Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the Cardiology department in North Bristol NHS Trust (NBT) as a Consultant with Special Interest in Imaging and Heart Failure.
This post is key to delivering Echocardiography, including TOE, and Heart Failure services within Cardiology at NBT (base hospital) and the Bristol Heart Institute. Expertise in Cardiac MRI are also desirable.
NBT and University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) are high-performing organisations with a strong track record of collaboration and proud histories of excellent care, teaching, and research.
NBT is partnering with UHBW to form a Hospital Group, with both NHS organisations sharing the ambition to deliver seamless, high-quality, equitable, and sustainable care across Bristol, North Somerset, and South Gloucestershire.
With a combined workforce of 28,000 and a budget over £2.1 billion, the Hospital Group is delivering a Joint Clinical Strategy aimed at tackling health inequalities, improving outcomes, and delivering better value for patients, staff, and the public.
In Spring 2025, the Cardiology Specialty at NBT formed a Group Cardiac Service with UHBW, operating as a single service across both Trusts. Cardiac Services will be led by a unified leadership team, with UHBW as the lead organisation, and site-based leadership supporting daily operations. Cardiology care at NBT is delivered in the Brunel building at Southmead Hospital and at the Bristol Heart Institute for UHBW.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will need to have a CCT in Cardiology with subspecialisation in Echocardiography, TOE and Heart Failure (Cardiac MRI is also desirable) and be well experienced in the in-patient and out-patient management of patients with General Cardiology diagnoses.
Applicants should have a CCT or be within six months of achieving this at the date of interview or be listed on the GMC's specialist register to be eligible for application for a substantive post. CESR applicants are welcome and must have their CESR in place at the time of interview.
There is a commitment to a 1 in 10 Cardiology Consultant of the week service at Southmead Hospital.
The individual will be required to work flexibly and across site to fulfil high professional standards and contribute to Departmental, Division and Trust priorities. The attached job plan gives an indication of commitments but will be made firm on appointment and may take account of any additional clinical skills which the postholder brings.
Please note, the job description for this role is pending approval from the Royal College of Physicians.
About us
North Bristol NHS Trust employs over 12,000 staff providing healthcare to the residents of Bristol, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset from our award-winning hospital building at Southmead. We are the regional Major Trauma Centre, and an internationally recognised centre of excellence in a range of services and major specialities. Our vision is that by enabling our teams to be the best that they can be, we will provide exceptional healthcare, personally delivered.
North Bristol NHS Trust values all people as individuals. We aim to be an anti-discriminatory organisation and are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We welcome applicants from all underrepresented groups.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- The post holder will have continuing responsibility for the care of patients in his or her charge and for the proper functioning of the service and will undertake the administrative duties associated with the care of patients and the running of the clinical department. The post holder will be required to work in partnership with colleagues of all disciplines, external links to the Trust and service users, to ensure the creation of a quality service.
- The postholder will participate in the Consultant of the Week (COW) rota. This entails the running of the Coronary Care Unit for the week, as well as responsibility for patients on the general Cardiology ward. COW duties also involve a daily ward round on the Acute Medical Unit (AMU) to discuss new referrals, and review of any Cardiology referrals highlighted by the Cardiology Middle Grades within the Hospital.
- The postholder will support the Heart Failure and Echocardiography services at North Bristol NHS Trust and work closely with the Cardiac Physiology team.
- The postholder will deliver outpatient care will be delivered through regular clinics at the NBT site and attend MDT meetings.
- There will be an expectation that the postholder provides commitment to maintain professional expertise by attendance at meetings and courses, and completion of diaries for Continued Professional Development (CPD) is essential. Also essential is that the postholder have an annual appraisal and undergo revalidation as required.
- The postholder will be required to participate in audit and Division/Specialty meetings and undertake administrative duties as required by the role and directed by the Specialty Lead in Cardiology.
- Cover of colleagues absent on leave (prospective cover) will be required.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- The post holder will have continuing responsibility for the care of patients in his or her charge and for the proper functioning of the service and will undertake the administrative duties associated with the care of patients and the running of the clinical department. The post holder will be required to work in partnership with colleagues of all disciplines, external links to the Trust and service users, to ensure the creation of a quality service.
- The postholder will participate in the Consultant of the Week (COW) rota. This entails the running of the Coronary Care Unit for the week, as well as responsibility for patients on the general Cardiology ward. COW duties also involve a daily ward round on the Acute Medical Unit (AMU) to discuss new referrals, and review of any Cardiology referrals highlighted by the Cardiology Middle Grades within the Hospital.
- The postholder will support the Heart Failure and Echocardiography services at North Bristol NHS Trust and work closely with the Cardiac Physiology team.
- The postholder will deliver outpatient care will be delivered through regular clinics at the NBT site and attend MDT meetings.
- There will be an expectation that the postholder provides commitment to maintain professional expertise by attendance at meetings and courses, and completion of diaries for Continued Professional Development (CPD) is essential. Also essential is that the postholder have an annual appraisal and undergo revalidation as required.
- The postholder will be required to participate in audit and Division/Specialty meetings and undertake administrative duties as required by the role and directed by the Specialty Lead in Cardiology.
- Cover of colleagues absent on leave (prospective cover) will be required.
Person Specification
Qualifications and Registration
Essential
- Maintain full registration with the GMC
- MRCP (UK) or equivalent
- Must have CCT in Cardiology and have been entered on the GMC Specialist Register at the time of the appointment
Desirable
- Higher Academic Qualification (eg, MD or MS)
Training and Experience
Essential
- Recent experience and familiarity of UK hospital systems and practices
- Minimum of ten years postgraduate experience including higher surgical/medical training, three years as a Senior Registrar in an approved training post, or equivalent. Part of this period may be in a post of equivalent responsibility and training potential.
- Proven expertise in Heart Failure
- BSE accreditation
- TOE accreditation
Desirable
- Sub-specialty accreditation in CMRI
Further Training, Management and Audit
Essential
- Evidence of recent CME/reasonable training progression at this stage of career
- Experience in audit project and written up
- Knowledge of contemporary NHS management issues
- Knowledge of political context within which the NHS and Cardiology operate
Desirable
- Completion of a general management course or programme
Research, Training and Publications
Essential
- Willingness to undertake teaching of medical undergraduate and postgraduate grades
- Proven teaching ability
Desirable
- Proven track record in research
- Willingness to undertake further research
- Evidence of relevant publications in peer reviewed journals
- Demonstration of involvement in clinical directorate management
- Ability to gain the trust and confidence of colleagues and patients.
- Ability to teach effectively
Personal Requirements (eg, Communication, Leadership, Skills, Flexibility)
Essential
- Proven ability to build and maintain effective teams
- Have a positive attitude towards members of the wider healthcare team
- Evidence of good organizational and compassionate leadership skills
- Evidence of positive development and change management
- An understanding of positive leadership in the context of healthcare.
Person Specification
Qualifications and Registration
Essential
- Maintain full registration with the GMC
- MRCP (UK) or equivalent
- Must have CCT in Cardiology and have been entered on the GMC Specialist Register at the time of the appointment
Desirable
- Higher Academic Qualification (eg, MD or MS)
Training and Experience
Essential
- Recent experience and familiarity of UK hospital systems and practices
- Minimum of ten years postgraduate experience including higher surgical/medical training, three years as a Senior Registrar in an approved training post, or equivalent. Part of this period may be in a post of equivalent responsibility and training potential.
- Proven expertise in Heart Failure
- BSE accreditation
- TOE accreditation
Desirable
- Sub-specialty accreditation in CMRI
Further Training, Management and Audit
Essential
- Evidence of recent CME/reasonable training progression at this stage of career
- Experience in audit project and written up
- Knowledge of contemporary NHS management issues
- Knowledge of political context within which the NHS and Cardiology operate
Desirable
- Completion of a general management course or programme
Research, Training and Publications
Essential
- Willingness to undertake teaching of medical undergraduate and postgraduate grades
- Proven teaching ability
Desirable
- Proven track record in research
- Willingness to undertake further research
- Evidence of relevant publications in peer reviewed journals
- Demonstration of involvement in clinical directorate management
- Ability to gain the trust and confidence of colleagues and patients.
- Ability to teach effectively
Personal Requirements (eg, Communication, Leadership, Skills, Flexibility)
Essential
- Proven ability to build and maintain effective teams
- Have a positive attitude towards members of the wider healthcare team
- Evidence of good organizational and compassionate leadership skills
- Evidence of positive development and change management
- An understanding of positive leadership in the context of healthcare.
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).
