Job summary
This is a six month locum post to cover the time between the departure of existing staff, due to relocation, and the appointment of a substantive consultant. The term will start on Monday 14th September 2026. The appointee will join the 6 vascular consultants, Mr Paul Eyers, Mr Andrew Stewart, Mr Ian Hunter, Mr James Coulston, Mrs Katy Darvall and Miss Natasha Chinai to provide a Vascular Surgical Service for the population of Somerset and North Devon (circa 800,000). The post holder will be predominantly based at Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton, but will also form part of a 4 consultant team delivering outpatient and day case vascular services at North Devon and Somerset community hospital sites. The post attracts a total of 10 PAs and includes being on call (1 in 7) for the Somerset and North Devon Vascular Network.

Main duties of the job

• To work with the existing vascular team to ensure timely high standard care, striving for excellence of clinical outcomes and optimised patient experience.
• To work flexibly to ensure comprehensive cover for both elective and emergency vascular patients, the efficient use of the team's resources and on-going development of the team and its members.
• To participate in the Somerset and North Devon Vascular on-call rota (1 in 7).
• To provide cross cover for on call, elective commitments where possible, and continuing care of patients for colleagues away on leave across the Network locations.
• To contribute to the academic life of the Department of Vascular Surgery and the Trust.
• To contribute to the teaching of junior medical staff, medical students, specialist nurses and other Divisional staff .
• To be aware of and comply with the Trust's policies and ensure that their requirements along with nationally recognised professional standards, are incorporated into clinical practice.
• To be responsible for accurate submission of all index procedures to the National Vascular Registry.
• To contribute actively to the Department's Clinical Audit programme.
• To be responsible for personal continuing professional development.

About us
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

Additionally, you'll gain access to our 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.
We are proud to foster a diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds.

Why Somerset?
Somerset offers the perfect blend of idyllic countryside, outstanding areas of natural beauty, and breathtaking coastlines, with vibrant cities like Bristol, Bath, and Exeter just a short drive away - and only two hours to London. The region is home to excellent educational facilities, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it's a great place to build both your career and your future. Somerset truly has it all - the peaceful countryside and cosmopolitan city life, with something for everyone to enjoy.

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• Medical Degree and Royal College membership, or equivalent.
• Full GMC Registration with a license to practice at time of applying.
• Entry on the GMC Specialist Register in Vascular Surgery via CCT (proposed CCT date must be within 6 months of the interview date), CESR or European Community Rights
• An appropriate higher Vascular surgical qualification eg (Intercollegiate Vascular Surgery Examination)

Experience
Essential

• Clinical training and experience equivalent to that required for gaining UK CCT in vascular surgery
• Experience in a special interest that will complement those existing in the department.
• Ability to offer expert clinical opinion on range of problems, both emergency and elective within vascular surgery
• Ability to take full and independent responsibility for clinical care of patients
• Expertise in vascular surgery

Additional Criteria
Essential

• Provide high quality care for vascular surgery patients
• Provide dedicated non-residential on-call cover (with internal cover).
• Competent to work without direct supervision where appropriate.
• Clear, logical thinking showing an analytical/scientific approach.

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.

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

Contact details
For questions about the job, contact: Hiring Manager Lorna Hewart, lorna.hewart@somersetFT.nhs.uk