Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, staff pride themselves on not only leading through clinical excellence, but also by creating an environment where all staff are valued and appreciated. To achieve this, the Trust has embarked on an exciting new strategy focused on continuous improvement.
Our vision is to improve the lives of our community and provide excellence in healthcare, through partnership and innovation
Our High Performance Culture will support everyone to be the best version of themselves by being true to our Trust vision, values and behaviours.
We welcome applications from colleagues from our local and neighbouring communities of all backgrounds and identities, who are currently under-represented within our region such as Black, Asian, Minority ethnic and those with disabilities.
As a region we are reviewing the way we work, and exploring how new working practices that support flexible working can create a positive work-life balance. As part of our recruitment process we will explore how our inclusive employment policies, flexible working, staff engagement forums, Trust facilities and services can be of mutual benefit.
Job overview
The candidate will be expected to be able to integrate within the team of existing anaesthetists in order to provide a comprehensive anaesthetic and critical care service. The successful candidate would be expected to be clinically competent in providing anesthesia for a wide range of specialities and be competent on critical care in and out of hours with local and distant supervision. The postholder will have a dedicated mentor and supervisor to support and facilitate their progress and development. The postholder would be expected to participate in a yearly appraisal.
The Department has recently appointed a consultant whose role includes developing a CESR pathway and supporting those who wish to gain CESR. We would aim to provide support for those interested in gaining CESR and to enhance the portfolio of those who are not in training. Support will be given to those who wish to undertake the FRCA and the successful applicant would be encouraged to attend both local and regional teaching.
Main duties of the job
Duties and Responsibilities of the Post
The successful applicant would join a team of consultants, specialty doctors, fellows and rotational trainees who provide anaesthesia and critical care in a District General Hospital. The majority of the workload would be in theatres where elective anaesthesia is provided for orthopaedics, ENT, plastics, gynaecology, general surgery, urology, max fax, ophthalmology, cardiology, obstetrics and vascular. The emergency theatre is staffed 24/7 and a trauma theatre is staffed 08:00-18:00 every day, which also runs on Bank Holidays.
Job Plan
The job plan is based on 10 PA job plan with a 1:16 pattern with 7 long days and nights. Long Day (LD) shifts are 08:00-20:30 and nights (N) are 20:00-08:30. This is in keeping with the new SAS contract. Day (D) work would be mainly in elective theatres unless otherwise agreed in the job plan.
Working for our organisation
- The Countess of Chester Hospital: providing 473 general and acute beds.
- Ellesmere Port Hospital: providing 60 beds as a rehabilitation, intermediate and outpatient facility.
- Tarporley War Memorial Hospital: a base for community services which serve the local rural population.
The Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust employs 5,964 staff (headcount) to provide care and treatment to a population of over 400,000 people living in Chester and West Cheshire which includes Ellesmere Port and Neston as well as the Deeside area of Flintshire.
The Trust works collaboratively within the wider Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care System. Due to its location on the border with North Wales, the Trust also works closely with the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board.
The Trust treats patients from England and some parts of Wales. During 2024/2025, there were approximately 643,000 patient attendances (inpatient, A&E, outpatient and diagnostic) ranging from a simple outpatient appointment to major cancer surgery
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
See Job Description for further details.
Recruitment selection processes are based on competence (see Person specification) and values. An applicant guide to help and support you through your recruitment journey can be accessed at the bottom of this page.
If you have a disability that meets the definition set out in the Equality Act 2010, and you can show that you meet the ‘essential’ criteria described in the person specification for an available position, please answer ‘YES’ to the question: ‘Do you wish to be considered under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme?’
Please inform the team if you have any special support needs to be considered as part of the interview and selection processes.
The trust offers a Guaranteed Interview Scheme to any armed forces community applicants who meet the essential criteria for the post.
If a DBS is required for your role, you are encouraged to enrol for the DBS Update Service. A small annual fee applies which is payable to the DBS Service.Please note applicants will be required to pay for their DBS check. Costswill be deducted from their salary over the first three months of employment.
New entrants to the NHS will commence on the minimum of the scale stated above.
Applicants requiring sponsorship may wish to determine the likelihood of obtaining sponsorship for this position by assessing themselves against the criteria on the gov.uk website - https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa.
The Trust will not sponsor where the starting salary does not meet immigration rules
Applicants are advised to apply early as if a large number of applications are received for this post, we reserve the right to close the vacancy prior to the advertised date.
Good luck with your application.
Person specification
Qualifications
- MBBS/MBChB or equivalent medical qualification
- Primary FRCA
- GMC registration with a licence to practice
- Must have completed at least four years’ full-time postgraduate training (or its equivalent gained on a part-time or flexible basis) at least two of which will be in a specialty training programme in a relevant specialty or as a fixed term specialty trainee in a relevant specialty; or have equivalent experience and competencies
- Primary FRCA, full FRCA or equivalent
- Member of a medical defence organisation
- ALS, APLS, ATLS or equivalent
Experience
- Ability to anaesthetise ASA 1-3 patients with local or distant supervision
- Evidence of providing elective and emergency obstetric anaesthesia in the UK in the last 2 years-demonstration of a logbook of cases including epidurals and CS
- Evidence of working at the level of an ST3/CT3 in critical care in the UK
- Knowledge of the management of anaesthetic and medical emergencies
- Evidence of skills in regional anaesthesia such as use of ultrasound for blocks
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
If the role is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 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.
Enhanced DBS check applications that are submitted with omitted or incorrect information will be withdrawn. In the event errors are identified on your original application, a new application will need to be submitted and you will be required to pay the DBS application fee again.
The cost of the DBS application will be deducted from your salary over the first three months of employment.
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. Applicants requiring sponsorship may wish to determine the likelihood of obtaining sponsorship for this position by assessing themselves against the criteria on the gov.uk website - Check if you need a UK visa - GOV.UK
The Trust will not sponsor where the starting salary does not meet these immigration rules
For further details on skilled worker sponsorship, please consult the UK Home Office guidance: Skilled Worker visa: Overview - GOV.UK. Additionally, the New guidance for overseas applicants | NHS Employers provides helpful information on the recruitment process for candidates applying for roles in the UK.
Overseas candidates are responsible for their travel expenses.
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have 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 dependent's (over 18 years old) will also be subject to this requirement.
Employer certification / accreditation badges
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Application numbers
This vacancy may close early if it receives a high number of applications. Please complete and submit your application in good time to avoid disappointment.
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Specialty Doctor Anaesthetics in Chester employer: Countess of Chester
At Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, we pride ourselves on fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment where every staff member is valued. Our commitment to continuous improvement and high-performance culture ensures that you will have ample opportunities for professional growth while making a meaningful impact on the lives of families in our community. With flexible working options and a focus on family-integrated care, this is an excellent place to advance your career as a Senior Neonatal Practitioner in the heart of Chester.
