Job Description

Trust Doctor in the Department of Cardiac Surgery

We are inviting applications to fill our Trust Doctor (ST6+) vacancy at The Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust in the Department of Adult Cardiac Surgery. This post will commence in October 2026 and is fixed term for 6 months initially with a possibility of extension.

The LTHT is the largest NHS Trust in the UK and is the Regional Centre for Cardiothoracic Surgery.

The Yorkshire Heart Centre is based at Leeds General Infirmary and serves the population of West Yorkshire. The adult unit has the capacity to perform approximately 1000 open heart operations per year. It has two theatres, 12 ITU beds, and one dedicated cardiac surgical ward.

The hospital has a busy A&E department and an active interventional cardiology programme, including TAVI.

The Trust has a well-stocked library and there is access to the University’s library as well. Cardiac surgery offers a busy teaching and training schedule.

Why You Should Join Our Team

The appointee will support the middle tier (Registrar level) of the medical organisation which maintains a “firm” structure. The successful candidate will usually spend two days in the operating theatres, one half day in outpatients, and one day in the adult Cardiac Intensive Care Unit on a weekly basis. You will take part in the registrar on-call rota. Currently this is resident 1 in 10.

The Trust Doctor will have the opportunity to attend and contribute to the teaching programmes within the department. You will be expected to take an active part in the audit programme. There is a wet lab facility. The Clinical Director will agree an appropriate programme of CPD and Appraisal with the postholder.

Criteria

What You Will Bring to the Role

• MBBS or equivalent medical qualification
• FRCS or equivalent medical qualification
• Advanced Life Support Certificate from the Resuscitation Council UK or equivalent (as required to complete Foundation competences) by intended start date
• FRCS (CTh or equivalent) (desirable)
• Is up to date and fit to practise safely and is aware of own training needs
• Be eligible for full registration with, and hold a current licence to practise from, the GMC at intended start date
• Eligibility to work in the UK
• Candidates must meet professional health requirements
• All Applicants must have demonstrable skills in written and spoken English
• Significant experience at registrar level after full GMC registration or equivalent, and evidence of achievement of foundation competences, in line with GMC standards / Good Medical Practice. As well as significant experience in medical/surgical specialties.
• Evidence of achievement of CT/ST1 competencies in medicine or Surgery (as defined by the curricula relating to Core Medical training or Core Surgical Training)
• Previous clinical experience within the UK/NHS
• Ability to provide details of full employment history
• Evidence of career progression and achievements in line with totality of training period
• Evidence of involvement in an audit/quality improvement/formal research project (desirable)
• Evidence of interest in, and experience of teaching with implementation of feedback from teaching (desirable)
• Demonstrates an interest in and commitment to Cardiac Surgery beyond the mandatory curriculum (desirable)
• Experience in independent operating or supervised undergoing full cardiac surgical operations (desirable)
• Ability to apply sound clinical knowledge and judgement to problems including initial management of an acutely ill patient
• Ability to prioritise clinical need whilst maximising safety and minimising risk
• Demonstrates understanding of the basic principles of audit, clinical risk management, evidence-based practice & clinical improvement initiatives
• Aptitude for practical skills, e.g. manual dexterity (desirable)
• Successful completion of relevant skills course(s) (desirable)
• Evidence of academic & research achievements (desirable)