Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic and motivated senior doctor in training (above ST4 or equivalent) with an interest in leadership, management and quality improvement to join the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust as a chief registrar.
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 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 Medical Associate Directors 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:
National Training Number (NTN) ST4 level or above
Locally Employed Doctors (LED) at equivalent experience of ST4 or above
Working full time or less-than-full-time
Who have full GMC registration
Assigned to a rotation at Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust from August 2025
This is a fixed-term role for minimum of 12 months. For those with an NTN, the role must be discussed with your educational supervisor and training programme director (TPD), and permission to apply must be granted by the TPD.
About us
Diversity makes us interesting... Inclusion is what will make us outstanding.
Inequality exists and the journey to eliminate it is not easy. Every step we take will be a purposeful step forward to deliver a truly inclusive culture where all our people are enabled to deliver outstanding care, where background is no barrier, and where everyone can be their authentic self and we truly represent our patient community.
We are committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics. Reasonable adjustments will be made for disabled applicants where possible.
If you need additional help with your application please get in touch by calling the recruitment team on 0118 322 6997 or 0118 322 5342.
Our primary method of communication will be via email. However, if you would prefer to be contacted through a different method, please inform the recruitment team.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The chief registrar job description is broad in scope in order to allow chief registrars and recruiting organisations to have autonomy and flexibility over the work the chief registrar undertakes. Chief registrars should focus on addressing key local challenges and priorities, which may include some or all of the following:
Providing a bridge between senior clinical leaders, managers and the wider trainee workforce to improve communication, engagement and morale.
Service improvement, for example redesigning pathways, implementing new technology and establishing new services to improve flow and outcomes for patients.
Improving the quality of clinical and non-clinical education and training activities, and supporting/mentoring other trainees to engage in quality improvement.
Involvement in workforce planning and improving the deployment of trainees to meet service needs and improve morale.
Improving efficiency and reducing waste.
Working across teams and boundaries to engage stakeholders in quality improvement and influence change.
Involvement in and exposure to senior management and organisational decision-making
The chief registrar should attend departmental and divisional management meetings to gain an understanding of management and the wider social, political and economic influences on healthcare delivery.
Where possible and appropriate, they should attend Board meetings. They should lead any sessions on service development, improvement and transformation for which they have direct responsibility.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The chief registrar job description is broad in scope in order to allow chief registrars and recruiting organisations to have autonomy and flexibility over the work the chief registrar undertakes. Chief registrars should focus on addressing key local challenges and priorities, which may include some or all of the following:
Providing a bridge between senior clinical leaders, managers and the wider trainee workforce to improve communication, engagement and morale.
Service improvement, for example redesigning pathways, implementing new technology and establishing new services to improve flow and outcomes for patients.
Improving the quality of clinical and non-clinical education and training activities, and supporting/mentoring other trainees to engage in quality improvement.
Involvement in workforce planning and improving the deployment of trainees to meet service needs and improve morale.
Improving efficiency and reducing waste.
Working across teams and boundaries to engage stakeholders in quality improvement and influence change.
Involvement in and exposure to senior management and organisational decision-making
The chief registrar should attend departmental and divisional management meetings to gain an understanding of management and the wider social, political and economic influences on healthcare delivery.
Where possible and appropriate, they should attend Board meetings. They should lead any sessions on service development, improvement and transformation for which they have direct responsibility.
Person Specification
Qualifications/Training
Essential
- Full registration with General Medical Council
- Be fit to practice
- NTN ST4 or above
- Should not already hold a CCT or expected to complete training during the programme
- Evidence of satisfactory / more than satisfactory progress through training, including annual review of competence progression (ARCP) outcomes or appraisal
- Assigned to a rotation at Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation trust from August 2025 for 12 months
Desirable
- Additional relevant degree (intercalated, masters or doctorate)
Leadership and Management
Essential
- 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
- Evidence of involvement in local management systems
- Evidence of effective leadership (e.g. evidence of leading innovations or improvements)
- Understanding of the local and national context of the NHS, including economic and political influences
Person Specification
Qualifications/Training
Essential
- Full registration with General Medical Council
- Be fit to practice
- NTN ST4 or above
- Should not already hold a CCT or expected to complete training during the programme
- Evidence of satisfactory / more than satisfactory progress through training, including annual review of competence progression (ARCP) outcomes or appraisal
- Assigned to a rotation at Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation trust from August 2025 for 12 months
Desirable
- Additional relevant degree (intercalated, masters or doctorate)
Leadership and Management
Essential
- 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
- Evidence of involvement in local management systems
- Evidence of effective leadership (e.g. 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.
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).
