Oncology in the NHS branches into two main sub-specialisms, medical oncology and clinical oncology. Clinical oncology is the branch of oncology more commonly referred to as radiation oncology outside the UK, though a clinical oncologist's duties encompass both systematic and radiotherapy treatments in the UK. Cancer waiting times are one of the most critical performance indicators an NHS trust is judged upon, and as such oncology is an area with significant demand, as despite large numbers of oncologists registered in the UK, the numbers of qualified oncologists is relatively low when compared to vacancy rates. This means there are many fantastic opportunities available both medical and clinical oncologists interested in joining the NHS, with many NHS trusts offering excellent support with CESR, specialty training applications and general career & sub-specialty development and registration support. Leadership roles with significant career development opportunities are also available to most specialists entering the UK system, and generally motivated clinicians looking to develop in any area of specialisation or leadership in the UK will be supported to do so.
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Clinical oncologists often work in specialist cancer hospitals, large acute teaching hospitals, district general hospitals or private sector clients. Radiotherapy treatments sessions, multidisciplinary team meetings, outpatient clinic, consultations and follow-ups, inpatient ward rounds, reports writing for GPs, teaching sessions for juniors and trainees and very importantly, research, will all form part of your working week. Research is an integral part of clinical oncology.
Medical oncologists work to provide the best possible outcome for cancer patients, whether that is cure, or palliation and prolongation of good quality life. In addition, they provide counselling for patients and their families, whilst clinical research is an important feature of their role like clinical oncologists. Clinical care, clinical trials, laboratory and translational cancer research form an integral part of the training, and they are trained to work as part of a multidisciplinary team, being able to advise on all aspects of treatment including surgery and radiotherapy as well as having the skills to administer systemic therapies. A medical oncologists work also includes diagnosing cancers, discussing treatment options with patients, arranging and supervising drug treatment and therapies including the management of any complications that may arise and supporting patients and overseeing their care, including their lives after treatment.
Medical oncologists treat patients who have localised or metastatic malignancy in need of systemic therapy. They also treat patients whose cancer has potentially been cured by surgery but for whom further therapy improves their outlook.
Medical and clinical oncologists often work in partnership together, and clinical oncology covers both the therapeutic administration of ionising radiation (radiotherapy) and cytotoxic chemotherapy. However, only clinical oncologists administer radiotherapy.
NHS Cancer targets work to 85% of patients to start their first cancer treatment for cancer within two months of an urgent GP referral. This timeframe is also applied to patients referred from an NHS cancer screening service however the operational threshold is set at 90%
Maidstone Hospital, part of Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust are looking for a full-time, permanent Clinical Oncology Consultant specialising in Colorectal, Lung, Acute Oncology and Breast. The trust is considering either UK or Overseas trained doctors in other specialties. The trust will support with CESR.
This is a high performing and supportive department for overseas doctors new to the NHS, or UK-based doctors looking to further careers in the UK.
THE NHS TRUST:
This NHS Trust was formed in April 2000. The Trust consists of two District General Hospitals providing services to approximately 450,000 people living in surrounding areas.
The Trust consists of several hospitals: its Cancer Centre in particular is renowned and held in high esteem within the South-East of England.
THE ONCOLOGY DEPARTMENT AND TEAM:
The Oncology Centre receives approximately 8,000 new patients every year and increasing and is within the top 25% of Trusts in the UK for cancer waiting times, meeting the 85% 62-day national standard consistently since August 2019, hitting its 2-week-wait target since September 2019. The Centre has an income of £50m and is home to a custom designed department with dedicated radiotherapy and outpatient facilities as part of the main District General Hospital, which was upgraded in 2012.
Due to recent funding the Trust has been able to purchase five new state of the art Varian Trubeam Linear Accelerators across its Oncology Centre. Over the 2 sites we have 9 Linear Accelerator Treatment Machines and 3 CT Planning Simulators.
The research department is made up of more than 60 dedicated staff and recruits around 3000 patients a year to clinical studies across 24 different specialities. The trust benefits from being near academic partners such as Universities and local Medical Schools (KMMS). Additionally, the trust has studies open that are interventional and observational, as well as studies that investigate genetic profiling. Within radiotherapy, the Trust are also undertaking SABR trials. We have many clinicians that support oncology research trials within various specialities.
CAREER DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES:
The Trust provides fantastic career development opportunities. The Trust also has a well-established oncology research department, providing the opportunity for the post holder to run and develop clinical trials.
As a member of the Oncology Centre there will be a commitment to participate fully in a county-wide approach to the delivery of cancer care. This includes attendance at governance meetings, multi-disciplinary team meetings and the practice of cross-referral with other site specialists. All Trust Consultants are encouraged and supported to take leadership roles within the department, at an appropriate point in their consultant development, in audit, governance, tumour-site specific groups, research and education.
LIFE IN SOUTH-EAST ENGLAND:
The South-East of England is a great place for you and your family to call home. It might be called ‘the Garden of England’, but there’s a lot more to it than that.
With excellent transport links into the City, the South-East offers many of the benefits of living in London, without a lot of the drawbacks - plus, of course, the additional benefits of living in the countryside.
Depending on location, you can be over 100km away from London, but still get right to the centre in under 40 minutes. This makes it perfect for families, where busy city workers can quickly and conveniently commute to work in the bustling city, whilst bringing the children up in the more sedate, family-friendly surroundings of the countryside.
Tucked away in the corner of the UK, the South-East is well-known for its picturesque countryside and stunning coastlines.
A great selection of schools is a key draw to the Home Counties for many families, and the South-East is no exception. The area boasts some of the best schools in the country, both private and state, including Tonbridge School, Benenden School, and Invicta Grammar School.
AM I ELIGIBLE FOR THIS ROLE?
To be eligible for this vacancy you will need the following:
EEA Candidates:
Recognised European Medical Degree or Specialist Qualification in Medical Oncology
IELTS or OET
Experience or interest in relevant tumour sites
Non-EEA Candidates:
MRCP Qualification
IELTS or OET
Experience or interest in Medical Oncology
UK-Based Candidates:
Experience or interest in Medical Oncology
Experience at Consultant Grade
This is a great opportunity for any experienced Medical Oncologist working towards CESR in the UK.
A new opportunity to join a high performing Oncology Department in the North East of England.
The post will be an excellent option for experienced consultants to work in a well staffed and organised team, with opportunity for teaching and management in the future.
Department overview:
The department is well staffed and the new appointee will join a team of 20 oncologists. The post is predominantly based in the trusts dedicated cancer centre. The cancer care services have benefited from recent investment of £35million, and you will have the opportunity to work within a state of the art facilities.
The post would focus on colorectal or upper GI cancer and cancer of the unknown primary (CUP) with possible work in other disease sites if needed.
The department boasts an expanded chemotherapy unit designed to meet the increasing demand for systemic treatment with established nurse-led and pharmacy-led chemotherapy clinics.
The trust also houses state of the art radiotherapy facilities.
Local area:
The hospital is set in a large town in the north East of England, with an excellent cost of living making this an attractive place to start in the NHS.
The surrounding areas and nearby coast offer opportunity to spend time in some of the most scenic areas of the North East of England.
Requirements for the post:
UK based applicants: