An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Rheumatology Consultant / Specialist Doctor / Locum Consultant to join a well-established Rheumatology service in Scotland. This role offers the opportunity to work within a highly supportive multidisciplinary team delivering comprehensive rheumatology care across both general and specialist services.

The successful candidate will contribute to the diagnosis, treatment, and long-term management of patients with a wide range of rheumatological conditions while supporting service development, education, audit, and research activities. The post also offers opportunities to develop specialist interests that complement the department's existing expertise.

Main Duties & Responsibilities

The appointed clinician will:

• Deliver comprehensive Rheumatology outpatient services
• Assess, diagnose, and manage patients with inflammatory and non-inflammatory rheumatological conditions
• Provide specialist advice to multidisciplinary colleagues and referring clinicians
• Participate in specialist rheumatology clinics and pathways
• Manage ward referrals and inpatient rheumatology consultations
• Develop and maintain a specialist interest within Rheumatology
• Participate in multidisciplinary team meetings and case discussions
• Supervise and support junior doctors and trainees
• Contribute to undergraduate and postgraduate medical education
• Participate in clinical governance, audit, and quality improvement initiatives
• Support service redesign and development projects
• Contribute to research activities and clinical studies where appropriate
• Maintain CPD, appraisal, and revalidation requirements

Service Overview

The Rheumatology service provides care across multiple outpatient sites and offers a wide range of specialist services, including:

• General Rheumatology Clinics
• Early Arthritis Clinics
• Inflammatory Arthritis Services
• Connective Tissue Disease Clinics
• Vasculitis Services
• Osteoporosis Clinics
• Spondyloarthropathy Services
• Paediatric Rheumatology Support
• Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Services
• Giant Cell Arteritis Fast-Track Pathway
• Day Case Intravenous and Intra-Articular Therapy Services

Patients requiring admission are managed collaboratively with General Medicine teams through shared inpatient care pathways. Modern musculoskeletal ultrasound facilities and a strong multidisciplinary structure support the department.

Multidisciplinary Team

The successful candidate will work alongside an experienced team, including:

• Consultant Rheumatologists
• Specialist Registrars
• Rheumatology Nurse Specialists
• Specialist Clinical Pharmacists
• Consultant Physiotherapists
• Physiotherapists
• Occupational Therapists
• Podiatrists
• Administrative and Secretarial Support Staff

Leadership, Teaching & Research

The role offers opportunities in:

• Clinical leadership and service development
• Undergraduate and postgraduate teaching
• Supervision and mentorship of trainees
• Clinical audit and quality improvement projects
• Research and clinical trials participation
• Medical education initiatives
• Patient safety programmes
• Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

The department actively supports clinicians with interests in:

• Medical Education
• Research & Development
• Quality Improvement
• Human Factors Training
• Clinical Leadership
• Service Innovation

Person Specification

Requirements

Essential

• MBChB or equivalent medical qualification
• Full GMC Registration with Licence to Practise
• Postgraduate qualification in Rheumatology or equivalent speciality training
• Inclusion on the GMC Specialist Register in Rheumatology or within 6 months of CCT
• Recent and relevant Rheumatology clinical experience
• Ability to independently manage a broad range of rheumatological conditions
• Experience supervising junior doctors and multidisciplinary colleagues
• Understanding of clinical governance and audit principles
• Evidence of teaching and training involvement
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills
• Ability to work effectively within multidisciplinary environments

Desirable

• Higher Degree (MD, MSc, PhD or equivalent)
• Sub-speciality interest in Rheumatology
• Research experience and publications
• Service redesign and quality improvement experience
• Formal teaching or educational qualifications
• Leadership and management experience
• Experience in clinical audit design and delivery
• Additional certifications such as ALS or equivalent