Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic and motivated senior trainee (ST5 or above in Care of the Elderly and GIM) with an interest in leadership, management and quality improvement to join Musgrove Park Hospital as a Chief Registrar within the Care of the Elderly Department. Commencing August 2026 until August 2027. In particular, we are looking for someone with an interest in Frailty at the Front door with the aim of improving the assessment and management of older people in ED and their pathway through to appropriate wards for ongoing management. This will be done in conjunction with an ongoing Gold Quality Improvement plan looking at changing services to meet the needs of the older frail population of Somerset.
The chief registrar role provides senior trainees with 40% protected time to develop skills and confidence in leadership, management and quality improvement. Learning that chief registrars gain from the Royal College of Physicians' (RCP's) bespoke development programme will be put into practice in a supported environment that provides autonomy, flexibility and support to develop and support projects that address key local challenges and priorities. This may include service improvement, engagement and morale, education and training, workforce, and sustainability.
Main duties of the job
The chief registrar role is a leadership role for senior specialty resident doctors.
The role provides 40% protected time to develop and implement local initiatives focusing on, for example
- service improvement
- engagement and morale
- education and training
- workforce and sustainability
The chief registrar role will suit trainees who:
- Want to learn about leadership and gain senior leadership experience
- Are comfortable working in uncertain environments and across traditional boundaries
- Relish the opportunity to develop their own ideas and initiatives
- Are committed to and passionate about improving the NHS.
The chief registrar will be mentored by a senior clinical leader within the organisation and gain a unique insight into NHS leadership and management processes, as well as deeper knowledge of NHS structures and stakeholders.
The chief registrar will be expected to attend modules delivered as part of the RCP's bespoke development programme, which will cover, for example, change management, team culture and development, quality improvement, leadership, influencing and personal resilience.
Applications are open to senior trainees:
- At ST5 level or above
- Working full time or less-than-full-time
- Who have a national training number
- Who have full GMC registration.
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
Please see attached document for full details and requirements.
This is a fixed-term role for minimum of 12 months, August 2026 to August 2027.
The role can be undertaken in programme or out of programme (training or experience).
In the first instance, applications must be discussed with your educational supervisor and training programme director (TPD), and permission to apply must be granted by the TPD.
For a discussion about the chief registrar post, please contact Dr Vikky Morris -- Consultant, Care of Older People
07753 627 322
Vikky.Morris@SomersetFT.nhs.uk
For application support:
Joanna Whitehouse -- Chief Registrar Team
07776 673 995
Joanna.Whitehouse@somersetft.nhs.uk
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see attached document for full details and requirements.
This is a fixed-term role for minimum of 12 months, August 2026 to August 2027.
The role can be undertaken in programme or out of programme (training or experience).
In the first instance, applications must be discussed with your educational supervisor and training programme director (TPD), and permission to apply must be granted by the TPD.
For a discussion about the chief registrar post, please contact Dr Vikky Morris -- Consultant, Care of Older People
07753 627 322
Vikky.Morris@SomersetFT.nhs.uk
For application support:
Joanna Whitehouse -- Chief Registrar Team
07776 673 995
Joanna.Whitehouse@somersetft.nhs.uk
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Full registration with General Medical Council and have an active licence to practice.
- Should be NTN ST4 or above.
- Can include locally employed doctors experienced to ST4 or above.
- Be fit to practise.
Desirable
- Additional relevant degree (intercalated, master's or doctorate).
Experience
Essential
- Please see attached document for full details and requirements
- Evidence of satisfactory / more than satisfactory progress through training, includingannual review of competence progression (ARCP) outcomes or appraisal.
- Evidence of clinical competencies in their specialty appropriate for theirstage in training (or equivalent)
- An appropriate knowledge base, and ability to apply sound clinical judgement to problems
- Ability to prioritise clinical need
- Ability to maximise safety and minimise risk
- Ability to work without supervision where appropriate
Desirable
- Please see attached document for full details and requirements
Additional Criteria
Essential
- Understanding of research, including awareness of ethical issues
- Understanding of research methodology and ability to use basic qualitative and quantitative methods
- Knowledge of evidence-based practice
- Evidence of effective team working and leadership, supported by multi-source feedback or workplace-based assessments
- Self-awareness, with knowledge of personal strengths and weaknesses, impact and areas for development
- Interest in and knowledge of the importance of leadership and management for clinicians
Desirable
- Please see attached document for full details and requirements
- Evidence of relevant academic achievements, including publications / presentations
- Evidence of involvement in local management systems
- Evidence of effective leadership (eg evidence of leading innovations or improvements)
- Understanding of the local and national context of the NHS, including economic and political influences
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Full registration with General Medical Council and have an active licence to practice.
- Should be NTN ST4 or above.
- Can include locally employed doctors experienced to ST4 or above.
- Be fit to practise.
Desirable
- Additional relevant degree (intercalated, master's or doctorate).
Experience
Essential
- Please see attached document for full details and requirements
- Evidence of satisfactory / more than satisfactory progress through training, includingannual review of competence progression (ARCP) outcomes or appraisal.
- Evidence of clinical competencies in their specialty appropriate for theirstage in training (or equivalent)
- An appropriate knowledge base, and ability to apply sound clinical judgement to problems
- Ability to prioritise clinical need
- Ability to maximise safety and minimise risk
- Ability to work without supervision where appropriate
Desirable
- Please see attached document for full details and requirements
Additional Criteria
Essential
- Understanding of research, including awareness of ethical issues
- Understanding of research methodology and ability to use basic qualitative and quantitative methods
- Knowledge of evidence-based practice
- Evidence of effective team working and leadership, supported by multi-source feedback or workplace-based assessments
- Self-awareness, with knowledge of personal strengths and weaknesses, impact and areas for development
- Interest in and knowledge of the importance of leadership and management for clinicians
Desirable
- Please see attached document for full details and requirements
- Evidence of relevant academic achievements, including publications / presentations
- Evidence of involvement in local management systems
- Evidence of effective leadership (eg evidence of leading innovations or improvements)
- Understanding of the local and national context of the NHS, including economic and political influences
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
