Consultant in Medical Oncology with a specialist interest in Breast Cancer

Here at Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust, we are proud to provide expert, compassionate care for our local population. We are ranked as the third in the country for research, embedding education and training across the organisation. Our main hub is the Queen Alexandra Hospital, which is one of the largest hospitals on the south coast employing over 8,700 staff.

Our patients come from all walks of life and so do we. We hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds because it makes our hospital stronger. If you share our values and our enthusiasm for getting it right for patients, colleagues, and our community, you will find a home at Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust.

Job Summary:

We are seeking an enthusiastic consultant colleague to join our existing breast and gynaecological malignancy teams. The post-holder will provide systemic oncological treatments for patients diagnosed with:

• Breast cancer (St Richard’s Hospital, Chichester)
• Gynaecological cancers (Portsmouth)

The successful candidate will work alongside a Consultant Clinical Oncologist and provide systemic treatments for breast cancer patients at St Richard’s Hospital, Chichester. There is registrar and clinical nurse specialist support as well as prescriber support for adjuvant oral therapies. In addition, there are plans to increase prescriber support for the service. There is a centralised virtual MDT for Chichester and Worthing hospitals.

With regard to the gynaecology practice, the successful candidate will join a team of one Medical and two Clinical Oncologists providing care for the Portsmouth and West Sussex populations. There is a centralised Gynaecology MDT and clinics are based in Portsmouth. Systemic therapy for this group of patients is delivered at Portsmouth and Fareham. There is excellent CNS and registrar support. The Gynaecology team is research active with a broad portfolio of clinical studies and strong track record of recruitment into clinical trials. There is an established HDR brachytherapy program for gynaecological cancers, including Interstitial brachytherapy and SABR for oligometastatic disease.

This is a 10 PA post, although candidates wishing to work fewer PAs are most welcome to discuss their requirements with the department. Other site specialty interests could be accommodated, however, and candidates are encouraged to discuss their preferences. 

Approximate new referrals would be 100-150 for the breast practice and 80-100 per year for the gynaecology practice, totalling no more than 180-250 referrals per year.

Key Responsibilities:

The appointee will join the Oncology Team as a Medical Oncology Consultant and will be expected to participate in all facets of departmental activity. 

A full-time substantive consultant Medical Oncologist post of 10 PA (8 DCC & 2 SPA) is available, covering the proposed job plan as detailed separately. 

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Full GMC registration with a license to practice
• Higher professional training in Medical Oncology

Desirable

• MRCP/FRCP or equivalent
• PhD, MD or BSc

Clinical Experience

• Entry on the GMC specialist register via CCT (proposed date must be within 6 months), CESR or European Community Rights
• An appropriate higher Medical Oncology qualification
• Evidence of a clinical or research fellowship

Clinical Skills

• Demonstrable skills and experience of expertise in the areas of special interest relevant to the job plan
• Understanding of clinical risk management

Knowledge

• Able to demonstrate appropriate level of clinical knowledge
• Knowledge and use of evidence-based practice
• IT skills
• Effective, confident presentation ability
• Experience in and outside specialty

Research/Publications

Essential

• Experience of recruiting to clinical trials
• Willingness to participate in research as a Consultant
• Participation in audit

Desirable

• Research Experience
• Published research in peer reviewed journal

Leadership/Management

Essential

• Evidence of leadership/management experience within and outside of medicine
• Evidence of effective team working

Desirable

• Formal management training/qualification
• Ability and enthusiasm for leading service improvement

Teaching Experience

Essential

• Evidence of effective teaching of resident doctors and the wider multidisciplinary team

Desirable

• Formal teaching qualification

Other

• Good oral and written communication skills
• Logical thinking, problem solving and decision making
• Ability to organise oneself and prioritise clinical need
• Ability to work in multi-professional teams
• Understanding of NHS Clinical Governance and resource constraints
• Probity
• Effective, confident presentation ability
• Prizes and honours

Working Together For Patients with Compassion As One Team Always Improving

Strategic approach (clarity on objectives, clear on expectations)

Relationship building (communicate effectively, be open and willing to help, courtesy, nurtures partnerships)

Personal credibility (visibility, approachable, back bone, courage, resilience, confidence, role model, challenge bad behaviour, manage poor performance, act with honesty and integrity)

Passion to succeed (patient centred, positive attitude, take action, take pride, take responsibility, aspire for excellence)

Harness performance through teams (champion positive change, develop staff, create a culture without fear of retribution, actively listen and value contribution, feedback and empower staff, respect diversity)

The health and wellbeing of our staff is at the forefront of everything we do. We are proud to be able to offer our staff some fantastic benefits including our on-site Nursery, access to our free Beach Hut for those long summer days, our on-site Wellness Centre including a gym and a swimming pool, access to our fantastic staff networks including LGBTQ, Race Equality and DisAbility, and awards ceremonies to recognise your achievements. We believe we can offer support to all of our staff when they need it the most.   

We welcome the unique contributions that you can bring in terms of your education, opinions, culture, ethnicity, race, sex, gender identity and expression, nation of origin, age, languages spoken, veteran’s status, colour, religion, disability, sexual orientation, and beliefs.