Job Description

The closing date is 30th Jul 2025

Job summary

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Join Us in Shaping the Future of Paediatrics in Somerset


Somerset Paediatrics, part of the integrated Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, is looking for a group of passionate colleagues to be part of an ambitious transformation of our county-wide children's services. We are developing a thriving acute & outpatient paediatric service alongside our level 1 neonatal care unit and in collaboration with our combined community & mental health services. We are proud to be rated CAMHS CQC Outstanding.


Are you a dynamic and forward-thinking paediatrician ready to help shape a service from the ground up?


We are looking for clinicians with a passion for service development, improvement, and innovation to work in partnership with our Somerset Paediatric team.


This is more than a job, it's an invitation for you to co-create the future of paediatrics in Somerset.

Main duties, tasks & skills required

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What We're Offering:


Consultant Posts - General Paediatrics and level 1 (Special Care Baby Unit) neonatal care. Full time 10 PAs, or less than full time posts will be considered


Job planning to meet your unique needs and service requirements (introducing 1 in 8 consultant of the week and on-call rota and working towards 1 in 10 rota to meet RCPCH national standards).


Protected time and active support for developing specialist interests including clinical sub specialist interests, education, leadership, and service development.


A real chance to shape the development of a leading-edge paediatric service for our local community


An opportunity to be part of our transformation program alongside our supportive leadership team.


A 3-6-month supernumerary induction period at both acute sites, offering a consultant led supported transition into a senior clinical role, opportunities to build team culture, and ensure excellence in patient care and training, after a A 12-month period of regular individualised supervision/mentoring and peer support within our department as well as clinical restorative supervision and access to our trust-wide senior doctoring mentoring program

About us

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At Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, we're committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer:


Flexible working options to help you balance work and life


NHS pension scheme for long-term financial security


Generous annual leave allowance to recharge and relax


A strong focus on career development to help you grow and achieve your potential


Blue Light Card, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS-specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work.


Relocation - Subject to eligibility criteria


We are proud to foster a diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds.


Why Somerset?


Live in a county known for its beautiful landscapes, affordable housing, and award-winning state and public schools


National hot spots for cycling, surfing, and climbing


Areas of natural beauty: Exmoor national park, Cheddar Gorge, Jurassic coast, Blackdown hill and Somerset levels


Devon & Cornwall, Bath & Bristol are all within easy reach and fast trains to London Paddington takes 1hour and 50 minutes

Job description

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In April 2023, the acute paediatric services at Taunton and Yeovil merged, laying the foundation for a unified and innovative model of care across a large and beautiful rural county. This is a rare opportunity to join at a pivotal moment, bringing fresh ideas, clinical excellence, and vision to a team committed to equity, quality, and child-centred care. We are a unique position for our Somerset Paediatric services, having created a combined paediatric and child and adolescent mental health team at both clinical and managerial level. We have championed our vision for parity of esteem between physical and mental health.


Our large senior paediatric team are recognised and valued for our creative approach and innovation within acute paediatrics, whilst supporting individuals to develop their own areas of specialty service development. Alongside our deep commitment to the care of children and their families, we are proud of our strong team collaboration, progressive mindset approach and a strong learning culture.


What We're Looking For:


Consultants who are passionate and skilled general paediatricians


Collaborative clinicians eager to contribute to service development, improvement, and strong learning culture.


A consultant to join us in continuing to strengthen team dynamics and celebrate our successes in continuing to build sustainable future ready services for children and families.


An enthusiasm for teaching, governance, and innovation.


A willingness to embrace the rural character of our county - with access to outdoor life, family-friendly communities, and flexible working

Person specification

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Qualifications

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Essential

Medical Degree


MRCPCH (or equivalent)


Full GMC registration with a license to practice


Entry on GMC Specialist Register (or within 6 months of CCT)

Experience

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Essential

Significant experience in general and acute paediatric care


Excellent communication and team collaboration skills


Clinicians eager to contribute to service development, improvement and strong learning culture.


Ability to supervise and mentor resident doctors and allied health professionals.


Knowledge of clinical governance and commitment to service improvement




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Desirable

Sub-speciality experience working in an acute paediatric unit and level 1 SCBU unit


Participation in recent quality improvement work


Passion for education


Interest in developing leadership skills

Additional Criteria

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Desirable

Driving license or ability to travel between sites

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.


From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants.

UK Professional Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.

For help with your application, contact:

Mark Conway


mark.conway@somersetft.nhs.uk

Pay scheme

Hospital Medical and Dental

Band

Consultant

Salary

109725.00 to 131058.00 Yearly

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-Time

Reference number

184-OL-MED-FAM-2820

Job locations

Yeovil District Hospital

Higher Kingston

Yeovil

Somerset

BA21 4AT


Musgrove Park Hospital

Musgrove Road

Taunton

Somerset

TA1 5DA