Consultant in Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery

Countess of Chester; Chester; On-site; GBP 114,000 - 151,000; Full time

Job summary

Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Consultant in Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery to join our expanding department in Chester. The post focuses on skin cancer referrals and general plastic services, with a 10-session per week timetable and on-call commitments.

The successful candidate should have FRCS (Plast) or GMC Specialist Registration, with a strong track record in skin cancer management and orthoplastic experience.

Qualifications

• FRCS (Plast) or equivalent registration on GMC Specialist Register is required.
• Current GMC Specialist Register or within 6 months of CCT/CCST is required.
• Fellowship in orthoplastic or lower limb trauma is desirable.
• Other relevant fellowships are desirable.

Responsibilities

• Care for patients referred by GPs and hospital departments; undertake clinics, ward rounds and lists.
• Participate in a 1 in 4 on-call service; on-call from home for advice.
• Manage skin cancer referrals and support general plastic services.

Skills

Clinical expertise

Skincare/skin cancer focus

Teaching/Training experience

On-call service

Education

FRCS (Plast) or equivalent

GMC Specialist Register for Plastic Surgery or within 6 months of CCT/CCST

Fellowship in orthoplastic/lower limb trauma

Other specialist fellowship

Job description

Consultant in Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery

Consultant

Main area Plastic Surgery Grade Consultant Contract Permanent Hours Full time - 10 sessions per week (Plus on-call) Job ref 210-2026-711

Site Countess of Chester Hospital Town Chester Salary £113,565 - £150,569 pa Salary period Yearly Closing 04/11/2026 23:59

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

Working Full time: 10 sessions per week

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a full-time consultant in Plastic & Reconstructive surgery to join our expanding department in the beautiful city of Chester. This role is predominantly to aid with a surge in demand of skin cancer referrals as well as supporting general plastic services. The successful candidate will be expected to have an interest in general plastic surgery with a large proportion of skin cancer cases making up the bulk of elective work. The post also involves some orthoplastic support for lower limb cases in Oswestry as well as locally.

Permanent and locum applications will be considered.

Main duties of the job

Duties and Responsibilities

The appointee will be responsible for the care of patients referred by general practitioners, other hospital departments and will undertake clinics, ward rounds and theatre lists. ‘Programmed Activities’ as appropriate. The job plan will be a 10PA job plan which will be agreed in discussion between the successful candidate, the Lead Clinician in Plastic Surgery, and with Planned Care operational management team. This will be subject to Annual Review.

On-Call Commitment

The appointee will be expected to participate in a 1 in 4 on call service. This is currently under review and subject to change. Consultant on call from home, generally for telephone advice for junior doctors.

Working for our organisation

The Trust’s services are provided from three locations:

• 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 & Skills

• FRCS (Plast)
• On GMC Specialist Register for Plastic Surgery or within 6 months of CCT/CCST at the time of application
• Fellowship or equivalent experience in orthoplastic /lower limb trauma
• Other specialist fellowship

Clinical Experience and Effectiveness

• Wide clinical experience in general Plastic Surgery
• Independent management of skin cancer and experience in orthoplastic / lower limb trauma
• Independent management of all plastic and hand trauma
• Other sub interests such as breast, hand or skin are also desirable

Teaching & Training Experience

• Experience /Interest teaching
• Training the Trainers Course
• Other Teaching skill Courses or qualifications

Management & Administrative Experience

• Demonstrate the use of Clinical Audit within the Service
• Demonstrate the use of research and evidence base to practice
• Relevant experience in undertaking and organisation of Audit
• Research and publications relevant to post

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.

Name Mr Rishi Sharma Job title Consultant Plastic Surgeon/Clinical Lead Email address [e-mail] Telephone number 01244 366265