Junior Clinical Fellow in Neurosurgery

Job summary

We are inviting applications to fill our Junior Clinical Fellow vacancy in The Department of Neurosurgery at Leeds General Infirmary, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.

Posts will commence August 2025.

These posts are Trust, non-training posts paid on the Specialty Registrar salary scale.

Main duties of the job

The successful candidate will undertake routine pre- and post-operative care of neurosurgery patients on the wards and in the neurosurgical high-dependency unit. There will be opportunities to attend out-patient clinics as well as gain experience in neurosurgical theatres. The post-holder will gain experience in all aspects of neurosurgery and will contribute to the out of hours on call rota.

There is an ongoing academic program including journal clubs and a weekly Departmental teaching. The Trust has a well-stocked library and there is access to the University’s library as well.

Candidates must be fully registered with the General Medical Council and hold a license to practice at the time of the intended start date. They must also hold a valid ALS certificate.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Applications are invited for the position of Junior Clinical Fellow in Neurosurgery, at Leeds General Infirmary.

The successful applicant(s) will join a large and enthusiastic neurosurgical team, offering a comprehensive neurosurgical service to the people of West Yorkshire and beyond.

The role sits exclusively within the neurosurgical department which has three inpatient wards, a neuro HDU and dedicated neuro ICU. The Department offers the full range of neurological surgery, including neurovascular, skull base, neuro-oncology and spinal neurosurgery.

The successful candidate will work on the neurosurgical wards (including neuro critical care) and will, alongside the ACPs, provide the daily medical cover to the neurosurgical inpatients. Neurosurgical JCFs also contribute to a full shift pattern of on-call cover, including nights and weekends. This will include the assessment and treatment of acutely admitted neurosurgical patients.

There will be opportunity to attend neurosurgical clinics, MDTs and theatre lists (acute and elective). Formal and informal teaching is provided; in theatre and outside of theatre. There are numerous research opportunities within the Department. A study leave budget is available, to assist with career progression.

Many previous post-holders have gone on to successfully secure NTN training posts, both in neurosurgery and elsewhere.

Main Duties of the Role:

Clinical

Ward work. Attend daily business ward rounds, clerk routine admissions and implement the instructions of the senior medical staff. Ensure that elective and acute patients are appropriately prepared for the operating theatre. Ensure that post-operative care in the adult ward and the High Dependency Unit is undertaken accordingly. Take part in the on call full shift system rota.

Operating

Under senior guidance, the Junior Clinical Fellows will have the opportunity to perform some emergency and elective operations. Attendance at routine operating is encouraged.

Out-Patients

Junior Clinical Fellows should attend the follow-up clinics and are encouraged to attend new patient clinics primarily for teaching purposes.

Administration

Junior Clinical Fellows assist in the preparation of discharge summaries and for coding data for audit purposes.

Teaching

Instructing nursing staff. Assisting 5th year medical students during their neurosurgical clerkships is also encouraged.

Research

Opportunities to pursue individual lines of research or assist in those already in progress in the department. Encouragement will be given to prepare reports for publication in peer-reviewed journals.

Study and Training

This is a non-training post. However, the experience gained will be the same as the trainees. The post-holder will get equal access to training opportunities including access to theatres and clinics and neuro-HDU on an equal rotational basis.

Person Specification

Clinical, Academic, and Personal Skills

Essential

• Demonstrates understanding of research, including awareness of ethical issues
• Demonstrates understanding of the basic principles of audit, clinical risk management, evidence-based practice, patient safety, and clinical quality improvement initiatives
• Recognition of, and ability to undertake the initial management of, an acutely ill patient
• Demonstrates knowledge of evidence-informed practice

Desirable

• Aptitude for practical skills, e.g. manual dexterity

Eligibility, Fitness to practice, and Language Skills

Essential

• Be eligible for full registration with, and hold a current licence to practise from, the GMC at intended start date
• Eligibility to work in the UK.
• Advanced Life Support Certificate from the Resuscitation Council UK or equivalent (as required to complete Foundation competences) by intended start date
• Is up to date and fit to practise safely and is aware of own training needs.
• Meets professional health requirements (in line with GMC standards/Good Medical Practice)

Qualifications

Essential

• MBBS or equivalent medical qualification

Clinical Experience and Career Progression

Essential

• Make the care of your patient your first concern
• Provide a good standard of practice and care
• Take prompt action if you think that patient safety, dignity or comfort is being compromised
• Never abuse your patients’ trust in you or the public’s trust in the profession.
• Ability to apply sound clinical knowledge and judgement to problems
• Ability to prioritise clinical need
• Ability to maximise safety and minimise risk

Additional Requirements

Essential

• Ability to provide complete details of employment history
• Evidence that career progression is consistent with personal circumstances
• Evidence that present achievement and performance is commensurate with totality of their period of training
• At least 1 year’s experience in medical/surgical specialties by the time of intended start date

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
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. For further information visit the .

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see

Employer details

Employer name

Leeds Teaching Hospitals
Address

Leeds General Infirmary

Great George Street

Leeds

LS1 3EX

Employer’s website #J-18808-Ljbffr