Job summary
- Main area
- Anaesthetics
- Grade
- Specialty Doctor
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time - 10 sessions per week
- Job ref
- 210-2026-694
- Employer
- Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Countess of Chester Hospital
- Town
- Chester
- Salary
- £63,696 - £102,689 pa
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 14/10/2026 23:59
Employer heading
Specialty Doctor Anaesthetics
Specialty Doctor
Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, staff pride themselves on not only leading through clinical excellence, but also by creating an environment where all staff are valued and appreciated. To achieve this, the Trust has embarked on an exciting new strategy focused on continuous improvement.
Our vision is to improve the lives of our community and provide excellence in healthcare, through partnership and innovation
Our High Performance Culture will support everyone to be the best version of themselves by being true to our Trust vision, values and behaviours.
We welcome applications from colleagues from our local and neighbouring communities of all backgrounds and identities, who are currently under-represented within our region such as Black, Asian, Minority ethnic and those with disabilities.
As a region we are reviewing the way we work, and exploring how new working practices that support flexible working can create a positive work-life balance. As part of our recruitment process we will explore how our inclusive employment policies, flexible working, staff engagement forums, Trust facilities and services can be of mutual benefit.
Job overview
Working Full time: 10 Sessions per week
The candidate will be expected to be able to integrate within the team of existing anaesthetists in order to provide a comprehensive anaesthetic and critical care service. The successful candidate would be expected to be clinically competent in providing anesthesia for a wide range of specialities and be competent on critical care in and out of hours with local and distant supervision. The postholder will have a dedicated mentor and supervisor to support and facilitate their progress and development. The postholder would be expected to participate in a yearly appraisal.
The Department has recently appointed a consultant whose role includes developing a CESR pathway and supporting those who wish to gain CESR. We would aim to provide support for those interested in gaining CESR and to enhance the portfolio of those who are not in training. Support will be given to those who wish to undertake the FRCA and the successful applicant would be encouraged to attend both local and regional teaching.
Main duties of the job
Duties and Responsibilities of the Post
The successful applicant would join a team of consultants, specialty doctors, fellows and rotational trainees who provide anaesthesia and critical care in a District General Hospital. The majority of the workload would be in theatres where elective anaesthesia is provided for orthopaedics, ENT, plastics, gynaecology, general surgery, urology, max fax, ophthalmology, cardiology, obstetrics and vascular. The emergency theatre is staffed 24/7 and a trauma theatre is staffed 08:00-18:00 every day, which also runs on Bank Holidays.
Job Plan
The job plan is based on 10 PA job plan with a 1:16 pattern with 7 long days and nights. Long Day (LD) shifts are 08:00-20:30 and nights (N) are 20:00-08:30. This is in keeping with the new SAS contract. Day (D) work would be mainly in elective theatres unless otherwise agreed in the job plan.
Working for our organisation
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
See Job Description for further details.
Recruitment selection processes are based on competence (see Person specification) and values. An applicant guide to help and support you through your recruitment journey can be accessed at the bottom of this page.
If you have a disability that meets the definition set out in the Equality Act 2010, and you can show that you meet the ‘essential’ criteria described in the person specification for an available position, please answer ‘YES’ to the question: ‘Do you wish to be considered under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme?’
Please inform the team if you have any special support needs to be considered as part of the interview and selection processes.
The trust offers a Guaranteed Interview Scheme to any armed forces community applicants who meet the essential criteria for the post.
If a DBS is required for your role, you are encouraged to enrol for the DBS Update Service. A small annual fee applies which is payable to the DBS Service. Please note applicants will be required to pay for their DBS check. Costs will be deducted from their salary over the first three months of employment.
New entrants to the NHS will commence on the minimum of the scale stated above.
Applicants requiring sponsorship may wish to determine the likelihood of obtaining sponsorship for this position by assessing themselves against the criteria on the gov.uk website - https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa.
The Trust will not sponsor where the starting salary does not meet immigration rules
Applicants are advised to apply early as if a large number of applications are received for this post, we reserve the right to close the vacancy prior to the advertised date.
Good luck with your application.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- MBBS/MBChB or equivalent medical qualification
- Primary FRCA
- GMC registration with a licence to practice
- Must have completed at least four years’ full-time postgraduate training (or its equivalent gained on a part-time or flexible basis) at least two of which will be in a specialty training programme in a relevant specialty or as a fixed term specialty trainee in a relevant specialty; or have equivalent experience and competencies
Desirable criteria
- Primary FRCA, full FRCA or equivalent
- Member of a medical defence organisation
- ALS, APLS, ATLS or equivalent
- MD in Anaesthesia
Experience
Essential criteria
- Ability to anaesthetise ASA 1-3 patients with local or distant supervision
- Evidence of providing elective and emergency obstetric anaesthesia in the UK in the last 2 years-demonstration of a logbook of cases including epidurals and CS
- Evidence of working at the level of an ST3/CT3 in critical care in the UK
- Knowledge of the management of anaesthetic and medical emergencies
Desirable criteria
- Evidence of skills in regional anaesthesia such as use of ultrasound for blocks
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
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Iestyn Harrord
- Job title
- Clinical Lead & Consultant Anaesthetist
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 01244 365461
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