Specialty Doctor Anaesthetics

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.

The candidate will be expected to be able to integrate within the team of existing anaesthetists in order to provide a comprehensive anaesthetic and critical care service. The successful candidate would be expected to be clinically competent in providing anesthesia for a wide range of specialities and be competent on critical care in and out of hours with local and distant supervision.

The postholder will have a dedicated mentor and supervisor to support and facilitate their progress and development. The postholder would be expected to participate in a yearly appraisal.

The Department has recently appointed a consultant whose role includes developing a CESR pathway and supporting those who wish to gain CESR. We would aim to provide support for those interested in gaining CESR and to enhance the portfolio of those who are not in training. Support will be given to those who wish to undertake the FRCA and the successful applicant would be encouraged to attend both local and regional teaching.

Duties and Responsibilities of the Post

The successful applicant would join a team of consultants, specialty doctors, fellows and rotational trainees who provide anaesthesia and critical care in a District General Hospital. The majority of the workload would be in theatres where elective anaesthesia is provided for orthopaedics, ENT, plastics, gynaecology, general surgery, urology, max fax, ophthalmology, cardiology, obstetrics and vascular. The emergency theatre is staffed 24/7 and a trauma theatre is staffed 08:00-18:00 every day, which also runs on Bank Holidays.

Job Plan

The job plan is based on 10 PA job plan with a 1:16 pattern with 7 long days and nights. Long Day (LD) shifts are 08:00-20:30 and nights (N) are 20:00-08:30. This is in keeping with the new SAS contract. Day (D) work would be mainly in elective theatres unless otherwise agreed in the job plan.

• 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

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…