Job overview
This is a substantive post following expansion of the department in converting a locum post to a substantive one.
The post will be to join the 7 substantive paediatric surgical consultants on a permanent basis. The post will comprise elective and acute general paediatric surgery and one of the group of surgeons providing the paediatric general and gastrointestinal elective service.
The post holder will ideally have consultant experience as a substantive paediatric general surgeon to enable succession planning at this Tertiary surgical centre and facilitate the acute work. They will provide day to day all round surgical care to patients of the Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital, including participation in a 1 in 6 week attending and on call rota, and participation in the outreach clinic/theatre rota. (see further details in duties of the posts later)
Main duties of the job
This is a substantive post following expansion of the department in converting a locum post to a substantive one. This means that the timetabled programmed activities and department will evolve when further personnel changes occur.
The post will be to join the 7 substantive paediatric surgical consultants on a permanent basis. The post will comprise elective and acute general paediatric surgery and be one of the consultants in the department focusing on delivery of our paediatric gastrointestinal service at the Alex and our network partners.
You will be supported by a team of Consultant Paediatric Anaesthetists, Paediatricians, Neonatologists, Radiologists, gastroenterologists and Pathologists to name a few of our regular collaborative clinical teams.
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.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
This post will allow us to provide a 1 in 6 on call service with a “consultant of the week” model in the first instance. Category A supplement applies (5%). This will be subject to review within the department.
The post will provide day-case and inpatient operating lists and outpatient paediatric surgery. The postholder will enable the department to further develop our relationships with East Surrey Hospital, Crawley Hospital, St Richard’s Hospital, Chailey Heritage School, Eastbourne District General Hospital, Conquest Hospital, Hastings and Worthing Hospital, which are of key strategic importance to our service.
To work as part of the consultant, nursing and directorate team to protect and enhance the reputation of the Alex, and to provide the leading paediatric surgery service in the South East Coast region, delivering outpatient, day case and inpatient care at the Alex and with our network partners
To work collaboratively with other specialties, including neonatology, foetal medicine, radiology, anaesthetics and paediatrics
To participate in the development of regional solutions to all medical and surgical specialties for children and young people
To work with the Academic Department of Paediatrics and BSMS to establish a respected research programme and presence in national and international peer reviewed journals and meetings
To contribute to undergraduate teaching of medical students at BSMS
To provide high quality postgraduate teaching and experience to doctors, nurses and allied health professionals in training
To ensure our personal and organisational responsibility for safeguarding children and young people is honoured effectively
To ensure our personal and organisational responsibility for the delivery of safe and high quality services for children, responsive to the needs of them and their families, is honoured effectively
To contribute to the delivery of services which are financially responsible and efficient
Work effectively with all members of the multidisciplinary team, including the mental health liaison service
Support the development of innovative models of care, including the development of advanced nursing roles
Interviews potentially June 2026
Person specification
Experience/Qualifications
Essential criteria
1. •Basic medical degree
2. •FRCS or its recognised equivalent
3. ••Full and specialist registration (with a licence to practise) with the GMC or be eligible for registration within six months of the interview. • If you trained in the UK, you must also have a Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) in Paediatric Surgery or be within six months of receiving it by the interview date. • If you trained outside the UK, you must provide evidence that your qualifications are equivalent to the UK CCT. (Equivalence must be confirmed by GMC by date of AAC)
Desirable criteria
4. •Higher Degree
5. •Teaching Qualification
Clinical Skills and Experience
Essential criteria
6. •Paediatric Surgical Skills and experience
7. •Understanding of clinical risk management
8. •Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues.
9. •An ability to communicate well with patients and staff
Desirable criteria
10. •5+ years of previous consultant experience
Knowledge
Desirable criteria
11. •Breadth of experience in and outside specialty
Organisation & Planning
Essential criteria
12. •Experience and ability to work in multi-professional teams.
13. •Understanding of: NHS / Clinical governance / Resource constraints
Desirable criteria
14. •Evidence of managerial skills: Achievements / Course attended
Teaching Skills
Essential criteria
15. •Evidence of an interest and commitment to teaching
Desirable criteria
16. •Recognised teaching qualification
Evidence of an interest and committment to teaching
Essential criteria
17. •Evidence of an interest and commitment to teaching
Desirable criteria
18. •Recognised teaching qualification
Academic & Research
Essential criteria
19. •Evidence of participation in audit
Desirable criteria
20. Research experience
21. •Publications
22. •Prizes and honours
Career Progression
Essential criteria
23. •Appropriate progression of career to date
Personal Attributes
Essential criteria
24. •Evidence of:- Good communication skills both oral and written
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