About this role
Job summary Applications are invited for fixed term 12 month Consultant Anaesthetist vacancy commencing August 2026 to fill a sabbatical position. We are keen to attract motivated hard-working colleagues, who share our vision to maintain a cohesive department, focused on excellent patient care and outstanding multidisciplinary team working. The content of the job plans can be tailored to provide rewarding opportunities to the right individuals. Out-of-hours work will include twilight shifts (6pm -- 10pm), and overnight non-resident on-calls covering emergency theatres (1:20 rota). MPH offers a wide range of subspecialty services; candidates may express a preference for their preferred specialty.
Main duties of the job
*To contribute alongside the consultant body to an excellent standard of care covering the full range of specialist diagnosis, treatment and management of patients requiring anaesthetic services as outlined on your job plan.
*Patient safety -- to be actively involved in delivering high quality patient centred care and contributing to safety and quality initiatives and improvement projects being undertaken in the trust.
*Education -- to supervise and support Resident Doctors. This will include delivery of teaching sessions and assisting the personal and professional development of our non-consultant staff. If Applicable, it will also include assessment and appraisal of trainees under your supervision with appropriate liaison with Clinical/College tutors when required. The department also supports education of medical students from Bristol and, more recently, Plymouth.
*Quality Improvement and Audit -- active participation in QI and audit projects, including initiation and supervision of projects related to your subspecialist interest. Participation in national audits is encouraged. All projects are approved by the Clinical Effectiveness and Audit Committee.
*Clinical Governance -- Staff are accountable and responsible for maintaining their own clinical competence and acting within their competence. In addition, they must comply with requirements of their professional organisations regarding supervision.
About us
At Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, we're committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer:
Flexible working options to help you balance work and lifeNHS pension scheme for long-term financial securityGenerous annual leave allowance to recharge and relaxA strong focus on career development to help you grow and achieve your potentialAdditionally, you'll gain access to our Blue Light Card, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS-specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work.
We are proud to foster a diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds.
Why Somerset? Somerset offers the perfect blend of idyllic countryside, outstanding areas of natural beauty, and breathtaking coastlines, with vibrant cities like Bristol, Bath, and Exeter just a short drive away - and only two hours to London.
The region is home to excellent educational facilities, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it's a great place to build both your career and your future.
Somerset truly has it all - the peaceful countryside and cosmopolitan city life, with something for everyone to enjoy.
Job description Job responsibilities For further details regarding this job role and person specification please refer to the attached job description.
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
Full GMC registration MBChB, FRCA or equivalent On Specialist register or CCT in Anaesthesia, within 6 months of date of interview ILS / pILS or equivalent
Experience Essential
Appropriate experience in anaesthetics/critical care to enable job programme to be successfully executed Recent experience of out of hours & nights on call, including management of children over the age of 1 year
Desirable
Evidence of flexible working Experience of organisation and/or management of theatre processes
Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details Employer name Somerset NHS Foundation Trust
Address Musgrove Park Hospital
Musgrove Road
Taunton
Somerset
TA1 5DA
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.somersetft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)