Locum Consultant General Paediatrician/Paediatric Assessment Unit

The Methodist Church in Britain; Grimsby; On-site; GBP 85,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a fixed-term locum consultant in General Paediatrics to lead the Paediatric Assessment Unit (PAU) team. The role focuses on rapid assessment and treatment of acutely unwell children, with coordination of referral pathways and involvement in on-call duties.

The successful candidate will have MRCPCH and GMC registration (or be within 6 months of CCT at interview) and participate in teaching, research and service development activities.

Qualifications

• MRCPCH by examination or equivalent.
• Full GMC registration.
• GMC Specialist Register or within 6 months of CCT at time of interview.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert clinical care and decision-making for acutely unwell children
• Lead and supervise the PAU clinical team
• Coordinate referral pathways and liaise with primary and community care
• Contribute to clinical decision-making, referral management, patient flow and leadership in the PAU
• Support quality improvement, clinical governance and service innovation
• Participate in teaching, research and development initiatives
• Contribute to the General Paediatric on-call rota and outpatient clinics

Skills

Unsupervised decision making

Communication skills

Time management

Good Medical Practice

Education

MRCPCH by examination or equivalent

Job description

This fixed-term locum consultant post, covering 12 months of maternity leave, sits in the General Paediatrics team at Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust, linked to its Paediatric Assessment Unit (PAU). The work centres on rapid assessment and treatment of acutely unwell children, leading the PAU clinical team, coordinating referral pathways with primary and community care, and contributing to the general paediatric on-call rota. The unit is due to open in early 2027 and will take direct urgent referrals that bypass the Emergency Department, with discharge targeted within 12 hours. Applicants need MRCPCH and must be on the GMC Specialist Register or within six months of CCT at interview.

What the job involves

• Provide expert clinical care and decision-making for acutely unwell children
• Lead and supervise the PAU clinical team
• Coordinate referral pathways and liaise with primary and community care
• Contribute to clinical decision-making, referral management, patient flow and leadership in the PAU
• Support quality improvement, clinical governance and service innovation
• Participate in teaching, research and development initiatives
• Contribute to the General Paediatric on-call rota and outpatient clinics

Qualifications

• MRCPCH by examination or equivalent

Registration & licences

• Full GMC registration
• GMC Specialist Register or within 6 months of CCT at time of scheduled interview

Experience

• Demonstrated competencies equivalent to highest specialist paediatric training

Skills & knowledge

• Willing to work unsupervised and make decisions
• Good communication skills, including communicating bad news
• Demonstrated ability to manage time effectively
• Meets the requirements of the GMC's Good Medical Practice

Other

• Ability to fulfil all duties of the post, including on-call and travel
• Valid BLS training
• Valid Level 3 safeguarding training

Nice to have

• Higher degree, e.g. MSc, MD or PhD in paediatrics
• Experience working in the NHS
• Wider experience, research and training in providing subspecialty service
• Valid APLS or equivalent
• Knowledge of risk management, annual job planning and appraisal processes