Specialty Doctor in Oral Maxillofacial Surgery

Job overview

This yearly renewable contract supports the expanding Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (OMFS) service at Homerton Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. The successful candidate will join as a Staff Associate Specialist, focusing mainly on elective care to support existing clinical teams and meet rising patient demand. The OMFS department treats a wide range of facial, head, and neck conditions—including cervical masses, salivary gland diseases, skin cancers, TMJ disorders, facial pain, oral pathology, and dental-alveolar issues.

Consultant-led and supported by junior staff, the department runs separate adult and pediatric outpatient clinics and manages a high surgical volume, with about 80% of patients requiring surgery. Increased referrals, partly due to COVID-19, have driven the need to expand capacity. The role also involves emergency case management, such as airway compromise, and collaboration with regional centers like Bart’s Healthcare to care for complex head and neck cancers.

Multidisciplinary clinics address neck lumps, skin cancer, cervical tuberculosis, and HIV screening. Telemedicine and virtual consultations, accelerated by the pandemic, are integral to patient management. Elective surgeries occur in updated Day Surgery Units and main theatres with flexible scheduling. This position offers the chance to contribute to a dynamic OMFS service requiring strong clinical skills, adaptability, and teamwork to deliver high-quality care aligned with the Trust’s goals.

Main duties of the job

• Provide clinical care in Oral & Maxillofacial clinics and theatres, participating in clinics and surgical lists under local anesthesia, IV sedation, and general anesthesia.
• Care for inpatients and cover clinics and theatres as needed.
• Run allocated clinic, ensuring accurate record keeping and database management.
• Vet and manage clinical referrals to ensure appropriate patient pathways.
• Participate in multidisciplinary team meetings and departmental audits.
• Adhere to safeguarding policies for vulnerable patients and apply equality and diversity standards.
• Engage in clinical research, teaching, and professional development activities.
• Allocate time for administrative duties, correspondence, and clinical communication.
• Receive secretarial and office support to facilitate efficient working.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Clinical Care & Patient Management:

• Provide direct clinical care for patients attending the Oral & Maxillofacial clinics. Run own clinics and surgical theatre lists under local anaesthesia (LA), intravenous sedation (IVS), and participate on  general anaesthesia (GA). Provide inpatient care and manage patient treatment on the ward. Cover clinics and theatre sessions during colleagues leave periods. Ensure patient safety through appropriate communication, referrals, and clinical discussions. Surgical Duties: Perform surgical procedures in theatre sessions, managing cases independently when required. Assist consultants in clinics and theatre activities as needed.
• Provide direct clinical care for patients attending the Oral & Maxillofacial clinics.
• Run own clinics and surgical theatre lists under local anaesthesia (LA), intravenous sedation (IVS), and participate on  general anaesthesia (GA).
• Provide inpatient care and manage patient treatment on the ward.
• Cover clinics and theatre sessions during colleagues leave periods.
• Ensure patient safety through appropriate communication, referrals, and clinical discussions.
• Surgical Duties: Perform surgical procedures in theatre sessions, managing cases independently when required. Assist consultants in clinics and theatre activities as needed.
• Perform surgical procedures in theatre sessions, managing cases independently when required.
• Assist consultants in clinics and theatre activities as needed.
• Clinic & List Management: Take responsibility for clinical lists and outpatient clinics, sometimes without junior assistance. Vet and triage clinical referrals to prioritize patient care appropriately.
• Take responsibility for clinical lists and outpatient clinics, sometimes without junior assistance.
• Vet and triage clinical referrals to prioritize patient care appropriately.
• Administrative Duties: Maintain accurate record keeping and manage databases, especially related to specialized clinics.. Ensure compliance with Information Governance standards for patient data.
• Maintain accurate record keeping and manage databases, especially related to specialized clinics..
• Ensure compliance with Information Governance standards for patient data.
• Collaboration & Multidisciplinary Working: Participate in multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings to discuss complex cases and coordinate patient management. Communicate effectively with other healthcare professionals involved in patient care.
• Participate in multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings to discuss complex cases and coordinate patient management.
• Communicate effectively with other healthcare professionals involved in patient care.

Please see job description and person specification for full details of the role.