Job summary
We are looking to welcome a consultant anaesthetist to primarily work within adult general theatres and be on the adult general on call rota. We require the applicant to have skills in major general surgery and regional anaesthesia. Additional qualifications or interest in safety, quality and governance would also be of benefit.
We are the largest hospital in the Southwest Peninsula, and offer a secondary care service to approximately 500 000 patients, and a tertiary care service to a further 1.5 million. We are a major trauma centre. Almost all adult surgical specialties are catered for, including cardiac, neurosurgery, thoracics and paediatrics. A successful applicant will be joining a welcoming and friendly department that has held ACSA Accreditation since 2015 and is proud of its collegiate spirit. We have a strong track record in clinical excellence & translational research, and receive very positive feedback from our rotating trainees. We understand the need to accommodate a healthy work life balance and aim to support flexible working. We have a lively social programme and a dedicated anaesthetic coffee room, known as the 'Back Bar'.
We are located on the Devon/Cornwall border with access to all the amenities of a metropolitan city, yet moments away from the moors and sea. We are proud that Plymouth was voted the top city to live in England in 2023!
Main duties of the job
We are seeking a dedicated and experienced Consultant Anaesthetist to join our team, providing high-quality anaesthesia services across a broad range of specialties. The successful candidate will be expected to deliver expert anaesthesia care for procedures spanning general surgery, major trauma, obstetrics, neurosurgery, and beyond. At the core of our work is a commitment to putting people at the heart of our service, ensuring the highest standards of care for our patients in a compassionate and professional manner.
In addition to clinical duties, the post holder will actively contribute to teaching and training. We have a strong partnership with the University of Plymouth, and as part of this role, you will engage in both undergraduate and postgraduate education. This will involve mentoring junior doctors, delivering lectures, and supporting clinical learning. You will also be encouraged to participate in continuing medical education and quality improvement activities, ensuring ongoing professional development for both yourself and the team.
As the department evolves, your job plan will adapt to meet service development needs, while also aligning with your personal professional interests. This is an exciting opportunity to shape the future of peri-operative care in a collaborative and forward-thinking environment.
About us
We are a people business - where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff, who are committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence and great customer care. The Trust has great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment. We offer all of this in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure. PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION WILL BE ELECTRONIC, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY. If you have any issues with applying online and need additional support including reasonable adjustments with the application process please contact the recruitment manager for this post who will put you in touch with the recruitment team. We recognise that work life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants around less than full time/flexible working for our advertised roles. Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss this prior to your application submission. We commit to giving this full consideration in each case. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, as diversity strengthens our teams. It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.
Job description
Job responsibilities
We have included an indicative 10 PA job plan within the candidate pack; however, we strongly believe that a job plan should work for both the individual and the service. The successful applicant will therefore have the opportunity to meet with the Service Line Director prior to starting in post to agree a personalised job plan that reflects their skills, interests, and preferred working patterns.
We recognise that flexibility is key to supporting wellbeing and long-term career satisfaction. We are proud of our track record in offering highly flexible working arrangements and are committed to helping colleagues balance their professional and personal lives. We're also keen to help people focus on the areas of practice they enjoy most we know that when people do what they love, they bring their best selves to work.
Job plans typically include 1.5 PAs of generic Supporting Professional Activities (SPA) time, though this can be tailored depending on roles in education, management, research, or quality improvement.
We run a first-on call rota for anaesthesia (excluding cardiac, ICU, and paediatrics), which is supported by a second-on call consultant. When on first-on call, you must be within 30 minutes of the hospital, and for second-on call, within 45 minutes. Resident trainees are available overnight in obstetrics, the emergency theatre, ICU, and cardiac ICU, ensuring senior support is well integrated into our system.
As part of our commitment to sustainability and work-life balance, we have a clear and supportive process for taking colleagues off the on-call rota in the latter stages of their career, if desired.
We would be more than happy to discuss any aspect of the job plan, rota, or working arrangements. Informal visits to the department, hospital, and local area are warmly encouraged
Job description
Job responsibilities
We have included an indicative 10 PA job plan within the candidate pack; however, we strongly believe that a job plan should work for both the individual and the service. The successful applicant will therefore have the opportunity to meet with the Service Line Director prior to starting in post to agree a personalised job plan that reflects their skills, interests, and preferred working patterns.
We recognise that flexibility is key to supporting wellbeing and long-term career satisfaction. We are proud of our track record in offering highly flexible working arrangements and are committed to helping colleagues balance their professional and personal lives. We're also keen to help people focus on the areas of practice they enjoy most we know that when people do what they love, they bring their best selves to work.
Job plans typically include 1.5 PAs of generic Supporting Professional Activities (SPA) time, though this can be tailored depending on roles in education, management, research, or quality improvement.
We run a first-on call rota for anaesthesia (excluding cardiac, ICU, and paediatrics), which is supported by a second-on call consultant. When on first-on call, you must be within 30 minutes of the hospital, and for second-on call, within 45 minutes. Resident trainees are available overnight in obstetrics, the emergency theatre, ICU, and cardiac ICU, ensuring senior support is well integrated into our system.
As part of our commitment to sustainability and work-life balance, we have a clear and supportive process for taking colleagues off the on-call rota in the latter stages of their career, if desired.
We would be more than happy to discuss any aspect of the job plan, rota, or working arrangements. Informal visits to the department, hospital, and local area are warmly encouraged
Person Specification
Essential
Essential
- CCT/ CESR in anaesthesia (or expected within 6 months)
- Full GMC registration with license to practice
- Broad, current clinical experience of adult anaesthesia.
- Advanced module or SIA in major general/HPB surgery
- Advanced module in regional anaesthesia
Desirable
- Interest in safety, quality, governance
Desirable
Desirable
- Possession of other related postgraduate qualification such as BSc, MSC or PhD
- Evidence of positive patient and colleague feedback
- Experience of managing complex cases
- Distinction, scholarships and prizes
- Evidence of skills in service improvement, research, medical education, leadership
Person Specification
Essential
Essential
- CCT/ CESR in anaesthesia (or expected within 6 months)
- Full GMC registration with license to practice
- Broad, current clinical experience of adult anaesthesia.
- Advanced module or SIA in major general/HPB surgery
- Advanced module in regional anaesthesia
Desirable
- Interest in safety, quality, governance
Desirable
Desirable
- Possession of other related postgraduate qualification such as BSc, MSC or PhD
- Evidence of positive patient and colleague feedback
- Experience of managing complex cases
- Distinction, scholarships and prizes
- Evidence of skills in service improvement, research, medical education, leadership
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).
