Specialty Doctor in Anaesthetics and Critical Care

Job summary
We have an exciting opportunity for an autonomous Specialty Doctor in Anaesthesia to join our team at the West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk.

The successful applicant will join a cohesive, forward-thinking department to deliver elective and emergency care, critical care and obstetric anaesthesia.

The West Suffolk Hospital is renowned for its welcoming environment, commitment to training, and exceptional quality of service. Our Anaesthesia and Critical Care department provides a supportive structure to facilitate the growth and progression of successful candidates, offering opportunities for experience in areas of interest and acquisition of RCoA core competencies for entry to UK training programmes. We are proud of our track record of entry into training programs following tenure with us.

This is a great opportunity to join an award-winning Trust and be part of a leading healthcare institution dedicated to providing outstanding care.

Main duties of the job
The West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds is seeking a dedicated & skilled Specialty Doctor in Anaesthesia & Critical Care to join our dynamic team.

As a Specialty Doctor, you will play a vital role in providing high-quality anaesthetic and critical care services to our patients. You will work collaboratively with the medical and nursing staff to ensure the delivery of safe and effective care in accordance with established protocols and guidelines based on the trusts FIRST values.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform pre-operative assessments, evaluate patients' suitability for surgery, and develop appropriate anaesthetic plans.
• Administer anaesthetics & sedation autonomously for ASA 1-3, ensuring patient safety and comfort.
• Monitor patients closely throughout surgery, managing their airway, vital signs, and pain control.
• Contribute to the management of critically ill patients in the Critical Care Unit as part of the critical care team.
• Respond promptly to emergency situations, providing resuscitation and advanced life support as necessary.
• Collaborate with consultants, colleagues, and healthcare professionals to coordinate patient care, review treatment plans, and participate in multidisciplinary team meetings.
• Deliver post-operative care, including pain management and monitoring for complications.
• Engage in teaching and training activities, providing guidance to junior medical staff, residents, and students

Please see job description & Personal Specification for full details

About us
#BeKnown at West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust. By us. By our patients. By our community

We are a busy, friendly, rural NHS Trust providing high-quality care and compassion to more than a quarter of a million people across west Suffolk. We care for, treat and support people in hospital, at home and in various community settings.

The West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds provides acute and secondary care services (emergency department, maternity and neonatal services, day surgery unit, eye treatment centre, Macmillan unit and children's ward). It has 500+ beds and is a partner teaching hospital of the University of Cambridge.

Adult and paediatric community services, provided in collaboration with West Suffolk Alliance partners, include a range of nursing, therapy, specialist, and ongoing temporary care and rehabilitation, some at our Newmarket Community Hospital.

We do our utmost to achieve outstanding clinical outcomes for patients and our values of fairness, inclusivity, respect, safety and team work guide how we work and behave as a team.

With nearly 5,000 staff, from all over the world, we strive to make our organisation a great place to work. Whatever your role or ambition, we want to help you be the best you can be.

We promote a diverse and inclusive community where everyones voice counts and you can #BeKnown for whoever you are.

Join us. What will you #BeKnown for?

Details
Date posted: 07 August 2026
Pay scheme: Hospital medical and dental staff
Grade: Specialty Doctor
Salary: £63,696 to £102,689 a year
Pro Rata Per Annum
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time, Flexible working
Reference number: 179- 8212521-MSJ
Job locations: West Suffolk Hospital Foundation Trust, Hardwick Lane, Bury St Edmunds, IP33 2QZ, United Kingdom

Job description
Job responsibilities
The allocation of PAs is regularly reviewed and may be subject to adjustment. Additional time may be supported for specialist interests such as POM, or obstetrics.

Bury St Edmunds is a historic market town in Suffolk, known for its medieval architecture, Georgian squares, and beautiful gardens. Located under two hours from London and with easy access to Cambridge, it offers a charming and convenient location.

The West Suffolk Hospital is a busy and friendly rural NHS Trust, dedicated to providing high-quality care to over a quarter of a million people in West Suffolk. With a range of services, including maternity, we serve a predominantly rural area spanning approximately 600 square miles with a population of around 280,000. As a partner teaching hospital of the University of Cambridge, we prioritise excellence in training and education.

With nearly 5,000 staff, from all over the world, we strive to make our organisation a great place to work. Whatever your role or ambition, we want to help you be the best you can be.

Details of the job plan and full Job Description and Person Specification are included in the application pack.

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• MBBS or equivalent
• Full Registration with the GMC and a Licence to Practise
• PLAB (if applicable)
• Shall have completed at least 3 years' full-time postgraduate training (or its equivalent gained on a part-time or flexible basis) at least two of which will be in a specialty training programme in a relevant specialty or as a fixed term specialty trainee in a relevant specialty; or shall have equivalent experience and competencies.

Desirable

• Primary FRCA examination or equivalent
• Member of a medical defence organisation
• ALS, APLS, ATLS or equivalent
• ACCS or equivalent sign off

Experience
Essential

• Ability to anaesthetise ASA 1-3 patients independently
• Evidence of independent working in obstetric anaesthesia and critical care in the UK within the last 2 years, including providing anaesthesia for at least 20 caesarean sections

Desirable

• Interest in point of care Ultrasound (POCUS)
• Interest in POM
• Interest and competencies in high risk obstetric anaesthesia

Knowledge
Essential

• Ability to demonstrate appropriate and timely management of common anaesthetic critical incidents
• Management of common medical emergencies
• CME/CPD from the preceding two years (including appraisal and teaching)
• Logbook of cases

Desirable

• Other academic qualifications eg BSc
• IT skills including working with electronic patient information systems

Technical Skills
Essential

• Spinal and epidural anaesthesia, including at least 20 obstetric epidurals
• Transfer training
• Use of invasive monitoring including cardiac output monitors

Desirable

• Chest drain insertion
• Experience in other regional blocks
• Experience in inter-hospital transfers

Motivation
Essential

• Able to support the department in a professional manner.
• Willing to work flexibly

Probity
Essential

• The applicant must provide evidence of good standing from their local Medical Regulatory Council and provide two structured supportive references from supervising consultants, both of whom must have worked with the applicant within the last 5 years

Management Ability
Essential

• Capable of organizing and prioritising work appropriately
• Teamwork and good organisational skills

Desirable

• Previous management experience

Personality
Essential

• Conscientious and motivated with good communication skills both written and verbal
• Able to work and form good relationships with other trust staff
• Honest and trustworthy

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 (Opens in a new tab).

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 (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

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.
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.
Applicants must have current UK professional registration.