Job overview
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic and motivated senior trainee (ST4 or above) with an interest in leadership, management and quality improvement to join Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust as a chief registrar.
This post is Fixed Term for 12 months from 05/08/2026 until 03/08/2027
The chief registrar role provides senior trainees with 40% 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 role will suit trainees who:
1. Want to learn about leadership and gain senior leadership experience
2. Are comfortable working in uncertain environments and across traditional boundaries
3. Relish the opportunity to develop their own ideas and initiatives
4. Are committed to and passionate about improving the NHS.
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.
The chief registrar will be expected to attend modules delivered as part of the RCP’s bespoke development programme, which will cover, for example, change management, team culture and development, quality improvement, leadership, influencing and personal resilience.
Applications are open to senior trainees:
5. At ST4 level or above
6. Working full time or less-than-full-time
7. Who have a national training number
8. Who have full GMC registration.
This is a fixed-term role for minimum of 12 months. The role can be undertaken in programme or out of programme (training or experience) depending on individual requirements.
Working for our organisation
Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust (BHT) is an integrated acute and community trust providing care to over half a million patients every year in our hospitals, community settings and in people’s own homes. Our stroke service is one of the best in the region, we are a regional centre for burns care, plastic surgery and dermatology and Stoke Mandeville is home to the internationally recognised National Spinal Injuries Centre. Working with our partners, we are committed to helping the residents of Buckinghamshire to lead healthier, more independent lives.
Over 7,000 people work for us, both full and part-time. This includes clinical colleagues, such as doctors, nurses, midwives, health visitors, therapists, support workers and healthcare scientists, all supported by corporate and operational colleagues.
We are committed to ensuring that BHT embraces and celebrates diversity as we strive to tackle inequalities both within the workforce and in our local communities. We want all of our people to be listened to, feel safe and supported and are committed to ensuring that we have a culture that is inclusive and equitable.
Person specification
Qualifications / Training
Essential criteria
9. Full registration with General Medical Council
10. Hold a national training number
11. Should not already hold a CCT or be within 12 months (ideally not within 18 months) of completion of training on intended start date
12. Must have approval of TPD to apply
13. Evidence of satisfactory / more than satisfactory progress through training, including annual review of competence progression (ARCP) outcomes
14. Should be ST4 or above
Desirable criteria
15. Additional relevant degree (intercalated, masters or doctorate)
Clinical skills
Essential criteria
16. Evidence of clinical competencies in their specialty appropriate for their stage in training
17. An appropriate knowledge base, and ability to apply sound clinical judgement to problems
18. Ability to prioritise clinical need
19. Ability to maximise safety and minimise risk Ability to work without supervision where appropriate
Research
Essential criteria
20. Understanding of research, including awareness of ethical issues
21. Understanding of research methodology and ability to use basic qualitative and quantitative methods
22. Knowledge of evidence-based practice
Desirable criteria
23. Evidence of relevant academic achievements, including publications / presentations
Leadership and management
Essential criteria
24. Evidence of effective team working and leadership, supported by multi-source feedback or workplace-based assessments
25. Self-awareness, with knowledge of personal strengths and weaknesses, impact and areas for development
26. Interest in and knowledge of the importance of leadership and management for clinicians
Desirable criteria
27. Evidence of involvement in local management systems
28. Evidence of effective leadership (e.g. evidence of leading innovations or improvements)
29. Understanding of the local and national context of the NHS, including economic and political influences
Quality / service improvement
Essential criteria
30. Understanding of clinical governance, including the basic principles of audit, clinical risk management, evidence-based practice, patient safety and quality improvement initiatives
31. Evidence of active involvement in quality improvement, audit, research or other activity that focuses on patient safety and clinical improvement and innovation
32. Interest in / knowledge of the delivery of safe, effective healthcare services
Desirable criteria
33. 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
34. Evidence of publications / presentations / prizes in quality improvement or audit
35. Good knowledge of the UK healthcare system, including education, research, service provision, regulation, career structures, medical politics and ethics
36. Clear insight into issues facing UK healthcare services
Education and teaching
Essential criteria
37. Evidence of interest in and experience of teaching
38. Evidence of positive feedback on teaching approaches
Desirable criteria
39. Development of teaching programmes
40. Participation in teaching courses
41. Participation in degree or diploma courses in education
42. Action learning sets / simulation instructor
Personal skills
Essential criteria
43. Communication Clarity in written / spoken communication Capacity to adapt language to the situation, as appropriate Active listening and empathy Ability to build rapport and communicate effectively with others Ability to persuade, influence and negotiate Ability to communicate effectively under pressure
44. Problem solving and decision making Capacity to use logical / lateral thinking to solve problems / make decisions, indicating an analytical / scientific approach and, where appropriate, creativity in problem solving
45. Organisation and planning Capacity to manage / prioritise time and information effectively Evidence of thoroughness (well prepared, self-disciplined / committed, punctual and meets deadlines) Capability to work with long timescales for delivery within agencies with differing priorities
46. Coping with pressure and managing uncertainty Ability to work effectively under pressure Capacity to manage conflicting demands Self-motivation, and resilience Initiative and ability to work autonomously
47. Team working, leading and managing others 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
48. Appropriate personal attributes Quick to understand new information and adapt to new environments Clarity of thought and expression Flexible and adaptable to change Self-starter, motivated, shows curiosity, initiative and enthusiasm) Demonstrates probity (displays honesty, trustworthiness, integrity, awareness of ethical dilemmas, respect for confidentiality) Takes responsibility for own actions Commitment to personal and professional development
49. Computer skills: Excellent computer literacy
Desirable criteria
50. Leadership skills gained within the NHS or elsewhere
51. Writing experience: -clinical and/or non-clinical topics -peer-reviewed publications and/or other communication (e.g. blog, letters to journals)
52. Evidence of altruistic behaviour, e.g. voluntary work
Trust Values
Essential criteria
53. Communicates openly, honestly and professionally and actively promotes team working and building strong working relationships
54. Patients are always first. Drives service improvements. Strong self-awareness with a desire to grow.
55. Treats all with compassion and kindness. Ensures everyone feels valued
56. Consults others and listens to their view/options. Enables others to take initiative.
PPE requirements: Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust requires all colleagues to wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) in accordance with our infection prevention and control procedures.
COVID-19 and Flu vaccinations remain the best way to protect yourself, your family, your colleagues and of course our patients from the viruses when working in our healthcare settings. We encourage our staff to be vaccinated when recommended.
Application deadline: This post will close on the closing date stated at midnight, however if we receive a large number of applications or there is a change in circumstance, we may be required to close a job before the advertised date.
Application information: If you are offered a job, information will be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records (ESR) system.
Shortlisting: The monitoring and safeguarding sections are not made visible to the shortlisting panel. The safeguarding section may be made visible to the interview panel, dependent on the role being recruited into.
Travel expenses: It is Trust policy that travel expenses for interviews will not be reimbursed.
Smoking: All Trust sites are NO SMOKING. Smoking in all areas of the buildings and premises is prohibited.
Employer certification / accreditation badges