Consultant Internist
The Consultant Internist will play a pivotal role in delivering comprehensive medical care to adult patients with diverse and complex health conditions. The Consultant will be responsible for diagnosing, treating, and managing a variety of acute and chronic illnesses.
Job title: Consultant Internist
Reports to: Medical Director
Direct Reports: Registrar (Internal Medicine), Senior House Officer- Internal Medicine and Junior House Officer- Internal Medicine
Department: Medical
Internal Liaison: Consultants and Specialists, Registrars, Senior Doctors, Junior Doctors, Nursing Staff, Medical Students, Pharmacy Staff, Allied Health Professionals, Administrative Staff, Laboratory and Radiology Staff
External Liaison: Patients and Families, Primary Care Physicians, Specialty Clinics and External Specialists, Emergency Services, Public Health Authorities, Insurance Companies, External Laboratories and Diagnostic Centers, Regulatory Bodies, Professional Medical Associations.
Job Summary: The Consultant Internist will play a pivotal role in delivering comprehensive medical care to adult patients with diverse and complex health conditions. The Consultant will be responsible for diagnosing, treating, and managing a variety of acute and chronic illnesses, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, and ensuring the highest standards of patient care. The Consultant will also lead and mentor junior medical staff, participate in quality improvement initiatives, and contribute to the strategic planning and operational management of the department. This position demands excellent clinical acumen, strong leadership capabilities, and a commitment to continuous professional development.
Key Responsibilities:
Patient Care:
- Conduct comprehensive medical assessments utilizing a systematic approach, including detailed history-taking, thorough physical examinations, and appropriate diagnostic investigations, to establish accurate diagnoses and formulate evidence-based treatment plans.
- Develop, implement, and monitor individualized treatment plans, adjusting as necessary based on patient progress and evolving clinical information.
- Oversee the management of chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular conditions, ensuring continuity of care and adherence to treatment protocols.
- Work closely with specialists, nurses, and other healthcare professionals to provide integrated and holistic care.
- Perform necessary diagnostic and therapeutic procedures within the scope of internal medicine.
- Ensure appropriate follow-up care and monitoring for patients, including arranging referrals to specialists and coordinating with primary care providers.
- Prioritize patient care activities based on the severity of illness, clinical urgency, and resource availability, ensuring that patients with acute or life-threatening conditions receive timely and appropriate interventions.
- Perform life-saving procedures and interventions such as intubation, central line insertion, chest tube placement, and advanced cardiac life support.
- Continuously monitor patients' progress and adjust treatments as necessary, ensuring optimal outcomes and minimizing complications.
- Coordinate discharge planning and follow-up care for patients, ensuring they receive appropriate instructions and resources for continued recovery.
Leadership and Supervision:
- Lead the internal medicine department team, providing direction and support to ensure effective and efficient patient care.
- Lead and manage a team of junior doctors, nurses, and other healthcare staff, ensuring effective team functioning and high standards of patient care.
- Provide mentorship, training, and support to junior medical staff, fostering their professional development and enhancing clinical skills.
- Mentor junior doctors, nurses, and medical students, fostering a learning environment and providing guidance on complex cases.
- Conduct regular performance evaluations, providing constructive feedback and identifying areas for improvement.
- Address and resolve conflicts within the team, maintaining a positive and professional work environment.
- Organize and participate in teaching sessions, case discussions, and clinical training programs.
- Promote the well-being of staff, encouraging work-life balance and providing support during high-stress situations.
Operational Management:
- Develop, implement, and review clinical protocols and guidelines to ensure evidence-based practices and high standards of care.
- Oversee the allocation and utilization of resources, including staffing, equipment, and supplies, to meet the needs of the department.
- Analyze and improve workflows and processes within the department to enhance efficiency and patient care.
- Identify and mitigate risks, ensuring compliance with safety standards and regulatory requirements.
- Assist in the preparation and management of the departmental budget, ensuring efficient use of financial resources.
- Contribute to strategic planning and development initiatives to enhance the services and capabilities of the internal medicine department.
Quality Improvement:
- Lead and participate in clinical audits to evaluate and improve the quality of care provided in the department.
- Engage in clinical research projects to advance knowledge and improve practices in internal medicine.
- Analyze clinical data to identify trends, outcomes, and areas for improvement.
- Implement evidence-based practices and stay current with advancements in internal medicine.
- Promote a culture of patient safety, reporting and addressing incidents and near-misses promptly.
- Drive continuous quality improvement initiatives, involving staff in identifying and implementing changes.
Communication:
- Communicate effectively with patients and their families, providing clear explanations of diagnoses, treatment options, and care plans.
- Facilitate clear and effective communication between the internal medicine department and other hospital departments.
- Maintain accurate and thorough medical records, ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.
- Lead and participate in departmental meetings, case conferences, and handover sessions.
- Represent the internal medicine department in hospital-wide committees and external forums.
- Establish and maintain mechanisms for receiving and addressing feedback from patients and staff.
Patient Management:
- Take a leadership role in coordinating the care of patients under your supervision, ensuring that care plans are implemented effectively, and that communication among healthcare team members is clear, timely, and accurate.
- Foster therapeutic relationships with patients and their families through effective communication, active listening, and empathetic understanding of their concerns, values, and preferences.
- Provide patient-centered care that respects cultural diversity, individual autonomy, and personal dignity, and promotes shared decision-making and informed consent.
- Educate patients and families about their medical conditions, treatment options, and self-care strategies, empowering them to actively participate in their healthcare journey and achieve optimal health outcomes.
- Advocate for patients' rights, needs, and preferences within the healthcare system, ensuring that their voices are heard and their interests are represented in care planning and decision-making processes.
- Participate in the coordination of patient admissions, transfers, and discharges, liaising with other healthcare providers as necessary.
Education and Training:
Supervision and Mentorship:
- Provides supervision and mentorship to junior medical staff, including interns, medical students, and junior residents.
- Guide Junior house officers in clinical decision-making, teaching procedural skills, and fostering professional development.
Clinical Teaching:
- Engages in clinical teaching activities, imparting knowledge and skills to junior colleagues through bedside teaching sessions, case discussions, and formal educational sessions.
- Promotes a culture of continuous learning and skill acquisition within the internal medicine.
Role Modeling:
- Demonstrating professionalism, compassion, and evidence-based practice to serve as a positive role model for junior staff, embodying the values and principles of internal medicine.
Medical Rounds:
- Participate in medical rounds with attending physicians, consultants, and medical students to discuss patient cases, review treatment plans, and provide input on patient management strategies.
Clinical Governance:
- Understand clinical governance principles, quality improvement methodologies, and patient safety initiatives in internal medicine, with commitment to continuous improvement and adherence to professional standards.
Professional Development:
- Participate in educational activities, conferences, and continuing medical education (CME) opportunities to enhance clinical knowledge, skills, and competency in internal medicine practice.
Procedural Skills:
- Demonstrate proficiency in performing a wide range of medical procedures commonly encountered in internal medicine, including but not limited to venipuncture, intravenous cannulation, arterial blood gas sampling, lumbar puncture, and nasogastric tube insertion.
- Ensure the safe and effective performance of procedures by adhering to established protocols, using aseptic techniques, and maintaining a high standard of infection control practices.
- Continuously assess and reassess patients' procedural readiness, taking into account factors such as coexisting medical conditions, medication regimens, and psychological comfort, and providing appropriate pre-procedure preparation and post-procedure monitoring.
- Recognize and respond promptly to procedural complications or adverse events, initiating appropriate interventions to mitigate risks and ensure patient safety.
- Collaborate with consultants, senior medical staff, and other healthcare professionals in the planning and execution of more complex procedures, gaining valuable hands-on experience and expanding your procedural competency under supervision.
- Perform procedures as required, ensuring all appropriate preparation and post procedure care is followed.
- Develop and refine basic procedural skills relevant to internal medicine practice, including but not limited to:
- Venipuncture: Perform venous blood draws for laboratory testing, ensuring patient comfort and safety.
- Intravenous (IV) Line Placement: Insert peripheral IV catheters for administration of fluids, medications, and blood products, following aseptic technique and proper site selection.
- Urinary Catheterization: Insert urinary catheters to monitor urinary output and relieve urinary retention, adhering to sterile technique and patient privacy.
- Nasogastric (NG) Tube Insertion: Insert NG tubes for enteral feeding, medication administration, or gastric decompression, ensuring proper placement and function.
- Arterial Blood Gas (ABG) Sampling: Obtain arterial blood samples for analysis of oxygenation, ventilation, and acid-base status, following established protocols and safety guidelines.
- Electrocardiogram (ECG) Acquisition: Perform basic ECG acquisition and interpretation to assess cardiac rhythm and conduction abnormalities, collaborating with senior staff for further evaluation.
- Point-of-Care Testing: Perform point-of-care testing (e.g., glucose monitoring, urine analysis) using handheld devices to obtain rapid diagnostic results and guide patient management decisions.
- Other Basic Procedures: Assist with other basic medical procedures and interventions as directed by senior medical staff, gaining hands-on experience and proficiency in clinical skills relevant to internal medicine practice.
Qualifications:
- Medical degree (MBBS or equivalent) from a recognized medical school.
- Registered Medical Practitioner with the St. Lucia Medical & Dental Council to practice in St. Lucia.
- Successful completion of residency program in Internal Medicine from an accredited institution and a minimum of 5 years of post-certification experience in an Internal Medicine Department setting.
- Advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) certification is highly desirable.
- Demonstrated commitment to ongoing professional development, including participation in relevant courses, workshops, and conferences.
Working Conditions:
- Work Location: Hospital-based position in the Internal Medicine Department.
- Hours: 20 Hours a week in a 4-hour shift. Consultants may be required to participate in on-call duties as part of their role, responding to medical emergencies and providing medical care outside of regular working hours. On-call shifts may vary in duration and frequency, with provisions for compensatory rest and remuneration as per hospital policies and collective agreements.
- Environment: Fast-paced clinical environment with exposure to patients with acute and chronic medical conditions. May involve exposure to infectious diseases and hazardous materials.
- Equipment: Use of medical equipment and technology for patient evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment.
- Physical Requirements: Standing, walking, lifting, and performing procedures as required in a clinical setting.
- Restrictions:Be available as is required when on call. Respond within 5 minutes to all emergencies. Promptly respond to calls with appropriate evaluation and action within 20 minutes.
Applications accompanied by resume and certified certificates should be submitted no later than, Wednesday 20th May 2026 and sent to:
Salary will be paid in accordance with the experience and requirements for the post. With the terms stipulated by The Board of St. Jude Hospital.
Human Resources Department St. Jude Hospital P.O. Box 331 Vieux–Fort,
St. Lucia.