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Job summary

Main area
Rehabilitation Medicine
Grade
NHS Medical & Dental: Specialist Doctor
Contract
12 months (Fixed term parental leave cover)
Hours
  • Full time
  • Term time hours
40 hours per week
Job ref
339-NMSK0309-BKS
Employer
Bristol NHS Foundation Trust (BFT)
Employer type
NHS
Site
Southmead Hospital
Town
Bristol
Salary
£104,401 - £115,341 per annum
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
10/08/2026 23:59

Employer heading

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust (BFT) logo

Specialist Doctor in Rehabilitation Medicine

NHS Medical & Dental: Specialist Doctor

North Bristol NHS Trust (NBT) and University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) have merged as of 1st July 2026 to become Bristol NHS Foundation Trust. This creates an exciting future that brings together the best of both organisations. As a single, strong and sustainable organisation, we will not only be able to deliver better outcomes for our patients and fairer care for our population, but it will also provide greater opportunities for our people.

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust recognise the value of a healthy work-life balance. When applying, speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate flexible working, so your work life fits around your home life.

We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates as they are under-represented within the Trust.

Our job adverts may close as soon as sufficient applications have been received. Considering this, if you are interested in this role, please do apply as soon as you can.

Generative artificial intelligence (AI) describes algorithms that can be used to produce new content, including audio, code, images, text, simulations, and videos. It is developing all the time and is now being used as a support mechanism for all kinds of content-based creations. Please note the use of AI is monitored and if applicants have used it then they are required to declare this.


 

Job overview

Transform Recovery. Restore Independence. Change Lives.

Are you passionate about helping patients rebuild their lives after major trauma, neurological injury and complex rehabilitation needs? We are seeking an enthusiastic  Specialist Doctor in Rehabilitation Medicine to join our established Rehabilitation Medicine Service at Southmead Hospital, one of the UK's leading Major Trauma Centres.

This exciting role spans the Severn Major Trauma Network, Hyperacute Rehabilitation Team (HART), Neurorehabilitation Services and specialist Spasticity Management Clinics.
 

You will:

✅ Lead the assessment and management of patients with major trauma and complex rehabilitation needs.

✅ Support the Hyperacute Rehabilitation Team, delivering rehabilitation at the earliest stage of recovery.
 

✅ Provide specialist neurorehabilitation care, including for patients with traumatic brain injury and neurological disorders. 

✅ Contribute to specialist spasticity management services, including botulinum toxin treatments and intrathecal baclofen therapy, with training available where required. 

✅ Work closely with regional rehabilitation services to ensure seamless patient pathways and excellent outcomes. 

✅ Participate in service development, teaching, audit, research and quality improvement initiatives. 

Join us and help shape the future of rehabilitation medicine while making a lasting difference to patients' recovery, independence and quality of life. 

Main duties of the job

Main Duties of the Job

As a Specialist Doctor in Rehabilitation Medicine, you will play a key role in delivering specialist rehabilitation care across the Major Trauma Centre (MTC), Hyperacute Rehabilitation Team (HART) and Neurorehabilitation Services at Southmead Hospital. You will assess and manage patients with major trauma, neurological conditions and complex rehabilitation needs, supporting recovery from the earliest stages through to discharge and rehabilitation.

You will lead rehabilitation assessments, provide specialist advice to acute wards and critical care areas, coordinate rehabilitation plans and support discharge planning. Working closely with consultants, therapists, psychologists, nurses and regional rehabilitation providers, you will help ensure patients receive high-quality multidisciplinary care.

The role includes participation in multidisciplinary team meetings, trauma board rounds, family meetings and case conferences, helping to optimise patient outcomes and ensure timely access to rehabilitation services. You will also support outpatient clinics in neurorehabilitation and spasticity management, including botulinum toxin treatments and intrathecal baclofen therapy.

In addition, you will contribute to teaching, clinical governance, audit, research, quality improvement and service development activities, supporting the development of rehabilitation services across the Trust and the wider Severn Major Trauma Network.

Working for our organisation

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust brings together more than 28,000 staff to deliver over 160 clinical services across thirteen hospital locations, operating from three main sites at Southmead, Bristol city centre and Weston.

With an annual turnover of 2.6 billion, we are now one of the largest NHS trusts in the United Kingdom.

Chaired by Ingrid Barker and led by Maria Kane as Chief Executive, Bristol NHS Foundation Trust aims to transform the way healthcare is delivered locally with a clear focus on making a difference for what we call our Four Ps:

 

  •  Better outcomes for our Patients
  •  More opportunities for our People
  •  Fairer more consistent care for our Population
  •  Best Value for Public Purse

Our vision for five years from now:

  • Patients will wait less time to be diagnosed and treated, and they will have the same high-quality experience and outcomes, regardless of who they are or where they live.
  • We will meet rising demand by maximising the use of our available resources.
  • More care will be delivered nearer to patients, in their homes or the community.
  • Digital technologies will have transformed the way we work and the way we deliver care.
  • Our people will feel engaged, energised and empowered by their work.
  • We will be known as a place where people enjoy working, training and building a career.
  • Our volume of globally renowned research and innovation will have grown significantly.
  • We will contribute to system financial balance

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

For a more detailed job description, main responsibilities, and Person Specification, please refer to the job description document attached to this vacancy.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria
  • MBBS/MBChB of equivalent
  • Maintain Full registration with the GMC.
  • A minimum of 12 years full-time medical work (or equivalent gained on a LTFT basis) since obtaining a primary medical qualification at least 6 of which will be in Rehabilitation Medicine/Spinal Cord Medicine at a senior level including Specialty Doctor, closed SAS grades and Consultant/Locum Consultant, or equivalent.
Desirable criteria
  • Higher qualification e.g. MSc, MD, PhD
  • MRCP/MRCS/MRCGP or equivalent
  • European, US, or Commonwealth Board certification in rehabilitation medicine or neurorehabilitation
  • Evidence of additional relevant training, e.g. Management and leadership

Training and Experience

Essential criteria
  • Recent experience and familiarity with UK hospital systems and practices (or equivalent).
  • Proficiency in spasticity management, including intramuscular injection of botulinum toxin
  • Experience in involvement in service redesign.
  • Knowledge of contemporary NHS management issues.
  • Knowledge of political context within which we operate.
  • Clinical Governance principles.
  • Experience in day-to-day organisation of rehabilitation, neurology or neurorehabilitation services in a busy tertiary hospital
Desirable criteria
  • 6 months or more NHS experience over the past 2 years.
  • Proficiency in Complex Spasticity management (including refilling of Intrathecal Baclofen pumps)
  • Evidence of leadership development programme committed to quality improvement during training
  • Recent experience and familiarity with UK hospital systems and practices (or equivalent).

Further Training, Management and Audit

Essential criteria
  • Evidence of recent CME/ reasonable training progression at this stage of career.
  • Able to demonstrate leadership capability within multi-disciplinary teams and across organisations
  • Knowledge of contemporary NHS management issues.
  • Knowledge of political context within which the NHS and BFT operate.
Desirable criteria
  • Completion of a general management course or programme.
  • Experience in audit projects and written up

Research, Teaching and Publications

Essential criteria
  • Proven teaching ability.
  • Willingness to undertake teaching of medical undergraduates & postgraduates.
Desirable criteria
  • Rehabilitation focused publications in peer reviewed journals and presentations at regional, national and international meetings
  • Proven track record in research.
  • Evidence of relevant publications in peer reviewed journals.
  • Demonstration of involvement in clinical directorate management.

Personal Requirements (e.g. Communication, Leadership skills, Felxibility)

Essential criteria
  • Good written communication skills.
  • Evidence of the ability to communicate with patients, colleagues, and staff at all levels.
  • Ability to help manage a team and form effective working relationships within a team.
  • Ability to inspire, motivate, and develop postgraduate medical staff.
  • Ability to work independently as part of the Directorate. To balance individual requirements against those of the Directorate and Trust as a whole.
  • Ability to fulfil duties of the post
  • Able to demonstrate an understanding of BFT values and commitment to uphold BFT values

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Trust IDDisability Confident - two yearsVeteran AwareApprenticeships logoNo smoking policyAge positiveCare quality commission - GoodMindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.Disability confident employerNHS Pastoral CareStep into healthMenopause Workplace PledgeDefence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) - GoldPride In Veterans

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Application numbers

Our job adverts may close as soon as sufficient applications have been received. Considering this, if you are interested in this role, please do apply as soon as you can.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Dr Shigong Guo
Job title
Consultant in Rehab Medicine
Email address
[email protected]
Additional information

Or please speak to Dr Joanna Fawcett - Consultant in Neuro Rehab

[email protected]

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