Job overview

This role has been created to further develop and expand services for patients with early rectal cancer and right-side colon cancer.

The successful candidate will be expected to support current colleague and further developed role in the Early Rectal Cancer / SPEC MDT and contribute to the development and delivery of advanced trans anal surgical techniques, including TAMIS, TEMS, and robotic trans anal surgery.

In addition, the postholder will contribute to the right-sided colon cancer service, with a focus on incorporating advanced surgical techniques such as complete mesocolic excision (CME) and central vascular ligation (CVL). There will also be a key role in developing a structured ‘watch and wait’ surveillance pathway for patients achieving a complete clinical response following total neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy.

The successful applicant will be actively involved in the multidisciplinary management of deep pelvic endometriosis. University Hospital Plymouth is a recognised regional centre for endometriosis, managing referrals from across the Southwest. The postholder will support gynaecological colleagues and provide surgical input, including bowel resection when required, as part of a dedicated MDT.

While there will be no access to robotic theatre initially, further access might be possible upon expansion of the robotic surgery programme. There is a plan of the acquisition of an additional robotic platform in the near future.

Main duties of the job

Our colorectal surgery service provides a full range of diagnostic tests, scans, outpatient consultations and treatments for patients with symptoms suggestive of benign and malignant diseases of the lower gastrointestinal tract including colorectal cancer and inflammatory bowel disease.

While delivering general colorectal elective and emergency activity, the department is split into sub-specialty services. These include robotic surgery, pelvic floor, IBD and advanced pelvic oncology.

The successful applicants will be expected to provide support to the present sub speciality interests of the department.

The department has excellent specialist nurses working in cancer services, stoma and pelvic floor units.

Working for our organisation

We are a people business – where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff, who are committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence and great customer care. The Trust has great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment. We offer all of this in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure. PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION WILL BE ELECTRONIC, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY. If you have any issues with applying online and need additional support including reasonable adjustments with the application process please contact the recruitment team on 01752 432100. We recognise that work life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants around less than full time/flexible working for our advertised roles. Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss this prior to your application submission. We commit to giving this full consideration in each case. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, as diversity strengthens our teams. It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.