Job summary
This is an exciting opportunity to join a dynamic and forward-looking Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery team at Musgrove Park Hospital, part of Somerset NHS Foundation Trust. The post offers the chance to make a real impact in the delivery of head and neck oncology services across a large and diverse population, while working alongside a highly skilled and supportive group of consultants and specialists. With a strong emphasis on multidisciplinary collaboration, innovation, and patient-centred care, the role is designed for a consultant who is passionate about advancing cancer surgery and contributing to the growth of a service that already has an excellent reputation.
This post is based at Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton, Somerset NHS Foundation Trust. It is a replacement role designed to strengthen the existing team of consultants and support the delivery of head and neck cancer services across Somerset, serving a population of around 600,000. The consultant will play a key role in the multidisciplinary management of head and neck oncology, including assessment, diagnosis, and surgical treatment, while also contributing to the skin cancer surgery service. The role requires participation in both the Head and Neck and Skin Cancer multidisciplinary team meetings, as well as providing general OMFS clinics and theatre sessions. The consultant will also join the on-call rota and will be expected to contribute to teaching, training, audit, research, and governance activities.
Main duties of the job
The main duties of this consultant role centre on delivering high-quality oral and maxillofacial surgical care, with a strong emphasis on head and neck oncology. The appointee will be responsible for supporting and expanding the cancer service, including the assessment, diagnosis, and surgical management of patients within a multidisciplinary framework. A significant part of the role involves leading and contributing to the surgical skin cancer service, which already manages hundreds of cases each year, and working closely with dermatology and oncology colleagues to ensure seamless patient care.
Alongside these specialist responsibilities, the consultant will provide general OMFS services in both clinic and theatre settings, covering a wide range of elective and emergency cases. Participation in the consultant on-call rota is required, ensuring round-the-clock expertise for urgent and complex cases. The role also carries important educational responsibilities, with the expectation to teach and train junior doctors, medical students, and other staff, while contributing to the academic life of the department through research and audit. The consultant will also undertake administrative duties related to patient care and contribute to the management and planning of OMFS services, ensuring resources are used effectively and the department continues to develop in line with patient needs and commissioning priorities.
About us
At Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, we're committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer:
- Flexible working options to help you balance work and life
- NHS pension scheme for long-term financial security
- Generous annual leave allowance to recharge and relax
- A strong focus on career development to help you grow and achieve your potential
Additionally, you'll gain access to our Blue Light Card, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS-specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work.
We are proud to foster a diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds.
Why Somerset? Somerset offers the perfect blend of idyllic countryside, outstanding areas of natural beauty, and breathtaking coastlines, with vibrant cities like Bristol, Bath, and Exeter just a short drive away - and only two hours to London.
The region is home to excellent educational facilities, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it's a great place to build both your career and your future.
Somerset truly has it all - the peaceful countryside and cosmopolitan city life, with something for everyone to enjoy.
Job description
Job responsibilities
For further details regarding this job role and person specification please refer to the attached job description.
Job description
Job responsibilities
For further details regarding this job role and person specification please refer to the attached job description.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Full registration with the General Medical Council (GMC)
- Possession of, or eligibility for, a Certificate of Completion of Specialist Training (CCST) in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery within 3 months
- Inclusion on the GMC Specialist Register for Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
- Clinical training in the management of head and neck cancer, head and neck skin cancer, surgical dermatology, and facial plastics
- Wide experience and practical skills across Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery
- Ability to provide expert clinical opinion on a broad range of emergency and elective problems within the specialty
- Capacity to take full, independent responsibility for the clinical care of patients
- Ability to organise and manage clinical work and priorities, including outpatient services, surgical waiting lists, and operating sessions
- Ability to lead a clinical team while also working effectively as a team player
- Willingness to participate in undergraduate and postgraduate teaching programmes
- Ability to act as a consultant trainer at specialty and pre-specialty levels
- Commitment to register for Continuing Medical Education (CME) and internal appraisal upon appointment
- Caring attitude towards patients, with excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Honesty, reliability, and ability to work well with colleagues across professions and Trust staff
- Clean UK driving licence
Desirable
- Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (FRCS OMFS) or equivalent
- Fellowship in Dental Surgery or equivalent qualification
- Experience in clinical audit projects
- Previous involvement in clinical research, with evidence of publications appropriate to career stage
- Completion of recognised management training programmes
- Demonstrated ability to manage clinical audit projects effectively
- Formal teaching experience at undergraduate or postgraduate level
- Desire to contribute actively to departmental research initiatives
- Good time management skills, with evidence of balancing clinical, academic, and administrative responsibilities
- IT literacy to support clinical practice, audit, and research activities
Experience
Essential
- Demonstrated hands-on experience in the surgical management of head and neck oncology cases within a multidisciplinary framework.
- Proven track record in delivering complex skin cancer surgery of the head and neck, including collaboration with dermatology and oncology services.
- Broad exposure to emergency oral and maxillofacial surgery, with confidence in managing acute presentations independently.
- Experience in running outpatient clinics and theatre lists, ensuring safe and efficient patient flow.
- Active participation in consultant-level on-call rotas, providing senior decision-making for urgent cases.
- Evidence of involvement in teaching and training junior doctors, medical students, and other healthcare professionals.
- Engagement with clinical governance activities, including audit, appraisal, and service development.
- Ability to balance clinical responsibilities with administrative duties, ensuring effective use of resources and continuity of patient care.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Full registration with the General Medical Council (GMC)
- Possession of, or eligibility for, a Certificate of Completion of Specialist Training (CCST) in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery within 3 months
- Inclusion on the GMC Specialist Register for Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
- Clinical training in the management of head and neck cancer, head and neck skin cancer, surgical dermatology, and facial plastics
- Wide experience and practical skills across Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery
- Ability to provide expert clinical opinion on a broad range of emergency and elective problems within the specialty
- Capacity to take full, independent responsibility for the clinical care of patients
- Ability to organise and manage clinical work and priorities, including outpatient services, surgical waiting lists, and operating sessions
- Ability to lead a clinical team while also working effectively as a team player
- Willingness to participate in undergraduate and postgraduate teaching programmes
- Ability to act as a consultant trainer at specialty and pre-specialty levels
- Commitment to register for Continuing Medical Education (CME) and internal appraisal upon appointment
- Caring attitude towards patients, with excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Honesty, reliability, and ability to work well with colleagues across professions and Trust staff
- Clean UK driving licence
Desirable
- Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (FRCS OMFS) or equivalent
- Fellowship in Dental Surgery or equivalent qualification
- Experience in clinical audit projects
- Previous involvement in clinical research, with evidence of publications appropriate to career stage
- Completion of recognised management training programmes
- Demonstrated ability to manage clinical audit projects effectively
- Formal teaching experience at undergraduate or postgraduate level
- Desire to contribute actively to departmental research initiatives
- Good time management skills, with evidence of balancing clinical, academic, and administrative responsibilities
- IT literacy to support clinical practice, audit, and research activities
Experience
Essential
- Demonstrated hands-on experience in the surgical management of head and neck oncology cases within a multidisciplinary framework.
- Proven track record in delivering complex skin cancer surgery of the head and neck, including collaboration with dermatology and oncology services.
- Broad exposure to emergency oral and maxillofacial surgery, with confidence in managing acute presentations independently.
- Experience in running outpatient clinics and theatre lists, ensuring safe and efficient patient flow.
- Active participation in consultant-level on-call rotas, providing senior decision-making for urgent cases.
- Evidence of involvement in teaching and training junior doctors, medical students, and other healthcare professionals.
- Engagement with clinical governance activities, including audit, appraisal, and service development.
- Ability to balance clinical responsibilities with administrative duties, ensuring effective use of resources and continuity of patient care.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
