JOB DESCRIPTION
CONSULTANT IN CLINICAL GENETICS
BASED IN NORTHAMPTON GENERAL HOSPITAL
CHILD HEALTH DIRECTORATE
JOINT APPOINTMENT WITH
OXFORD UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS NHS TRUST
AS PART OF THE OXFORD REGIONAL GENETIC SERVICE
Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust – Consultant Job Description
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CONTENTS
Page
Job outline
3
Northampton and the environment
3
Living in the area
3
The Hospital
3
Expansion of services
4
The Child Health Directorate
4
Oxford Regional Genetic Service
5
Job Description
7
Job Plan
8
Terms and Conditions
11
Other useful information
13
Person Specification
16
Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust – Consultant Job Description
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JOB OUTLINE
We are seeking an enthusiastic and dedicated colleague to join our team. This new
post (seven sessions) has been created in response to increasing referrals, and to
improve the cover for annual and professional leave. The post is based in
Northampton, but forms part of the Oxford Regional Genetic Service. Outpatient
services are provided at Northampton General Hospital and Kettering General
Hospital. The successful candidate will be expected to travel to Oxford two
Wednesdays/month for general professional and CPD activity, and an SpR from
Oxford comes to Northampton for part of the year for training on a rotational basis.
NORTHAMPTON AND THE SURROUNDING AREA
Northampton has a fascinating blend of rich heritage, distinguished history, and all
the energy and vigour you would expect of one of the fastest growing modern
commercial towns in the United Kingdom.
The county is part of a designated growth area, which will see significant
development and consequent population growth over the next 25 years. The
population of the town is predicted to increase by more than 50,000 people by 2021.
Whilst there is a relatively young population, which includes people from many
different ethnic backgrounds and cultural beliefs, there is also a rapidly rising number
of people in the over 75 age group.
The town provides easy access to London and other parts of the UK through rail
links and motorway networks. Many major household names have established their
UK headquarters or major operations centres here. There are also several airports
within easy range.
LIVING IN THE AREA
Northampton has a varied and reasonably priced selection of accommodation, set in
rural and urban surroundings, to rent or buy. There is a selection of state and private
schools available and an excellent range of adult education facilities. Northampton
hosts a new university, which offers a comprehensive range of part and full time
courses covering applied sciences, health, education, business and the arts. A wide
range of sporting activities is available in the area and Northampton has professional
cricket, rugby and football teams.
THE HOSPITAL
Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust is a large (800 beds) district hospital
providing a full range of acute services from a site located close to the centre of the
town.
Our vision is to become a ‘DGH Plus’, providing all the secondary care services
normally found in a district general hospital, including emergency care, planned care,
maternity care, diagnostic and therapy services. In addition we will also provide
specialised services for a wider population including designated cancer centre
Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust – Consultant Job Description
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services, interventional cardiology, renal medicine, plastic surgery and Level 2
neonatal care.
NGH aims to be the hospital of choice for patients and staff, and has developed its
corporate objectives around five key principles:

To provide clinical excellence in achieving the best outcome for the patient
 To improve the patient experience by providing the best possible environment
within which to receive care
 To give the highest level of access to care by providing the most appropriate
care where the patient needs it
 To improve the quality of working life by creating a great place to work, learn
and develop

To provide value for money
EXPANSION OF SERVICES
Progressive expansion and rebuilding has been carried out since Northampton
General Hospital was originally built on its present site in 1793.
We operate as a cancer centre for adults with satellite units at Kettering General
Hospital and Milton Keynes, and have invested in a major capital scheme to expand
and upgrade clinical and diagnostic services. In the last few years we have opened a
high dependency unit, acute stroke unit, three new linear accelerators, new library
facilities and a student accommodation block.
We have a new interventional cardiology centre, inpatient renal unit, and a nuclear
medicine services.
THE DIRECTORATE OF CHILD HEALTH
Clinical Genetics lies within a fully integrated directorate, including acute and
community paediatrics, the Child Development Centre, community nursing, children's
physiotherapy, and Safeguarding Children. It is managed by a Clinical Director and a
Directorate Manager with support teams. The Directorate has over 300 staff working
within it and a budget of over £14 million pounds.
DIRECTORATE OF CHILD HEALTH MANAGEMENT TEAM
Dr Win Zaw
Mr Matt Tucker
Mrs Rose McKee
Ms Bally Sandhu
Mrs Lesley Cockerill
Clinical Director
Directorate Manager
Service Manager
Senior Modern Matron
Modern Matron
Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust – Consultant Job Description
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CURRENT CLINICAL GENETICS TEAM
Dr Susan Price
1 FT Consultant Genetics (will drop to 8 sessions)
1 FT Genetic Counsellor
1 FT Secretary (Mrs Janet Dunford)
Additional 0.5 counsellor and 0.5 secretary to be appointed
THE OXFORD REGIONAL GENETIC SERVICE
The Department of Clinical Genetics is based on the Churchill site of the Oxford
University Hospital. The Department is well serviced with seminar and library
facilities and its own outpatient’s area. The Oxford Medical Genetics Laboratories
are also on The Churchill site.
From an organisational perspective Clinical Genetics lies in the Emergency
Medicine, Therapies and Ambulatory Division, in the Ambulatory Medicine
Directorate.
Oxford has a long history of supporting genetic research. The department has strong
links with the University generally and through the Biomedical Research Centre, with
a focus on promoting and funding translational genetic research projects. Oxford
also has plans to develop as an Academic Health Sciences Centre. Many
consultants in the team have been able to pursue their research interests, or have
developed specialist clinics.
STAFFING
Consultants (* University Staff)
Consultant Staff
Dr Helen Stewart
Dr Deirdre Cilliers
Dr Edward Blair
Dr Susan Price
Dr Andrea Nemeth
Dr Dorothy Halliday
Dr Lisa Walker
Dr Debbie Shears
Dr Usha Kini
*Prof Andrew Wilkie
*Dr Garry Brown
*Prof Richard Gibbons
*Prof Jo Poulton
NHS Consultant (FT)
NHS Consultant (FT)
NHS Consultant (FT, Lead Clinician)
NHS Consultant
(FT based in Northamptonshire, will drop to 8
sessions)
NHS Consultant (PT)
NHS Consultant (FT)
NHS Consultant (PT)
NHS Consultant (PT)
NHS Consultant (PT)
(Honorary, Nuffield Professor of Pathology)
(Honorary, Lecturer in Biochemistry)
(Honorary, Lecturer in Clinical Biochemistry)
(Honorary, Mitochhondrial Genetics)
Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust – Consultant Job Description
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Junior Medical Staff
Dr Rita Ibitoye, SpR
Dr Helen Linden, SpR
Dr Anna de Burca, SpR
Other Staffing
Head Genetic counsellor
Ms Sarah Durell
Clinical Nurse Specialists
Mr Peter Risby
Ms Barbara Stayner
Mrs Elaine Butler
Ms Nicola Phelan
Ms Rosy Williams
Mrs Gael Bretz
Mrs Jo Allard
Miss Eva Nazem
Ms Anna Waite
Mrs Ruth Robertson
Mrs Jess Myring
Cancer Triage Team
Research Nurse Team
(FT)
Cancer CNS (PT)
Genetic Counsellor (FT)
Cancer genetic nurse (triage)(PT)
CNS Northamptonshire (FT)
CNS Swindon (PT)
Genetic counsellor (FT)
Genetic counsellor (FT)
Genetic counsellor (FT)
Genetic counsellor (PT)
Genetic counsellor (PT)
Genetic counsellor (PT)
Departmental Clinical Unit Manager
Miss Philippa Jeffcock
Secretarial/ Clerical
Ms Lindsey Briggs
Ms Dawn Eeley
Mrs Jill Morris
Ms Mary Brady
Mrs Diana Reynolds
Ms Liz Begley
Ms Claudine Reynolds
Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust – Consultant Job Description
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BRIEF JOB DESCRIPTION FOR THE POST OF 7 SESSION
CONSULTANT IN CLINICAL GENETICS
To provide general and cancer genetic services for families in Northamptonshire
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES








To provide a consultant led genetic service
To attend ward visits as requested, and undertake out-patient clinics
To cover for colleagues’ annual leave and other authorised absences
To participate in audit and CME as required by the Royal College affiliation.
To actively participate in clinical governance
To be involved in supervision and management of trainees
To be involved in the teaching of trainees and medical students, with regular
attendance at departmental meetings and teaching sessions as required
To undertake additional professional responsibilities at local, regional or
national levels
To take Managerial responsibilities and other clinical lead roles where
appropriate
Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust – Consultant Job Description
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JOB PLAN
JOB PLAN – Part-time Consultant in Clinical Genetics
A full time consultant contract is based on ten 4-hour PAs between 7am and 7pm
Monday to Friday (40-hour working week).
The CGS recommends that a full time job plan should contain between two and
three clinics per week. For each 4 hour (one PA) clinic there should be a further 1 PA
of DCC in the job plan to allow for the necessary pre-and post-clinic work related to
the consultations, which is often significant.
This includes:
Research of the clinical and family background
Reading appropriate up-to-date literature
Administration of DNA samples
Identifying and contacting laboratories in UK, Europe, or beyond, and
investigating quality and cost of tests
Providing follow up advice for members of a patient’s family, and organising
testing or screening for them
Other DCC activity includes:
Ward referrals for in-patients
Prenatal / Fetal medicine referrals - urgent appointments for pregnant
mothers with fetal anomaly, unusual chromosome abnormalities, or a family
history of a condition or syndrome that may be hereditary.
Multidisciplinary meetings and case discussion (some may also include
education and CPD). Telephone advice / consultations on all aspects of
genetics for professionals and patients.
Increasingly, as genomic medicine is being incorporated in to all fields of medicine,
geneticists are approached for information and advice over a broad variety of clinical
and ethical issues by many professional groups such as GPs, hospital colleagues,
other health professionals and social services.
Clinical advice and discussion of results with patients by telephone may be efficient
and avoid the need for further out patient appointments.
Management of very rare disorders - Geneticists have an important role in advising
on rare conditions especially where there is the opportunity for prevention or
reducing morbidity and mortality; frequently this expertise is shared across regional
and international boundaries.
Clinical supervision of cases seen by Genetic Counsellors and trainees - as a
consultant led service it is important that adequate time in the job plan is allocated to
this activity.
Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust – Consultant Job Description
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Day
Time
Location
Work
DCC/SPA
No. of PAs
0900-1300
weeks 1
and 3
0900-1300
weeks 2
and 4
Northampton
Week 1 Adult General clinic
Week 3 Paediatric General
Clinic
clinic preparation for alternate
Adult and Paediatric clinics
including patient investigation,
correspondence, review or
results for patient and other
family members
Cancer clinic
DCC
0.5
DCC
0.5
DCC
0.5
Cancer clinic preparation
including patient investigation,
correspondence, review or
results for patient and other
family members
Core SPA for mandatory
training,
revalidation,
continuing
professional
development
DCC
0.5
SPA
1
Paediatric Clinic
DCC
0.5
Clinic preparation including
patient investigation,
correspondence, review or
results for patient and other
family members
MDT meeting to review
results, discuss and agree
case management
Case discussion, continuing
professional development and
teaching of SpRs
DCC
0.5
DCC
0.5
SPA
0.5
General clinic
correspondence and
investigation, review or results
for patient and other family
members
Specialist clinic
DCC
1
DCC
0.5
clinic preparation including
patient investigation,
correspondence, review or
results for patient and other
family members
DCC
0.5
Monday
1330-1730
Weeks 2
and 4
1330-1730
weeks 1
and 3
1100-1300
Tuesday
1330-1730
Weeks 1
and 3
1330-1730
Weeks 2
and 4
Alt weeks
0900-1300
Wednesday
Oxford
Alt weeks
1330-1730
0830-1230
Thursday
Northampton
1300-1700
Weeks 2
and 4
1300-1700
Weeks 1
and 3
Northampton
Workload
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust – Consultant Job Description
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Additional
agreed activity
to be worked
flexibly
Predictable
emergency oncall work:
annualised ward
responsibilities
Unpredictable
emergency oncall work
TOTAL PAs
Direct clinical care (including unpredictable on-call)
5.5
Supporting professional activities
1.5
TOTAL PROGRAMMED ACTIVITIES
7
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VISITING ARRANGEMENTS
If you wish to visit the trust before short-listing or interview, please contact Dr Price,
Consultant in Clinical Genetics 01604 544638 to arrange an appointment.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
The post will be subject to the Terms and Conditions – Consultants (England) 2003
REFERENCES
We will require three references - one must be relating to your present or most
recent appointment, and be your appraiser, educational supervisor or clinical
director.
TENURE
The job will be offered on a full time contract unless otherwise stated in the job
advert or job description
PENSION
Employees have the option of joining the NHS Pension Scheme. Contributions are
six per cent of salary.
ANNUAL LEAVE
Up to seven years service as a
consultant
Seven or more years service
as a consultant
Six weeks and two days
(32 days)
Six weeks and four days
(34 days)
The leave year runs from April to March.
HEALTH SCREENING
The job is subject to satisfactory completion of a pre-employment health check at the
occupational health department, Northampton General Hospital.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES
The trust confirms its commitment to a comprehensive policy of equal opportunities
in employment.
CRIMINAL CONVICTIONS
Because of the nature of this work, this post is exempt from the position of Section
4(2) of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (exceptions) N Order 1975.
Applicants for jobs are not entitled to withhold information about convictions which
for other purposes are ‘spent’ under the provisions of the Act and in the event of
Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust – Consultant Job Description
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employment, any failure to disclose such convictions could result in disciplinary
action or dismissal by the trust. Any information given will be completely confidential
and dealt with only in relation to an application for a position to which the order
applies. This post is also subject to clearance by the Criminal Records Bureau.
OTHER TERMS AND CONDITIONS
The trust has a wide range of modern human resources policies and procedures,
which have been discussed and agreed with the Local Negotiating Committee
(LNC). They are available from the medical staffing department and on our intranet
site.
SMOKING POLICY
The trust became a smoke-free site with effect from 1 January 2006.
ANNUAL APPRAISAL & JOB PLAN REVIEW
The trust is committed to the policy of annual appraisal and job plan reviews. The
clinical director will undertake job plan reviews. The appraisal process is
administered by one of the associate medical directors and any key issues arising
from the appraisal process will be communicated to the medical director.
The trust also has a mentoring scheme for consultants.
CONTINUING MEDICAL EDUCATION
Paid leave of ten days and financial support up to £1000 per year is available. To
allow flexibility this can be worked over a rolling three-year period, providing
contractual and performance obligations have been met.
ORGANISATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS
Responsible to: Medical Director of Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust and at
local level to the clinical director.
Manages: Junior and other medical staff in the specialty.
POSTGRADUATE FACILITIES
The facilities at the Postgraduate Medical Centre are available for use by all medical
staff. There are lecture theatres, audio-visual aids, active doctors’ mess and bar. A
new and extensive library is also available in the William Kerr building.
There is excellent postgraduate education with increasing involvement with the
Leicester Warwick Medical School, whose undergraduates, along with a small
number of Oxford undergraduates, come to Northampton.
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OTHER USEFUL INFORMATION
The Trust requires a current Hep B certificate for all doctors and Hep C certificate for
all exposure prone procedures (EPP).
PAYMENT OF SALARY
Salary is paid direct into your bank or building society on the last Thursday of each
month.
RELOCATION EXPENSES
The granting of relocation expenses is not automatic and entitlement should be
checked with the medical staffing team. A copy of the relocation expenses policy is
available on request.
CAR PARKING/SECURITY
Access to staff car parking is via a swipe card system; all other car parking is
available on pay and display. The security office is manned 24 hours a day. Staff
needing to park on site will need to obtain a staff parking permit for which a small
monthly salary deduction is made.
CHILD CARE PROVISION
There is a nursery (Nene Valley Nursery) on site at NGH, which has 84 places and is
open from Monday – Friday 7.00 am – 6.30 pm. Additional after-school and holiday
play facilities are available at the Cripps Social and Recreation Centre, which are run
in conjunction with Nene Valley Nursery. The Trust offers a scheme of childcare
vouchers in association with the Busy Bee organisation.
FITNESS AND EXERCISE
The Cripps recreational centre offers on site fitness and exercise facilities as well as
a bar. The Cripps has a fully equipped gym, swimming pool, squash/
badminton/tennis courts and runs various exercise classes and a golf club.
WORK PERMIT
Applications from job seekers who require Tier 2 sponsorship to work in the UK are
welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. However, non-EEA
candidates may not be appointed to a post if a suitably qualified, experienced and
skilled EU/EEA candidate is available to take up the post as the employing body is
unlikely, in these circumstances, to satisfy the Resident Labour Market Test. The UK
Border Agency requires employers to complete this test to show that no suitably
qualified EEA or EU worker can fill the post. For further information please visit
www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk
CONDITIONS OF SERVICE
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The appointment is subject to the Terms and Conditions of Service of Hospital and
Medical and Dental Staff (England and Wales), as amended from time to time, and
also such other policies and procedures as may be agreed by the University
Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust.
CONFIDENTIALITY
Attention is drawn to the confidential aspects of this post. Any breach of confidence
may result in disciplinary proceedings, which could result in dismissal and may also
result in civil action for damages
GMC REGISTRATION
The appointee is required to maintain full registration with the General Medical
Council. Medical staff are advised to continue membership of one of the Medical
Defence Organisations.
SAFEGUARDING
The postholder will comply with legislation and Trusts policies relating to
safeguarding children and vulnerable adults
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 2000 AND NON-HEALTH RECORDS
MANAGEMENT
The postholder is expected to comply with Trust policies and procedures on the
Freedom of Information Act 2000, Non-Health Records Management and other
regulations for the management of Public Records. The Trust requires that all staff
contact the Freedom of Information Manager for advice and guidance on all matters
pertaining to the Freedom of Information Act. They must also ensure that Freedom
of Information requests received directly are referred immediately to the Freedom of
Information Manager.
INFECTION CONTROL
The postholder is expected to adhere to and promote compliance with the Trusts
Infection Control Policy and associated codes of practice and take appropriate action
where non-compliance is evident
INFORMATION SECURITY
The postholder is expected to safeguard the confidentiality, integrity and availability
of data, whether in computerised or manual systems or storage. Trust policies and
statutory regulations should be adhered to.
HEALTH AND SAFETY
The postholder is expected to ensure a healthy and safe environment exists in the
department at all times. They are expected to take reasonable care for their acts or
omissions. Trust policies and statutory regulations should be adhered to.
RISK MANAGEMENT
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To ensure that clinical and non-clinical incidents are reported, recorded and
analysed to improve the safety and quality of th eservice. To assist with risk
assessments.
NHS INDEMNITY
Please find further information from Department of Health website:
http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Lettersandcirculars?healthserviceg
uidelines/DH_4018270
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PERSON SPECIFICATION
Post: Consultant in Clinical Genetics
Directorate: Child Health
Requirements
Essential
Desirable
Qualifications/Training
Professional
qualifications
Professional training
MRCP or equivalent.
Higher Medical Degree (MD or
PhD)
CCST in Clinical Genetics ; OR
Registration on GMC Specialist Register in
Clinical Genetics; OR within three months
of achieving CCST at the time of interview.
Interest in research with
publications
General training in Clinical Genetic to
specialist level or equivalent, with general
and cancer genetic experience
Interest in research with
publications
Experience
Work experience
Experience of Regional Genetic Services
Type of experience
Level of responsibility
Ability to make decisions at consultant
level
Skills and Knowledge
Sufficient leadership, organisational,
Leadership skills
Organisation and
management skills
Professional - extra skills
or achievements
Communication, professional and personal
skills to undertake effectively the role of
consultant in a large teaching hospital.
Computing skills: ability to use word
processor, spreadsheet programme and
web browser.
Good personal and interpersonal skills
Knowledge of the organisation of
the NHS and the Government’s
agenda for its modernisation.
Good spoken and written English.
Communication skills should be highly
developed.
Experience of teaching undergraduates
and trainees
Management training and
experience
.
Interpersonal skills
Communication skills
Teaching skills
Clinical governance
experience
Experience of routine clinical audit
Research skills
Publications in the field
Other Requirements
GMC Registration
Full
Transport
Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust – Consultant Job Description
Driving Licence
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Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust – Consultant Job Description
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