Job Overview
University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a dedicated Locum Gastroenterologist with a special interest in Intestinal Failure for a 12-month fixed-term position at the prestigious Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham. This is an exceptional opportunity for international medical professionals seeking to relocate to the United Kingdom, as the employer offers Certificate of Sponsorship for eligible candidates. The position combines clinical excellence with research opportunities in one of the UK’s leading tertiary referral centers.
Position Details
This 12-month locum consultant post focuses on gastroenterology and Intestinal Failure, Home Parenteral Nutrition, and Clinical Nutrition Service. The Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham (QEHB), newly opened in 2010, provides secondary and tertiary care services, including the NHS England commissioned Severe Intestinal Failure Unit. The department features a well-equipped, modern endoscopy unit with a separate dedicated in-patient endoscopy suite.
Hospital and Department Overview
QEHB serves as an NHS England commissioned regional tertiary referral centre for severe intestinal failure, both surgery and home parenteral nutrition (HPN), covering a population of approximately 3.5 million people. Currently, the unit manages around 140 patients on HPN and provides in-patient care for type 1 intestinal failure, averaging 20-35 patients daily. The Trust maintains a well-developed partnership with the University, providing excellent foundations for teaching and research that underpins high-quality clinical service.
Team Structure
The successful candidate will join an existing team of 13 consultant gastroenterologists at QEHB and the Nutrition Support Team, which includes 3 consultants and a fully diverse allied health professional team. This collaborative environment ensures comprehensive patient care and professional development opportunities.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
The post holder will be responsible, together with other department members, for providing high-quality intestinal failure/rehabilitation, clinical nutrition, and gastroenterology services. The final job plan will be agreed upon appointment, but the successful candidate will be expected to undertake a mix of general gastroenterology, endoscopy, GI Bleed on-call, and ward cover, alongside nutrition and intestinal failure specialty care.
Specific Clinical Responsibilities
Key responsibilities include contributing to the clinical delivery and development of the intestinal failure and clinical nutrition/complex enteral specialist service, delivering in-patient parenteral nutrition ward rounds 2-3 times per week, managing an average of 2-3 endoscopy sessions weekly, and conducting 2-3 outpatient clinics weekly including intestinal failure, complex enteral nutrition, and gastroenterology clinics.
Additional Clinical Duties
The role requires participation in the acute gastroenterology ward rota and management of inpatient gastroenterology services, involvement in the emergency GI Bleed service, providing specialist advice to colleagues, and working to directorate-agreed management guidelines.
Gastroenterology Services
At Queen Elizabeth Hospital, a rolling 1 in 10 ward rota (pure GI & Liver) occurs in one to two weekly blocks to manage in-patients. Due to nutrition commitments, the successful candidate will likely undertake this at a 1 in 20 rota. Consultants participate in an on-call bleed rota for the Queen Elizabeth site only, primarily for managing severe upper GI haemorrhage and offering advice on other acute GI conditions.
Endoscopy Services
The JAG accredited unit hosts 4 main out-patient rooms, a separate dedicated in-patient suite, and regular fluoroscopy lists. Recent investments include new endoscopes, stacks, and CO2 facilities through a managed endoscopy services contract with Olympus. The service is supported by three full-time nurse endoscopists and offers capsule endoscopy, single balloon enteroscopy, EUS, ERCP, Bowel Cancer Screening, and dedicated Barrett’s service including cytosponge.
Salary and Benefits
The position offers an attractive salary range of £105,504 to £139,882 per year, depending on experience. This is a full-time, fixed-term contract for 1 year, with the working pattern being full-time. The employer provides Certificate of Sponsorship for international candidates who require current Skilled Worker sponsorship to work in the UK.
Essential Qualifications
Candidates must be entered on the GMC Register and possess MRCP or equivalent. Eligibility for inclusion, or being within 6 months of a CCT, on the GMC specialist register in gastroenterology & general medicine or equivalent is required. These qualifications are essential for international medical professionals seeking to practice in the UK healthcare system.
Essential Experience
Applicants must demonstrate evidence of clinical experience with care of complex nutritional support, including parenteral nutrition in hospital and at home settings. Initiatives that show enthusiasm and commitment to assessing and caring for patients with gastrointestinal disease are essential, as is enthusiasm for and demonstrable commitment to supervising and teaching junior medical staff, students, and other healthcare professionals.
Application Process
Applications must be submitted via the NHS Jobs website. The closing date for applications is 05 October 2025. For questions about the position, interested candidates can contact Dr Sheldon Cooper, the Hiring Manager, via email at [email protected] or by phone at 01213715909.
Employer Information
University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust strives to maintain an inclusive culture where everyone feels they belong, can thrive, knows they add value, and feels valued. The Trust develops compassionate and culturally competent leaders, operates values-driven practices, and creates a welcoming workplace that thrives on diversity.
Location Details
The position is based at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Mindelsohn Way, Birmingham, West Midlands, B15 2TH. Birmingham offers excellent living conditions with diverse cultural opportunities, excellent transport links, and affordable housing compared to other major UK cities.
Visa and Sponsorship Information
The employer welcomes applications from job seekers who require current Skilled Worker sponsorship to work in the UK. Applications will be considered alongside all other applications. From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants applying for entry clearance into the UK must present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years.
Professional Registration Requirements
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information, candidates should visit the NHS Careers website for overseas health professionals. The Trust provides support for international medical professionals navigating the UK registration process.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975, requiring submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Equal Opportunities Employer
University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust is committed to attracting and recruiting talented individuals from all backgrounds. The Trust supports staff with disabilities, including physical disability, long-term health conditions, mental health, or neurodiverse conditions, by making reasonable adjustments needed for role performance.
Additional Information
Prospective applicants can find detailed information about the Trust and this position on the employer’s website: https://www.uhb.nhs.uk/jobs.htm. The Trust holds numerous accreditations including Age Positive, Apprenticeships, Carer Friendly Employer, Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Gold, Disability Confident Leader, and many others demonstrating their commitment to excellence and inclusivity.
Why Choose This Opportunity?
This position offers international medical professionals an excellent pathway to practice in the UK’s renowned healthcare system. With Certificate of Sponsorship available, comprehensive support for relocation, and the opportunity to work in a leading tertiary referral center, this role provides both professional growth and cultural experience in one of Europe’s most dynamic healthcare environments.
