Locum Orthopaedic Surgery Consultant

Job Overview

The Locum Consultant Trauma & Orthopaedic Surgeon provides senior‑level surgical leadership across elective and emergency orthopaedic services, including fractures, joint replacement, sports injuries, spine, hand/upper‑limb, and orthopaedic oncology where applicable. The role involves leading teams, supervising junior doctors, and ensuring high‑quality, safe musculoskeletal and trauma care in wards, theatres, clinics, and emergency settings. This position is suited to experienced consultants seeking flexible locum work in busy Irish hospitals.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide consultant‑level assessment and management of patients with acute and chronic orthopaedic and musculoskeletal conditions, including trauma, fractures, joint disease, and elective referrals.
• Lead and perform (or supervise) elective and emergency orthopaedic procedures within the agreed subspecialty interests (e.g., trauma, joints, spine, hand, paediatric, oncology‑related orthopaedics).
• Supervise and mentor registrars, SHOs, and junior medical staff in ward, theatre, and clinic settings.
• Attend and lead ward rounds, consultant rounds, and multidisciplinary team meetings (e.g., orthopaedic oncology, sports‑injury, fracture‑committee reviews).
• Manage outpatient clinics, including pre‑operative assessment, follow‑up, and post‑operative complication review.
• Oversee 24‑hour orthopaedic/trauma cover, including emergency admissions and urgent theatre work.
• Ensure accurate documentation, operative notes, and clinical records in line with HSE and hospital standards.
• Contribute to clinical governance, audit, teaching, and service development in orthopaedics.
• Uphold patient safety, infection control, and risk‑management protocols in the orthopaedic unit.

Requirements

• Medical degree recognised by the Irish Medical Council.
• Full specialist registration in Trauma & Orthopaedic Surgery on the Specialist Division of the IMC register (or equivalent with eligibility to obtain it).
• Consultant‑level experience in trauma and elective orthopaedic surgery.
• Proven experience in leading teams, teaching trainees, and delivering complex orthopaedic care.
• Current ALS/ATLS or equivalent trauma‑related certification is highly desirable.
• Eligibility to work in Ireland (e.g., Irish/UK/EU passport or appropriate visa/permit).
• Excellent leadership, communication, and teamwork skills.

Skills and Competencies

• Advanced clinical judgment and decision‑making in complex musculoskeletal and trauma cases.
• Leadership and team‑management experience in an orthopaedic department.
• Confidence managing high‑acuity and time‑critical orthopaedic emergencies.
• Excellent communication with patients, families, and colleagues across specialties.
• Commitment to patient safety, governance, and continuous professional development.
• Flexibility to work variable rota patterns and ad‑hoc or urgent cover as required.

Working Conditions

• Consultant‑level rota that may include day, evening, night, weekend, and on‑call commitments.
• Busy orthopaedic and trauma service with exposure to emergency admissions, theatres, wards, and specialised outpatient clinics.
• May involve working across multiple sites within a hospital group or network.

Remuneration and Benefits

• Highly competitive locum consultant rates, commonly up to around €133 per hour, pro‑rated to hours worked under HSE Public‑Only Consultant 2023 (POCC23)‑type structures.
• Flexible working arrangements and short‑ to medium‑term contracts.
• Opportunity to work in leading trauma and elective orthopaedic centres in Ireland.