Job overview
This is an exciting opportunity to join a friendly and well established team of Airway specialists at Luton and Dunstable hospital, a large district general hospital with a tertiary head and neck centre.
We are looking for a highly motivated and enthusiastic Consultant to join our busy, friendly and expanding department. In 2025 we will see the opening of a new acute service block with the creation of eight new operating theatres, a 22 bedded critical care unit, a tertiary level NICU and a large maternity department. Colleagues will be welcomed to our existing department of over 45 Consultants, 11 Specialty Doctors and many doctors in training. The appointee will anaesthetise specifically for specialist airway lists and a variety of other elective surgical specialties. The non-resident on-call commitment covers emergency surgery and obstetrics.
Our case mix is interesting, our culture supportive and the Trust has a progressive approach to service development and clinician involvement. Our department is fully committed to teaching and training both undergraduate and postgraduate students.
Luton and Dunstable hospital is located within easy access to central London and the Midlands. London Luton Airport is within fifteen minutes’ drive from the hospital. There are many attractive villages and towns nearby like St Albans and Harpenden which has excellent schools.
Closing Date: 27th July 2025
Assessment Date: 22nd August 2025
Interview Date: 5th September 2025
Main duties of the job
You will join a team of supportive, dynamic and enthusiastic Airway Anaesthetists and work alongside Head and Neck surgeons to provide multidisciplinary care to our patients.
You will be involved in preoperative assessment, perioperative management and providing enhanced recovery to complex airway patients, as we treat a variety of benign and malignant conditions.
Currently there are approximately 3 head & neck cancer lists per week and about 40 free flap cases being done per year. We routinely do procedures like neck dissections, laser surgeries and laryngectomies. Newer airway techniques like Robotics and High frequency jet ventilation are also being performed. You will be expected to take part in various airway MDT meetings and provide your valuable input.
An important part of the role will involve the delivery of regular airway training to anaesthetists and anaesthetic assistants by running workshops, courses, study days, etc. Anaesthesia workshops for novice trainees, airway study days, simulation days and advanced airway workshops including fibreoptic courses are currently being regularly.
As a department we encourage quality improvement projects and support our trainees to get involved. We are currently presenting 2 to 3 posters per year at national and international meetings.
We would also like your support in development of guidelines, procuring equipment if needed and taking up the airway lead role in future.
Working for our organisation
Our Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Travel between hospital sites may be required.
We have state-of-the art facilities placing us at the heart of cutting edge health care. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.
As this role is within scope of the current legislation COVID19 vaccination status will remain part of our routine Occupational Health check.
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Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The appointments will be subject to full Occupational Health Clearance and Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check for the successful candidates prior to commencement.
The appointee will have Full UK MedicalDental registration at time of application.
Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. Please ensure that you make your application as soon as possible.
If you have not received correspondence inviting you for interview within 28 days of the closing date, you should assume that your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion.
Please see attached job description for more information about this role and working at Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
1. Medical Degree
2. FRCA or equivalent
Desirable criteria
3. MD or equivalent Higher Degree or evidence of relevant research
4. ALS, ATLS, APLS
5. Membership of the Difficult Airway Society
Registration
Essential criteria
6. Full GMC registration with a Licence to Practice
7. Entry onto the GMC Specialist Register: CCT (or within 6 months of receipt of CCT at time of interview) orCESR (must be on Specialist Register at time of applying)
Clinical Effectiveness
Essential criteria
8. Understanding of clinical governance and ability to demonstrate ongoing CPD.
9. Experience of guideline appraisal
10. Participation in relevant local audits
11. Ability to interpret and apply clinical research
Desirable criteria
12. Participation in relevant national audits
Teaching
Essential criteria
13. Knowledge and ability to teach all grades of trainees and medical students.
Desirable criteria
14. Has attended Teaching the Teachers or similar course.
Personnel Skills
Essential criteria
15. Ability to co-operate in a democratic team environment
16. Flexible attitude, team player with good management skills
17. Leadership Skills
Clinical Governance
Essential criteria
18. Able to demonstrate a broad understanding of the principles and elements of clinical governance.
Personnel Circumstances
Essential criteria
19. Residence within 10 miles by road or up to thirty minutes travelling time of the hospital for purposes of on-call emergencies.
20. Fit to undertake the role with satisfactory Occupational Health clearance
21. Satisfactory DBS clearance
Clinical Experience
Essential criteria
22. Excellent all round experience of DGH work
23. Evidence of thorough and broad training and experience in Anaesthetics and Advanced Airway management skills
24. Able to take full and independent responsibility for clinical work and delivering service without direct supervision
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.
If you have problems applying, contact
Address Luton & Dunstable Hospital NHS FT
Medical Workforce Department
Luton
Bedfordshire
LU4 0DZ
Telephone 01582 718222