About this role
Job summary
University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust is delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity to work with us.
Job Title: PICU Locum Consultant
Start Date: 2nd September 2026
Contract Type: Fixed term
Duration: 11 months
Purpose for Fixed Term: Covering Maternity Leave
Please see below for detailed job description of the role.
Main duties of the job
Applications are invited for a Locum Consultant post in Paediatric Intensive Care at Southampton General Hospital commencing September 2026 for 11 months to cover maternity leave.
It is essential for the post-holder to have significant experience in paediatric cardiac surgery, renal replacement therapies and techniques of advanced ventilatory support, including the use of inhaled nitric oxide, and extracorporeal life support. It is also necessary for the post holder to have experience in management of severe traumatic head injuries and management of complex patients with multiple organ failure and critical care transport medicine.
About us
As one of the largest acute teaching Trusts in England, we offer learning and development opportunities to help you achieve the career you aspire to. UHS is rated 'Good' by the CQC and in the latest national NHS Staff Survey, we were in the top 10 acute trusts for staff engagement and for staff recommending the hospital as a place to work or receive care.
We support flexible working and will consider requests taking into account the needs of the service. UHS employees are able to access a range of NHS discounts, are entitled to a minimum of 35 days paid holiday (pro rata), and we offer a generous pension scheme.
Southampton is an attractive place to live and work situated on the south coast, with an international airport and direct trains to London. The New Forest National Park and beaches of the Jurassic coast are also right on our doorstep. The city offers living costs 20% lower than London and 14 schools rated outstanding by Ofsted.
We believe that using technology wisely shows strong time management and commitment to innovation. However, personalising your recruitment application to highlight your unique skills and experiences is crucial. Relying too heavily on generic, AI-generated content instead of drawing from your own strengths and accomplishments may lead to your application being rejected if multiple candidates present identical or similar information.
Job description Job responsibilities
Southampton PICU is a 16 bedded intensive care unit delivering a comprehensive service for all sub-specialties for the Wessex Region. The regional PIC retrieval service is delivered from UHS in collaboration with Oxford University Hospital. In 2025/26 there were 800 admissions to UHS with 350 level 3 retrievals and another 250 transport episodes.All types of cardiac interventional procedures are carried out, with approximately 300 cardiac operations performed each year. UHS PICU has consistently one of the lowest SMRs and highest throughputs per bed of any PICU in the UK.
We are a regional ECMO centre and we offer VV and VA ECMO for respiratory and cardiac support. We are the Wessex paediatric major trauma centre, with a dedicated paediatric emergency department on site.The successful applicant will form part of the Consultant Team for PICU.
Clinical DutiesAll clinical sessions will be in the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) and covering the Southampton Oxford Retrieval Team, both based at Southampton Childrens Hospital.
The case mix of admissions reflects a mixed general PICU. Support is provided for all the paediatric subspecialty services including paediatric cardiology and cardiac surgery, paediatric neurology and neurosurgery, paediatric nephrology, haematology/oncology, respiratory, gastroenterology, infectious diseases/immunology, endocrinology, paediatric surgery, general paediatrics and trauma. The Intensive Care consultants manage patients in collaboration with the various multi-disciplinary teams involved with the patients. Sessions will also be spent covering the regional retrieval service- the Southampton Oxford Retrieval Team (SORT) as second on call consultant.
It is essential for the post holder to have significant experience in paediatric cardiac intensive care, renal replacement therapies and techniques of advanced ventilatory support including the use of inhaled nitric oxide and extracorporeal life support. Ideally the post holder will have spent time in a commissioned ECMO unit. It is also necessary for the post holder to have significant experience in management of severe traumatic head injuries and management of complex patients with multiple organ failure and transport medicine.
The post-holder will be required to participate in medical governance, undergraduate and post graduate teaching, research and continuing medical education to ensure their personal professional development.
Training and Research DutiesUndergraduate medical students from Southampton University Medical School are taught throughout the Trust and the post holder is required to participate in undergraduate clinical teaching. This includes paediatric tutorials, personal academic tutor roles and supervising medical student study projects.The Post holder is also required to participate in the teaching of postgraduate medical staff, advanced care practitioners, nurses and other disciplines as appropriate.The post holder will also be expected to be an educational and clinical supervisor for some resident doctors, with training available.
Administrative DutiesThe post-holder will be required to undertake the administrative duties associated with the care of patients and the running of clinical departments.Shared secretarial support and office space are provided.
Applicants will be expected to demonstrate their competence to communicate in spoken and written English.
For an overview of the position, please refer to the attached Job Description and Person Specification document. This includes a detailed breakdown of the key responsibilities, role expectations, and the qualifications we are looking for. It outlines the essential criteria for the role and is designed to support you in preparing your application by helping you evaluate how your skills, experience, and professional background align with the requirements of the role.
The successful candidate will be employed under the terms and conditions of service for Consultants (England) 2003. Proposed interview date: 17th July 2026This vacancy closes on or before 2nd July 2026
Person Specification
Qualifications, Training & Experience Essential
MBBS or equivalent medical qualification GMC registration with a licence to practise Appropriate knowledge base, and ability to apply sound clinical judgement to problems MRCPCH/ FRCA or equivalent Valid Level 3 Safeguarding Training Valid APLS Training Completion of all competencies in Paediatric Intensive Care Medicine (minimum of 2 years indicative time) in a unit approved for training by the RCPCH National GRID Training Programme with evidence that this training has been signed off, AND a minimum of six months of anaesthetic training OR on GMC register with subspeciality PICM via CESR /Portfolio pathway (these applicants must already be on the register at the point of application to this job) OR equivalent training OR existing substantive Consultant in Paediatric Intensive Care Medicine Experience in management of congenital heart disease including cardiac ECMO Extensive experience in transporting critically ill children (land) Trauma experience Teaching and training experience Experience of cardiac intensive care Experience of general intensive care Experience of critical care transport Experience of critical care outreach/trauma team/cardiac arrest team member
Desirable
On the GMC's Specialist Register for paediatrics /anaesthetics OR within six months of CCT at time of scheduled interview Valid NLS Training Higher degree, laboratory experienced research Education/teaching qualification Completion of training in anaesthetics - approved by RCoA Experience in managing respiratory ECMO patients Experience of air transport
Aptitudes & Skills Essential
Evidence and ability to work effectively in multi-professional teams Understanding of equality and diversity and how this affects patients, visitors and staff Evidence and ability to communicate and liaise effectively with patients and colleagues (verbal and written communication skills in English). Demonstrate good organisational skills including ability to prioritise effectively and meet deadlines Demonstrate the ability to be calm, compassionate, and able to respond efficiently to various circumstances, which may change rapidly Evidence of participation in undergraduate and postgraduate teaching Good manual dexterity and ability to perform complex practical procedures
Desirable
Active interest in training and education Previous involvement in research either investigator lead or multicentre trials
Trust Values Essential
Patients First Working Together Always Improving
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 University Hospital Southampton NHS Trust
Address Southampton General Hospital
Tremona Road
Southampton
SO16 6YD
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.uhs.nhs.uk/home.aspx (Opens in a new tab)