Consultant Cardiologist in Heart Failure and Devices

• To provide a consultant led service in Cardiology with specialisation in heart failure and cardiac device implantation

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

To undertake cardiac device implantation

To provide clinical care for patients with heart failure in the local population.

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.

Main duties of the job

Role Requirements

You will support the management of patients with heart failure on both an inpatient and outpatient basis. You will be expected to undertake heart failure clinics and support the rapid assessment of patients with suspected heart failure via our referral process. This will include supporting the triaging of referrals into the service. The post holder will also support the weekly community HF MDT. In addition, the post holder will be expected to undertake device implantation and support the ongoing management of patients with implanted cardiac devices. The postholder would be expected to participate in the cardiac rhythm management MDT and Devices Governance/Troubleshooting MDT.

The post holder 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. An additional 4 consultant appointments are being made over the next 12 months who will be part of these rotas.

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

Job Purpose

To provide a consultant led service in Cardiology with specialisation in heart failure and cardiac device implantation

Main Responsibilities

Clinical Duties

• Deliver consultant-led outpatient cardiology care through two weekly clinics.
• Undertake cardiac device procedures (implantation, follow-up, troubleshooting) through allocated cath lab sessions.
• Provide inpatient cardiology care, including:
  • Ward rounds on Braunton Ward.
  • Assessment of acute admissions on MAU.
  • Inpatient referrals from other specialties.
• Contribute to the non-PCI consultant rota (currently 1 in 10), providing inpatient cover and Advice & Guidance for GPs.
• Support the development of community-based cardiology models, integrating specialist care closer to patients.

Multidisciplinary & Network Working

• Attend and contribute to cardiology MDTs, imaging, revascularisation, endocarditis, and structural intervention meetings.
• Work closely with the electrophysiology team, device physiologists, and heart failure specialists to ensure seamless patient care.
• Develop collaborative links with regional device services.

Education, Training & Research

• Actively participate in undergraduate and postgraduate teaching, including:
  • Weekly echocardiography education meeting.
  • Resident doctor teaching sessions.
  • Monthly consultant-led medical education meeting (case presentations, M&M, audit).
• Supervise and train cardiology registrars, fellows, and physiologists in devices.
• Contribute to clinical audit, service evaluation, and quality improvement within the Trust.
• Participate in research in devices and heart failure, with opportunities for publication and presentation.
• Support innovation in device management, including extractions, complex device implantation, and new technologies.
• Contribute to service planning, rota coordination, and workforce development within the cardiology directorate.
• Undertake additional professional responsibilities at local, regional, or national level where appropriate.

Supporting Professional Activities (SPA)

• Engage in CPD, appraisal, and revalidation to maintain professional standards.
• Lead and participate in audit, governance, and service improvement projects.
• Contribute to the development of departmental guidelines and pathways.
• Represent the department in Trust-wide meetings and clinical governance forums.

Indicative Job Plan (10 PAs)

Activity

• Ward round Braunton Ward - 1.14 PAs
• MAU reviews - 0.53 PAs
• Advice & Guidance - 0.33 PAs
• Subspecialty Work (Cath Lab/Devices) - 1.75 PAs
• MDTs (ICC, Imaging, Endocarditis, Revascularisation) - 1.0 PAs
• Patient-related administration - 1.25 PAs
• Community integration - 0.5 PAs
• Supporting Professional Activities (SPA) - 1.5 PAs
• Total - 10.0 PAs

Education & Training Commitments

• Weekly: Echocardiography teaching meeting.
• Weekly: Resident doctor teaching.
• Monthly: Medical Education half-day (audit, M&M, case presentations).
• Actively contribute to undergraduate teaching through Peninsula Medical School.
• Support postgraduate education and mentorship for trainees in cardiology.

Person Specification

• Full GMC registration
• MBBS or equivalent
• MRCP (UK) 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.