Locum Consultant in Anaesthesia

Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust Locum Consultant in Anaesthesia (Special Interest in Adult Cardiac) The closing date is 21 December 2025 An exciting opportunity has arisen to join one of the UK's most accomplished anaesthetic departments as a Locum Consultant in Anaesthesia, specialising in Adult Cardiac and Vascular Anaesthesia. This fixed-term post provides the chance to contribute to a highly respected clinical service, renowned for its progressive approach, academic productivity, and outstanding multidisciplinary collaboration. You will join a large, diverse consultant body that has expanded significantly in recent years to support the growth of peri-operative services across Guy's and St Thomas' sites. The successful candidate will bring strong clinical expertise in adult cardiac and vascular anaesthesia, alongside enthusiasm for service development, education, research, and leadership within a complex tertiary environment. We particularly welcome applicants with subspecialist or niche expertise, innovative practice, or academic interests that enhance the breadth of skills within our large consultant team. This post will sit within a dynamic service committed to delivering exemplary patient care, improving peri-operative pathways, and advancing excellence in training, governance, and quality improvement. Main duties of the job The postholder will play a key role within the internationally recognised cardiac service at St Thomas' Hospital, one of the UK's busiest centres with four cardiac theatres and over 1100 adult procedures performed annually. The team delivers the full range of modern cardiac surgery, including CABG, valve, aortic and adult congenital cases. Clinical responsibilities include providing anaesthesia for cardiac surgery and supporting the UK's largest structural heart intervention programme, including TAVI and complex mitral/tricuspid procedures. The role also supports interventional cardiology, electrophysiology and pacing lead extraction, as well as complex vascular and major surgery, with opportunities to develop expertise in major aortic work and peri-operative optimisation. The postholder will contribute to postoperative care within the 11-bedded Overnight Intensive Recovery Unit, working with the team of 15 cardiac anaesthetists to provide Level 2-3 support. There are extensive opportunities in education and research, including teaching a large trainee cohort and collaborating with national leaders in peri-operative research, QI and innovation. The role includes involvement in service planning, governance, pathway development and enhanced recovery. This post does not include paediatric anaesthesia or management of cardiac surgical patients in general ICU. About us Working at Guy's & St Thomas' means joining one of the UK's most innovative and academically active clinical environments. The Theatre, Anaesthesia and Peri-operative Medicine (TAP) Directorate has expanded significantly and now includes over 100 consultants with wide-ranging subspecialty expertise and national leadership roles. We foster a culture of innovation, continuous learning and clinical excellence, with strong involvement in research, quality improvement and national professional bodies. As part of King's Health Partners, an Academic Health Science Centre, we integrate high-quality clinical care with world-class research and education. Our work is highly collaborative, involving cardiac surgery, cardiology, vascular and thoracic surgery, critical care and peri-operative medicine. The Trust is committed to sustainable workforce models, advanced peri-operative pathways and equitable patient access. Education is central to our mission, with over 100 anaesthetic trainees, clinical fellows and undergraduate learners supported by a strong teaching infrastructure. New consultants join a cohesive, supportive department focused on outstanding patient care, multidisciplinary teamwork and continuous professional development. Job responsibilities The Locum Consultant will be responsible for providing high-quality anaesthetic care across the Trust, with a primary commitment to cardiac and vascular services at St Thomas Hospital. This includes both elective and emergency activity and participation in the Category A on-call rota. Core responsibilities include: Clinical Responsibilities Deliver safe, timely, expert anaesthetic care for adult cardiac and vascular procedures, interventional cardiology, and major surgical cases across GSTT. Provide consultant-level cover for the Overnight Intensive Recovery Unit, ensuring continuity of postoperative care in collaboration with surgical and critical care teams. Maintain high levels of visibility and accessibility within peri-operative areas, ensuring patient engagement, compassionate care, and collaborative MDT decision-making. Ensure full compliance with Trust policies, clinical guidelines, and evidence-based best practice. Education, Training & Teaching Contribute to the supervision, mentorship, and development of anaesthetic trainees, clinical fellows, and other members of the peri-operative workforce. Participate in structured teaching, trainee assessment, simulation sessions, and educational programmes coordinated by the department. Engage in CPD activities and maintain the competencies required for safe practice as a consultant anaesthetist. Clinical Governance & Quality Improvement Participate in audit, morbidity and mortality reviews, incident analysis, and risk management activities, ensuring action plans translate into measurable improvements. Support the continuous review and development of clinical protocols, pathways, and guidelines, particularly in cardiac and vascular anaesthesia. Actively contribute to initiatives that improve theatre utilisation, efficiency, patient flow, and reduction of cancellations. Leadership and Service Development Engage in strategic planning and service improvement projects at departmental and directorate level. Provide leadership in areas such as enhanced recovery, peri-operative medicine, research involvement, or guideline development. Contribute to team-based job planning, rota development, and optimisation of service delivery across both Guys and St Thomas Hospitals. Opportunities to participate in or initiate research in collaboration with the Trust's established peri-operative research group. Support a culture of clinical inquiry and evidence-based practice, encouraging trainees and fellows to take part in research and QI activity. Person Specification Professional Qualifications Eligible for full UK GMC registration and a Licence to Practise. On GMC Specialist Register have obtained CCT by commencement of post. Appropriate Career progression to be applying for a locum Consultant post to fit in with future plans and recent career path. Higher degree e.g. MD, MBA etc (recognised by the University of Able to commence employment within one month of interview. Recent CCT with additional experience Unique experience which would could bring in a new contribution to the Consultant Team Clinical Experience Comprehensive clinical experience in Anaesthesia equivalent to UK CCT Special Interest in Cardiac Anaesthesia Additional fellowships in a specialist areas Overseas experience in an international centre of excellence Clinical Skills Evidence of Life support course activity in the last 3 years Evidence of Ability to work independently at consultant level CV matches the requirements of the post in terms of clinical specialist areas within the Trust Additional diplomas/certificates in specialist areas including Regional Anaesthesia, ICM, Echo, Perioperative Medicine Research. Teaching skill & experience Understanding of the principles and applications of clinical research. Experience of teaching and training undergraduates, postgraduates and junior medical staff.> Evidence of original research Publications External presentations Collaboration in national projects Leadership/Specific Role in Education Communication; Ability to communicate with clarity and intelligently in written and spoken English; ability to build rapport, listen, persuade/ negotiate. Accountability; Ability to take responsibility, lead, make decisions and exert appropriate authority. Interpersonal Skills; Empathy, understanding, listening skills, patience and ability to work co-operatively with others. Leader of change project with achievements/ or evidence of innovation 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. Address Guy's Hospital, St Thomas' Hospital, and Queen Mary's Hospital £109,725 to £145,478 a year p.a. excl. LZ Contract Locum Duration 6 months Working pattern Full-time Reference number 196-LCON1167 Job locations Guy's Hospital, St Thomas' Hospital, and Queen Mary's Hospital #J-18808-Ljbffr