OMFS Consultant Surgeon

Job overview

We are seeking a highly motivated and forward-thinking Consultant in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery with a specialist interest in Head and Neck Oncology and Reconstruction to join our team at University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust (UHP). This substantive post includes an on-call commitment and offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to a dynamic, expanding department.

About the Role: The successful applicant will play a central role in delivering and developing our surgical head and neck oncology service. There is a strong focus on multidisciplinary collaboration, evidence-based practice, and continuous service improvement. Experience in anterior skull base resection and joint neurosurgical procedures is highly desirable.

This is an excellent opportunity for a skilled surgeon looking to advance their career in a high-performing team delivering specialist head and neck services across a wide and diverse population.

Main duties of the job

To provide a consultant led service in Oral and Maxillofacial surgery with specialisation in head and neck oncology.  The successful applicant will become an integral part of the Head and Neck cancer services MDT, working alongside colleagues in ENT, Plastic Surgery, Oncology and Restorative Dentistry, with the support of our experienced CNS team. They will be part of the weekly Head and Neck MDT meetings and clinics. They will be expected to provide comprehensive surgical care for patients with Head and Neck cancer. To include resection, and reconstruction using a variety of soft tissue, composite free and local flaps. Operating is often performed in collaboration with our ENT and Plastic Surgery team colleagues. We have access to regular three session operating days to facilitate this complex work. UHP hosts one of only two accredited paediatric operating theatre units in the UK and benefits from monthly visits by the Southwest Cleft team who deliver a specialist cleft lip and palate service, enhancing the scope of practice across age groups and specialties. We are routinely using digital planning in our patient’s care and reconstruction and are well supported by colleagues in our Maxillofacial laboratory.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The successful applicant will play a central role in delivering and developing our surgical head and neck oncology service. There is a strong focus on multidisciplinary collaboration, evidence-based practice, and continuous service improvement. Experience in anterior skull base resection and joint neurosurgical procedures is highly desirable.

The post is primarily focused on surgical head and neck oncology, with an initial job plan that includes 1.5 Supporting Professional Activities (SPA). This is expected to increase to 2.5 Programmed Activities (PAs) within the first year to reflect the consultant’s growing role in service leadership and development. In 2024–2025, the department handled over 1,000 suspected cancer referrals, highlighting its pivotal role in the delivery of oncology services for West Devon and Cornwall. The successful candidate will join a collaborative and forward-thinking multidisciplinary team that includes colleagues in oncology, plastic surgery, ENT, and neurosurgery, which is well supported by the full range of allied health professionals. These well-established partnerships are essential in providing high-quality care recognised by our patients with complex head and neck conditions. The on-call rota is shared with Torbay Hospital, ensuring a balanced and sustainable workload.

UHP is also home to one of only two accredited paediatric operating theatre units in the UK and benefits from monthly visits from the Southwest Cleft team who deliver a specialist cleft lip and palate service.