Specialty Doctor in Anaesthetics, DMH

County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust has 2 posts available for Specialty Doctors in Anaesthesia and ICU, based at Darlington Memorial Hospital from August 2026. Applicants should be trained to the level of CT3 or equivalent in anaesthesia and suitable to cover on calls independently in ICU and theatres at CT3 level. Applicants must have full registration, including a license to practice with the GMC.

The successful applicants will join a team of 28 consultants, specialty doctors and trainees from the Northern School of Anaesthesia. The contract is full time with resident shifts (1:8). On-call duties are for resident critical care, theatres, or potentially for resident obstetric cover if skills allow. The weekly timetable includes daytime ICU resident cover, theatre lists (including pre and post-operative care time), out-of-hours shifts with prospective cover and 1 SPA for CPD activities.

Main duties of the job:

• The job plan is comprised of a 1:8 resident on call cover (days and nights) and 12 theatre/obstetric or ITU sessions (5.25hrs) per 8 weeks.
• On-call may be undertaken in any of the 3 resident on call roles (Theatres, ITU and Obstetrics).
• Teamwork is embedded in these roles and therefore there is an expectation to help out where it is required and when you are available during these shifts.
• All shifts for emergency work are a maximum of 13 hours in length.

About us:

We provide hospital services from two acute sites - Darlington Memorial Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham. We have a centre for planned care in Bishop Auckland and provide care from community hospitals in Chester-le-Street, Shotley Bridge, Barnard Castle, Sedgefield and Weardale as well as over 80 other community‑based settings and providing care in patients' homes. We particularly welcome applications from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as BAME and disabled people are currently under‑represented.

Job responsibilities:

• The post holder will have responsibility for the care of patients in their charge (with a consultant having overall responsibility) and will contribute to the functioning of the anaesthetic department.
• The post holder will be required to undertake administrative duties associated with the care of patients.
• The post holder may be required to supervise junior medical staff, within their abilities.
• For management purposes the post holder will be accountable to the Lead Clinician.
• The post holder will be expected to anaesthetise patients having elective surgery admitted under the consultant surgeons within the trust.
• Pre‑operative assessment and post‑operative care will be performed as appropriate.
• The post holder will assist with resuscitation, and anaesthetise patients in emergency situations as appropriate, and as part of a team.
• The post holder will assume responsibility for patients on the Intensive Care and Obstetric units when resident on‑call depending on which rota they are on.
• The post holder must be willing to undertake elective sessions in all sites undertaking surgery.
• The post holder must possess a UK driving licence and be able to present for scheduled list start times as required by the Trust.
• The post plan is based on a pay scale.
• Out-of-hours there are 3 resident on call anaesthetists/ICM doctors (generally allocated as ITU / Anaesthetics / Obstetrics with one acting as the most senior).
• The post holder will generally be expected to act in any role.
• All shifts for resident on call are a maximum of 13 hours in length.
• Resident on-call is a shift (1 in 8 for weekdays, weekends and bank holidays) with nights currently undertaken as blocks of 3 or 4.
• The post holder will be expected to provide prospective cover for colleagues.

Your nominated supervisor at Darlington Memorial Hospital will be Dr Jothika Thimappa. You may be allocated an educational supervisor depending on any special interest you may have. All successful applicants will be expected to participate in regular appraisals, with educational and clinical aims to be established. Annually agreed job plans will reflect the aims specified from these appraisal meetings whenever possible.

If the successful applicant has not passed their FRCA, they may be encouraged to work towards this qualification and will be supported by the directorate in achieving this goal.

The post holder will be expected to participate in teaching of postgraduate medical staff, undergraduate students and in the training of all grades of nursing and paramedic staff. Clinical audit activities, which are considered to be an integral part of normal duties, will be encouraged. Research funding may be available following successful application.

The post holder is responsible for ensuring that they meet the Royal College of Anaesthetists / General Medical Council guidance for Continuing Professional Development and Revalidation, and is expected to fully engage with the Trust appraisal process. The post holder will be expected to participate in clinical governance arrangements in line with national and trust guidelines.

If you are involved in the care of a patient who subsequently initiates a claim against the Trust you will be expected to provide, free of charge, an opinion and statement of facts about the case.

The post attracts 1 SPA per week.

Person Specification:

• Special Skills & Knowledge: Be able to manage time appropriately. The applicant must be able to work well with all staff and teams. Able to communicate effectively and have excellent interpersonal skills. Understands the principles and has participated in useful audit. Willing to participate in clinical governance arrangements.
• Statutory Registration: Full registration with GMC.
• Qualifications: MBBS or equivalent. ALS, ATLS, APLS/EPLS or other complementary qualification. Fellowship of the Royal College of Anaesthetists or equivalent.
• Experience: Have completed CT2 level training in Anaesthetics and Intensive care medicine. Be competent to cover ICU and theatre on calls independently and currently delivering this at CT2/3 level. Be competent in providing regional and general, elective and emergency anaesthesia for patients on labour ward. Evidence of special interest in a related area, including teaching, research and quality improvement. Previous NHS experience in Anaesthetics and ICU.
• Special Requirements: The applicant must be able to work well with all staff and teams. Able to communicate effectively and have excellent interpersonal skills.

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 to check for any previous criminal convictions.

£63,696 to £102,689 a year pro rata.