology teams.
• Provide specialist input for inpatients with congenital heart disease, including ward reviews, acute referrals, and multidisciplinary care planning.
• Participate in joint ACHD clinics with colleagues from the Level 1 ACHD Centre in Southampton and regional congenital cardiac networks.
• Contribute to maternal cardiology clinics, offering specialist care to women with congenital or acquired heart disease during pregnancy and preconception counselling.
• Participate in general cardiology inpatient services, including ward rounds (Braunton Ward), acute medical admissions (MAU reviews), and referral support.
• Contribute to the consultant non-PCI cardiology rota (currently 1:10) for inpatient care and Advice & Guidance to GPs.
• Provide timely specialist advice and guidance for ACHD and general cardiology outpatient queries.
• Collaborate closely with the ACHD Clinical Nurse Specialist and wider multidisciplinary team to optimise patient care pathways.

Multidisciplinary & Network Working

• Attend and contribute to weekly joint congenital cardiology MDTs (remote and on-site), as well as general cardiology MDTs (e.g. endocarditis, revascularisation, valve disease).
• Develop strong collaborative links with regional ACHD services, maternal medicine, anaesthetics, and surgical teams.
• Support integration of ACHD services into community care models and innovative outreach programmes.

Education, Training & Research

• Actively participate in undergraduate and postgraduate teaching, including:
  • Weekly echocardiography education meetings.
  • Resident doctor teaching sessions.
  • Monthly consultant-led medical education meetings (case presentations, audit, M&M reviews).
• Supervise and mentor cardiology trainees and physiologists in ACHD and imaging.
• Contribute to clinical audit, service evaluation, and quality improvement initiatives within cardiology.
• Engage in research and evidence-based practice, with opportunities to publish and present in ACHD and cardiology.

Service Development & Leadership

• Contribute to the ongoing development of the ACHD service, aligning with national service specifications and network models.
• Provide clinical leadership in enhancing pathways for ACHD and maternal cardiology patients.
• Participate in job planning, rota development, and service planning in conjunction with colleagues.
• Undertake professional responsibilities at local, regional, and national level as required.

Supporting Professional Activities (SPA)

• Maintain and develop professional skills through CPD, appraisal, and revalidation.
• Contribute to audit, clinical governance, service evaluation, and guideline development.
• Participate in departmental, divisional, and Trust-wide meetings as required.

Indicative Job Plan (10 PAs)

• Outpatient ACHD Clinics: 2 per week (2.0 PAs)
• Ward Round Braunton Ward: 1.14 PAs
• MAU Reviews: 0.53 PAs
• Advice & Guidance: 0.33 PAs
• Subspecialty ACHD Work (e.g. maternal cardiology): 1.5 PAs
• Multidisciplinary Meetings (ACHD, valve, revascularisation, endocarditis): 1.0 PAs
• Patient-related Administration: 1.5 PAs
• Community Integration Models: 0.5 PAs
• Supporting Professional Activities (SPA): 1.5 PAs

Total: 10 PAs (8.5 DCC, 1.5 SPA)

Person Specification

• Full GMC registration
• MBBS or equivalent
• To be on, or within 6 months of being on, the GMC Specialist Register in Cardiology via a CCT in Cardiology or equivalent e.g CESR, at the time of interview.
• Should have completed a recognised training programme in Adult Congenital Heart Disease
• Higher degree (MD, PhD or equivalent)

KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE

• Adult Congenital Heart Disease
• Training in Heart disease in pregnancy
• Fully trained in general cardiology
• Comprehensive knowledge in the specialty and ability to offer expert clinical opinion on range of problems
• Demonstrates good knowledge of the structures and culture of the NHS, roles, responsibilities and relationships across the MDT and the multi professional team.
• Accreditation in Cardiac imaging modalities

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.