Fixed Term Consultant Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgeon - Foot and Ankle in Worthing

This post is based at St Richard’s and Worthing hospital, but we expect the successful candidate to travel and provide services across all sites of University Hospitals Sussex.

Fixed Term Reason: Pending appointment for substantive post – this post will be published along with 279-UHSCONORT-F&A-602. In the event that we are unable to appoint a candidate for the permanent role of Consultant Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgeon – Foot and Ankle (ref: 279-UHSCONORT-F&A-602), this post will be offered as a fixed‑term appointment for 6 months initially with a view to extend for a further 6 months.

You will join us during an exciting period in our organisation’s evolution following the recent mergers that created University Hospitals Sussex Foundation Trust, now the fifth biggest Trust in England. Currently we are in the process of transformation of Elective and Trauma services across the Trust. There is a vision of creating two major Non‑Ambulatory Fragility Fracture units to lead pathways outlining the best practice concepts for ensuring patients with all types of fractures receive excellent and equitable NHS care.

Main duties of the job

To support the department in providing Foot and Ankle Service. The post holder will be expected to work across all the sites of the Trust, depending on clinical needs to provide outpatient elective Foot and Ankle clinics, fracture clinics, theatre lists and inpatient ward rounds. The post holder will have full participation in Consultant of the week general trauma on‑call rota. The post may be based at St Richard’s or Worthing hospital, but it is currently under review.

The post holder is expected to play an active role in the Post Graduate Medical Centre delivering regular teaching and training to junior medical staff.

Working for our organisation

At University Hospitals of Sussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

This post will be expected to provide a Foot and Ankle sub‑speciality services, both elective and Trauma across all sites of the Trust. The appointee must be prepared to adapt their pattern of working to fit with the contractual obligations of the Trust and may be required to work across all sites in the Trust. This post has an on‑call commitment as Consultant of the week for provision of general and sub‑speciality foot and ankle trauma. The service is under re‑configuration and being reviewed to harmonise the trauma services across all of the Trust.

The post holder will be supported by postgraduate centres and is expected to play an active role in the Post Graduate Medical Centre delivering regular teaching and training to junior medical staff. Trauma and Orthopaedic department actively supports new consultants to develop their practice by providing a senior mentor consultant and guide. All complex cases are encouraged to be dual operating surgeries with senior consultant.

The postholder is expected to participate in departmental weekly Foot and Ankle MDT and monthly Trauma MDT meetings. These are valuable resources for teaching, training and learning. The post holder will be participating, presenting, and discussing own complex Foot and Ankle and other trauma cases. Daily trauma meetings along with weekly MDT meetings will be incorporated in job plans and are mandatory to attend. There should be evidence of personal development and clinical governance through SPA allocation. Full secretarial support will be provided to the post holder. Mandatory participation is expected in bimonthly departmental Clinical Governance meetings.

The post holder accepts that they will also perform duties in occasional emergencies and unforeseen circumstances at the request of the appropriate consultant, in consultation, where practicable, with their colleagues, both senior and junior. While it has been agreed between the professions that they will perform such duties, the Secretary of State stresses that additional commitments arising under this sub‑section are exceptions and you should not be required to undertake work of this kind for prolonged periods or on a regular basis.

Commissioning Authorities are setting Clinical Quality Standards as part of their contracts. All clinical staff is expected to aim to work to these standards and to any additional standards requested by the Trust Board.

On Call Commitment: Currently on call frequency is 1 in 8 but this is pending review.

Please see the job description and person specification attached to the advert for further details of the post.

Person specification

Experience/ Qualifications

• FRCS – Trauma & Orthopaedics or its recognised equivalent
• Full and specialist registration (with a licence to practise) with the GMC or be eligible for registration within six months of the interview
• If you trained in the UK, you must also have a Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) in Trauma & Orthopaedics or be within six months of receiving it by the interview date
• If you trained outside the UK, you must provide evidence that your qualifications are equivalent to the UK CCT. (Equivalence must be confirmed by GMC by date of AAC)

Clinical Skills and Experience

Demonstrated via logbook

Knowledge

Breadth of experience in and outside specialty

Organisation and Planning

Experience and ability to work in multi‑professional teams. Understanding of NHS / Clinical governance / Resource constraints Evidence of managerial skills: Achievements / Course attended

Teaching Skills

Evidence of an interest and commitment to teaching

Academic and Research

Evidence of participation in audit Prizes and honours Appropriate progression of career to date

Personal Attributes

Good communication skills both oral and written

Important information for applicants:

A Note on AI Use in Applications We value the individuality and authenticity that each candidate brings to the application process. While AI tools are increasingly accessible, we strongly discourage their use in completing your application. Your responses should reflect your own voice, experiences, and motivations—elements that are essential to a fair and accurate evaluation. Applications that rely heavily on AI‑generated content may misrepresent your abilities and could result in your application being rejected. We encourage you to take the time to present your genuine self, as this helps us better understand your potential and ensures a transparent selection process.

Closing Adverts Early: In the event of exceptional interest, we may close adverts earlier than specified. Some of our adverts are capped for a limited number of applications; therefore, the advert will close once the cap has been reached. We therefore encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible if you are interested in the position to prevent you from missing out on applying for the opportunity.

Flexible Working: If you would like to explore potential options regarding flexible working please speak with the appropriate recruiting/line manager.

DBS Checks: As part of our commitment to a safe working environment, we undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check on all new employees where the role is eligible for a criminal record check. We make offers in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1975.

Skilled Worker Visa: Applications for Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome for the roles that meet the Visa and immigration eligibility criteria. For further information please visit the gov.uk website searching for Skilled Worker. It is your responsibility as the applicant to ensure that you meet this criteria.

UHSussex reserves the right to close the role early if we receive a high volume of applications.

Further Information

For help with the application process for Nursing vacancies, please email uhsussex.nursingteam@nhs.net. For help with the application process for Non‑Nursing vacancies, please email uhsussex.nonnursingteam@nhs.net.

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.

Contact Information

Name: Madhu Rao

Job title: Clinical Director, Musculo‑Skeletal Services

Email address: madhu.rao@nhs.net

Telephone number: 01243788122

Additional information: 01243788122 x 33263. Contact after shortlisting.