Detailed job description and main responsibilities

 The Anaesthetic Department

The GHNHSFT anaesthetic department is a hard-working and dynamic group of over 90 Consultants and SAS/Staff grade doctors, providing comprehensive anaesthetic support to all surgical specialties offered by the Trust. We also have significant involvement in interventional radiology/ cardiology services, endoscopy, medical specialties and paediatrics. The anaesthetic department works very closely with critical care in one of the busiest intensive care units in the South West of England.

There are 36 operating theatres across two main acute sites and three small peripheral hospitals, in addition to the services also provided outside theatres including electroconvulsive therapy, procedural sedation and many others. The obstetric unit based in Gloucester Royal Hospital has the busiest delivery suite in the South West region and provides 24-hour 365-day services for the local population. GHNHSFT is the single largest contributor to the National Emergency Laparotomy Audit (NELA) in the UK and has a diverse range of patients presenting for unplanned care requiring anaesthetic input from very young children through to very elderly patients.

In addition to the high unplanned caseload which has been recognised by GiRFT for having very good outcomes, the Trust also provides a wide-range of national acclaimed elective services including both major urology and elective orthopaedic hubs based from Cheltenham General Hospital. Highly specialised services such as oesophagectomy, phaeochromocytoma, major vascular and complex head and neck surgeries are also provided by the dedicated teams alongside the range of general surgical services offered as part of general hospital Trust to patients of all ages.

GHNHSFT is partnered with two medical schools and the postgraduate Severn School of Anaesthesia and as such has a strong culture of teaching and learning embedded, in addition to a number of high-profile research commitments. Resident doctors are an integral part of the anaesthetic department and are we often receive commendation from them for our engaged and proactive approach to support and the conducive attitude towards learning fostered by the department.

Job Summary

This is a substantive appointment to ensure continuous delivery of services.

All job plans within the Anaesthetic department are offered in accordance with the 2003 Consultant Contract and in line with best-practice principles outlined by both the British Medical Association and NHS Employers. This will typically involve 8.5 programmed activities of direct clinical care (DCC) and 1.5 of core supporting professional activities (SPA) for a full-time appointment. Direct clinical care will typically be in the form of theatre sessions but may also include other activity for example pre-operative assessment clinics. All Anaesthetic Consultants in GHNHSFT work annualised contracts allowing for a greater degree of flexibility in job planning for both the individuals and the department.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

Being able to contribute to the oncall Consultant rota is a key requirement for this role and as such the applicant must be able to act independently as a final clinical decision maker, able to attend either of the acute hospital sites within 30 minutes and support the oncall resident doctors via phone whilst oncall. Therefore, a CCT or recognised equivalent in anaesthesia is essential, and applications from those who do not possess this (or realistically expect to obtain one within 6 months or before commencement of the role, whichever is sooner) will not be accepted.

Main Duties and Responsibilities 

1.            Clinical Responsibilities/Key Responsibilities

·         Independently and safely conduct anaesthesia for a range of surgical specialties across any of the sites supported by GHNHSFT to the standard expected of a Consultant Anaesthetist

·         Support resident doctors both during planned care and whilst oncall

·         Participate in a 1:16 non-resident oncall rota

2.            Professional Development, Education and Training

• To provide conditions for improved training opportunities in line with national and local recommendations.
• To participate in the undergraduate teaching programme. The Department is involved in teaching medical students from Bristol, as the Trust achieved Academy status in 2004. Fourth year students are placed in the Department and participate in a structured teaching program.
•  The anaesthetic department has a close relationship with the Paramedic Training School and the local ambulance service and paramedics regularly undertake attachments.

• To assist and participate with the development of postgraduate training for all grades of trainee and other staff as appropriate. Specialist registrars have a full-day teaching session regionally once a month and sub-regional (Cheltenham or Gloucester) teaching on one afternoon a week. The trainees are encouraged during their attachment to contribute to tutorials and presentations for the Department.
• Where agreed, to act as Educational Supervisor to junior and SAS medical staff, being responsible for their appraisal and personal development planning.

3.            Management and Leadership

·         To provide medical information for the development of systems appropriate for Trust needs.

·         To participate in departmental consultant and senior staff meetings whilst remaining within the framework of the agreed strategy of the Trust and the Department.

·         To attend other departmental, Divisional and Trust meetings as necessary.

·         To attend regional and national meetings as necessary

·         To undertake all work in accordance with Trust procedures and operating policies.

·         There is an expectation that permanent consultants will rotate equitably through directorate clinical management and leadership roles. If a candidate has a strong interest in a vacant lead role this can be considered after discussion with the specialty director upon appointment

4.         Communications and Working Relationships

·         Consultant Anaesthetists work with all departments within the organisation and a number of external providers. They are expected to be able to communicate effectively and respectfully with all members of the teams that they work with which will include resident doctors, AHPs and nursing staff

5.            Clinical Governance

·         All staff employed by the Trust are expected to:

§  have a good understanding of clinical governance

§  undertake all work in accordance with GHNHSFT policies and procedures

§  maintain CPD requirements for appraisal and revalidation

§  to participate in our annual Job Planning review process

§  to participate in annual appraisal including 5 yearly multi-source feedback (as appropriate)

§  to adhere to our Adverse Clinical Incident policy