Job summary
Applications are invited for this substantive Consultant post to join our team of Gastroenterologists and Hepatologists at Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. The appointments will be made in accordance with the terms and conditions of service for the 20consultant contract (England), with clinical duties at the Luton and Dunstable University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (L&D) (10 PA's).
We are seeking a consultant who will complement and strengthen our existing workforce particularly in Hepatology with opportunities for cross site working or a change in base site should the needs of the service and the appointee change at a future date.
Both endoscopy units have held JAG accreditation since 2009. We offer a full range of diagnostic and therapeutic gastroscopy / colonoscopy / nasal endoscopy/ ERCP and General Anaesthesia lists.
A 24 hour GI bleed service is in place on both sites. Provision of weekend endoscopy provides excellent access for patients with GI bleeding or other urgent indications for inpatient endoscopy, ensuring prompt assessment and therapy.
Colon capsule and Cytosponge services are established on the Bedford site and small bowel capsule on the Luton site.
Main duties of the job
The main duties and responsibilities of the post include: -
- To undertake high quality diagnostic and therapeutic upper and lower GI endoscopy.
- To participate in the provision of a high quality out-patient service, including patient administration.
- To manage Gastroenterology in-patients.
- To have a specialty interest and to develop service as required.
- Manage JAG and surveillance pathways for endoscopy.
Other Tasks include: -
- The post-holder will attend and actively participate in the weekly multidisciplinary meetings and weekly governance meetings.
- Active participation in the management and development of the specialty and the introduction of new services.
- Contribute to the educational programme, including departmental meetings and teaching.
- Act as the joint clinical supervisor for Specialist Trainees in Gastroenterology.
- Participate in Departmental Multidisciplinary Team Meetings
- Contribute in the General Medicine educational programme, including weekly department meetings and teaching.
- Undertake high quality medical audit projects and participate in the collection of data required to meet national quality standards.
- Implement audit and research findings as appropriate in clinical practice.
About us
Our 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. Travel between hospital sites may be required.
The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The appointments will be subject to full Occupational Health Clearance and Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check for the successful candidates prior to commencement.
All shortlisted applicants will be expected to visit the hospital prior to interview and to make arrangements to discuss the post.
Please note that all shortlisted candidates will be required to attend a pre-interview assessment process involving the completion of an on-line personality profiling assessment, followed by a 1-1 session, a written exercise and a group assessment event at the hospital. These will be scheduled prior to the interview date; all shortlisted candidates must attend these appointments.
Candidates should note that canvassing any member of the Appointments Committee or The Luton and Dunstable University Hospital Board will disqualify them from appointment. This should however, not deter candidates from approaching any person for further information about this post.
Please see attached job description for more information about this role and working at Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
Closing Date: 8th October 2025
Assessment Date: 5th November 2025
Interview Date: 17th November 2025
Job description
Job responsibilities
The appointments will be subject to full Occupational Health Clearance and Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check for the successful candidates prior to commencement.
All shortlisted applicants will be expected to visit the hospital prior to interview and to make arrangements to discuss the post.
Please note that all shortlisted candidates will be required to attend a pre-interview assessment process involving the completion of an on-line personality profiling assessment, followed by a 1-1 session, a written exercise and a group assessment event at the hospital. These will be scheduled prior to the interview date; all shortlisted candidates must attend these appointments.
Candidates should note that canvassing any member of the Appointments Committee or The Luton and Dunstable University Hospital Board will disqualify them from appointment. This should however, not deter candidates from approaching any person for further information about this post.
Please see attached job description for more information about this role and working at Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
Closing Date: 8th October 2025
Assessment Date: 5th November 2025
Interview Date: 17th November 2025
Person Specification
Personnel Circumstances
Essential
- Residence within 10 miles by road or up to thirty minutes travelling time of the hospital for purposes of on-call emergencies.
- Fit to undertake the role with satisfactory Occupational Health clearance
- Satisfactory DBS clearance
Training
Essential
- Training and experience equivalent to that required for UK CCT (or within 6 months of it being issued).
Registration
Essential
- Entry on GMC Specialist Register in General Medicine and Gastroenterology
- Eligibility to enter on the Specialist register within 6 months from the time of the interview and hold a full Licence to Practice.
- Full GMC Registration (GMC licence to practice is mandatory before employment commences)
Qualification
Essential
- Medical Degree
- Relevant postgraduate qualification - MRCP
Desirable
- MD or equivalent Higher Degree or evidence of relevant research
Clinical Experience
Essential
- Excellent all round experience of DGH work
- Evidence of thorough and broad training and experience in Gastroenterology and General Medicine
- Able to take full and independent responsibility for delivering service without direct supervision.
- JAG accreditation or equivalence with evidence of ongoing endoscopy expertise
Desirable
Clinical Effectiveness
Essential
- Understanding of clinical governance and ability to demonstrate ongoing CPD
- Participation in relevant local audits
- Experience of guideline appraisal.
- Ability to interpret and apply clinical research.
Desirable
- Participation in relevant national audits.
- Recent published clinical research in peer reviewed journal.
Teaching
Essential
- Experience and Knowledge to teach all grades of trainees and medical student
Desirable
- Has attended Teaching the Teachers or similar course
Personnel Skills
Essential
- Ability to co-operate in a democratic team environment
- Flexible attitude, team player with good management skills
- Leadership Skills
Clinical Governance
Essential
- Able to demonstrate a broad understanding of the principles and elements of clinical governance.
Person Specification
Personnel Circumstances
Essential
- Residence within 10 miles by road or up to thirty minutes travelling time of the hospital for purposes of on-call emergencies.
- Fit to undertake the role with satisfactory Occupational Health clearance
- Satisfactory DBS clearance
Training
Essential
- Training and experience equivalent to that required for UK CCT (or within 6 months of it being issued).
Registration
Essential
- Entry on GMC Specialist Register in General Medicine and Gastroenterology
- Eligibility to enter on the Specialist register within 6 months from the time of the interview and hold a full Licence to Practice.
- Full GMC Registration (GMC licence to practice is mandatory before employment commences)
Qualification
Essential
- Medical Degree
- Relevant postgraduate qualification - MRCP
Desirable
- MD or equivalent Higher Degree or evidence of relevant research
Clinical Experience
Essential
- Excellent all round experience of DGH work
- Evidence of thorough and broad training and experience in Gastroenterology and General Medicine
- Able to take full and independent responsibility for delivering service without direct supervision.
- JAG accreditation or equivalence with evidence of ongoing endoscopy expertise
Desirable
Clinical Effectiveness
Essential
- Understanding of clinical governance and ability to demonstrate ongoing CPD
- Participation in relevant local audits
- Experience of guideline appraisal.
- Ability to interpret and apply clinical research.
Desirable
- Participation in relevant national audits.
- Recent published clinical research in peer reviewed journal.
Teaching
Essential
- Experience and Knowledge to teach all grades of trainees and medical student
Desirable
- Has attended Teaching the Teachers or similar course
Personnel Skills
Essential
- Ability to co-operate in a democratic team environment
- Flexible attitude, team player with good management skills
- Leadership Skills
Clinical Governance
Essential
- Able to demonstrate a broad understanding of the principles and elements of clinical governance.
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Requirements
See the job description for full role requirements.
Benefits
Benefits are provided by the employer and will be confirmed during your application.
