Job summary
We are seeking to appoint a substantive Consultant Rheumatologist. The appointee will work with Consultant colleagues to provide a comprehensive service for residents across West Sussex. The Rheumatology department is part of the MSK Directorate including Trauma and Orthopaedics and Pain Management. The post will be based predominantly at Worthing and Southlands Hospitals. However there will be some sessions at other Trust locations if and when required.

The post offers an excellent opportunity for you to develop as a Consultant and also contribute to service development.

Main duties of the job

• Outpatient clinics: assessment of all new patients at their first appointment; review of follow-up patients; discussion and review of follow-up patients seen by Speciality Doctors and clinical nurse specialists (CNS); joint injections and other procedures.
• Ward referrals and other DCC duties: specialist review of inpatients referred by other medical teams with rheumatic complaints; weekly combined radiology MDT.
• Administrative duties directly related to this: out-patient clinic letter dictation and signing; blood and imaging report signing; result letter dictation; GP referral letter grading; prescription of biologic drugs, parenteral osteoporosis and DMARD medication; medical report writing.
• Telephone and email advice: giving advice on the management of rheumatic diseases to GPs, allied health professionals, other specialists.
• Clinical audit: writing local audit proposals and reports; collecting clinical audit data; presenting results; participation in regional and national clinical audits (data collection).
• Clinical and educational supervision of CNSs and clinical assistants.
• Involvement with the Trust Clinical Governance programme. There will be a commitment to supporting the education of medical students from Brighton (BSMS) in their placements, and the potential to develop managerial and research interests. There are strong links to the KSS Deanery and Brighton and Sussex Medical School.
• Rheumatology On-Call Commitment: None

About us
Working for our organisation. At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always deliver Excellent Care Everywhere, as shown in our Outstanding for Caring CQC rating. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of staff networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 3) and a Veteran Aware Trust.

Essential

• Basic medical degree
• FRC/MRC specialty, e.g. FRCS, MRCP, etc. or its recognised equivalent.
• Full and specialist registration (with a licence to practise) with the GMC or be eligible for registration within six months of the interview. If you trained in the UK, you must also have a Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) in Rheumatology or be within six months of receiving it by the interview date. If you trained outside the UK, you must provide evidence that your qualifications are equivalent to the UK CCT. (Equivalence must be confirmed by GMC by date of AAC)
• Evidence of advanced skills in management of general rheumatology and rare autoimmune rheumatic conditions
• Evidence of interest in CTD/ vasculitis
• Evidence of competency injecting joints
• Understanding of clinical risk management
• Experience and ability to work in multi-professional teams
• Understanding of: NHS / Clinical governance / Resource constraints
• Evidence of an interest and commitment to teaching
• Evidence of participation in audit
• Appropriate progression of career to date
• Evidence of good communication skills both oral and written

Desirable

• Higher Degree
• PhD Rheumatology
• Breadth of experience in and outside specialty
• Evidence of managerial skills: Achievements / Course attended
• Recognised teaching qualification
• Research experience
• Publications
• Prizes and honours

Location: Worthing Hospital, Lyndhurst Road, Worthing, BN11 2DH
Closing date: 05 November 2026
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants.

UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.

Employer details
Employer name: University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)
Employer's website: https://www.uhsussex.nhs.uk/

Contact: Dr Alastair Hepburn, alastair.hepburn1@nhs.net, 01903205111