The work of the consultant goes beyond caring for patients. Another key aspect of the role is being involved in – and often leading – multidisciplinary teams delivering care. This involves being able to take an overview of the care pathway, and managing other team members (nurses, anaesthetists, physiotherapists, pharmacists etc) accordingly. Consultants are also expected to be involved in the teaching and training of students and junior doctors, and to contribute to their specialty field through research and leadership.
Support for consultant physicians at the RCP:
There are lots of roles that consultant physicians can hold within the RCP. They can sit on committees and working parties, participate in the RCP’s research panel and act as mentors for the RCP’s mentoring scheme. If they hold fellowship to the RCP, then they can also apply for college officer roles, which have specific remits.
There are plenty of opportunities to broaden your learning and develop your career, through our varied programme of conferences, educational programmes and e-learning, all of which help you to gain CPD points.
We offer networking opportunities, one-to-one careers advice and tailored support for new consultants.
These are opportunities to contribute to the RCP’s clinical work, including quality improvement projects and NICE guidelines.