Consultant in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

Job summary

This full time Consultant post in Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery is based at Musgrove Park Hospital, Taunton, within Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, supporting three full time and two part time colleagues while delivering services across Taunton, Yeovil, and community hospitals in Somerset. The role focuses on the surgical management of head and neck skin cancers, with approximately 640 cases treated annually, alongside the full breadth of OMFS practice including oral surgery, trauma, benign disease, and oral medicine. The appointee will lead and develop the skin cancer service within a multidisciplinary framework, contribute to weekly MDTs, and provide expert care under local and general anaesthesia. Duties include participation in the consultant on call rota (1:5 weekdays, 1:6 weekends), supervision of junior staff, teaching, audit, and clinical governance. The post offers access to modern facilities in Taunton and Yeovil, day surgery centres, and outreach clinics, with strong links to dermatology, oncology, ENT, and restorative dentistry. The successful candidate must hold GMC registration and be on the specialist register (or within 3 months of CCST), with proven expertise in head and neck skin cancer surgery and broad OMFS skills. Desirable attributes include research, audit, and teaching experience. The job plan comprises 10 PAs, including SPA, on call, and clinical sessions, with flexibility to meet service needs across Somerset.

Main duties of the job

Clinical Care: Provide high quality diagnosis and surgical management of head and neck skin cancers, plus the full range of OMFS services (oral surgery, trauma, benign disease, oral medicine).

Specialist Leadership: Lead and develop the surgical skin cancer service within the multidisciplinary team, supporting ~640 cases annually.

On Call Commitment: Participate in the consultant emergency on call rota, with prospective cover for colleagues.

Teaching & Supervision: Train and supervise junior doctors (DCTs, SAS, trainees), contribute to undergraduate and postgraduate teaching programmes.

Audit & Governance: Engage in clinical audit, quality improvement, incident reporting, and compliance with Trust governance policies.

Research & Education: Contribute to departmental research initiatives and academic life of the Trust.

Administration: Undertake patient record keeping, clinical administration, and departmental teamwork.

Service Development: Work with divisional leadership to plan and develop OMFS services across Somerset.

Multidisciplinary Collaboration: Attend and contribute to weekly Skin Cancer MDTs and Head & Neck oncology clinics, liaising with dermatology, oncology, ENT, restorative dentistry, and other specialties.

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.