Specialty Doctor in Dermatology

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; Bedford; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent healthcare provider in Bedford is seeking a highly skilled Specialty Doctor in Dermatology to enhance their team. The successful candidate will manage patient assessments, deliver clinical interventions, and contribute to MDTs. Applicants must possess extensive clinical experience in dermatology and effective teamwork skills. A full GMC registration is essential. This role offers an opportunity to impact patient care positively within a leading hospital setting.

Benefits

Access to high-quality training and development

Supportive work environment

State-of-the-art facilities

Qualifications

• Four years postgraduate experience, two years in Dermatology required.
• Skills for minor surgery and effective communication about medical topics.
• Commitment to ongoing CPD in dermatology.

Responsibilities

• Assessment, investigation and treatment planning of dermatology patients.
• Provision of clinical interventions including skin surgery.
• Participate in skin cancer MDT discussions.

Skills

Clinical judgment

Communication skills

Team working

Problem solving

Coping with pressure

Education

MBBS or equivalent medical qualification

Diploma in Dermatology (desirable)

Full GMC registration

Job description

Specialty Doctor in Dermatology

Closing date is 15 December 2025

We are looking for a highly skilled and motivated individual to join our Dermatology team at Bedford Hospital. The Dermatology service provides outpatient appointments, minor procedures, phototherapy treatment and other nurse led services to the local community.

Applications are invited for the post of Specialty Doctor in Dermatology commencing as soon as possible. The appointment will be for a Full Session (10PA) post.

The service currently comprises four full time Consultant Dermatologists and two Specialty Doctor Dermatologists. The service has the support of two GP with a Special Interest in Dermatology practitioners who hold minor operation sessions.

Clinics are delivered in an allocated outpatient area with consulting rooms, treatment rooms and a phototherapy unit. The latter has equipment for PUVA, TL01, UVB, hand and foot PUVA and scalp treatment and is run by Specialist Dermatology Nurses who also undertake patch testing and acne clinic. The department also provides photodynamic therapy.

Main duties of the job

We are looking for an enthusiastic Dermatology Specialty Doctor to join our busy, motivated team at Bedford Hospital. The successful applicant must have four years postgraduate experience, with at least two years' experience in Dermatology, including general adult and paediatric dermatology and possess appropriate skills for minor surgery. A diploma in Dermatology is desirable.

The postholder will have a continuing responsibility for the care of patients in his/her charge, ensuring safe handover as appropriate. He/she will provide a prompt dermatology opinion on request from colleagues in other specialties.

The postholder will play an integral part in the Dermatology Service. The successful candidate will assist with general dermatology clinics and minor surgery clinics. He/she will help ensure that national targets are met and be an active member of the MDT and clinical meetings. He/she will provide a high quality service in liaison with the other dermatologists, nursing staff and general practitioners.

About us

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, obstetrics‑led maternity and paediatrics.

You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career.

We have state‑of‑the‑art facilities placing us at the heart of cutting‑edge health care. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.

Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. Please ensure that you make your application as soon as possible.

All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering their first six months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required.

Please review all documents attached to this advert to ensure you familiarise yourself with all requirements of the job.

Job responsibilities

Clinical Function

• Assessment, investigation and treatment planning of patients referred to the services.
• Provision of a range of clinical interventions, including skin surgery, cryotherapy, management of leg ulcers and the use of oral and topical treatments as indicated.
• He/she will be required to attend the fortnightly skin cancer MDT where all major cases are discussed.
• At present there is no formal arrangement for out of hours emergency care in dermatology, but the appointee would be expected to provide out of hours emergency advice to colleagues by telephone if requested.
• He/she should contribute to the activity of the department and take on other roles and responsibilities as required. There is a continuous responsibility for teaching, training and supervision of junior staff. Involvement in teaching of undergraduates, nurses and allied health professionals is desirable. The appointee should attend clinical governance meetings and contribute to the audit programme.

Education and Liaison

• Provision of advice and support to the local practitioners/nurses/colleagues in the management of a broad range of dermatological conditions.
• Provision of support and training of GPs, nurses and members of the primary health care team, in the management of common skin conditions to enable other clinicians to improve, develop and maintain their level of competency in the management of skin conditions.

Core Competencies

• The care competencies that the Specialty Doctor will be expected to have will include:
• Evidence that he/she has experience in dermatology and has successfully completed the Diploma in Dermatology (or equivalent) and has experience of about four years working in a dermatology department.
• Evidence of knowledge and skills.
• Commitment to continuing medical education and ongoing CPD in dermatology.
• Evidence of generalist skills:
• Competence in teaching and training and a commitment to cascading knowledge and skills.
• Evidence of audit.
• Evidence of a training record.
• Evidence of maintenance of skills required for the service i.e. courses and self‑directed learning to reflect requirements identified in a personal development plan supported by the Trust.
• Commitment to an annual appraisal in both the specialist interest and generalist areas.
• Evidence of good teamwork with the rest of the dermatology department.

There is a strong commitment to education and training both in the Department of Dermatology and the Trust as a whole, and the postholder will be expected to contribute to this. There will be a commitment on the part of the Trust to actively develop a suitable training programme to develop the candidate to consultant level if desired. The postholder will be responsible to the department and the Trust's board.

This post does not include an on call commitment.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• MBBS or equivalent medical qualification.
• Full GMC registration (GMC licence to practice is mandatory before employment commences).
• Evidence of achievement of foundation competencies by time of appointment in line with GMC standards.
• At least four years' full‑time postgraduate training (or its equivalent gained on a part‑time or flexible basis) with a minimum of two years full‑time clinical experience in this specialty at registrar grade.
• All applicants to have demonstrable skills in written and spoken English that are adequate to enable effective communication about medical topics with patients and colleagues.

Clinical skills

• Relevant specialty clinical knowledge: capacity to apply sound clinical knowledge relevant to the job, specialty knowledge exam.
• Clinical judgement: experience in making clinical decisions and managing risk.

Clinical governance / improving quality of patient care

• Clinical governance: capacity to be alert to dangers or problems. Demonstrates awareness of good decision making.
• Audit: evidence of active participation in audit.
• Teaching: evidence of interest and experience in teaching.
• Demonstrates understanding of the principles of research, evidence of relevant academic and research achievements.
• Effective communication skills: demonstrates clarity in written/spoken communication and capacity to adapt language as appropriate to the situation.
• Empathy and sensitivity: capacity to listen and take in others' perspectives.
• Works in partnership with patients: always considers patients preferences when discussing treatment options.
• Patient survey feedback and reflections.

Personal skills

• Team working: demonstrated experience working in a team, values the input of other professionals in the team.
• Coping with pressure: capacity to operate under pressure.
• Problem solving & decision making: capacity to use logical/lateral thinking to solve problems & make decisions.
• Leadership skills: experience in leadership.

Probity

• Professional integrity and respect for others: capacity to take responsibility for own actions and demonstrate a non‑judgmental approach towards others.
• Learning and personal development: demonstrates interest in the specialty required for the job.
• Specialty exams.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

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.

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust