University Sussex Hospitals are looking for two outstanding substantive consultant anaesthetists to join our team at the Sussex Cardiac Centre working in a fantastic area of the country. Our anaesthetic department is dynamic and has an excellent reputation for teaching, research and innovation for the benefit of our population. The successful applicants will have the opportunity to hone and expand their clinical skills in addition to developing services within University Hospitals Sussex and our partner organisations.
These posts have arisen due to the retirement of colleagues and offer the successful candidates the opportunity to work at both the Royal Sussex County (just a few minutes walk from the beach) and the Princess Royal set in the beautiful Sussex countryside. Aside from Cardiac surgery and Cardiology services, the department offers a mixture of tertiary general work such as Vascular, Major Trauma, Gynae Oncology and Head and Neck, as well as general anaesthetic work including Obstetrics, Colorectal, Orthopaedics and Urology, and any new post holders would become equal participants in our existing teams.
Visiting our department prior to interview is encouraged, and if unfamiliar with the hospital, contact with the clinical lead or clinical director prior to application would also be welcomed.
Due to the nature of the work undertaken, considerable experience in the delivery of anaesthesia for a wide range of elective and emergency cardiac surgery and cardiology procedures is expected, as well as managing the needs of cardiac patients on intensive care. The nature of the non-cardiac specialist work undertaken is flexible but can be tailored to the successful candidates interests and skill set by agreement. The post includes participation in a dedicated cardiac on call rota based at the Royal Sussex County Hospital, with 3 tiers of junior doctor on site to support the breadth of the activity occurring out of hours.
Despite being an established service, there are plenty of opportunities for leading service development and quality improvement projects and experience/enthusiasm for these areas would be welcomed.
We are large teaching department with an associated medical school so we expect all consultants to participate in the education and training of medical and non-medical colleagues. Those with a proven track record of delivering education to these groups will find plenty to occupy themselves.
Further details of the duties of the role can be obtained by contacting the clinical lead or clinical director.
Working for our organisation
At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always deliver Excellent Care Everywhere, as shown in our Outstanding for Caring CQC rating. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of staff networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 3) and a Veteran Aware Trust.
Candidate Pack
The job plan will consist of fixed cardiac surgery/cardiology lists based at the Royal Sussex County Hospital, weeks with daytime responsibility for the cardiac intensive care unit, and can include flexible general anaesthetic sessions by agreement which may vary in nature from week to week depending on the interest and skill set of the successful individual. The post holder will participate in a dedicated on-call rota for cardiac anaesthesia and CICU at the RSCH sites
Participation in monthly department governance meetings and regular cardiac meetings will be included within the SPA allocation of this post. In addition, there will be responsibilities for supervising and assessing specialist trainees and other members of the multi disciplinary team
The theatre template is defined around a rolling five-week timetable with one week for cover of the CICU and the remainder covering cardiac theatres and general anaesthetic sessions.
The SPA activity undertaken by the post holder will be reviewed after 3 months in post in line with current trust guidance and additional SPA time up to 2PAs in total will be provided by mutual agreement.
The post holder will have a commitment to teaching of both undergraduates and postgraduates and evidence of active participation in teaching.
When appointed to the Trust Consultants will be expected to work from any Trust site.
Interviews Potentially August 2026
