This exciting 12-month post is ideal for post-fellowship anaesthetic specialty registrars seeking to develop their expertise in perioperative medicine and anaesthesia for major oncological surgery. Based at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, this role includes supervised sessions in theatre, experience on the Oncological Critical Care Unit (OCCU), and attendance at high-risk anaesthetic and CPET clinics. Dedicated time is provided for supported professional activities such as audit, research, and quality improvement projects. The post is particularly suited to those undertaking Out-of-Programme Experience (OOPE) or seeking post-CCT development in a tertiary cancer centre
The successful candidate will contribute to the delivery of perioperative care for patients undergoing complex oncological procedures including HIPEC, robotic surgery, and major cytoreductive operations. Duties include anaesthetic sessions in theatre, clinical shifts on the OCCU, and participation in consultant-led pre-assessment and CPET clinics. There are opportunities for involvement in education and clinical research, including participation in the National Emergency Laparotomy Audit (NELA) and Perioperative Quality Improvement Programme (PQIP). The role does not include routine on-call commitments, though additional paid shifts may be offered depending on experience. Job planning will be tailored to the candidate’s background and interests.
The Christie is one of Europe’s leading cancer centres, treating over 60,000 patients a year. We are based in Manchester and serve a population of 3.2 million across Greater Manchester & Cheshire, but as a national specialist around 15% patients are referred to us from other parts of the country.
We provide radiotherapy through one of the largest radiotherapy departments in the world; chemotherapy on site and through 14 other hospitals; highly specialist surgery for complex and rare cancer; and a wide range of support and diagnostic services. We are also an international leader in research, with world first breakthroughs for over 100 years.
We run one of the largest early clinical trial units in Europe with over 300 trials every year. Cancer research in Manchester, most of which is undertaken on the Christie site, has been officially ranked the best in the UK.

3. EXPERIENCE

Job Specific
Anaesthesia for major
surgery; understanding of
UK healthcare
AF/I
Management / Audit
Understanding of audit &
QI; prior participation
Publications, QI leadership
AF/I

5. PERSONAL SKILLS

Acceptability
Good communication;
team player; reliable;
calm under pressure
Awareness of tertiary
cancer centre needs;
empathy with patients
AF/I

Education and Training

• In-house CPET training will be provided with supervision progressing to independent practice.
• Access to structured learning resources within The Christie School of Oncology

The medical establishment consists of over 24 consultant anesthetists, 10 SAS doctors, junior clinical fellows, and advanced nurse practitioners.

The appointee will be based at The Christie and will provide senior input to:

• Main Theatres (5 NHS theatres plus brachytherapy and IPU theatres), delivering anaesthesia for major open and robotic cancer surgeries including colorectal, gynaecological, urological, and peritoneal malignancies (e.g. HIPEC).
• Oncological Critical Care Unit (OCCU): An eight-bed unit providing care for surgical, clinical and haematological oncology patients.
• Anaesthetic Pre-assessment and CPET Clinics: Including three consultant-led high-risk clinics and two CPET clinics per week.
• Multidisciplinary preoperative and planning meetings , contributing to complex case discussions and perioperative strategies.

[ Administration

• Maintain accurate clinical documentation and handovers.
• Participate in MDT meetings and departmental audit cycles.

Teaching

• Contribute to in-house anaesthetic teaching and education of junior doctors and medical students.
• Opportunity to assist in regional post-fellowship teaching programmes.

Research

• Engage in national and local research/audit projects, such as NELA and PQIP.
• Support the design and analysis of quality improvement initiatives.

Communication and Working Relationships

• Work collaboratively with theatre staff, surgeons, OCCU team, acute pain team, and pre-assessment services.
• Communicate effectively with patients and carers, especially in complex cancer care settings.

Governance, Quality and Risk Management

• Adhere to Trust policies and GMC guidance on professional standards.
• Participate in clinical governance meetings and incident reviews where appropriate.

Professional Development

• Dedicated SPA time to support CPD, appraisal and revalidation activities.
• Encouraged to attend conferences and external educational courses.

Education and Training

• In-house CPET training will be provided with supervision progressing to independent practice.
• Access to structured learning resources within The Christie School of Oncology.

Support and Office Facilities

• Shared office space with IT access.
• Administrative support from the Anaesthetic Directorate.

Mentoring

• Clinical and educational supervision provided by a named consultant.
• Regular job planning and progression reviews.

Scope for Progression

• Potential to transition into more senior or training positions depending on experience and career goals.

Continuing Professional Development
The Trust supports the requirements for continuing professional development (CPD) as laid down by the GMC and surgical colleges and is committed to providing time and financial support for these activities.
Role Planning
2–3 Theatre sessions per week
1 OCCU day shift per week
1 CPET/Pre-assessment clinic
1SPAsession
(Exact timetable to be confirmed in job planning)
On call Commitments
This role does not include routine on-call duties. There may be opportunities for paid ad hoc night/weekend shifts on OCCU, subject to experience.
Contacts
Arrangements to visit the hospital or to discuss the role further, may be made direct with:
Name &
Role Title
Email
Number
Samuel Al-Kadhimi
samuel.al-kadhimi@nhs.net
Kunal Lund
klund@nhs.net