Training Programme
There are 3 Consultant Cardiologist and one Associate Specialist Cardiologist based on Tunbridge Wells site. The firm is supported by one Higher Specialist Trainee (this post), one Staff Grade (sub specialist interest – echo), two CMTs and two F1 doctors. There is in addition support from senior cardiac physiologists, radiographers and specialist nurses.
General Duties
- Provision of in-patient care for Consultant’s patients, advice on cardiac problems for other teams
- Attendance at monthly Departmental Clinical Governance and Audit Meetings
- Attendance at weekly CMT teaching sessions and regional teaching “away days”
- To participate in a full shift system
- Attendance at out-patient clinics as appropriate
- Discharge summaries and follow up clinic letters as directed.
- Other duties as directed by the Clinical Director or designated Consultant for the care of patients
Depending on qualifications and experience, the post holder may be required to become involved in teaching, training and clinical supervision of other junior doctors and medical students. There is also the opportunity to carry out complex echo, coronary angiography, pacing and complex device therapy. A full EP service is also now established.
The post holder accepts that he/she will also perform duties in occasional emergencies and unforeseen circumstances at the request of the appropriate Consultant, in consultation where practicable with his/her colleagues both senior and junior. It has been agreed between the professions and the department that while juniors accept that they will perform such duties, the Secretary of State stresses that additional commitments arising under this sub-section and, in particular, that juniors should not be required to undertake work of this kind for prolonged periods or on a regular basis.
The post holder would be expected to gain training in all aspects of Cardiology provided by the department.
The key aspects of the training provided are:
In patient: The post holder will participate in Consultant led ward rounds and lead some ward rounds reviewing referrals themselves.
Out patient: The post holder has a dedicated outpatient clinic 1.5 sessions per week. They see a mixture of new and follow patients and will discuss them with the supervising Consultant. The post holder will be given to opportunity to attend specialist clinics (device follow up, adult congenital etc.
Non-invasive: The postholder will have a dedicated weekly echo session supervised by a senior echo-cardiographer. There will in addition be the opportunity to attend specialist echo sessions. The post holder will be encouraged to work towards the BSE echo qualification.
Invasive: The post holder will typically attend 3 – 4 catheter laboratory sessions per week. They will receive training in diagnostic angiography, right heart catherisation, permanent pacing and loop recorder implants. They will also gain some experience in PCI.
Audit and research: HSTs are expected to complete at least one cardiology audit, the department has an active audit programme.
On-Call: The Cardiology Consultants and Associate Specialist provide an “out of hours” cardiology service. The Cardiology HST is not expected to be a part of this service.
General Medicine: The post holder will be a part GIM registrar on-call rota, typically 1:10. This is full shift on-call rota with 13 hour shifts with internal rotation onto nights. Nights are 4 nights (Monday to Thursday) and 3 nights (Friday to Sunday). The rota is EWTD compliant. The post holder will be involved in the care of GIM patients whilst on-call. Patients are then handed over to the MAU team or the specialty ward teams. The postholder will not have on going responsibility for GIM patients.
