About this role
Job summary
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:
Want to learn about leadership and gain senior leadership experience Are comfortable working in uncertain environments and across traditional boundaries Relish the opportunity to develop their own ideas and initiatives 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:
At ST4 level or above Working full time or less-than-full-time Who have a national training number 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.
In the first instance, applications must be discussed with your educational supervisor and training programme director (TPD), and permission to apply must be granted by the TPD.
About us
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.
Job description Job responsibilities
Minimum 12-month post
4050% protected time for chief registrar role; 5060% clinical practice. This is an essential requirement.
The chief registrar job description is broad in scope in order to allow chief registrars and recruiting organisations to have autonomy and flexibility over the work the chief registrar undertakes. Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trusts priorities for the chief registrar role will focus on the medical take, rotas, EMRU, AMU and SDEC. Chief registrars should focus on addressing key local challenges and priorities, which may include some or all of the following:
Providing a bridge between senior clinical leaders, managers and the wider trainee workforce to improve communication, engagement and morale.
Service improvement, for example redesigning pathways, implementing new technology and establishing new services to improve flow and outcomes for patients.
Improving the quality of clinical and non-clinical education and training activities, and supporting/mentoring other trainees to engage in quality improvement.
Involvement in workforce planning and improving the deployment of trainees to meet service needs and improve morale.
Improving efficiency and reducing waste.
Working across teams and boundaries to engage stakeholders in quality improvement and influence change.
Involvement in and exposure to senior management and organisational decision-making
The chief registrar should attend departmental and divisional management meetings to gain an understanding of management and the wider social, political and economic influences on healthcare delivery.
Where possible and appropriate, they should attend Board meetings. They should lead any sessions on service development, improvement and transformation for which they have direct responsibility.
Person Specification
Qualifications / Training Essential
Full registration with General Medical Council Hold a national training number Should not already hold a CCT or be within 12 months (ideally not within 18 months) of completion of training on intended start date Must have approval of TPD to apply Evidence of satisfactory / more than satisfactory progress through training, including annual review of competence progression (ARCP) outcomes Should be ST4 or above
Desirable
Additional relevant degree (intercalated, masters or doctorate)
Clinical skills Essential
Evidence of clinical competencies in their specialty appropriate for their stage in training An appropriate knowledge base, and ability to apply sound clinical judgement to problems Ability to prioritise clinical need Ability to maximise safety and minimise risk ?Ability to work without supervision where appropriate
Research Essential
Understanding of research, including awareness of ethical issues Understanding of research methodology and ability to use basic qualitative and quantitative methods Knowledge of evidence-based practice
Desirable
Evidence of relevant academic achievements, including publications / presentations
Leadership and management Essential
Evidence of effective team working and leadership, supported by multi-source feedback or workplace-based assessments Self-awareness, with knowledge of personal strengths and weaknesses, impact and areas for development Interest in and knowledge of the importance of leadership and management for clinicians
Desirable
Evidence of involvement in local management systems Evidence of effective leadership (e.g. evidence of leading innovations or improvements) Understanding of the local and national context of the NHS, including economic and political influences
Quality / service improvement Essential
Understanding of clinical governance, including the basic principles of audit, clinical risk management, evidence-based practice, patient safety and quality improvement initiatives Evidence of active involvement in quality improvement, audit, research or other activity that focuses on patient safety and clinical improvement and innovation Interest in / knowledge of the delivery of safe, effective healthcare services
Desirable
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 Evidence of publications / presentations / prizes in quality improvement or audit Good knowledge of the UK healthcare system, including education, research, service provision, regulation, career structures, medical politics and ethics Clear insight into issues facing UK healthcare services
Education and teaching Essential
Evidence of interest in and experience of teaching Evidence of positive feedback on teaching approaches
Desirable
Development of teaching programmes Participation in teaching courses Participation in degree or diploma courses in education Action learning sets / simulation instructor
Personal skills Essential
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 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 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 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 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 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 Computer skills: ?Excellent computer literacy
Desirable
Leadership skills gained within the NHS or elsewhere Writing experience: -clinical and/or non-clinical topics -peer-reviewed publications and/or other communication (e.g. blog, letters to journals) Evidence of altruistic behaviour, e.g. voluntary work
Trust Values Essential
Communicates openly, honestly and professionally and actively promotes team working and building strong working relationships Patients are always first. Drives service improvements. Strong self-awareness with a desire to grow. Treats all with compassion and kindness. Ensures everyone feels valued Consults others and listens to their view/options. Enables others to take initiative.
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 Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust
Address Stoke Mandeville Hospital
Stoke Mandeville Hospital
Aylesbury
HP21 8AL
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://careers.buckshealthcare.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)