Important Visa Information
This position includes a Certificate of Sponsorship for eligible international candidates. However, applicants must verify their visa eligibility directly with the employer before applying. The certificate of sponsorship does not guarantee visa approval, and candidates must meet all UK immigration requirements.
Job Summary
University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) is seeking experienced Transfer Doctors to join Retrieve, the South West Adult Critical Care Transfer Service. This is an excellent opportunity for medical professionals seeking to work in the UK with sponsorship available. The role involves providing critical care transfer services across the South West region of England.
About the Organization
Retrieve is the South West’s dedicated Adult Critical Care Transfer Service, commissioned by NHS England South West Specialised Commissioning through UHBW. The Trust is one of the largest acute Trusts in the country, employing over 13,000 staff across 10 different sites. UHBW has been rated ‘Good’ by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and is committed to providing excellent care while promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace.
Main Duties of the Job
As a Transfer Doctor with Retrieve, you will be responsible for undertaking adult critical care transfers, working alongside Duty Consultants and Transfer Practitioners. The role includes training and experience in transfer medicine with the aim of achieving autonomous practice status with remote consultant supervision. You will need to assess, resuscitate, and stabilize critically unwell adult patients, including delivering advanced airway management with remote supervision.
Person Specification
Essential Knowledge and Experience
- Experience within intensive care medicine or anaesthesia at ST5+ level (or equivalent)
- Advanced airway skills for delivering unplanned emergency anaesthesia outside the operating theatre
- Experience of critical care transfer
- Demonstration of good clinical judgment
- Completion of a transfer training course
- Understanding of audit and clinical governance processes
- Ability to manage complex cases with appropriate supervision
Essential Skills and Abilities
- Ability to organize and prioritize workload
- Good communication skills
- Honesty and reliability
- Ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary team
- Flexibility in work approach
- Critical approach to work
- Demonstration of initiative
- Ability to gain confidence of both staff and patients
- Willingness to undertake additional clinical duties when necessary
Essential Qualifications and Training
- Full General Medical Council (UK) registration with Licence to Practice
- FFICM or FRCA or equivalent qualification
- Advanced Life Support provider status
- Trauma course provider (ATLS / ETC)
- IT skills on all Microsoft packages
- Fluent English language ability
Desirable Qualifications and Experience
- Designed and completed audits or quality improvement projects
- Experience in critical care transfer and retrieval or pre-hospital emergency medicine
- CCT in Intensive Care Medicine or Anaesthesia
- Other membership, fellowship, or diplomas
- Relevant specialist courses (e.g., difficult airways, ultrasound)
- Ability to take on administrative roles within the organization
- Ability to lead a multidisciplinary team
Working Pattern and Contract
This is a fixed-term position with a duration of 6 months. The Trust offers both full-time and part-time working patterns, providing flexibility for successful candidates. The role requires availability for 24-hour critical care transfer services as part of the Retrieve team.
Salary Information
The position offers a competitive salary ranging from £65,048 to £111,441 per annum, pro rata for part-time positions. This salary reflects the seniority of the role and the critical nature of the work involved in patient transfer services.
Location
The role is based at one of two operational bases: either Peninsula, based in Launceston, Cornwall, covering the Peninsula sub-region (Devon/Cornwall), or Severn, based in Bristol, covering the Severn sub-region (Gloucestershire to Somerset). Applicants should indicate their preferred location when applying.
How to Apply
To apply for this position, international candidates should follow these steps:
- Verify your visa eligibility requirements with UK Visas and Immigration
- Prepare your CV, qualifications, and professional references
- Gather documentation for criminal record checks from countries where you have resided for 12 months or more in the past 10 years
- Complete the application form through the NHS Jobs website
- Submit your application before the closing date of 11 January 2026
- For questions, contact the Retrieve admin team at retrieve.transfer@nhs.uk
International Applicant Support
UHBW is committed to supporting international staff and offers assistance with the relocation process. The Trust provides information on UK registration requirements, housing options, and settling in the UK. Successful candidates will receive guidance on the Certificate of Sponsorship process and required documentation for visa applications.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975. A submission for Disclosure will be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions. All applicants must be willing to undergo this check as a condition of employment.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled Worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. The Trust will provide a Certificate of Sponsorship to successful candidates who meet the eligibility criteria. From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants must present criminal record certificates from each country where they have resided for 12 months or more in the past 10 years.
UK Professional Registration
Applicants must hold current UK professional registration with the General Medical Council. For further information on UK registration requirements, please see the NHS Careers website for overseas health professionals.
Contact Information
For questions about the job, contact the Retrieve admin team:
- Job title: Admin team
- Name: Retrieve admin team
- Email: retrieve.transfer@nhs.uk
- Phone: Not provided
Employer Details
University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults. As an equal opportunities employer, the Trust actively works towards a diverse workforce that represents the local population at all levels.
Privacy Notice
For information on how UHBW processes your personal data, please see their privacy notice on their website. Anonymous information from your application may be used to ensure the Trust meets its diversity and inclusion commitments.
Closing Date
The closing date for applications is 11 January 2026. Early submission of applications is encouraged to allow sufficient time for processing, especially for international candidates who may require additional time for visa and registration processes.
Benefits of Working with UHBW
UHBW offers numerous benefits for international staff, including access to continuous professional development opportunities, a supportive working environment, and the chance to be part of a leading healthcare organization. The Trust is a digital exemplar committed to improving patient care through world-leading research and innovation.
Career Development
Transfer Doctors with Retrieve will have opportunities to develop specialized skills in critical care transfer medicine. The service provides training and support for professional development, with pathways to enhance clinical expertise and leadership capabilities within the critical care field.
Conclusion
This represents an exceptional opportunity for experienced medical professionals to advance their careers while providing vital critical care services in the UK. With sponsorship available and a supportive work environment, UHBW is committed to attracting and retaining international talent to enhance their healthcare services. The Trust looks forward to receiving applications from qualified candidates who meet the essential criteria outlined in this vacancy.