Job summary
- Main area
- Applicants from any specialty are eligible to apply. Successful applicants will be allocated to one of the three boards, with allocation primarily determined by their specialty
- Grade
- NHS Medical & Dental: Local Appointment nodal point 4 (MT04) or nodal point 5 (MT05) based on experience
- Contract
- Fixed term: 12 months (standard Chief Registrar tenure)
- Hours
- Full time - 40 hours per week (out-of-hours commitment to be confirmed)
- Job ref
- 309-UCLH-7658
- Employer
- University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- University College Hospital
- Town
- London
- Salary
- £65,048 - £73,992 per annum + London weighting
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 09/04/2026 23:59
- Interview date
- 16/04/2026
Employer heading
Chief Registrar
NHS Medical & Dental: Local Appointment nodal point 4 (MT04) or nodal point 5 (MT05) based on experience
The use of AI is monitored and if applicants have used it, then they are required to declare this in their supporting statement.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is a set of technology that can perform various tasks that typically required human intelligence. Your application is your opportunity to demonstrate to us how you meet the requirements of the role.
We recognise that AI tools can support accessibility, equity and confidence for applicants. However, it’s important that examples and responses genuinely reflect your own experience and abilities, as these will be explored further during the selection process. AI must not be used to provide misleading or false information during any stage of the application journey.
Further guidance can be found in the NLPSS Applicant Toolkit https://royalfree.pagetiger.com/cuuomnr/1.
University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is committed to fair and transparent recruitment and requires applicants to provide accurate information, as misleading details may affect their application or employment and may be verified in line with the Fraud Act 2006. For further information please visit https://royalfree.pagetiger.com/cuuomnr/1.
Job overview
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic and motivated senior doctor in training (ST4 or above or equivalent) with an interest in leadership, management, and quality improvement to join University College London Hospital as a chief registrar. Successful applicants will work in a leadership role across one of the three Boards: Medicine, Specialist Hospitals, or Surgery and Cancer.
The chief registrar role will suit trainees who:
• want to learn about leadership and gain senior leadership experience
• are comfortable working in uncertain environments and across traditional boundaries
• relish the opportunity to develop their own ideas and initiatives
• are committed to and passionate about improving the NHS.
The chief registrar role provides senior trainees with 40–50% protected time to develop skills and confidence in leadership, management, and quality improvement. Learning that chief registrars gain from the Royal College of Physicians’ (RCP’s) bespoke development programme will be put into practice in a supported environment that provides autonomy, flexibility and support to develop and support projects that address key local challenges and priorities. This may include service improvement, engagement and morale, education and training, workforce, and sustainability.
Main duties of the job
The chief registrar will be mentored by a senior clinical leader within the organisation and gain a unique insight into NHS leadership and management processes, as well as deeper knowledge of NHS structures and stakeholders.
Key duties include
• leading service improvement and quality improvement initiatives
• using data to diagnose problems and evaluate change
• delivering tangible operational and patient-experience outcomes
• regularly attending departmental and divisional meetings
• representing resident doctor perspectives at Trust-level forums
• engaging in reflective leadership development
• completing the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) Chief Registrar development programme
• supporting an excellent training experience for resident doctors
• helping improve efficiency and reduce waste
• mentoring other resident doctors and engaging with postgraduate medical education structures.
• acting as a bridge between resident doctors, senior clinical leaders, and managers, improving communication, engagement, and morale across the medical workforce.
Working for our organisation
University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH) is one of the most complex NHS trusts in the UK, serving a large and diverse population. We provide academically led acute and specialist services, to people from the local area, from throughout the United Kingdom and overseas. Our vision is to deliver top-quality patient care, excellent education, and world-class research.
We provide first-class acute and specialist services across eight sites:
University College Hospital (incorporating the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Wing)
National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery
Royal National ENT and Eastman Dental Hospitals
University College Hospital Grafton Way Building
Royal London Hospital for Integrated Medicine
University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre
The Hospital for Tropical Diseases
University College Hospital at Westmoreland Street
We are dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of many complex illnesses. UCLH specialises in women’s health and the treatment of cancer, infection, neurological, gastrointestinal and oral disease. It has world class support services including critical care, imaging, nuclear medicine and pathology.
We are committed to sustainability and have pledged to become a carbon net zero health service, embedding sustainable practice throughout UCLH. We have set an ambitious target of net zero for our direct emissions by 2031 and indirect emissions by 2040.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
For the full Person Specification and more information regarding the main responsibilities of this role, please refer to the attached Job Description.
Please note, due to anticipated high volumes of applications, this vacancy may close earlier than the listed closing date. You are advised not to delay submitting your completed application
Applications are open to senior trainees:
• National Training Number (NTN) ST4 level or above
• Locally employed doctors (LED) at equivalent experience of ST4 or above (up to ST8)
• Working full time or less than full time
• Who have full GMC registration.
Nodal point 4 (MT04)
Nodal point 5 only paid to ST6 plus
Applications from internal candidates and applicants due to join UCLH from Aug 2026 will be prioritised.
This is a fixed-term role for 12 months. For those with an NTN, the role can be undertaken in programme (by moving to LTFT), or out of programme (training or experience) and must be discussed with your educational supervisor and training programme director (TPD) – permission to apply must be granted by the TPD.
The chief registrar post is a 12-month appointment open to doctors from any medical specialty who have not yet completed training or taken up a consultant post. Clinical work remains within the individual’s parent specialty and accounts for approximately 50–60% of their time, with the remainder protected for chief registrar responsibilities. The role may be undertaken in-programme or out-of-programme, subject to local agreement and training approval.
Chief registrars are accountable to the Medical Director (or nominated deputy) of the relevant Board and are supported by a named mentor and educational supervisor.
The role is based across Trust sites as required and includes participation in on-call rotas where appropriate.
The postholder is expected to demonstrate leadership capability, professionalism, and a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, sustainability, safeguarding, and continuous improvement. Duties may evolve in response to organisational needs, and performance is reviewed through appraisal and agreed objectives.
Further information about the Chief Registrar Programme is available at:
Come and be a part of the best NHS trust in England to work for, according to our staff*
* UCLH top trust to work at in England - In the most recent NHS staff survey UCLH had the highest percentage of staff who said they would recommend us as a place to work, out of all general acute or acute/community NHS trusts in England – for the third year in a row.
UCLH recognises the benefits of flexible working for staff – To find out more, visit: Flexible working.
To discover more about what makes UCLH a great place to work, visit: Why Choose UCLH?
Person specification
Knowledge and Qualifications
Essential criteria
- Full registration with General Medical Council
- Be fit to practise
- Should be NTN ST4 or above (Can include Locally Employed Doctors at experience equivalent to ST4 or above)
- Should not already hold a CCT or be expected to leave the programme before completion
- Must have approval of TPD to apply (NTNs)
Desirable criteria
- Additional relevant degree (intercalated, masters or doctorate)
Experience
Essential criteria
- Evidence of clinical competencies in their specialty appropriate for their stage in training (or equivalent)
- An appropriate knowledge base, and ability to apply sound clinical judgement to problems
Research
Essential criteria
- Understanding of research, including awareness of ethical issues
- Understanding of research methodology and ability to use basic qualitative and quantitative methods
- Knowledge of evidence-based practice
Desirable criteria
- Evidence of relevant academic achievements, including publications / presentations
Quality/Service improvement
Essential criteria
- Understanding of clinical governance, including the basic principles of audit, clinical risk management, evidence-based practice, patient safety and quality improvement initiatives
- Evidence of active involvement in quality improvement, audit, research or other activity that focuses on patient safety and clinical improvement and innovation
- Interest in / knowledge of the delivery of safe, effective healthcare services
Desirable criteria
- Evidence of a portfolio of audit / quality improvement projects, including evidence that the audit loop has been closed and evidence of learning about the principles of change management
- Evidence of publications / presentations / prizes in quality improvement or audit
Education and teaching
Essential criteria
- Evidence of interest in and experience of teaching
- Evidence of positive feedback on teaching approaches
Desirable criteria
- Development of teaching programmes
- Participation in teaching courses
- Participation in degree or diploma courses in education
- Action learning sets / simulation instructor
Team working, leading and managing others
Essential criteria
- Can build effective teams and partnerships
- Ability to work well in multidisciplinary teams
- Understands and values contributions of others
- Ability to show leadership, make decisions, organise and motivate other team members through, for example, quality improvement.
Values
Essential criteria
- Demonstrate ability to meet Trust Values of safety, kindness, teamwork and improving
Communication
Essential criteria
- Clarity in written / spoken communication
Desirable criteria
- Leadership skills gained within the NHS or elsewhere
- Writing experience: • clinical and/or non-clinical topics
- Writing experience: • peer-reviewed publications and/or other communication (e.g. blog, letters to journals)
Personal and People Development
Essential criteria
- Evidence of effective team working and leadership, supported by multi-source feedback or workplace-based assessments
- Self-awareness, with knowledge of personal strengths and weaknesses, impact and areas for development
- Interest in and knowledge of the importance of leadership and management for clinicians
Responsibilities towards promoting Equality Diversity and Inclusion
Essential criteria
- Demonstrable understanding of the Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion and/or Knowledge of the NHS obligations under the Equality Act 2010 and the Public Sector Equality Duties
Employer certification / accreditation badges
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.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Dr Ben Lovell
- Job title
- Deputy Director of Postgraduate Medical Education
- Email address
- [email protected]
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