Consultant Thoracic Surgeon

Royal Papworth Hospital Nhs Foundation Trust; Cambourne; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Royal Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust in Cambridge seeks a substantive Consultant Surgeon with extensive experience in adult thoracic surgery. You will join an established NHS team, delivering specialist surgical care, running fixed operating sessions with occasional Saturday lists, and contributing to on‑call roaster and academic activities.

The post emphasizes training, research and audit, with collaboration across a multidisciplinary team to maintain the highest standards and patient

Qualifications

• MBBS/FRCS with GMC licence to practise.
• CCT/CESR or European rights for Cardiothoracic Surgery.
• Significant post‑CCT experience in adult thoracic surgery required.

Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive assessment, treatment and follow‑up for thoracic surgery patients.
• Develop and cover thoracic surgery operating sessions and MDTs to maximise utilisation.
• Lead teaching programmes for medical students, junior doctors and allied staff.

Skills

Post‑CCT experience

VATS lobectomy

Open thoracic procedures

Thoracic oncology MDT

Thoracic trauma

Leadership of multidisciplinary team

Medical education

Clinical research & audits

Education

MBBS/FRCS (CTh) or equivalent; GMC license

GMC Specialist Register for Cardiothoracic Surgery (CCT/CESR/EC rights)

Eligibility for specialist registration at start

Tools

RATS robotic thoracic systems

Job description

Job summary

This is a Substantive Consultant Surgeon post at Papworth Hospital. The post-holder will be expected to be proficient in adult general thoracic surgery as practiced in the UK.

The post-holder will work with the existing team of NHS Consultant Surgeons.

This job is currently based around fixed operating sessions and flexible cover for the other thoracic surgery sessions (currently 6 operating days Mon-Fri with ad-hoc Saturday lists).

Main duties of the job

Have responsibility for patients admitted under the care of the thoracic surgical service, and provide assessment, treatment and follow up for patients requiring thoracic surgery. Provide a cohesive service with the other Consultants and contribute to the smooth running of Thoracic Services.

Maximise thoracic surgery operating session use through developing and providing cover for both external and internal MDTs.

Contribute to the training of junior doctors in accordance with standards required by college, Postgraduate Dean and hospital. Demonstrate a commitment to continuing professional development and work with the team to build the academic activities of the thoracic surgery group.

Work with the team to support thoracic surgical / oncological related research, as part of an agreed research programme, and to contribute to audit activities.

The on‑call Consultant Surgeon at Papworth Hospital also provides cover for thoracic trauma at Addenbrooke's Hospital and occasional, emergency cases from the rest of the Eastern Region.

The post holder will participate in an on‑call consultant rota for thoracic surgery which is on a 1 in 4 basis. Currently there are separate on‑call rotas for thoracic surgery, cardiac surgery and cardiothoracic transplant surgery, and the surgical group works effectively together.

Clinical support is provided by the resident surgical team, advanced nurse practitioners who are ward based and surgical care practitioners (SCP) on a firm and rota system.

About us

Royal Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is the UK's leading heart and lung hospital, delivering care to more than 50,000 patients a year in its new state‑of‑the‑art hospital in Cambridge. We perform the most heart and/or lung transplants in the UK and carried out the UK's first successful heart transplant in 1979. It also offers emergency heart attack treatment, sleep centre care and is one of just five centres nationally for those in severe respiratory failure.

Based on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus the largest centre of medical research and health science in Europe the Trust is at the heart of treatments of the future. Royal Papworth became the first hospital trust in the country to be rated outstanding in all five areas assessed by the Care Quality Commission - a rating it still holds today. The Trust holds its values of compassion, excellence & collaboration at its core, and all colleagues joining the team are expected to uphold these in their day‑to‑day roles & interactions. Royal Papworth is proud of its diverse workforce and encourages people to embrace their individuality.

The Trust values difference and welcomes all applications irrespective of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy & maternity, race, religion & belief, sex and sexual orientation. Providing they meet the minimum post criteria, applicants with disabilities will be offered an interview.

For a street view tour: https://royalpapworth.nhs.uk/virtual-tour

Job responsibilities

On this page you will find a Role Profile which provides information about the hospital and full details about the role. We recommend that you review this and refer to it as you complete your application. Please include how you will meet the Trust Values Compassion, Excellence and Collaboration. If you would like more information about the role or working at Royal Papworth Hospital, please get in touch with the contact for this role.

Qualifications

Essential

• Primary medical qualification (MBBS, MBChB, or equivalent) FRCS (CTh) or equivalent Full GMC registration with licence to practise
• Entry on the GMC Specialist Register for Cardiothoracic Surgery via CCT, CESR, or European Community Rights
• Eligible for specialist registration on commencement of the post

Desirable

• Higher degree (MD, PhD, or equivalent) in a relevant discipline Postgraduate qualification in medical education
• Existing substantive NHS consultant status

Experience

Essential

• Significant post‑CCT experience in adult thoracic surgery, or equivalent consultant‑level independent practice
• Demonstrable volume of lung resections, including VATS anatomical resections
• Experience in managing thoracic oncology patients within an MDT setting
• Experience in thoracic trauma management
• Evidence of excellent clinical outcomes commensurate with a world‑class thoracic surgery centre
• Independently performs VATS lobectomy and sublobar resections
• Competent in open thoracic procedures including sleeve resections, chest wall resection, and mediastinal procedures
• Capable of managing thoracic surgical emergencies independently
• Proficient in diagnostic and therapeutic bronchoscopy
• Demonstrated ability to lead a multi‑professional clinical team
• Experience in service development and contributing to departmental strategy
• Understanding of NHS structures, governance, and consultant accountability
• Ability to manage clinical resources effectively, including theatre utilisation
• Experience in organising and delivering teaching programmes to medical students, junior doctors, and allied health professionals
• Training in educational supervision and appraisal
• Commitment to training and professional development of the wider surgical team, including SCPs
• Understanding of research methodology and clinical trial design
• Active involvement in clinical research with evidence of output
• Record of initiating, completing, and presenting clinical audit projects
• Demonstrated commitment to clinical governance and patient safety
• Experience in morbidity and mortality review processes
• Excellent communication skills -- able to engage effectively and sensitively with patients, families, and colleagues
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively within a multi‑disciplinary team
• Leadership skills including the ability to motivate, mentor, and support colleagues
• Flexible, adaptable, and resilient under pressure
• Commitment to the Trust values of compassion, excellence, and collaboration
• Professional integrity and accountability
• Ability to participate in a 1:4 on‑call rota,
• Willingness to work flexibly across sites when clinical need requires
• Eligibility to live and work in the UK
• Occupational health clearance
• Enhanced DBS disclosure

Desirable

• Experience in robotic thoracic surgery (RATS)
• Subspecialty expertise in lung volume reduction surgery, hyperinflation procedures, chest wall reconstruction, or airway surgery
• Experience in lung transplantation
• Track record of delivering enhanced recovery programmes
• Robotic thoracic surgical skills (CMR Versius or equivalent platform)
• Track record of delivering organisational change or service transformation
• Postgraduate certificate, diploma, or Master's in medical education
• Educational supervisor recognition by the GMC or Postgraduate Deanery
• Faculty on national or international surgical courses
• Higher research degree (MD, PhD, or MPhil by thesis)
• Peer‑reviewed publications as first or senior author in thoracic surgery
• Successful grant applications or research funding track record
• Invited lectures or presentations at national or international meetings
• Quality improvement qualification (e.g. IHI, NHS QI training)
• Published audit or quality improvement outcomes
• Participation in national clinical audits (e.g. SCTS, NLCA)
• Mentor or coaching qualification
• Full driving licence

Additional Criteria

Essential

• Please provide evidence of your commitment to uphold the Trust's values: Compassion, Excellence, Collaboration

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.

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).

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).