Job overview
This is a substantive post following expansion of the department and converting a locum post to a substantive one.
The successful candidate will join 6 substantive paediatric surgical consultants to make a department of 7 substantive consultants. The post holder will provide elective and acute general paediatric surgery and be one of 3 consultants in the department responsible for delivering our paediatric urology service to our network partners with a focus on outreach functional urology.
Main duties of the job
The clinical duties of the post include the following:
This is a substantive post following expansion of the department and converting a locum post to a substantive one.
The successful candidate will join 6 substantive paediatric surgical consultants to make a department of 7 substantive consultants. The post holder will provide elective and acute general paediatric surgery and be one of 3 consultants in the department responsible for delivering our paediatric urology service to our network partners with a focus on outreach functional urology.
You will be supported by a team of Consultant Paediatric Anaesthetists, Paediatricians, Neonatologists, Paediatric Gastroenterology, Radiologists and Pathologists to name a few.
Working for our organisation
At UHSussex (UHSx), diversity is our strength, & we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First. Your uniqueness & 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, & can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) & a Veteran Aware Trust.
We treat our patients & staff with the same compassion & empathy we expect for ourselves. We’re here for them when they need us, and we go above & beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our candidate information pack & wellbeing programme, for staff which is extensive & designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work life balance - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.
As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching & training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us & throughout your career we will help you to grow & develop. We hope that in choosing UHSx you are choosing a long & happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make & feel valued for all that you do.
We look forward to receiving your application & the start of your journey with UHSx.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The clinical duties of the post include the following:
This is a substantive post following expansion of the department and converting a locum post to a substantive one.
The successful candidate will join 6 substantive paediatric surgical consultants to make a department of 7 substantive consultants. The post holder will provide elective and acute general paediatric surgery and be one of 3 consultants in the department responsible for delivering our paediatric urology service to our network partners with a focus on outreach functional urology.
You will be supported by a team of Consultant Paediatric Anaesthetists, Paediatricians, Neonatologists, Paediatric Gastroenterology, Radiologists and Pathologists to name a few.
In addition:
2 Deanery Paediatric Surgical SpRs
2 Clinical Fellow ST3+
2 Trust substantive speciality doctors in paediatric surgery
1 CT2
1 CT1
2 F2
1 F1
The department operates as a regional service, networked with our partner organisations at East Sussex Hospitals, Surrey and Sussex Hospitals, Queen Victoria Hospital and Sussex Community NHS Trusts, including Chailey Clinical Services.
The department works with the South Thames Paediatric Network, alongside Evelina London, St George’s Hospital and Kings College Hospital and the Wessex and Thames Valley ODN for our services in West Sussex.
The department continues to actively pursue the repatriation of local children for surgery from London or other providers and will work collaboratively with all providers in South East Coast to deliver this in the interest of children and young people.
Together with the Trevor Mann Baby Unit, the department provides a neonatal surgical service for the South East Coast region.
Other key strengths include minimally invasive surgery and the regional intestinal failure service in collaboration with the paediatric gastroenterology and nutrition team.
The department is recognised as a teaching centre and currently hosts two paediatric surgical trainee posts.
There are related tertiary paediatric surgical specialties on site including ENT, ophthalmology, orthopaedics, maxillofacial, dentistry and orthodontics. We have a close and evolving relationship with the Queen Victoria regional plastics and burns service.
Clinical Duties and 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, urology and functional urology. The postholder will enable the department to further develop our relationships with East Surrey Hospital, St Richard’s Hospital, 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, 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
The post holder accepts that they will also perform duties in occasional emergencies and unforeseen circumstances at the request of the appropriate consultant, in consultation, where practicable, with their colleagues, both senior and junior. While it has been agreed between the professions that they will perform such duties, the Secretary of State stresses that additional commitments arising under this sub-section are exceptions and you should not be required to undertake work of this kind for prolonged periods or on a regular basis.
Person specification
Experience
Essential criteria
1. Paediatric Urology Skills/Experience
Desirable criteria
2. Fellowship in paediatric urology
Experience/Qualification
Essential criteria
3. •Basic medical degree
4. •FRCS Paediatrics or its recognised equivalent.
5. •Full and specialist registration (with a licence to practise) with the GMC or be eligible for registration within six months of the interview.
6. • 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
7. •Higher Degree
8. •Teaching qualification
9. •Fellowship in paediatric urology
10. •Additional experience in paediatric urology
Clinical Skills & Experience
Essential criteria
11. •Independently undertake consultant on-call duties in paediatric surgery
12. • Paediatric Urology skills and experience
Desirable criteria
13. •Previous Consultant experienndependently undertake consultant on-call duties in paediatric surgeryce
14. Paediatric Urology skills and experience
Knowledge
Desirable criteria
15. •Breadth of experience in and outside specialty
Organisation & Planning
Essential criteria
16. •Experience and ability to work in multi-professional teams.
17. •Understanding of: NHS / Clinical governance / Resource constraints
Desirable criteria
18. •Evidence of managerial skills: Achievements / Course attended
Teaching Skills
Essential criteria
19. •Evidence of an interest and commitment to teaching
Desirable criteria
20. •Recognised teaching qualification
Academic & Research
Essential criteria
21. •Evidence of participation in audit
Desirable criteria
22. Research
23. Publications
24. Prizes & Honours
Career Progression and Personal Attributes
Essential criteria
25. •Evidence of:- Good communication skills both oral and written
26. •Appropriate progression of career to date
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