Job summary
We are seeking to recruit an enthusiastic, innovative and friendly Consultant to join our department at The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust. Applications are welcomed from candidates with FRCS (or equivalent) and who are on the General Medical Councils specialist Register in Trauma and Orthopaedics. It would also be desirable for the candidate to have the British or European Hand Diploma. The Orthopaedics team at The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust provide first class specialist care and treatment to people living in the local area. It is our job to treat deformities, injuries and diseases of the bones, joints and muscles.

Main duties of the job
The successful candidate will join our team of 2 existing Upper Limb Consultants to provide a dedicated Upper Limb service.

It is expected that most cases will be performed on a Day Case basis. Anaesthetic support with regional blocks can be provided. The inpatient workload will be primarily from general trauma on-call and junior doctor support will be tailored to this on a shared basis.

The successful candidate will also be required to partake in the Trauma Surgeon of the week rota with a 1:11 on call commitment. During weekends on call, the Orthopaedic Surgeon is expected to undertake the Sunday am trauma list. During the Trauma week all elective duties are cancelled. Compensatory time back is given the following week.

About us
The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust (PAHT) is proud to care for the communities of West Essex, delivering safe, compassionate, and high-quality services. We are part of the Neighbourhood Wave; a national programme that's changing how care is delivered by focusing on prevention, early support, and more joined-up services across health, social care, and the voluntary sector. This means we're working more closely with local partners to bring care closer to home and support people to live healthier, more independent lives. We're a supportive and inclusive organisation that values its people. We offer development opportunities, flexible working, and a strong focus on wellbeing. As a Disability Confident and equal opportunities employer, we welcome applicants from all backgrounds and experiences. Join us and help shape the future of care in West Essex.

Details
Date posted: 22 June 2026
Pay scheme: Hospital medical and dental staff
Grade: Consultant
Salary: £113,565 to £150,569 a year
Contract: Fixed term
Duration: 12 months
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 000896
Job locations: The Princess Alexandra Hospital, Harlow, Essex, CM20 1QX, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities
The demand on the service is great and we perform a large number of operations on knees, hips, spines, hands, shoulders elbows, feet and ankles. Whenever possible our surgery is carried out in a day surgery setting and in line with any Best Practice Tariff. We are privileged to have a number of Orthopaedics consultants working for us who have international reputations for their innovative new practices and techniques. We have a dedicated 12 bedded Ultra-clean orthopaedic ward which also accommodates the MDT room and a dedicated gym where post-operative rehabilitation sessions are held.

We recently opened a brand new fracture clinic where fracture and certain elective clinics take place. Trauma meetings are held here on a daily basis as well as teaching for junior doctors. Satellite clinics also take place in Herts & Essex Community Hospital in Bishop’s Stortford and St Margaret’s Hospital in Epping.

We have a very rigorous infection control procedures in our wards, with all patients attending pre-admission being swabbed for MRSA and Covid-19. This has helped us to be one of the leading hospitals for infection control rates. We have a dedicated physiotherapy and OT team, who are key to the pre and post recovery for our Orthopaedic patients. All patients undergoing major Orthopaedic surgery attend the pre-admission department, where we have staff experienced in Orthopaedics. For joint replacement patients, as part of the admission process, patients attend an education class prior to surgery which offers patients further information about their surgery and what to expect post operatively. These classes are run by members of the physiotherapy team and our joint replacement specialist nurse. We also offer a number a post-op rehab classes to patients, who undergo spinal and knee ligament surgery. We have a separate, specialist hand therapy service for those who require it.

Main duties of the job
The successful candidate will join the existing establishment in delivering a broad range of general Trauma and Orthopaedic Services at PAHT, whilst at the same time supporting practitioners in primary care. The appointee will contribute to junior doctor training, participate in research programmes and take an active interest in the management of the speciality.

They will also be expected:

• To contribute to the provision of a comprehensive and efficient Trauma & Orthopaedic Service.
• To share responsibility with all Consultant colleagues for providing evidence-based standards of care for all inpatients and outpatients.
• To have regard at all times to the clinical and quality standards set out by the Health Care commission, East of England Health Authority and local Primary Care Trusts.
• To liaise effectively and on a timely basis with General Practitioners and all other health care agencies.
• To give advice, support and training to all junior medical staff.
• To participate in the Trauma Consultant of the Week rota on a 1:11 basis including undertaking the weekend Trauma lists. The TSOW is responsible for on-call cover from 17.00 hours on Friday – 08.00 Monday.
• To take part in the week day on-call 1:13. This is a fixed day (Monday – Thursday).
• To encourage and foster the audit process at clinical, managerial and medical levels and to take part in regional audit in support of evidence-based medicine.
• To participate fully in the management of the Department and to liaise closely with the Lead Doctor and Operational Managers
• To take part in continuing medical education activities, in line with the Royal College of Surgeon’s guidelines and in consultation with the Medical Director.

Person Specification

Qualifications
Essential

• Full GMC registration
• Entry on the GMC Specialist Register via: CCT or CESR (CP) or anticipated date can be provided
• FRCS (Trauma and Orthopaedics) or qualification of an equivalent level

Desirable

• Higher Degree
• Undergraduate teaching
• British or European Shoulder Diploma

Experience
Essential

• Clinical training and experience equivalent to that required gaining UK CCST in relevant specialty.E
• Experience of and ability to advise on efficient and smooth running of trauma service.E
• Experience of and ability to organise and manage out-patient priorities, surgical waiting lists and operating listsE
• Experience of supervising Foundation doctors and Specialty trainees.
• Experience of and ability to teach clinical and operative skills
• Experience of and ability to apply research outcomes to clinical and surgical problems
• Fellowship training in Shoulder +/- elbow surgery
• Clinical training and experience in Orthopaedic trauma

Desirable

• Experience in Hand Surgery

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.