Consultant in Trauma & Orthopaedics with an interest in Spinal Surgery

Consultant in Trauma & Orthopaedics with an interest in Spinal Surgery

Consultant

Main area Trauma & Orthopaedics Grade Consultant Contract Permanent Hours Full time - 10 sessions per week Job ref 418-M-TO-360

Site Luton & Dunstable Hospital Town Luton Salary £113,565 - £150,569 10PA Salary period Yearly Closing 04/10/2026 23:59

Job overview

This post complements an enthusiastic DGH spinal surgery clinical service (as part of a wide multispecialty orthopaedic team). This is well supported by the regional clinical network.

The appointee will be based primarily at Luton and Dunstable Hospital but with some clinical sessions at Bedford Hospital.

The appointee will be encouraged and supported in developing their own specialty interests in Spinal Surgery within the overall job plan and to improve the pathway for patients. The post brings the Spinal team to 3 consultants, supported by a dedicated spinal coordinator and middle grade doctors on their spinal rotation.

We have a weekly MDT consisting of Spinal Surgeons, Pain physicians, Radiologists, and Therapists. We also work closely with our local community MSK service providers to deliver ‘mentoring’ of elective referrals.

Main duties of the job

The appointee will perform general on call and trauma commitments as well as specialist spinal surgical management.

Teaching and training of intermediate grade and junior medical staff, nursing staff and medical students.

To actively participate in both departmental and Trust matters concerning Clinical Governance and audit.

To have responsibility for and actively participate in continuing professional development (CPD).

Undertake elective clinics, fracture clinics, virtual fracture clinics and regular elective spinal surgery lists

Non specialist major surgery consisting of lumbar discectomy, posterior lumbar decompression, posterior lateral lumbar fusion, transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion and anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (all procedures are either one-level or two-level cases) - Paediatric spinal surgery and spinal deformity surgery (either paediatric or adult) will not be performed as part of this post.

Undertake triage and mentoring activities to streamline elective referrals from community providers

Provide specialist spinal advice and guidance to other specialties for both outpatients and inpatients, accepting referrals where there is a realistic expectation of a surgical target.

Participate in the weekly spinal MDT.

Some clinical sessions will be scheduled at Bedford Hospital, as we work together to further develop the joint working strategy of the departments across the merged organisation.

Working for our organisation

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. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.

Our values

We not only recruit based on qualifications and experience - we recruit individuals who demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. We achieve this by using values based recruitment. We are dedicated to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone, we are committed to promoting equality and diversity, and creating a culture that values differences.

Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering first 6 months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all documents attached to ensure you familiarize yourself with all requirements of the job

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Maintenance of the highest clinical standards in the management of allTrauma & Orthopaedic and Spinal surgery patients.

To share with colleagues in the Trauma & Orthopaedic Departments the management of Trauma and Orthopaedic patients requiring admission.

The appointee will perform general on call and trauma commitments as well as specialist spinal surgical management.

Teaching and training of intermediate grade and junior medical staff, nursing staff and medical students.

To actively participate in both departmental and Trust matters concerning Clinical Governance and audit.

To have responsibility for and actively participate in continuing professional development (CPD).

Undertake elective clinics, fracture clinics and virtual fracture clinics.

Undertake regular elective spinal surgery lists including diagnostic and therapeutic spinal injections.

Non specialist major surgery consisting of lumbar discectomy, posterior lumbar decompression, posterior lateral lumbar fusion, transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion and anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (all procedures are either one-level or two-level cases) - Paediatric spinal surgery and spinal deformity surgery (either paediatric or adult) will not be performed as part of this post.

Undertake triage and mentoring activities to streamline elective referrals from community providers

Provide specialist spinal advice and guidance to other specialties for both outpatients and inpatients, accepting referrals where there is a realistic expectation of a surgical target.

Participate in the weekly spinal MDT.

Although based at Luton & Dunstable University Hospital, some clinical sessions will be scheduled at Bedford Hospital, as we work together to further develop the joint working strategy of the departments across the merged organisation.

Job Closes: 04.10.26

AAC Date: 09.11.26

Person specification

Qualification

• Medical Degree
• FRCS (Trauma & Orthopaedics) or equivalent
• MD or equivalent Higher Degree or evidence of relevant research

Registration

• Full GMC Registration with a licence to practice
• To be within 6-months of attaining UK CCT OR To have submitted CESR paperwork and awaiting decision AND Training and experience equivalent to that required for UK CCT An appropriate higher trauma and orthopaedic surgical qualification
• Entry onto the GMC Specialist Register in Trauma and Orthopaedics

Clinical Experience

• Knowledge and experience in subspecialty of Spinal Surgery
• Knowledge and experience in General Trauma
• Evidence of thorough and broad training and experience in Trauma & Orthopaedics
• Able to take full and independent responsibility for clinical work and delivering service without direct supervision
• Comprehensive knowledge in Trauma and Orthopaedics and ability to offer expert clinical opinion on range of problems, both trauma and elective orthopaedics.
• Evidence of subspecialty training or fellowship out of region
• Record of regular attendance at national specialty meetings in Spinal Surgery

Clinical Effectiveness

• Understanding of clinical governance and ability to demonstrate ongoing CPD
• Experience of guideline appraisal
• Participation in relevant local audits
• Ability to interpret and apply clinical research
• Participation in relevant national audits

Teaching

• Knowledge and ability to teach all grades of trainees and medical students
• Understands learner centred teaching
• Has attended Teaching the Teachers or similar course
• Interest in teaching medical, nursing and other groups of staff

Personnel Skills and Knowledge

• Ability to co-operate in a democratic team environment
• Flexible attitude, team player with good management skills
• Ability to adapt and respond to changing circumstances and work under pressure
• Have a commitment to CME/CPD
• Possess an enquiring and critical approach to work
• Knowledge and experience of Safeguarding for Children and Adults
• Ability to manage and lead a department

Clinical Governance

• Able to demonstrate a broad understanding of the principles and elements of clinical governance
• An interest which improves the Spinal Surgery pathway in all aspects
• Evidence of implementing relevant evidence based medicine

Personnel Circumstances

• 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
• Satisfactory Trust health screening prior to appointment

Communication and Language Skills

• Excellent verbal and written skills in English
• Ability to communicate effectively with clinical colleagues, other specialities and support staff

It is an exciting time to join Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. We run two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Our 7,500 staff provide high quality care for a growing population of around 700,000 across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas.

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. Travel between hospital sites may be required. 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.

All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering their first six months in post.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Name Gemma Thomas Job title Senior Service Manager Additional information

Mr Jim Gray

Clinical Lead (Quality) for Trauma and Orthopaedics

Via Mr Gray’s secretary on

L ynda Linbourne

General Manager for Trauma and Orthopaedics, Urology and Vascular Surgery

Via Mr Gray’s secretary on

#J-18808-Ljbffr