Resident Doctor ST3/4 (MN37), General Surgery | West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust; Watford; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A public healthcare institution in Watford is looking for a medical professional to enhance their emergency surgery team. The candidate will participate in elective and emergency work, liaise with other medical staff, and support patient management while benefiting from hands-on surgical experience. This position offers an exciting chance to work across multiple hospital sites and contribute to innovative healthcare solutions. Opportunities for research and professional growth are provided, along with a focus on staff wellbeing and flexible work arrangements.

Benefits

Flexible working options

Professional development opportunities

Qualifications

• Experience in general surgery and emergency procedures.
• Ability to assist in elective operating theatres.
• Capability to liaise with other medical staff for patient care.

Responsibilities

• Manage patients in the colorectal clinic and during ward rounds.
• Assist in elective and emergency surgeries.
• Conduct research and audits within the department.

Skills

Emergency surgery experience

Team leadership

Patient management

Education

Primary medical degree

Basic surgical training

Job description

The post will be fully integrated into the department's elective and emergency workload. The successful candidate will be part of a 1:12 rota, covering emergencies in General Surgery. On‑call duties are supported by two F1s during the day and one F1 at night, accompanied by a SHO day and night. The emergency team is supported by three dedicated emergency consultants working alongside the speciality consultant. The post may involve working across three sites at Watford General Hospital, Hemel Hempstead General Hospital and St Albans City Hospital. The successful candidate will work alongside the SpR trainees and will have full support from their teams and supervisors, enabling them to advance their experience and knowledge in elective and emergency surgery. It provides an excellent opportunity for ‘hands‑on’ operative experience working with highly experienced consultants. Watford is recognised as an advanced centre for laparoscopic work and training, particularly in Upper GI and colorectal surgery, where virtually all elective cases are performed by this technique.

The appointment will be expected to liaise with the other unit registrars and SHOs to ensure daily ward rounds of the patients of the unit consultants at Watford General Hospital. The successful candidate will work within the Upper GI department on the elective rota and on the on‑call rota. Elective duties will be under the supervision of a named consultant and include seeing and assessing patients in the colorectal clinic, assisting in elective operating theatres, and carrying out administrative duties to support patient care. The successful candidate will also be responsible for leading some ward rounds and feeding back to the supervising consultant where appropriate, and helping more junior medical staff in the management of inpatients. On‑call work will involve reviewing and organising management plans for emergency admissions in general surgery and assisting with or carrying out emergency surgery for those requiring it in accordance with the level of experience and competencies. With a new hospital planned for Watford, work underway to update theatres at St Albans City Hospital and plans for a neighbourhood healthcare centre in Hemel Hempstead, this is an exciting time to join us.

We are building on the success of our award‑winning virtual hospital and re‑imagining models of care, working closely with partners and taking advantage of advances in digital healthcare. Staff wellbeing and development are a priority, as is the role of innovation in improving clinical care, outcomes and patient experience. Our vision is Excellent patient care, together and our values are to be empowered, compassionate, professional and inclusive. They capture an important balance across what we must all do as individuals and to support others. We offer a variety of flexible working options as we recognise the importance of a good work‑life balance.

Workplace and inclusion: If you have a disability or long‑term health condition and require support or guidance please contact [e-mail]. If you are a Service Leaver, Veteran, Military Reserve, Cadet Force Adult Volunteer, or partner/spouse of those serving please tick “Member of the Armed Forces Community” on the application form. We reserve the right to close this advert early due to the volume of applicants. Please apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. If you do not hear back within 3 weeks of your application, please assume you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.

Watford General Hospital is a busy district general hospital, close to Greater London, with a significant number of emergency and elective cases. There will be exposure to major vascular, colorectal and Upper GI cases as well as breast cancer surgery. The team structures are ‘firm‑based’, which benefits continuity of care and provides an excellent training environment. The successful candidate is expected to perform audits and help with conducting research within the department. The whole educational programme will be discussed and adjusted at the beginning of the placement to meet the post‑takers’ training needs. Study leave can also be provided to facilitate this.

The duties and responsibilities outlined in the job description although comprehensive are not definitive and you may be required to perform other duties at the request of your manager. This job description is designed to reflect duties currently incorporated in this post. These may change in the light of changes in the service provided by the Trust. Any such changes will be fully discussed with the post holder. It is the responsibility of all staff to be aware of the risks in their working environment and to ensure that all working practices are undertaken in such a way that risks are minimised. All staff must report risks in line with Trust policy and take the necessary action to ensure that colleagues, patients, and visitors are not exposed to unnecessary or avoidable risk.

This advert closes on Tuesday 23 Dec 2025.