Cardiology Consultant – Imaging and Heart Failure: Sponsorship Available

Job summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the Cardiology department in Bristol NHS Foundation Trust (BFT) as a Consultant with Special Interest in Imaging and Heart Failure.

This post is key to delivering Echocardiography, including TOE, and Heart Failure services within Cardiology at Southmead (base hospital) and the Bristol Heart Institute. Expertise in Cardiac MRI are also desirable.

With a combined workforce of 28,000 and a budget over £2.1 billion, BFT is delivering a Joint Clinical Strategy aimed at tackling health inequalities, improving outcomes, and delivering better value for patients, staff, and the public.

Cardiology care at BFT is delivered in the Brunel building at Southmead Hospital and at the Bristol Heart Institute at Bristol Royal Infirmary.

The post holder will need to have a CCT in Cardiology with subspecialisation in Echocardiography, TOE and Heart Failure (Cardiac MRI is also desirable) and be well experienced in the in-patient and out-patient management of patients with General Cardiology diagnoses.

Applicants should have a CCT or be within six months of achieving this at the date of interview or be listed on the GMC’s specialist register to be eligible for application for a substantive post. CESR applicants are welcome and must have their CESR in place at the time of interview.

Main duties of the job

The individual will work flexibly, across sites to fulfil high professional standards contributing to Departmental, Division and Trust priorities.

The postholder will:

• Have continuing responsibility for the care of patients in their charge and for the proper functioning of the service undertaking the associated administrative duties
• Required to work in partnership with colleagues of all disciplines, external links to the Trust and service users, to ensure the creation of a quality service.
• Participate in the Consultant of the Week (COW) rota. Duites include the running of the Coronary Care Unit for the week, responsibility for patients on the general Cardiology ward. COW, a daily ward round on the Acute Medical Unit (AMU) to discuss new referrals, and reviewing Cardiology referrals highlighted by the Cardiology Middle Grades.
• Support the Heart Failure and Echocardiography services at BFT and work closely with the Cardiac Physiology team.
• Deliver outpatient care through regular clinics at the Southmead site and attend MDT meetings.
• Provide commitment to maintaining professional expertise by attendance at meetings and courses, and completion of diaries for Continued Professional Development (CPD) is essential. Also essential is that the postholder have an annual appraisal and undergo revalidation as required.
• Participate in audit and Division/Specialty meetings and undertake administrative duties as required by the role and directed by the Specialty Lead in Cardiology

Person Specification

Qualifications & Training

Essential

• Full and specialist registration in either AIM or GIM with the General Medical Council (GMC) or Within 6 months of obtaining expected CCT date at time of interview. oCESR applicants are welcome and must have their CESR in place at the time of interview. Locum candidates will be considered without CCT or CESR
• BSE accreditation
• TOE accreditation

Desirable

• Higher academic qualification e.g. MD, PhD or equivalent
• Sub-specialty accreditation in CMRI

Experience

Essential

• Evidence of thorough and broad training and experience in Heart Failure and cardiac imaging
• Able to take responsibility for delivering service without direct supervision

Desirable

• Evidence of a special interest and expertise that complements those of other consultants in the department and is consistent with the Trust’s service strategy

Research

Essential

• Knowledge of the principles involved in research
• Evidence of involvement in research

Desirable

• Additional academic experience and qualifications e.g. PhD
• Evidence of publication of peer reviewed academic papers

Clinical Governance and Audit

Essential

• Understanding of clinical governance and the individual responsibilities it implies
• Knowledge of the principles of clinical audit and evidence of participation
• Positive approach to evidence based practice
• Evidence of recent and regular engagement with continuing professional development (CPD) scheme

Management & Leadership

Essential

• Evidence of management training and evidence of learning from it
• Ability to organise efficient and smooth running of a specialist service
• Ability to cope with and effectively organise the workload of a consultant
• Ability to practice independently as a consultant
• Ability to take on responsibility and show evidence of leadership
• Ability to work under pressure and cope with setbacks

Desirable

• Evidence of management/leadership experience and/or qualifications and courses

Interpersonal, communication and team working skills

Essential

• Ability to communicate effectively with patients, relatives, clinical colleagues, support staff and other colleagues.
• Good knowledge of, and ability to use, spoken and written English
• Ability to present effectively to an audience, using a variety of methods, and to respond to questions and queries
• Ability to develop effective working relationships on an individual and multi-professional basis with all levels of staff both within and across divisions
• Ability to be a flexible team member

Teaching and Training

Essential

• Experience of teaching medical students and AHP’s
• Experience of supervising trainees
• Knowledge of teaching to a multidisciplinary team

Desirable

• Formal teaching/ education qualification
• Educational Supervisor training completed

Any other Personal Abilities and Aptitudes

Essential

• Ability to adapt and respond to changing circumstances
• Awareness of personal limitations

Desirable

• Additional professional responsibilities at local, regional or national levels
• Trained as a Consultant Appraiser

Other

Essential

• Meets professional health requirements
• Agreement to travel to and work in other Bristol NHS Foundation Trust sites necessitated by the role

Closing Date: 5 October 2026