Job Overview
The University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a dedicated Locum Gastroenterologist with a specialized interest in Intestinal Failure for a 12-month fixed-term position at the prestigious Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham. This exceptional opportunity offers international candidates Certificate of Sponsorship, making it an ideal pathway for medical professionals seeking to relocate to the United Kingdom and advance their careers within the NHS healthcare system.
Position Details
This is a 12-month locum consultant post specializing in gastroenterology with a focus on Intestinal Failure, Home Parenteral Nutrition, and Clinical Nutrition Services. The successful candidate will join a dynamic team of 13 consultant gastroenterologists and a comprehensive Nutrition Support Team consisting of 3 consultants and diverse allied health professionals.
Salary and Benefits
The position offers a competitive salary range of £105,504 to £139,882 per annum, commensurate with experience and qualifications. This full-time fixed-term contract includes comprehensive NHS benefits package and supports international relocation through Certificate of Sponsorship for eligible candidates.
Hospital and Department Overview
The Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham (QEHB), newly opened in 2010, provides exceptional secondary and tertiary care services, including the NHS England commissioned Severe Intestinal Failure Unit. The hospital features a state-of-the-art, well-equipped modern endoscopy unit with a separate dedicated in-patient endoscopy suite, ensuring optimal patient care delivery.
Clinical Responsibilities
The department serves as a regional tertiary referral centre for severe intestinal failure, covering a population of approximately 3.5 million people. Currently, QEHB manages around 140 patients on Home Parenteral Nutrition (HPN) and provides in-patient care for type 1 intestinal failure, averaging 20-35 patients daily at any given time.
Main Clinical Duties
The successful candidate will be responsible for delivering high-quality intestinal failure/rehabilitation, clinical nutrition, and gastroenterology services. Key responsibilities include contributing to the clinical delivery and development of specialist intestinal failure and clinical nutrition services, managing 2-3 endoscopy sessions weekly, conducting 2-3 outpatient clinics weekly (including intestinal failure, complex enteral nutrition, and gastroenterology clinics), and participating in the acute gastroenterology ward rota.
Specialist Services
The appointee will deliver in-patient parenteral nutrition ward rounds 2-3 times per week, sharing a rota with colleagues to provide comprehensive 52-week service coverage. Participation in the emergency GI Bleed service and providing specialist advice to colleagues while working to directorate-agreed management guidelines are essential components of this role.
Academic and Research Opportunities
The Trust maintains a well-developed partnership with the University, providing excellent foundations for teaching and research activities. This academic collaboration underpins the delivery of high-quality clinical services and offers opportunities for professional development and research involvement.
Multidisciplinary Collaboration
The department enjoys strong collaborative relationships with colorectal, upper GI, and sarcoma surgeons, supported by excellent diagnostic and interventional radiology services. Close liaison between gastroenterologists, radiologists, and surgeons occurs through weekly combined X-ray meetings, IBD MDT sessions, and specific IF MDT discussions.
Endoscopy Services
The JAG-accredited endoscopy unit features 4 main out-patient rooms, a separate dedicated in-patient suite, and regular fluoroscopy lists. Recent investments have provided new endoscopes, stacks, and CO2 facilities through a managed endoscopy services contract with Olympus. The service is supported by three full-time nurse endoscopists.
Specialist Procedures and Services
The department offers comprehensive specialist services including capsule endoscopy, single balloon enteroscopy, EUS, ERCP, Bowel Cancer Screening, spyscope, HALO procedures, and a dedicated Barrett’s service including cytosponge. A busy GI Physiology Unit provides oesophageal pH, manometry, motility studies, and ano-rectal physiology services.
Person Specification – Essential Qualifications
Candidates must be entered on the GMC Register and possess MRCP or equivalent qualifications. Eligibility for inclusion on the GMC specialist register in gastroenterology & general medicine (or within 6 months of CCT) is mandatory. These qualifications ensure compliance with UK medical practice standards for international applicants.
Person Specification – Essential Experience
Applicants must demonstrate clinical experience in complex nutritional support care, including parenteral nutrition management both in hospital and home settings. Evidence of initiatives showing enthusiasm and commitment to gastrointestinal disease assessment and care, along with demonstrable commitment to supervising and teaching junior medical staff, students, and other healthcare professionals is required.
Certificate of Sponsorship Information
The University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust welcomes applications from job seekers requiring 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 UK entry clearance must present criminal record certificates from each country resided in continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years.
Disclosure and Barring Service Requirements
This position is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975, requiring Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) submission to check for previous criminal convictions. International applicants should review guidance on criminal records checks for overseas applicants available through UK Visas and Immigration resources.
UK Registration Requirements
All applicants must maintain current UK professional registration. International healthcare professionals should consult the NHS Careers website for comprehensive information about working in the UK healthcare system and registration processes.
Application Process
Interested candidates should apply through the NHS Jobs website. The closing date for applications is 05 October 2025. For detailed discussions about this position, prospective applicants are encouraged to contact Dr Sheldon Cooper, Hiring Manager, at [email protected] or 01213715909.
Employer Information
University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust strives to maintain an inclusive culture where everyone feels they belong, can thrive, add value, and feel valued. The Trust develops compassionate and culturally competent leaders, operates values-driven practices, and creates welcoming workplaces that thrive on diversity.
Equal Opportunities Commitment
The Trust actively attracts and recruits talented individuals from all backgrounds, supporting diversity to help each staff member achieve their full potential. For staff with disabilities, including physical disabilities, long-term health conditions, mental health conditions, or neurodiverse conditions, the Trust commits to making reasonable adjustments needed for role fulfillment.
Accreditation and Recognition
University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust holds numerous accreditations including Age Positive, Apprenticeships, Carer Friendly Employer, Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Gold, Disability Confident Leader, Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, Happy to Talk Flexible Working, Positive about disability, Smoke free, Stonewall, Stonewall Silver Employer 2022, and Veteran Aware certifications.
Location and Facilities
The position is based at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Mindelsohn Way, Birmingham, West Midlands, B15 2TH. The hospital offers modern facilities and excellent working environments conducive to professional growth and development within the UK healthcare system.
Professional Development
This position offers exceptional opportunities for professional development within a leading NHS Foundation Trust. International candidates will benefit from working in a diverse clinical environment with access to ongoing training, research opportunities, and career advancement pathways within the UK healthcare system.
How to Apply
Qualified international candidates seeking relocation to the United Kingdom are encouraged to apply through the NHS Jobs website. The Trust’s commitment to Certificate of Sponsorship makes this an excellent opportunity for gastroenterologists looking to establish their careers within the renowned NHS healthcare system.
