The Pleasures and Pitfalls of Life as a New Consultant – an Anecdotal Review Part 2 Dental Update 2024 13:3, 707-709.
Abstract
Part two of this paper provides the author's personal insight into the first 18 months of a consultant post. Being the new consultant in town is not without considerable challenges. The aim of the second part of the paper is to provide the reader with the reality of integrating into existing units and setting a new one up from scratch. Hints and tips from other newly qualified consultants are also provided. It is hoped that this will enable future consultants to avoid the pitfalls and enjoy the pleasures of an immensely rewarding job.
CPD/Clinical Relevance: To provide first-hand, real world knowledge of life as a new consultant orthodontist in the 21st century NHS.
Article
Following my appointment, I began to work for my new Trust in January 2016. My initial job plan was split between our main unit at Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham and re-establishing a satellite service at Kingsmill Hospital in Mansfield. At our main unit, I could learn how the hospital worked from my consultant colleague who has worked there for many years. In hindsight, this allowed me to concentrate on setting up our peripheral unit in good time, whilst slowly easing into the consultant role at Queen's. Despite mentioning on more than one occasion that I was left-handed, this appeared to come as a shock to the management when I arrived. As part of my arrangement to begin work at the Trust, I negotiated some new essential equipment and images and orthodontic planning software to be installed, and for a new dental chair and unit (Figures 1 and 2).
Register now to continue reading
Thank you for visiting Orthodontic Update and reading some of our resources. To read more, please register today. You’ll enjoy the following great benefits:
