Job summary
Applications are invited for a full time (10PA) Consultant Vascular & Endovascular Surgeon. The post attracts 8.5 PA of direct clinical care and 1.5 Supporting Professional Activities. This is a substantive post & the appointment will be made in accordance with the Terms & Conditions of Service for Consultants (2003).
Main duties of the job
Based at Bedford Hospital (L&D Hospital from 2026), BLMK Vascular Unit provides a supra district vascular service to Bedford Hospital, Milton Keynes and Luton & Dunstable Hospital catchment areas andis a designated complex arterial intervention centre. The department provides the fullspectrum of elective and emergency surgery, including endovascular aneurysm repair,urgent carotid endarterectomy, distal bypass and hybrid open/endovascular proceduresfor peripheral arterial disease, and endo-venous treatment for superficial venousdisease.
The move of the service's hub from Bedford to L&D Hospital is very exciting with the creation of a vascular-specific outpatient space, custom vascular lab facilities and 2 brand new theatres (including hybrid facilities).
There is an active surgeon led endovascular program for aortic and peripheral interventions and experience in endovascular skills is essential for this post. An interest in lower limb endovascular interventions and diabetes related foot disease is highly desirable.
The current vascular surgeons work as one team. Therefore, the candidates must have excellent communication skills and demonstrable leadership and team working abilities. They will be expected to comply with local pathways, protocols and guidelines and must share our values of fairness, openness and transparency and respect for colleagues, patients and carers.
About us
Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics. You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology.
Our Values
We not only recruit based on qualifications and experience - we recruit individuals who demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. We achieve this by using values based recruitment. We are dedicated to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone, we are committed to promoting equality and diversity, and creating a culture that values differences.
Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received.
Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all documents attached to ensure you familiarize yourself with all requirements of the job.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The successful candidate will join a team of seven vascular surgeons (including this post) to provide a comprehensive elective and emergency vascular service for the whole of Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes, a population of around 1m. The post will be based at Bedford Hospital (L&D Hospital from 2026) where all major vascular surgery will be performed with appropriate radiological, anaesthetic and ITU support.
The out of hour rota frequency is 1:7 days and 1:6 nights at present however with he expansion to the consultant workforce it is planned that this frequency would reduce. Our on call has also changed with the appointment of 6 vascular middle grades who are 'first on call' and able to triage many of the incoming queries.
The on-call surgeon is freed of all elective commitments; instead, assuming the responsibilities for the care of all vascular in-patients including elective postop and new vascular emergencies. The on-call surgeon is required to do daily ward rounds including the weekends and provide specialist input to the treatment of patients admitted in the care of other specialties. Diagnostic (CT) angiograms are available 24/7 for aortic and peripheral emergencies and vascular laboratory services within the normal working time, five days a week. The junior vascular team comprises of six middle grades, one core trainee, one FY2 and 3 FY1 doctors. The Vascular clinical fellows and registrars provide on call support acting as the first on call for vascular patients out of hours.
Please see attached job description for more information about this role and working at Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
Please note that all shortlisted candidates will be required to attend a virtual pre-interview assessment process.
Closing Date: 16.03.2025
Interview Date: wk comm 31.03.2025
Interview Date: 14.04.2025
Job description
Job responsibilities
The successful candidate will join a team of seven vascular surgeons (including this post) to provide a comprehensive elective and emergency vascular service for the whole of Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes, a population of around 1m. The post will be based at Bedford Hospital (L&D Hospital from 2026) where all major vascular surgery will be performed with appropriate radiological, anaesthetic and ITU support.
The out of hour rota frequency is 1:7 days and 1:6 nights at present however with he expansion to the consultant workforce it is planned that this frequency would reduce. Our on call has also changed with the appointment of 6 vascular middle grades who are 'first on call' and able to triage many of the incoming queries.
The on-call surgeon is freed of all elective commitments; instead, assuming the responsibilities for the care of all vascular in-patients including elective postop and new vascular emergencies. The on-call surgeon is required to do daily ward rounds including the weekends and provide specialist input to the treatment of patients admitted in the care of other specialties. Diagnostic (CT) angiograms are available 24/7 for aortic and peripheral emergencies and vascular laboratory services within the normal working time, five days a week. The junior vascular team comprises of six middle grades, one core trainee, one FY2 and 3 FY1 doctors. The Vascular clinical fellows and registrars provide on call support acting as the first on call for vascular patients out of hours.
Please see attached job description for more information about this role and working at Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
Please note that all shortlisted candidates will be required to attend a virtual pre-interview assessment process.
Closing Date: 16.03.2025
Interview Date: wk comm 31.03.2025
Interview Date: 14.04.2025
Person Specification
Qualification
Essential
- Medical Degree
- MRCS, FRCS or equivalent
Desirable
- MD or equivalent Higher Degree or evidence of relevant research
Registration
Essential
- Full GMC Registration (GMC Licence to Practice is mandatory before employment commences)
- Entry onto the GMC Specialist Register via CCT (or within 6 months of receipt of CCT at time of interview) or CESR (must be on Specialist Register at time of applying)
Clinical Experience
Essential
- Excellent all round experience of DGH work
- Evidence of thorough and broad training and experience in Vascular and Endovascular Surgery
Clinical Effectiveness
Essential
- Understanding of clinical governance and ability to demonstrate ongoing CPD
- Experience of guideline appraisal
- Participation in relevant local audits
Desirable
- Participation in relevant national audits
Teaching
Desirable
- Has attended Teaching the Teachers or similar course
Personal Skills
Essential
- Ability to co-operate in a democratic team environment
- Flexible attitude, team player with good management skills
- Leadership Skills
Clinical Experience
Essential
- Able to take full and independent responsibility for clinical work and delivering service without direct supervision
Clinical Effectiveness
Essential
- Ability to interpret and apply clinical research
Teaching
Essential
- Knowledge and ability to teach all grades of trainees and medical students
Clinical Governance
Essential
- Able to demonstrate a broad understanding of the principles and elements of clinical governance
Personal Circumstances
Essential
- Residence within 10 miles by road or up to thirty minutes travelling time of the hospital for purposes of on-call emergencies
- Fit to undertake the role with satisfactory Occupational Health clearance
- Satisfactory DBS clearance
Person Specification
Qualification
Essential
- Medical Degree
- MRCS, FRCS or equivalent
Desirable
- MD or equivalent Higher Degree or evidence of relevant research
Registration
Essential
- Full GMC Registration (GMC Licence to Practice is mandatory before employment commences)
- Entry onto the GMC Specialist Register via CCT (or within 6 months of receipt of CCT at time of interview) or CESR (must be on Specialist Register at time of applying)
Clinical Experience
Essential
- Excellent all round experience of DGH work
- Evidence of thorough and broad training and experience in Vascular and Endovascular Surgery
Clinical Effectiveness
Essential
- Understanding of clinical governance and ability to demonstrate ongoing CPD
- Experience of guideline appraisal
- Participation in relevant local audits
Desirable
- Participation in relevant national audits
Teaching
Desirable
- Has attended Teaching the Teachers or similar course
Personal Skills
Essential
- Ability to co-operate in a democratic team environment
- Flexible attitude, team player with good management skills
- Leadership Skills
Clinical Experience
Essential
- Able to take full and independent responsibility for clinical work and delivering service without direct supervision
Clinical Effectiveness
Essential
- Ability to interpret and apply clinical research
Teaching
Essential
- Knowledge and ability to teach all grades of trainees and medical students
Clinical Governance
Essential
- Able to demonstrate a broad understanding of the principles and elements of clinical governance
Personal Circumstances
Essential
- Residence within 10 miles by road or up to thirty minutes travelling time of the hospital for purposes of on-call emergencies
- Fit to undertake the role with satisfactory Occupational Health clearance
- Satisfactory DBS clearance
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).
