Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The Consultant in Critical Care Medicine will join Medway NHS Foundation Trust’s “Outstanding” Critical Care team to deliver safe, effective, and compassionate care to critically ill patients across Medway and Swale. The post holder will provide consultant-led clinical management within the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and High Dependency Unit (HDU), contribute to education, research, and service development, and participate in the consultant on-call rota to ensure continuous high-quality critical care provision.

The consultant will also play a key role in multidisciplinary teamwork, supporting the Trust’s vision of delivering “The Best of Care by the Best People.”

Clinical Responsibilities

• Provide expert, consultant-level care to patients within the ICU and HDU, ensuring evidence-based, patient-centred management.

• Undertake daily consultant ward rounds and multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings, ensuring timely decision-making and continuity of care.

• Participate in the critical care consultant on-call rota (currently 1:12, transitioning to a dual 1:8 rota following workforce expansion), providing 24-hour consultant cover for emergency admissions and ongoing patient management.

• Lead and support the delivery of a holistic critical care service encompassing the full patient pathway — admission, stabilisation, ongoing care, rehabilitation, and discharge planning.

• Provide leadership in emergency situations and contribute to the hospital’s rapid response and outreach services.

• Collaborate closely with anaesthesia, acute medicine, emergency medicine, surgery, and other specialties to ensure integrated and coordinated care for critically ill patients.

• Ensure effective communication with patients and their families, maintaining professionalism, empathy, and transparency.

• Promote and participate in the development of critical care sub-specialties such as rehabilitation, echocardiography, and point-of-care ultrasonography (FICE/FUSIC/BSE).

• Ensure documentation and record-keeping are completed to the highest standard, utilising the Trust’s electronic patient record system (Metavision™).

Education, Training, and Supervision

• Supervise and teach medical students, junior doctors, Advanced Critical Care Practitioners (ACCPs), nurses, and allied health professionals within the department.

• Act as an educational and clinical supervisor for trainees, supporting their professional development in line with GMC and Faculty of Intensive Care Medicine standards.

• Contribute to undergraduate and postgraduate education programmes, including simulation-based training, ultrasound teaching, and courses such as BASIC and ICMReady.

• Support the Trust’s strong academic partnerships with the Kent & Medway Medical School and Guy’s, King’s & St Thomas’ Medical School.

• Participate in mentoring programmes for new consultants and contribute to the Trust’s Advanced Medical Leadership Programme.

• Assist in the assessment and appraisal of trainees and non-medical practitioners within the department.

Quality Improvement, Audit, and Governance

• Actively participate in clinical audit, service evaluation, and quality improvement initiatives to enhance patient care and departmental performance.

• Lead or contribute to audits relevant to critical care practice and present findings at departmental and Trust meetings.

• Engage with Trust governance systems, participating in morbidity and mortality meetings, incident reviews, and learning events.

• Support implementation of national guidelines, best practice standards, and compliance with the Intensive Care Society and Faculty of Intensive Care Medicine recommendations.

• Contribute to the department’s ICNARC data collection, analysis, and benchmarking processes.

• Participate in policy development, risk management, and continuous improvement in safety and service delivery.

Research and Innovation

• Engage actively with the department’s established research programme, which participates in national and international clinical trials.

• Contribute as a principal or co-investigator in relevant research studies and promote evidence-based practice.

• Encourage trainee and multidisciplinary participation in research, innovation, and audit.

• Support the integration of research findings into clinical pathways to enhance patient outcomes.

Leadership and Service Development

• Provide visible and effective clinical leadership within the critical care service and across the wider organisation.

• Work collaboratively with the Clinical Director, Divisional Leadership Team, and other consultants to develop and implement the departmental strategy.

• Participate in workforce planning, recruitment, and development of trainees, ACCPs, and multidisciplinary staff.

• Take on designated departmental leadership roles in areas such as governance, simulation, ultrasound, education, or rehabilitation, based on interest and experience.

• Support the continued expansion and enhancement of the critical care service, including the move to a dual consultant rota and expanded consultant team.

• Contribute to local and regional critical care networks, promoting collaboration and sharing of best practice.

Supporting Professional Activities (SPA)

• Devote 2 Programmed Activities (PAs) per week to Supporting Professional Activities, including continuing professional development (CPD), appraisal, and revalidation.

• Undertake educational supervision, audit, governance activity, and contribution to service improvement.

• Participate in annual appraisal and demonstrate engagement with CPD as per GMC requirements.

• Additional SPA time may be negotiated after 12 months for departmental or Trust-wide responsibilities.

Professional Responsibilities

• Maintain full registration and a licence to practise with the General Medical Council (GMC).

• Adhere to Trust policies and clinical governance frameworks.

• Participate in annual appraisal and revalidation processes.

• Maintain confidentiality and comply with information governance standards.

• Ensure familiarity with and adherence to policies on infection prevention and control, safeguarding, equality, diversity, and inclusion.

• Agree to live within 30 minutes’ drive of Medway Maritime Hospital (or ensure equivalent on-call arrangements).

Trust Vision and Values

All staff are expected to demonstrate commitment to the Trust’s values in daily practice:

• Bold – We are inspiring and ambitious in delivering care.

• Every Person Counts – We are respectful, compassionate, and supportive.

• Sharing and Open – We communicate honestly and learn from experience.

• Together – We are inclusive, collaborative, and responsible.

The Trust aims to provide “The Best of Care by the Best People” through teamwork, innovation, and professionalism.

Workforce, Education, and Environment

Medway NHS Foundation Trust employs over 5,000 staff and treats more than half a million patients annually. The hospital has strong academic and educational links with the Kent & Medway Medical School and other London universities, offering an excellent environment for professional growth and multidisciplinary collaboration.

Consultants are encouraged to take part in leadership development, mentorship, and advanced training opportunities. New consultants benefit from structured induction and peer support, ensuring a smooth transition into consultant practice.

The Trust is based in the thriving Medway towns within the Thames Gateway, a region of ongoing investment offering affordable housing, excellent transport links, and proximity to both London (45 minutes by high-speed rail) and the Kent countryside.

Wellbeing and Equality

The wellbeing of staff is central to the Trust’s culture. Medway offers:

• Occupational Health and Employee Assistance Programmes

• Coaching and mentoring support

• Inclusive staff networks (BAME, LGBT+, Armed Forces, and (Dis)Ability)

• Free 24/7 onsite gym access

• Flexible working opportunities and wellbeing initiatives

The Trust actively promotes equality, diversity, and inclusion, ensuring all staff are treated fairly and have access to development opportunities.

Additional Responsibilities

• Participate in departmental meetings, committees, and service planning groups as required.

• Support hospital-wide improvement programmes and Trust initiatives.

• Undertake any other duties appropriate to the grade and nature of the post as agreed with the Clinical Director or Chief Medical Officer.

• Maintain a professional approach at all times, acting as an ambassador for the Critical Care Department and Medway NHS Foundation Trust.