Chief Registrar

Job Summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic and motivated senior doctor in training (above ST4 or equivalent) with an interest in leadership, management and quality improvement to join University Hospitals Bristol and Weston as a chief registrar.

The chief registrar role provides senior doctors in training with 40-50% protected time to develop skills and confidence in leadership, management and quality improvement. Learning that chief registrars gain from the Royal College of Physicians' (RCP's) bespoke development programme will be put into practice in a supported environment that provides autonomy and flexibility to develop projects that address key local challenges and priorities. This may include service improvement, engagement and morale, education and training, workforce, and sustainability.

Applications are open to senior trainees:

• National Training Number (NTN) ST4 level or above
• Locally employed doctors (LED) at equivalent experience of ST4 or above
• Working full time or less than full time
• Who have full GMC registration.

This is a fixed-term role for a minimum of 12 months. For those with an NTN, the role can be undertaken in programme or out of programme (training or experience) and must be discussed with your educational supervisor and training programme director (TPD) - permission to apply must be granted by the TPD.

Main duties of the job
The chief registrar role will suit resident doctors who:

• want to learn about leadership and gain senior leadership experience
• are comfortable working in uncertain environments and across traditional boundaries
• relish the opportunity to develop their own ideas and initiatives
• are committed to and passionate about improving the NHS.

The Chief Registrar will be mentored by a senior clinical leader within their organisation and gain a unique insight into NHS leadership and management processes, as well as deeper knowledge of NHS structures and stakeholders.

The Chief Registrar will be expected to attend the modules delivered as part of the RCP's bespoke development programme. These modules cover key areas including leading change, team culture and development, quality improvement methods and frameworks, and developing self-awareness and understanding of others to enhance leadership effectiveness.

About us
University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) is one of the largest acute Trusts in the country, bringing together a combined workforce of over 13,000 staff and over 100 different clinical services across 10 different sites, serving a core population of more than 500,000 people across South West England.

UHBW has been rated by the CQC as 'Good' overall and our staff are proud to deliver excellent care to the people of Bristol, Weston and beyond. As a forward-thinking multi-award winning Trust and a digital exemplar committed to improving patient care, our world-leading research and innovations are having a positive local and global impact. Our hospitals are spread across Bristol and Weston, join us and you can enjoy the very best of both worlds; city living within a stone's throw of the countryside or beside the seaside, both with easy access to all that the South West has to offer. UHBW is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application in order to ensure we're meeting our pledge.

Details
Date posted: 30 July 2026
Pay scheme: Hospital medical and dental staff
Grade: Doctor - other
Salary: £67,325 to £76,582 a year
pa pro rata
Contract: Fixed term
Duration: 12 months
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 387-M7413-AR
Job locations: Bristol Royal Infirmary (BRI), Bristol, BS2 8HW, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities
For further information about the role and the main responsibilities please refer to the Job Description or get in touch for a discussion.

Person Specification
Qualifications

• Full registration with General Medical Council
• Be fit to practice
• Should be NTN ST4 or above - Can include Locally Employed Doctors at experience equivalent to ST4 or above
• Should not already hold a CCT or expected to complete training during the programme
• Must have approval of TPD to apply (NTNs)
• Evidence of satisfactory / more than satisfactory progress through training, including annual review of competence progression (ARCP) outcomes or appraisal

Desirable

• Additional relevant degree (intercalated, masters or doctorate)

Clinical Skills

• Evidence of clinical competencies in their specialty appropriate for their stage in training (or equivalent)
• An appropriate knowledge base, and ability to apply sound clinical judgement to problems
• Ability to prioritise clinical need
• Ability to maximise safety and minimise risk
• Ability to work without supervision where appropriate

Research

• Understanding of research, including awareness of ethical issues
• Understanding of research methodology and ability to use basic qualitative and quantitative methods
• Knowledge of evidence-based practice

Desirable

• Evidence of relevant academic achievements, including publications/presentations

Leadership and Management

• Evidence of effective team working and leadership, supported by multi-source feedback or workplace-based assessments
• Self-awareness, with knowledge of personal strengths and weaknesses, impact and areas for development
• Interest in and knowledge of the importance of leadership and management for clinicians

Desirable

• Evidence of involvement in local management systems
• Evidence of effective leadership (e.g. evidence of leading innovations or improvements)
• Understanding of the local and national context of the NHS, including economic and political influences

Education and Teaching

• Evidence of interest in and experience of teaching
• Evidence of positive feedback on teaching approaches

Desirable

• Development of teaching programmes
• Participation in teaching courses
• Participation in degree of diploma courses in education
• Action learning sets / simulation instructor

Quality Service Improvement/Audit

• Understanding of clinical governance, including the basic principles of audit, clinical risk management, evidence-based practice, patient safety and quality improvement initiatives
• Evidence of active involvement in quality improvement, audit, research or other activity that focuses on patient safety and clinical improvement and innovation
• Interest in / knowledge of the delivery of safe, effective healthcare services

Desirable

• Evidence of a portfolio of audit / quality improvement projects, including evidence that the audit loop has been closed and evidence of learning about the principles of change management
• Evidence of publications / presentations / prizes in quality improvement or audit
• Good knowledge of the UK healthcare system, including education, research, service provision, regulation, career structures, medical politics and ethics
• Clear insight into issues facing UK healthcare services

Person Specification (duplicate as in original)

• Full registration with General Medical Council
• Be fit to practice
• Should be NTN ST4 or above - Can include Locally Employed Doctors at experience equivalent to ST4 or above
• Should not already hold a CCT or expected to complete training during the programme
• Must have approval of TPD to apply (NTNs)
• Evidence of satisfactory / more than satisfactory progress through training, including annual review of competence progression (ARCP) outcomes or appraisal

Desirable

• Additional relevant degree (intercalated, masters or doctorate)

Clinical Skills

• Evidence of clinical competencies in their specialty appropriate for their stage in training (or equivalent)
• An appropriate knowledge base, and ability to apply sound clinical judgement to problems
• Ability to prioritise clinical need
• Ability to maximise safety and minimise risk
• Ability to work without supervision where appropriate

Research

• Understanding of research, including awareness of ethical issues
• Understanding of research methodology and ability to use basic qualitative and quantitative methods
• Knowledge of evidence-based practice

Desirable

• Evidence of relevant academic achievements, including publications/presentations

Leadership and Management

• Evidence of effective team working and leadership, supported by multi-source feedback or workplace-based assessments
• Self-awareness, with knowledge of personal strengths and weaknesses, impact and areas for development
• Interest in and knowledge of the importance of leadership and management for clinicians

Desirable

• Evidence of involvement in local management systems
• Evidence of effective leadership (e.g. evidence of leading innovations or improvements)
• Understanding of the local and national context of the NHS, including economic and political influences

Education and Teaching

• Evidence of interest in and experience of teaching
• Evidence of positive feedback on teaching approaches

Desirable

• Development of teaching programmes
• Participation in teaching courses
• Participation in degree of diploma courses in education
• Action learning sets / simulation instructor

Quality Service Improvement/Audit

• Understanding of clinical governance, including the basic principles of audit, clinical risk management, evidence-based practice, patient safety and quality improvement initiatives
• Evidence of active involvement in quality improvement, audit, research or other activity that focuses on patient safety and clinical improvement and innovation
• Interest in / knowledge of the delivery of safe, effective healthcare services

Desirable

• Evidence of a portfolio of audit / quality improvement projects, including evidence that the audit loop has been closed and evidence of learning about the principles of change management
• Evidence of publications / presentations / prizes in quality improvement or audit
• Good knowledge of the UK healthcare system, including education, research, service provision, regulation, career structures, medical politics and ethics
• Clear insight into issues facing UK healthcare services

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

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

Employer details
Employer name: Bristol NHS Foundation Trust
Address: Bristol Royal Infirmary (BRI), Bristol, BS2 8HW, United Kingdom
Employer's website: Apply through our website

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact:
Deputy Divisional Director - Specialty Medicine
Ashleigh Harvey
View email address on meeveem.com

Details
Date posted: 30 July 2026
Pay scheme: Hospital medical and dental staff
Grade: Doctor - other
Salary: £67,325 to £76,582 a year
pa pro rata
Contract: Fixed term
Duration: 12 months
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 387-M7413-AR
Job locations: Bristol Royal Infirmary (BRI), Bristol, BS2 8HW, United Kingdom

Supporting documents
Privacy notice: Bristol NHS Foundation Trust's privacy notice