Emergency Medicine Recruitment
Emergency medicine jobs
in the NHS
The Royal College of Emergency Medicine estimates NHS EDs are short of over 2,000 consultants. With shift-based working, no traditional on-call and extraordinary clinical variety, emergency medicine is one of the most sought-after — and urgently needed — specialties in the NHS.
About the specialty
Emergency medicine careers in the NHS
Emergency medicine is a full specialty in its own right — not simply an entry point to other disciplines. It demands diagnostic breadth, procedural confidence, rapid decision-making and exceptional team leadership under pressure.
Training pathway
Entry via the Acute Care Common Stem (ACCS) at CT1–CT2 (or CT3 with Core Medical Training). Higher specialty training runs ST4–ST8 with the FRCEM as the exit examination. Total training is approximately eight years. Sub-specialty credentials are available in Pre-Hospital Emergency Medicine (PHEM) and Paediatric Emergency Medicine, each requiring additional fellowship periods.
Typical employers
Consultant emergency physicians work in NHS Type 1 EDs (full 24-hour resuscitation), Type 2 specialist single-specialty emergency units, and Type 3 minor injury and urgent treatment centres. Many trusts also employ emergency physicians in ambulatory emergency care (AEC) units. NHS Foundation Trusts, standalone acute trusts and combined acute/mental health trusts are all common employers.
Grades we recruit
Ava Medical recruits Consultants in Emergency Medicine (CCT or CESR), Specialty Doctors and Associate Specialists. We also work with senior ST7–ST8 trainees approaching CCT. For overseas doctors with FACEM, FCEM or equivalent qualifications, we provide dedicated support through the GMC and CESR application processes to reach consultant eligibility.
NHS pay scales 2025/26
Emergency medicine salary expectations
EM consultants work on a shift rota rather than a traditional on-call pattern. Pay reflects shift antisocial hours enhancements as well as standard programmed activities. The figures below are for England 2025/26 — Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are broadly equivalent.
| Grade | Contract | Base salary range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consultant | 2003 Consultant Contract | £105,504 – £139,882 | Shift enhancement and additional PAs on 10-PA base; CEAs available |
| Specialty Doctor (SAS) | 2021 SAS Contract | £59,175 – £95,400 | Enhanced pay spine; antisocial hours supplements apply for shift work |
| Associate Specialist | Legacy / 2021 SAS | £83,945 – £111,199 | Closed grade; existing post-holders on protected terms |
| Specialty Registrar ST4–ST8 | Junior Doctor Contract | £49,909 – £70,425 | Antisocial hours supplement; London weighting applies |
Salary figures are indicative and subject to annual review. Confirm current rates with the employing trust. Source: NHS Employers 2025/26 pay circular.
Roles we recruit
Emergency medicine roles & settings
Emergency medicine vacancies span a wide range of settings and special interests. We recruit for posts across all ED types and sub-specialty interests.
Major Emergency Department (Type 1)
24-hour consultant-led resuscitation and high-acuity care. Busiest and most complex ED setting — covering major trauma, cardiac arrest, sepsis and critical illness alongside high-volume minor presentations.
Pre-Hospital Emergency Medicine (PHEM)
Fellowship-level sub-specialty with HEMS and BASICS physician roles. High competition; candidates need FRCEM plus PHEM sub-specialty credential. Ava Medical works with both NHS and HEMS charities.
Paediatric Emergency Medicine
Dedicated children's ED or paediatric emergency units within district general hospitals. Fellowship credential required; strong demand at standalone children's hospitals and combined acute/children's trusts.
Ambulatory Emergency Care
Acute same-day assessment units embedded within or adjacent to EDs. Growing specialty area — consultant EM roles increasingly involve AEC leadership alongside main ED shifts.
Urgent Treatment Centres (Type 3)
Minor illness and injury care. SAS and GP-with-extended-roles posts — ideal for EM doctors seeking reduced acuity, regular hours and community-based practice alongside ED work.
Toxicology & Acute Poisoning
Specialist interest available at units with NPIS links or high-acuity poisoning caseloads. Often combined with general EM duties at teaching hospitals with clinical toxicology programmes.
Why Ava Medical
Why EM doctors choose Ava Medical
- ED type and culture match. We understand the difference between a 120,000-attendance urban Type 1 and a quieter district ED — case-mix, consultant numbers, shift pattern and department ethos all matter. We match, not just place.
- FRCEM and FACEM equivalence support. Overseas EM doctors with FACEM, FEM or comparable qualifications can access NHS consultant posts via the CESR route. Ava Medical provides step-by-step guidance on portfolio evidence requirements and GMC submission.
- Flexible working arrangements. If you are seeking a less-than-full-time (LTFT) consultant post, portfolio EM career or a specific rota pattern, we identify trusts whose operational needs align with yours — not just any open vacancy.
- Pre-market access to vacancies. Ava Medical hears about NHS EM vacancies directly from clinical leads and medical staffing teams — often before NHS Jobs postings go live. Your application lands first.
- Personal, senior-level service. Jack Mann, Ava Medical's founder, brings more than ten years in NHS recruitment — with thousands of doctors placed — and handles senior EM searches with direct personal involvement — not a junior consultant working from a script.
- Free for all candidates. Every service — from your first call through to post-offer contract review — is completely free. All recruitment fees are paid by the NHS trust or independent healthcare employer.
Pay & conditions
What you can earn
Consultant basic pay (2026/27). NHS consultants in England earn £113,565–£150,569 on the 2003 contract. Wales runs higher — up to £166,585 — and Scotland to £148,064, each on its own national scale.
Most consultants earn well above basic pay through on-call availability supplements, additional programmed activities, clinical excellence & impact awards, and the NHS Pension Scheme — one of the most valuable defined-benefit pensions in the UK. Source: BMA consultant pay scales, 2026/27.
Explore more
Related NHS roles
Browse other specialties we recruit for, or see every current vacancy on the live board.
Common questions
Emergency medicine recruitment FAQ
Ready for your next emergency medicine role?
Upload your CV or browse live NHS emergency medicine vacancies. Our service is completely free for doctors — all fees are paid by the hiring trust.
Questions? Email jack@avamedical.co.uk or call 07814 506719