NHSCT Specialty Doctor General Surgery, Northern Trust Area

Job details

• Branch: Northern HSC Trust Area
• Location: Northern Trust Area
• Salary: (See job details)
• Contract Type: Permanent
• Opening Date: 15/05/26
• Closes: Fri, 05 June 2026 @ 4:00 PM
• Interview Dates: To be confirmed

Notes

Interviews will be held in person at a facility within Northern Health and Social Care Trust. Please note: There will be no option for online / video interviews. A Trust-wide waiting list may be compiled for similar permanent/temporary, full/part-time posts which may arise within the next 12 months.

Job Description

Job Title

Job Description

Specialty Doctor

General Surgery

Job Description

Causeway Hospital and or Antrim Hospital depending where vacancy exists

Specialty Doctor

General Surgery

Job Description

Causeway Hospital and or Antrim Hospital depending where vacancy exists

The Northern Health and Social Care Trust (NHSCT) is responsible for the delivery of safe and effective health and social care (HSC) services to the population of the Northern Trust area in Northern Ireland.

We provide compassionate care with our community in our community. In order to do this we require the commitment of a highly skilled and professional workforce that meets the need of the service.

The diagram below outlines our values and our objectives which support the delivery of compassionate care within our community.

The below diagram details the values and associated behaviours that we expect staff working within Health and Social Care (HSC) to display at all times;

HSC Value

What does this mean?

What does this look like in practice? - Behaviours

Working Together

We work together for the best outcome for people we care for and support. We work across Health and Social Care and with other external organisations and agencies, recognising that leadership is the responsibility of all.

I work with others and value everyone’s contribution

I treat people with respect and dignity

I work as part of a team looking for opportunities to support and help people in both my own and other teams

I actively engage people on issues that affect them

I look for feedback and examples of good practice, aiming to improve where possible

Compassion

We are sensitive, caring, respectful and understanding towards those we care for and support and our colleagues. We listen carefully to others to better understand and take action to help them and ourselves.

I am sensitive to the different needs and feelings of others and treat people with kindness

I learn from others by listening carefully to them

I look after my own health and well-being so that I can care for and support others

Excellence

We commit to being the best we can be in our work, aiming to improve and develop services to achieve positive changes. We deliver safe, high-quality, compassionate care and support.

I put the people I care for and support at the centre of all I do to make a difference

I take responsibility for my decisions and actions

I commit to best practice and sharing learning, while continually learning and developing

I try to improve by asking ‘could we do this better?’

Openness & Honesty

We are open and honest with each other and act with integrity and candour.

I am open and honest in order to develop trusting relationships

I ask someone for help when needed

I speak up if I have concerns

I challenge inappropriate or unacceptable behaviour and practice

Specialty Doctor Applicant Fact Sheet

Background

The Department of Health (NI) together with the British Medical Association, the Department of Health and Social Care (England), as well as the Department of Health (Wales) have been working together since February 2020 to formally negotiate a revised Specialty Doctor grade and introduce a new Specialist Grade.

In January 2021, an agreement was reached for a reformed specialty doctor contract and a new specialist contract.

These new contractual arrangements came into effect from 1 April 2021. The Specialty Doctor 2008 contract closed to new entrants on 31 March 2021 and all new Specialty Doctor appointments are to the 2021 Specialty Doctor and Specialist contracts.

If successful, you will be appointed under the terms and conditions of the 2021 Specialty Doctor contract.

Further details, including the 2021 Specialty Doctor terms and conditions of service are available on the Department of Health website. Click here to be taken to this external website. Information is also available on the BMA website.

JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE: Specialty Doctor General Surgery

DIRECTORATE/DIVISION: Specialty Doctor Surgical and Clinical Services

LOCATION: Causeway Hospital and or Antrim Hospital depending where vacancy exists

REPORTS TO: Clinical Director Surgery

ACCOUNTABLE TO: Suzanne Pullins, Interim Chief Executive

FLEXIBLE WORKING

All employees have the opportunity to request Flexible Working from the first day of their employment, regardless of their role, band or service they work in.

Successful applicants are encouraged to discuss with their manager what Flexible Working provisions may be available in the role they are taking up, prior to commencing employment, to help them achieve a positive Work/Life Balance.

JOB SUMMARY

This is an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic team member to gain experience in a busy modern purpose-built facility. The post-holder will provide a level of service appropriate for a Specialty Doctor and will have Consultant Supervision.

The Northern Health and Social Care Trust serves a population of approximately 479,360. The main acute hospitals are Antrim Area Hospital, Causeway Hospital in Coleraine, Mid-Ulster Hospital in Magherafelt and Whiteabbey Hospital. Additional hospital services are provided at Braid Valley, Dalriada, Moyle and Robinson Hospitals. Holywell Hospital in Antrim provides a range of acute and other in-patient mental health services. Antrim Hospital is situated on a pleasant green field site, approached by the M2 motorway and overlooking the town of Antrim and Lough Neagh.

There is also a substantial student population on the north coast and due to the tourism within the coastal area the population increases dramatically during summer and other holiday periods.

There is a wide selection of schools in the area and recreational facilities are excellent.

Further details about the trust can be found on the Trust’s website www.northerntrust.hscni.net

Staffing

Causeway Hospital Surgery Consultants

Antrim Hospital Surgery Consultants

Mr Bill Campbell

Mr Shahzad Ashraf

Mr Philip Davey

Mr Colman Byrnes

Miss Alison McCoubrey

Mr Jaroslaw Gudyma

Mr James Patterson

Mr Barry McAree

Mr Roderick Skelly

Mr Andrew McCanny

Mr O Elzamzami (Locum)

Miss Eunice Minford

Mr David Neely

Mr Gabrielle Di Benedetto (Locum)

Mr Omer Eltayeb (Locum)

Mr Aamir Khan (Locum)

Mr Hamad Yousof Locum)

Causeway Hospital SAS

Antrim Hospital SAS

Mr Haussam Elenin

Dr Lynden Christian

Mr Noah Jemedafe

Dr Mohamed Dwebi

Mr Rodney Motindi

Dr Omer Ahmed

Mr Malik Hussain (Locum)

Dr Mohammad Alsir Ahmed

Dr Mihai Plesca

Dr Ibrahim Elnazier (Locum)

Dr Elmoataz Khogali (Locum)

Dr Oladipo Lawal (Locum)

Causeway Hospital Resident Doctors

Antrim Hospital Resident Doctors

F1s: 6 surg and 14 med on joint rota

F1s: 15

F2s: 2

CTs: 5

CT: 6

ST3+: 3

ST3+: 2

KEY RESULT AREAS / MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

Communicate with Consultants, Ward Managers, Nurses and other professions both hospital and community-based, in order to facilitate the management of patients by the most appropriate means – eg referral for urgent out-patient appointment, request and follow up of appropriate investigations, arrangements for review by General Medical Practitioner etc to maximise a co-ordinated acute and community approach to support and facilitate discharge.

This may require regular review of, plus shared care, of surgery outlier patients in Causeway Hospital on an emergency basis.

Participate in screening and assessment of admissions, referrals etc from General Medical Practitioners, Emergency Medicine etc

Support and liaise with Consultants in Surgery and other departments to constructively contribute to the effective and efficient use of resources. This will include supporting the Consultant Surgeons in the development, review and updating of protocols and practice regarding the management of surgery patients in order to produce written protocols regarding patient management to contribute to a smooth running and ‘seamless’ service.

Undertake supervision and regular review of caseload admitted to hospital.

Request and follow-up of appropriate investigations and arrangements for review.

Prescribe appropriate medication and therapy, ensure that any practical procedures essential for patient management are undertaken at the most appropriate time and in the most appropriate location, promoting patient dignity and privacy.

Communicate with patients, relatives/carers and other health care professions to ensure continuity of accurate information sharing regarding patient management, requirement for and availability of beds etc.

Undertake minor and intermediate procedures appropriate to level of experience and expertise, with Consultant supervision.

Attend Consultant-led ward rounds and undertake regular rounds of appropriate patients.

Assist Consultants at out-patient clinics and undertake review of patients as appropriate to Specialty Doctor level of experience and expertise.

Ensure that up to date, accurate, comprehensive notes are recorded on Encompass (Epic); that referral requests, discharge summaries etc are provided promptly and that full discharge information is provided within the required time to General Medical Practitioners etc.

Ensure comprehensive and effective handover of patients is undertaken at all times.

Further training will be provided – both informally ‘on the job’ by Consultant Surgeons and access to any formal training courses available will be encouraged and supported.

Make full use of study leave and participate in the development of guidelines/protocols for use in the Trust as a result of audit, national guidelines etc.

Undertake administrative duties associated with the cover of patients and the efficient running of the service.

Participate in the multi-disciplinary meetings relevant to the duties of the post.

Participate in annual Specialty Doctor appraisal.

Participate in annual review of Job Plan process.

Appropriate remuneration will be made in respect of any additional duties undertaken in emergency situations due to unforeseen circumstances.

Any changes to the working arrangements will be by means of discussion and agreement (which should not unreasonably be withheld with the post-holder).

Co-ordinate plans for annual, study, professional/examination leave and adhere to the Trust Leave policy. Ensure all periods of sickness are notified to the Trust in accordance with the Managing of Sickness Absence Policy.

Comply with good practice in prevention of HCAI including adherence to trust policies including Hand Hygiene and Trust Antimicrobial Prescribing Policy.

Whilst on duty a doctor has clinical and professional responsibility for their patients or, for a local population. It is also the duty of a doctor to:

Keep patients (and/or their carers if appropriate) informed about their condition;

Involve patients (and/or their carers if appropriate) in decision making about their treatment.

Maintain professional standards and obligations as set out from time to time by the GMC and comply in particular with the GMCs guidance on ‘Good Medical Practice’ as amended or substituted from time to time.

A doctor is responsible for carrying out any work related to and reasonably incidental to the duties set out in their job plan such as:

The keeping of records and the provision of reports;

The proper delegation of tasks;

Maintaining skills and knowledge.

Doctors will be expected to be flexible and to co-operate with reasonable requests to cover for their colleagues’ absences where they are safe and competent and where it is practicable to do so. Where doctors undertake duties in accordance with this paragraph and such duties take place outside of their contracted hours they will receive either an equivalent off duty period or remuneration.

GENERAL MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES

Ensure the appropriate governance and risk management arrangements are in place for the services you are responsible for and take appropriate action to identify and manage risk and to maintain safety of users, staff and others in accordance with relevant regulations, policies and procedures;

It is essential to ensure that the highest standards of infection prevention and control are maintained to ensure patient and client safety and maintain confidence in the Trust. As a Manager, you must ensure that you implement all instructions/ policy in this area and that all staff are made aware of and fully comply with these;

Where the post-holder has responsibility for managing a budget, ensure that services are managed and developed both in accordance with agreed and funded priorities as set out on a yearly basis and in accordance with Standing Financial Instructions, particularly ensuring your compliance with payroll documentation procedures and timescales;

Ensure the necessary arrangements are in place in regard to the ‘Knowledge and Skills Framework’ outlines, where this applies, for the posts for which you have management responsibility and ensure that each member of staff has an annual development and performance review, a personal development plan and that arrangements are in place to ensure that staff have maximum opportunity to progress through gateways in their pay bands and to contribute effectively towards our objectives;

Promote a culture of continuous service improvement amongst your staff, encouraging their participation and that of service users in reviewing and modernising current services and in service development;

Make sure you are trained and competent in the relevant policies and procedures which apply to the management of staff and other resources and abide by these policies; seeking advice as necessary from senior management or specialist staff as necessary;

Communicate effectively with staff and maintain productive working relationships amongst your staff and with others;

Delegate appropriate responsibility and authority to staff in order to ensure optimum and effective service delivery and decision-making, whilst retaining overall accountability and responsibility for outcomes;

Promote a culture of learning and development and facilitate arrangements for and participate in training and development of staff as agreed for the performance of their duties. Where training is in accordance with relevant standards make sure you have the relevant competences in order to carry out this responsibility;

Promote equality of opportunity for all by personal action, both in the management of your staff and in the provision of care to service users in accordance with the Trust’s Equality of Opportunity Policy and Equality Scheme;

Take responsibility for ensuring appropriate standards of environmental cleanliness and for encouraging staff to maintain standards in their work area. Have an awareness of environmental issues and take appropriate action, for example to ensure the efficient use of energy and other resources, recycling etc.;

Make sure that staff are aware of Trust policies regarding the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018, the Freedom of Information Act 2000, the Environmental Information Regulations 2004 and Records Management and that they must not disclose, withhold, retain or dispose of any information unless legally authorised.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Employees of the Trust will be required to promote and support the mission and vision of the service for which they are responsible and:-

At all times provide a caring service and to treat those with whom they come into contact in a courteous and respectful manner;

At all times demonstrate practice the HSC values of Working Together, Excellence, Openness & Honesty and Compassion;

Carry out their duties and responsibilities in a manner which assures patient and client safety;

Comply with all instructions in regard to Infection Prevention and Control;

Demonstrate their commitment by their regular attendance and the efficient completion of all tasks allocated to them;

Comply with the Trust’s Smoke Free Policy;

Carry out their duties and responsibilities in compliance with health and safety policy and statutory regulations;

Adhere to equal opportunities policy throughout the course of their employment;

Ensure the ongoing confidence of the public in service provision;

Adhere to the Code of Conduct for HSC Employees which aims to guide staff, managers and employers in the work that they do and the decisions and choices they have to make. Professional staff are expected to follow the code of conduct for their own professions as well as this code.

RECORDS MANAGEMENT

All employees of the Northern Health & Social Care Trust are legally responsible for all records held, created or used as part of their business within the Northern Health and Social Care Trust, including patient/client, corporate and administrative records whether paper based or electronic and also including e-mails. All such records are public records and are accessible to the general public, with limited exceptions, under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, the Environment Regulations 2004, the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018. Employees are required to be conversant and to comply with the Northern Health and Social Care Trust policies on Information Governance including (for example) the ICT Security Policy, Data Quality and Data Protection Policy and Records Management Policy and to seek advice if in doubt.

SALARY

£61,542 - £99,216 per annum (pro-rata)

HOURS

10 PA’s per week.

Opportunities for flexible working are available for all staff in line with the flexible working policy.

MEDICAL

Appointment will be subject to a successful pre-employment health assessment.

HOLIDAYS

Qualifying service

Allocation

Alignment of leave

On first appointment or with up to 2 years service

5 weeks

Additional leave to be retained until qualifying service reaches 2 years.

Having completed a minimum of two years’ service as a SAS doctor and/or in equivalent grades or with previous entitlement

6 weeks

Additional leave to be retained until qualifying service reaches 7 years. Entitlement at 7 years remains at 6 weeks and 1 day in line with Framework Agreement and revised T&Cs

Having completed a minimum of seven years’ service as a SAS doctor and/or in equivalent grades

6 weeks and 1 day

Additional leave to be retained while doctors remain in the role Where doctors change roles with new contracts being issued the provisions of the revised Circular will apply from the start date of the new contract.

*All entitlements are pro–rata for part time staff

TERMS AND CONDITIONS -

You will be employed under the terms and conditions of service for Specialty Doctors in Northern Ireland (2021) which is available at:

https://www.health-ni.gov.uk/sites/default/files/publications/health/doh-terms-and-conditions-of-service-specialty-doctor.pdf

PENSION

The post-holder can participate in the Health Social Care Pension Scheme.

NORTHERN TRUST BENEFITS

You can explore the benefits on offer to you in the Northern Trust by clicking here

WAITING LIST

A Trust-wide waiting list may be compiled for similar permanent/temporary, full/part time posts which may arise within the next 12 months.

PAY PROTECTION

Legacy Trust Staff who apply for a promotion after 1 April 2011 should be aware that they will lose their legacy protection arrangements and will be entitled to pay protection in accordance with circular HSS (JNF)(1) 2011.

This circular will also apply to legacy staff who are currently in receipt of protection and who move post on promotion.

RELOCATION /REMOVAL EXPENSES

Eligible staff can avail of our attractive relocation / removal package upon request.

CRIMINAL OFFENCES, INVESTIGATION AND CHARGES

Having a criminal record will not necessarily debar you from working with the Trust. This will depend on the nature of the position, together with the circumstances and background of your offences or other information contained on a disclosure certificate. Where it is necessary to obtain an Access NI disclosure the Trust operates in line with the Access NI Code of Practice (www.nidirect.gov.uk/publications/accessni-code-practice).

If you require further information or a copy of the policy on the recruitment of ex-offenders or the policy on the Secure Handling, Use, Storage and Retention of Disclosure Information, please contact the Trust Human Resources Department.

CLOSING DATE

Completed application forms should be submitted via www.jobs.hscni.net or returned to Medical Resourcing, Holywell Hospital, 60 Steeple Road, Antrim, BT41 2RJ or medicalandseniorresourcing@northerntrust.hscni.net on or before the closing date.

Canvassing, either directly or indirectly, will be an absolute disqualification.

We will review this Job Description and it may include any other duties and responsibilities we determine in consultation with the jobholder. We do not intend it to be rigid and inflexible but rather to provide guidelines within which the jobholder works.

Proposed Job Plan

Time

Activity

Hours

DCC

SPA

Total Hrs

Total PAs

MONDAY

AM

PM

OFF

Flexible

2

TUESDAY

AM

PM

Teaching (1 in 2)

Out-patient Clinic C

4

2

6

WEDNESDAY

AM

PM

Endoscopy List

Out-patient Clinic

4

8

THURSDAY

AM

PM

Admin

CME/SPA

4

8

FRIDAY

AM

PM

Theatre

4

8

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

TOTAL

26

6

32

8.0

PA’s

ON-CALL DETAILS