Speciality Doctor Geriatric Medicine

University Hospital Coventry & Warwickshire; Plymouth; On-site; GBP 61,000 - GBP 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading NHS trust in Plymouth is seeking a Specialty Doctor to provide maternity leave cover for its Geriatric Medicine Service Line. The role involves supporting the in-patient workload, working alongside the Consultant Geriatrician, and participating in comprehensive geriatric assessments. Ideal candidates will have relevant qualifications and experience in geriatric medicine, excellent communication skills, and a willingness to engage in clinical governance and audit activities. This position is on a fixed-term contract of 6 months, offering a salary between £61,542 to £99,216 per year pro rata.

Benefits

Career development opportunities

Support for further postgraduate diplomas

Qualifications

• Experience in managing patients with dementia, delirium, and challenging behavior.
• Demonstrated ability to manage patients at End of Life and in Last Days of Life.
• Participation in clinical audit and commitment to continuing medical education.

Responsibilities

• Support the Geriatric Medicine in-patient workload.
• Work with the responsible Consultant Geriatrician to provide continuity of care.
• Participate in out-patient clinics and leadership activities.

Skills

Ability to work independently

Ability to undertake Comprehensive Geriatric assessment

Good time management

Excellent communication skills

Education

MB ChB or equivalent

Full registration with the GMC

MRCP/MRCGP or Diploma of Geriatric Medicine

2 years previous NHS experience

Job description

Overview

The Geriatric Medicine Service Line wishes to recruit a Specialty Doctor to provide maternity leave cover on a fixed term contract to our inpatient wards. The Geriatric Medicine Service Line also aims to expand and develop the existing Geriatric Medicine department with the expansion of the Frailty SDEC, improved cross-cover of in-patient wards, and development of embedded Geriatric Medicine services (Orthogeriatrics, Major Trauma, Frailty NELA and Perioperative Medicine, Parkinson's and Stroke).

Main duties of the job

The primary role of the post holder will be to support the Geriatric Medicine in-patient workload. The Specialty Doctor will work with the responsible Consultant Geriatrician to provide continuity of care, rapid assessment of presenting conditions, development of management plans and diagnoses, and communicate these effectively to the patient and their family members. The post holder will work as part of a multi-disciplinary team to provide Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment and identify care needs for discharge. The post holder will need to demonstrate excellent communication and team-working skills, liaising with nursing staff, therapists and the discharge team.

There are opportunities for the post holder to participate in out-patient clinics, front door frailty, in-patient specialty reviews to other services, clinical governance activity and leadership, as well as teaching and training of undergraduates.

The department welcomes and would support post holders in attaining further post-graduate diplomas in Geriatric Medicine and Postgraduate Education. The successful candidate will be expected to take part in audit, clinical governance reviews, including morbidity and mortality meetings, and participate in the departmental educational programme.

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. 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 invite requests from applicants around less than full time/flexible working for 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.

Details

Date posted 02 February 2026
Pay scheme Hospital medical and dental staff
Grade Specialty Doctor
Salary £61,542 to £99,216 a year pro rata
Contract Fixed term
Duration 6 months
Working pattern Part-time
Reference number 216-G2-HCE7651348
Job locations Derriford Hospital, Derriford Road, Plymouth, PL6 8EN

Job Description

Job responsibilities Please see attached job description for further information and details of the main responsibilities of the role.

Person Specification

MANAGEMENT

• Willingness to participate in management process.
• Honest and reliable. Ability to adopt a self-critical approach to work.
• Flexible and resilient character

Desirable

• Formal management training.
• Previous experience in change management and quality improvement.
• Wider experience of NHS and regulatory systems

EDUCATION, QUALIFICATIONS & SPECIAL TRAINING

• MB ChB or equivalent
• Full registration with the GMC
• MRCP/MRCGP or Diploma of Geriatric Medicine
• 2 years previous NHS experience

Desirable

• Higher degree (MD or PhD)
• ALS

PARTICULAR SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE

• Ability to work independently
• Ability to undertake Comprehensive Geriatric assessment
• Ability to manage patients at End of Life and in Last Days of Life
• Ability to manage patients with dementia, delirium and challenging behaviour
• Good time management and understanding of patient flow within Urgent Care setting

Desirable

• Demonstrate evidence of wide based medical knowledge.
• Attended appropriate courses/meetings
• Clinical/Educational Supervisor Training
• Extensive experience of Geriatric Medicine
• Attended appropriate basic specialty courses

RESEARCH & CLINICAL AUDIT

• Able to conduct clinical audit.
• Awareness of the requirements of clinical governance, with particular reference to the needs of the specialty.
• Commitment to continuing medical education.

Desirable

• Research in a specialty interest or trauma.
• Presentations at local/regional/national/international meetings
• Demonstrate an enthusiasm to continue with research and clinical audit.
• Relevant audit projects
• Presentations or publications in peer reviewed journals.
• Demonstrable experience and understanding of research methodology.

COMMUNICATION & INTERPERSONAL SKILLS

• Well-presented CV.
• Ability to work in a team.
• Ability to delegate appropriately
• Excellent communication skills with ability to communicate clearly and effectively with patients and staff, both orally and in writing.

Desirable

• Information technology skills.
• Ability to lead a team

Other

Disclosure and Barring Service Check information applies. This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and a Disclosure to the DBS may be required. UK Registration requirements apply to this post. For details, refer to NHS Careers and UK Visas and Immigration guidance as applicable.

Employer details

Employer name: University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
Address: Derriford Hospital, Derriford Road, Plymouth, PL6 8EN
Employer's website: https://www.plymouthhospitals.nhs.uk/