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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Upper GI Consultant

💰 Competitive

HealthcareSurgeryUpper GIConsultant

🎯 Role Definition

The Upper GI Consultant is a senior surgical specialist responsible for delivering high-quality, evidence-based care for patients with oesophageal, gastric and related foregut conditions. This role covers elective and emergency surgical practice, endoscopic diagnosis and therapy, MDT leadership for upper gastrointestinal and oesophago‑gastric cancer, training and supervision of junior clinicians, engagement in service and pathway development, and delivery of measurable quality improvement and audit outcomes. The post requires advanced laparoscopic and endoscopic competence, multidisciplinary collaboration, and a commitment to clinical governance, research, education and patient experience.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Consultant-level Upper GI or Oesophago‑Gastric Surgeon post (trainee completing CCT with Upper GI fellowship)
  • Senior Specialty Registrar with completed Higher Surgical Training and dedicated Upper GI fellowship
  • Locum or Associate Specialist (SAS) with advanced Upper GI/oesophago‑gastric and endoscopy competencies

Advancement To:

  • Clinical Lead / Service Lead for Upper GI Surgery
  • Divisional Director of Surgical Services (Upper GI or Cancer)
  • Head of Department / Medical Director (specialty leadership roles)

Lateral Moves:

  • Consultant in General Surgery with specialist interest in Upper GI and bariatric surgery
  • Consultant in HPB/Foregut combined services
  • Academic or research-focused consultant posts with protected research time

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Provide consultant‑level clinical care for patients with oesophageal and gastric disease, including diagnosis, multidisciplinary treatment planning, operative management (open, laparoscopic and minimally invasive techniques) and postoperative care for elective and emergency presentations.
  • Perform complex upper gastrointestinal resections (including oesophagectomy and gastrectomy) and reconstructions in line with national cancer standards, ensuring optimal oncological and functional outcomes.
  • Deliver diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy (upper GI endoscopy, EMR, ESD where credentialed) and ensure maintenance of endoscopy competencies in line with JAG or equivalent accreditation.
  • Lead and actively participate in multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings for oesophago‑gastric cancer and benign foregut disease, presenting cases, advocating evidence‑based pathways, and documenting agreed plans.
  • Manage acute upper GI emergencies including perforation, bleeding, and obstruction; provide consultant cover for on-call surgical emergencies and ensure appropriate escalation and cross‑specialty collaboration.
  • Provide expert pre-operative assessment and risk stratification, consenting patients with full discussion of benefits, risks and alternatives and documenting shared decision-making.
  • Implement and oversee enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols and peri‑operative pathways to minimize complications, length of stay and readmissions.
  • Supervise and teach trainees, junior doctors, nurse specialists and allied health professionals; provide structured training, assessment and feedback and contribute to workforce development.
  • Maintain robust clinical governance including morbidity and mortality (M&M) review, case review, incident reporting, complaint resolution and implementation of lessons learned.
  • Maintain accurate clinical documentation, coding and clinic letters in electronic health records and ensure timely communication with primary care and referring clinicians.
  • Drive quality improvement and audit projects related to outcomes, waiting times, complications and patient experience; publish or present findings locally, regionally or nationally.
  • Contribute to service development and redesign, including capacity planning, waiting list management, business cases for new equipment or theatre lists, and pathway optimization for cancer and benign disease.
  • Provide leadership in multidisciplinary quality standards, tumor board decision-making, and compliance with national cancer targets and peer review frameworks.
  • Manage and coordinate complex patient pathways including staging investigations (CT, PET, EUS), neoadjuvant therapy coordination, and post‑treatment surveillance plans.
  • Participate in shared care arrangements with medical oncology, radiation oncology, gastroenterology, radiology, dietetics and palliative care to ensure integrated patient management.
  • Undertake private practice where available and appropriate, ensuring compliance with trust/private facility governance, indemnity and waiting list management.
  • Mentor and supervise clinical research, engage in clinical trials and translational research projects related to upper GI malignancies and benign foregut conditions.
  • Maintain and update competence in advanced surgical and endoscopic technologies (robotic surgery, laparoscopic stapling, energy devices) and promote safe device adoption.
  • Deliver patient and family‑centered communication, including breaking bad news, discussing prognosis and facilitating complex end‑of‑life decisions with empathy and clarity.
  • Ensure cost‑effective use of resources, procurement of specialty equipment and participation in contract and tariff discussions affecting service delivery.
  • Support local and regional networks for oesophago‑gastric cancer, including referral pathways, tertiary center liaison, and capacity sharing across trusts or institutions.
  • Maintain up‑to‑date knowledge and adherence to national guidelines (NICE, ESMO, NCCN, national cancer protocols) and incorporate best practice into clinical pathways.
  • Lead or participate in teaching programs for undergraduate medical students, postgraduate trainees and multidisciplinary education sessions relevant to upper GI surgery.

Secondary Functions

  • Contribute to strategic planning and service resilience workstreams, including business case writing for new operating capacity, endoscopy suite upgrades, and robotic/advanced laparoscopy adoption.
  • Support audit, clinical coding validation and data quality initiatives to ensure accurate activity reporting and performance metrics.
  • Engage in patient experience initiatives and lead improvements in outpatient flow, preassessment efficiency and post‑discharge follow‑up.
  • Support regional training networks and accreditation activities, including JAG endoscopy accreditation, surgical training rotations and fellowship supervision.
  • Represent the service at hospital, regional and national meetings, contributing to policy development and specialty workforce planning.
  • Contribute to risk management, clinical policy creation, and guideline development for safe practice in Upper GI surgery and endoscopy.
  • Participate in consultant on‑call rotas, weekend and bank holiday clinical commitments as per trust rotas and job plan agreements.
  • Provide medico-legal reporting and expert opinion where required, maintaining clear documentation and compliance with legal standards.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Consultant-level surgical expertise in upper gastrointestinal surgery (oesophagectomy, gastrectomy, antrectomy, fundoplication, hiatal hernia repair).
  • Advanced laparoscopic and minimally invasive surgical skills including experience in thoracoabdominal and transhiatal approaches where applicable.
  • Accredited upper GI endoscopy competence (diagnostic and therapeutic upper GI endoscopy; EMR/ESD experience an advantage).
  • Proven experience managing oesophago‑gastric cancer pathways including staging (EUS, CT, PET), neoadjuvant therapy coordination and multidisciplinary decision-making.
  • Strong peri‑operative management skills including ERAS implementation, critical care liaison and complication management.
  • Experience with surgical oncology principles, lymphadenectomy techniques and oncological follow‑up protocols.
  • Familiarity with robotic-assisted upper GI surgery or documented aptitude in acquiring robotic skills.
  • Competence in clinical audit, quality improvement methodology, and interpreting clinical outcome data.
  • Proficiency with electronic health records (EHR), PACS, oncology/MDT software and standard office productivity tools.
  • Knowledge of national clinical guidelines (NICE, ESMO) and cancer service specifications; ability to translate guidelines into local protocols.
  • Experience supervising registrars and fellows, with formal educational or training supervisor qualifications advantageous.
  • Understanding of clinical governance, risk management, incident reporting systems and patient safety frameworks.

Soft Skills

  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills for high-quality patient consultations, MDT contributions and inter-professional collaboration.
  • Leadership and team-building ability to lead multidisciplinary clinical teams and effect service improvements.
  • Strong clinical judgment and decision-making under pressure in emergency and complex elective settings.
  • Empathy and emotional resilience in delivering difficult news and supporting patients through cancer and major surgery journeys.
  • Time management and organizational skills to balance clinical lists, clinics, on-call duties and administrative responsibilities.
  • Coaching and mentoring skills to develop junior staff and contribute to a positive learning environment.
  • Negotiation and stakeholder management skills for cross-departmental pathway development and resource allocation.
  • Analytical thinking for interpreting outcome data, driving audits and designing quality improvement projects.
  • Adaptability to work in dynamic healthcare environments with competing priorities and evolving technologies.
  • Commitment to continuous professional development, reflective practice and lifelong learning.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Primary medical degree (MBBS, MBChB or equivalent) with full registration with the national medical regulator (e.g., GMC in the UK).

Preferred Education:

  • Completion of higher surgical training culminating in CCT (Certificate of Completion of Training), FRCS(General Surgery) or equivalent certification.
  • Dedicated Upper GI / Oesophago‑Gastric surgery fellowship or equivalent specialized training (regional or international fellowship).
  • Postgraduate qualifications in surgical education, clinical leadership or health services research are advantageous.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • General Surgery / Upper GI Surgery
  • Surgical Oncology
  • Minimally Invasive & Endoscopic Surgery
  • Medical Education / Clinical Leadership
  • Clinical Research / Epidemiology

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 8–15 years of surgical training/clinical practice, including higher surgical training and specialist Upper GI experience. Documented operative experience in oesophago‑gastric resections and complex foregut procedures.

Preferred:

  • Completed CCT or equivalent and 1–5 years of senior fellowship or consultant-level experience in Upper GI/oesophago‑gastric surgery.
  • Demonstrable competence in advanced laparoscopic surgery and upper GI endoscopy (JAG accreditation or equivalent).
  • Track record of MDT leadership, cancer pathway management, audit and quality improvement projects; experience in academic research or clinical trials is an advantage.
  • Current full registration and license to practice with the national regulator, UK Right to Work (or local equivalent), and appropriate clinical indemnity arrangements.

Additional Notes for Applicants

  • This role expects a commitment to high standards of clinical governance, patient safety and continuing professional development.
  • Applicants should be prepared to contribute to on‑call rotas and regional network obligations as agreed in the job plan.
  • Shortlisting will prioritize candidates with evidence of complex upper GI operative volume, leadership in cancer services, and a demonstrable record of teaching, audit and quality improvement.
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