Substantive Consultant ENT Surgeon — Thyroid and Benign Head & Neck

Job summary

Homerton Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is pleased to invite applications for a substantive Consultant ENT Surgeon with a sub-specialty interest in Thyroid and Benign Head & Neck surgery. This is a permanent, full-time post comprising 10 Programmed Activities (PAs) per week, with funding secured. The post has been created to support and develop the ENT service at Homerton University Hospital in line with current service needs and the Trust’s strategic direction.

This post is envisaged to complement current service provision, taking a lead role in the Thyroid and 2-Week-Wait (2WW) Head & Neck cancer pathway co-ordination, with departmental oversight for progression of patient management and close collaboration with the regional North East London (NEL) Cancer Network. This role will involve close working partnership with the Homerton Cancer Services team and attendance at the weekly regional MDT. The successful candidate will have dedicated theatre time and appropriate support to develop their interests. The option of paediatric clinics and surgery will also be available.

Main duties of the job

The ENT department provides a comprehensive secondary-care service covering adult and paediatric general ENT, head & neck, thyroid, otology, rhinology and paediatric airway. The appointee’s caseload will primarily comprise adult thyroid and benign head & neck surgery, adult general ENT, 2-Week-Wait Head & Neck cancer triage, and elective day-case operating, supported by appropriate outpatient and MDT activity. Annual departmental activity includes approximately:

o 12,000+ new and follow-up outpatient attendances per year (face-to-face and virtual)

o 3,000+ elective and day-case ENT procedures per year

o An established 2-Week-Wait Head & Neck cancer triage pathway with weekly regional NEL MDT

o Active thyroid surgical pathway with multidisciplinary input from endocrinology and radiology

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• FRCS (ORL-HNS) or equivalent intercollegiate higher surgical qualification in Otolaryngology — Head & Neck Surgery.

Desirable

• Higher academic degree (BSc, MSc, MD, PhD or equivalent).

Registration

Essential

• Full registration and licence to practise with the General Medical Council (GMC).
• Entry on the GMC Specialist Register in Otolaryngology, via one of: Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) — proposed CCT date must be within 6 months of interview; CESR / Portfolio pathway — applicant must be on the Specialist Register at the time of interview; or alternative routes to specialist registration — applicant must be on the Specialist Register at the time of interview.

Desirable

• Post-CCT fellowship in Thyroid / Head & Neck surgery, or substantive NHS consultant experience.

Specialty / Sub-specialty Expertise

Essential

• Sub-specialist training and/or fellowship in Thyroid surgery and benign Head & Neck surgery (e.g. thyroidectomy, parathyroid surgery, neck lump assessment, submandibular gland surgery, parotidectomy where appropriate).
• Broad-based general professional training in adult and paediatric ENT, including emergency ENT.
• Competence in routine paediatric ENT operating (e.g. grommets, adenotonsillectomy, paediatric airway endoscopy) consistent with the RCS England requirement that adult surgeons can manage common, non-specialised conditions in children.
• Demonstrable experience in the multidisciplinary management of Head & Neck cancer and 2-Week-Wait (2WW) triage.

Desirable

• Post-CCT fellowship in Thyroid / Endocrine Head & Neck surgery.
• Experience of ultrasound-guided FNA / neck ultrasound for thyroid pathology.

Knowledge and Expertise

Essential

• Knowledge of NHS structures, NHS England commissioning, the Integrated Care System (ICS) model and the 2-Week-Wait cancer standards.

Desirable

• NHS experience within the last 3 years.

Training and Teaching

Essential

• Experience of teaching and training undergraduates, postgraduates and junior / senior medical staff.

Desirable

• Training the Trainers course or equivalent recognised teaching qualification.
• Experience as a recognised Clinical Supervisor and/or Assigned Educational Supervisor (AES).
• Formal educational qualification (e.g. PGCert in Medical Education).

Management and Audit

Essential

• Understanding of the principles of clinical governance and its implications for practice. Understanding and experience of clinical audit.

Desirable

• Evidence of service audit, service design, pathway redesign or change-management activity (e.g. Outpatient Follow-Up Reduction; ICB / Primary Care collaboration).
• Evidence of pathway understanding/work (e.g. 2WW Head & Neck cancer pathway redesign).

Research and Publications

Essential

• Evidence of ongoing interest and engagement in Thyroid / Head & Neck research, service evaluation or quality improvement.

Desirable

• Formal training in research methodology (e.g. GCP, MRes).
• Publications in peer-reviewed journals.
• Presentations to learned societies (national / international).

Closing Date: 4 August 2026