Job overview
The Division of Surgery at RSCH/PRH are looking for a Clinical Lead for Gastroenterology.
The Clinical Lead is a pivotal post in the delivery of a robust quality and safe service. Working with the General Manager they will be responsible for all aspects of the service.
Reporting to the Chief of the Division, they will provide leadership to the Consultant cohort.
Main duties of the job
The department of gastroenterology is responsible for the delivery and development of all gastroenterology services in UHSx (RSCH/PRH). The department and clinical lead will work closely with the clinical lead for endoscopy to deliver the full suite of gastroenterology services to UHSx (RSCH/PRH). The clinical lead will work closely with gastroenterology clinical leads at other UHSx sites and Clinical Director for gastroenterology/endoscopy to ensure high quality gastroenterology services are delivered across the Trust.
The purpose of the role is:
· To lead on strategic direction and jointly manage the development of services within the specialty with the Clinical Director / Chief
· To be accountable for the stewardship and performance of the clinical area, ensuring the delivery of high-quality, modern, patient-centred services within available resources
· To be accountable for the delivery of service levels and key performance targets within agreements and resources.
· To provide clinical leadership across the area and to direct the clinical governance strategy (including training, research and development) and audit programme and lead on implementation.
· To contribute to the Division’s and the Trust’s corporate interests.
· To lead on consultant job planning and management of consultant leave with the department in line with job planning and leave policies
Working for our organisation
Working for our organisation
At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always deliver Excellent Care Everywhere, as shown in our Outstanding for Caring CQC rating. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of staff networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 3) and a Veteran Aware Trust.
Candidate Pack
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The lead for Gastroenterology will take overall responsibility for overseeing delivery of the service. This oversight comes with the expectation that sizeable parts of the workload outlined below will be delegated to other consultant colleagues with specified and defined roles and responsibilities (eg: endoscopy leads, rota co-ordinators etc). Currently, there is no separate gastroenterology clinical governance lead and so this role and the deputy clinical lead role include time for that role. The three broad categories where clinical leadership will be needed are:
1. Operational issues
a. Yearly job planning for all the Clinicians in the department according to Trust guidelines.
b. Work with the directorate manager and divisional team to keep medical spend within the departmental budget and highlight and understand any discrepancies therein.
c. Ensuring leave rules are applied and safe medical staffing levels are maintained.
d. Ensuring appraisal and mandatory training compliance.
e. Conduct, capability and health issue management for all grades of medical staff.
f. Overseeing service developments and delivery changes that flow from job planning changes or other Trust developments during the year. This will include delivery of national targets.
g. Co-ordinating development projects within gastroenterology, in conjunction with the Trust and Divisional goals and objectives. This will include regular meetings with the wider Divisional team.
h. Developing a clinical leadership structure within the Department of gastroenterology that supports the operational goals outlined above.
2. Quality and Safety
a. Engaging with the Trust and Divisional structure for assuring quality and safety within the Department of Gastroenterology.
b. Developing a leadership structure within the Department of Gastroenterology that supports a high quality service. The relevant domains within the Trust structure include Patient Safety, Clinical Outcomes and Effectiveness and Patient Experience and Engagement.
c. Leading the delivery of key aspects of departmental governance including responding to adverse incident
3. Teaching & Training
a. Developing a leadership structure within the department that will ensure high quality teaching and training for all grades of doctor and clinical AHPs as necessary. This will include:
i. Ensuring that all trainees are allocated educational and clinical supervisors in conjunction with the teams overseeing their training.
ii. Ensuring that appropriate teaching and training opportunities are made available for the trainees during their time within general surgery.
iii. Ensuring that the rotas and timetabling for all the training grades meets EWTD standards and enables trainees to take advantage of all the general surgery training opportunities the department has on offer.
b. Working with the team to diversify and modernise the workforce to meet modern training and workforce requirements, as opportunities arise.
Interviews to be held in February 2026
Person specification
Knowledge and Experience Non Clinical
Essential criteria
1. Previous experience in substantive consultant role
2. Evidence of success in a leadership role
3. Operational management experience
4. Business/service planning in management or educational role.
Desirable criteria
5. Management of Human Resource issues.
6. Minimum 3-years’ experience in substantive consultant role
7. Evidence of success in a consultant leadership role
8. On GMC specialist register
9. Postgraduate qualification in leadership or management
10. Trust appraiser
Knowledge and Experience - Clinical
Essential criteria
11. Understanding of the provision and delivery of health care services, and of the Government’s strategy and plans for modernising health care.
Skill and Abilities
Essential criteria
12. Excellent interpersonal and influencing skills Written and verbal communications
13. Environmental and political awareness
14. Change management skills
15. Business and service planning skills
16. Service improvement skills
17. Analytical and numeracy skills
18. Financial management skills
19. Computer and keyboard skills: to include Word, Excel and Outlook.
20. Strong Leadership skills
21. Performance Management skills
22. Ability to develop others
23. Ability to work autonomously, liaise and coordinate the Management Team on a day to day basis and to take appropriate action as necessary
24. Identify and adhere to best practice
25. Responsible for own professional actions and have sufficient autonomy for the delivery of the role
26. Able to interpret national and local guidance and to develop local policies to reflect these standards
27. High level of self-awareness, and openness to self-improvement
Important information for applicants:
A Note on AI Use in Applications
We value the individuality and authenticity that each candidate brings to the application process. While AI tools are increasingly accessible, we strongly discourage their use in completing your application. Your responses should reflect your own voice, experiences, and motivations—elements that are essential to a fair and accurate evaluation.
Applications that rely heavily on AI-generated content may misrepresent your abilities and could result in your application being rejected. We encourage you to take the time to present your genuine self, as this helps us better understand your potential and ensures a transparent selection process.
Closing Adverts Early: In the event of exceptional interest, we may close adverts earlier than specified.
Some of our adverts are capped for a limited number of applications; therefore, the advert will close once the cap has been reached. We therefore encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible if you are interested in the position to prevent you from missing out on applying for the opportunity.
Flexible Working: If you would like to explore potential options regarding flexible working please speak with the appropriate recruiting/line manager.
DBS Checks: As part of our commitment to a safe working environment, we undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check on all new employees where the role is eligible for a criminal record check. We make offers in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1975.
Skilled Worker Visa: Applications for Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome for the roles that meet the Visa and Immigrations eligibility criteria. For further information please visit the gov.uk website searching for Skilled Worker. It is your responsibility as the applicant to ensure that you meet this criteria.
UHSussex reserves the right to close the role early if we receive a high volume of applications