Job overview
University Sussex Hospitals (East) are looking for an outstanding substantive consultant with an interest in Obstetric Anaesthesia to join our team of general anaesthetists, working in a fantastic area of the country. Our supportive department is dynamic and has an excellent reputation for teaching, research & innovation for the benefit of our population. The successful applicant will have the opportunity to hone and expand their clinical skills in addition to developing services within University Hospitals Sussex & our partner organisations. Our combined Obstetric units undertake approx. 6000 deliveries per year, and we are looking for someone with the experience and drive to improve and innovate particularly in this area.
This post has arisen due to the expansion of our services and offers the successful candidates the opportunity to work at both of our Hospitals: the Royal Sussex County (just a few minutes walk from the beach) and the Princess Royal set in the beautiful Sussex countryside. The department offers a mixture of tertiary general work such as Vascular, Major Trauma, Gynae Oncology and Head & Neck, as well as general anaesthetic work including Obstetrics, Colorectal, Orthopaedics and Urology, & any new post holders would become equal participants in our existing teams.
Visiting our department prior to interview is encouraged, and if unfamiliar with the hospital, contact with the clinical lead or clinical director prior to application would also be welcomed.
Main duties of the job
Due to the nature of the work undertaken, considerable experience in the delivery of anaesthesia for a wide range of complexities of parturient is expected. The post includes participation in a general anaesthetic on call rota at the Royal Sussex County Hospital, with 3 tiers of junior doctor on site to support the activity occurring out of hours, and the Princess Royal where 2 tiers of trainee are resident.
As an expanding service, there are plenty of opportunities for leading service development and quality improvement projects and experience/enthusiasm for these areas would be welcomed.
We are large teaching department with an associated medical school so we expect all consultants to participate in the education and training of medical and non-medical colleagues. Those with a proven track record of delivering education to these groups will find plenty to occupy themselves.
Further details of the duties of the role can be obtained by contacting the clinical lead or clinical director.
Working for our organisation
At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust.
We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We’re here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our Wellbeing Programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work life balance - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.
As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.
We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The job plan will consist of fixed general and obstetric lists based at either the Princess Royal or Royal Sussex County Hospital, and also include flexible sessions by agreement which may vary in nature from week to week depending on the interest and skill set of the successful individual. The workload for High Risk Obstetric Clinics is shared between the group. The post holder will participate in a dedicated on-call rota for general and obstetrics that covers the PRH and RSCH sites
Participation in monthly department governance meetings and regular generalist meetings will be included within the SPA allocation of this post. In addition, there will be responsibilities for supervising and assessing specialist trainees and other members of the multi disciplinary team
The theatre template is defined around a rolling two-week timetable. Each job plan has an average one or more sessions every week nominated as ‘flexible’. Flexible sessions are usually fixed in time, but flexible in-year sessions may be job planned by mutual agreement.
The SPA activity undertaken by the post holder will be reviewed after 3 months in post in line with current trust guidance and additional SPA time up to 2PAs in total will be provided by mutual agreement.
Each half day session is 5 hours (1.25 PA). Please note that at least one day per fortnight will remain a flexible session with other sessions to be allocated by mutual agreement on appointment. A full job plan review will be undertaken 6 months after appointment.
The post holder will have a commitment to teaching of both undergraduates and postgraduates and evidence of active participation in teaching.
When appointed to the Trust Consultants will be expected to work from any Trust site.
Person specification
Experience/Qualifications
Essential criteria
1. •Basic medical degree
2. •FRCA or appropriate specialist qualification
3. •Full GMC Registration with a licence to practice
4. •CCT in Anaesthesia or equivalent (equivalence must be confirmed by GMC by date of AAC)
5. •Entry onto the GMC Specialist Register or eligibility for entry within 6 months of the date of the AAC
Desirable criteria
6. •Higher Degree related to anaesthesia
Clinical Skills & Experience
Essential criteria
7. •Advanced training/Special Interest Area in obstetric anaesthesia (or equivalent
8. •Deliver safe and effective perioperative anaesthetic care to patients undergoing complex general surgical procedures.
9. •Proven history of leading perioperative QI projects
10. •Demonstrable interest in the preassessment of high-risk surgical patients
Desirable criteria
11. •Demonstrable interest in the preassessment of high-risk obstetric patients
12. •Demonstrable interest in delivery of regional anaesthesia
Knowledge
Desirable criteria
13. •Breadth of experience in and outside specialty
Organisation & Planning
Essential criteria
14. •Experience and ability to work in multi-professional teams.
15. •Understanding of: NHS / Clinical governance / Resource constraints
Desirable criteria
16. •Evidence of managerial skills: Achievements / Course attended
Teaching Skills
Essential criteria
17. •Evidence of an interest and commitment to teaching
Desirable criteria
18. •Recognised teaching qualification
Academic & Research
Essential criteria
19. •Evidence of participation in audit and quality improvement
Desirable criteria
20. •Research experience
21. Publications
22. Prizes & Honours
Career Progression & Personal Attributes
Essential criteria
23. •Appropriate progression of career to date
24. •Evidence of: Good communication skills both oral and written
Important information for applicants
Flexible Working: If you would like to explore potential options regarding flexible working please speak with the appropriate recruiting/line manager.
DBS Checks: As part of our commitment to a safe working environment, we undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check on all new employees where the role is eligible for a criminal record check. We make offers in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1975.
Skilled Worker Visa: Applications for Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome for those that meet the Visa and Immigrations eligibility criteria. For further information please visit the gov.uk website searching for Skilled Worker.
Closing adverts early: Please apply as early as you're able for this role. In the event of exceptional interest we may close adverts earlier than specified.
UHSussex reserves the right to close the role early if we receive a high volume of applications