Senior Adult Vascular Neurosurgery Fellowship in Leeds

We invite applications for the post of RCS Senior Clinical Fellow in Neurovascular Neurosurgery, at The Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, in the Department of Neurosurgery. This RCS-approved, senior clinical fellowship position is suitable for Neurosurgical trainees who are at the end of their training; ie at post-CCT or peri-CCT level. Candidates should have successfully completed the FRCS examination in Neurosurgery by the time of application submission. This post is not suitable for more junior applicants; those who are not currently at the level of a day one consultant should not apply.

This post is fixed term for 1 year and will commence from August 2026, however some flexibility is possible, in this regard. Candidates must be fully registered with the General Medical Council and hold a license to practice at the time of application. FRCS (Neurosurgery) or equivalent is mandatory. CCT in Neurosurgery is preferred. Prior experience of working in Neurosurgery, within the NHS is also preferred.

Main duties of the job: We seek a dynamic individual, capable of meeting the considerable demands of this fellowship post, working in this complex and demanding subspecialty of neurosurgery. The department of Neurosurgery in Leeds is proud to offer a world-class vascular neurosurgical MDT service. The service is consultant-led and delivered through a dedicated sub-specialty MDT service and is supported by a dedicated sub-specialty Neurovascular Consultant on call.

The Fellowship is designed for Neurosurgical clinicians towards the end of their training and will provide all aspects of sub-specialty training in Neurovascular microsurgery, in preparation for a consultant role sub-specialising in this challenging field. The Neurosurgical Vascular Fellowship post will include a thorough grounding in the clinical management, investigation and surgical/radiological techniques for optimally managing adult patients with all forms of neurovascular surgical diseases.

During the fellowship, there are opportunities to attend neurovascular radiology (INR) theatres, however it should be stressed that this fellowship is a microsurgical neurovascular fellowship and is not a hybrid (endovascular) training programme.

About us: Leeds General Infirmary operates a strong, collaborative MDT-based approach to Neurovascular disease; with close and collaborative links to the Interventional Neuro-Radiology Department. There are significant further opportunities to develop research projects. Close teamwork with the neuro-radiologists, researchers and the Clinical Nurse Specialist team is expected. The Fellow will gain independent competencies in managing adult patients presenting with aneurysms (acute and elective), cavernoma and AVM. The successful applicant will also be expected to contribute towards the Departmental Neurosurgical On-Call Service, at a registrar level. Consideration will be given to applicants who wish to work full- or part-time and those wishing to job share.

If shortlisted, candidates will be required to give a 10-minute presentation on: How should an evidence-based neurovascular department practice?

Job responsibilities: The Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS trust is one of the largest trusts in the UK and provides comprehensive secondary services to Leeds and tertiary services to West and North Yorkshire. The General Infirmary at Leeds is situated in the centre of the city, adjacent to Leeds University, with which there are strong research and teaching links.

INFORMATION ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT: The Department of Neurosurgery provides a comprehensive neurosurgical service to the 2.5 million people of West and North Yorkshire. The Neurosurgical Department is housed within the Jubilee Wing of the General Infirmary at Leeds. The centralised Neurosurgical Department has approximately 84 adult ward beds across three wards, with an additional 7-bedded, dedicated Neuro-intensive Care Unit; as well as a 7-bedded dedicated High Dependency Unit. There are four adult operating theatres, including one dedicated to emergency surgery 24 hours per day. There are separate beds, operating theatres and intensive care facilities for Paediatric Neurosurgery.

The Neurosurgical Department has close links with the other neuroscience specialties that are all on site including Neuroradiology, Neurology, Neuroanaesthetics and Neurophysiology. The Neuro-pathology department for Yorkshire is now based at St James hospital and continues to provide a full histological and post-mortem service including facilities for intra-operative histopathology. The Neuroradiology Department is based at Leeds General Infirmary and comprises multiple Diagnostic Radiology Consultants, three of whom also provide Interventional Endovascular Services, together with one Hybrid-Trained Consultant Neurosurgeon.

The General Infirmary at Leeds is a level 1 trauma unit and there are close links with surgical specialties including trauma, maxillofacial, plastics and ENT surgery. The Department's work has continued to increase over the past years. The current caseload is some 3000 inpatients per year and approximately 2000 operative cases per year. The department of Neurosurgery in Leeds provides world-class adult Neurovascular care. The service is consultant-led and delivered through dedicated subspecialty services. The Neurovascular services have very strong links with Neurology, Neuroradiology and Neuropathology (including cytogenetics) and Leeds University.

As would be expected to support Vascular Neurosurgery, the theatres have BrainLAB neuro-navigation with Smart Brush Angio software, Zeiss Kinevo microscopes (including integrated navigation and QEVO inspection cameras), intra-operative ICG with Flow 800 software, fluorescein angiography and intra-operative ultrasound. Trans-cranial Doppler measurements are utilised for patients with potential DCI. All patients are discussed in a weekly MDT that conforms to the IOG Standards. Acute neurovascular patients also have an acute MDT-based treatment plan documented, ahead of securing their aneurysms.

The acute Neurovascular service is currently led surgically by Mr Phillips, Mr Deniz, Mr Anderson and Mr Sheikh, with Mr Tyagi providing paediatric neurovascular surgery cover. It runs a weekly neurovascular MDT meeting, followed by an MDT clinic; run by Neurosurgeons, Interventional Neuro-Radiologists and Neurovascular Specialist Nurses, plus the Neurovascular Fellow (this post). Patients referred to this clinic are typically further investigated via Cerebral catheter angiogram with 3D reconstruction where appropriate. All patients are offered the choice of management options (where appropriate) including endovascular, as well as microsurgical treatment. Microsurgical treatment is augmented by use of neuro navigation, intra-operative ICG, neuro-physiological monitoring, endoscopic inspection tools and intra-operative Doppler. Leeds looks after approximately 200-230 acute patients presenting with subarachnoid haemorrhage every year. 35-45 patients undergo microsurgical treatment for intracranial aneurysms per annum (41 patients in 2022). We also offer microsurgery for a variety of other conditions, including cavernous haemangiomas, AVMs and dural AV fistulae.

The Neurovascular service is supported by two Clinical Nurse Specialists, who work across the Neurosurgery and Neuro-Radiology departments and provide outreach via clinics, telephone consultation and patient support groups, as well as inpatient support. The Neurovascular team also runs a dedicated monthly neurovascular journal club and a quarterly neurovascular M&M meeting. The neurovascular fellow has an active role in the preparation and presentation for both of these activities.

Person Specification: Eligibility, Fitness to practice, and Language Skills: 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. Is up to date and fit to practise safely and is aware of own training needs. All applicants to have demonstrable skills in written and spoken English adequate to enable effective communication about medical topics with patients and colleagues demonstrated by one of the following: Applicants have undertaken undergraduate medical training in English. Achieved the minimum score of 7 across all 4 of the following categories in the academic International English Language Testing System (IELTS) in a single sitting within 24 months at time of application. If applicants believe they have adequate communication skills, but do not have evidence in one of the above forms, they must provide alternative supporting evidence of language skills.

Experience: Experience after full GMC registration or equivalent, and evidence of achievement of foundation competences, in line with GMC standards / Good Medical Practice; including: make the care of your patient your first concern, provide a good standard of practice and care, protect and promote the health of patients and of the public, treat patients as individuals and respect their dignity, work in partnership with patients, work with colleagues in the ways that best serve patients interests, be honest and open and act with integrity, never discriminate unfairly against patients or colleagues, never abuse your patients trust in you or the public's trust in the profession. Prior experience of working in neurosurgery, within the NHS system.

Clinical, Academic, and Personal Skills: Ability to apply sound clinical knowledge and judgement to problems. Ability to prioritise clinical need. Ability to maximise safety and minimise risk. Recognition of, and ability to undertake the initial management of, an acutely ill patient. 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. Demonstrates knowledge of evidence-informed practice. 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. Demonstration of prior career interest in neurovascular neurosurgery (publications, presentations, audits etc). Evidence of active involvement in audit. Evidence of active involvement in research. Evidence of active involvement in teaching. Extracurricular activities / achievements relevant to the specialty.

Additional Requirements: Communication Skills: Demonstrates clarity in written/spoken communication & capacity to adapt language as appropriate to the situation. Able to build rapport, listen, persuade & negotiate. Problem Solving & Decision Making: Capacity to use logical/lateral thinking to solve problems/make decisions, indicating an analytical/scientific approach. Empathy & Sensitivity: Capacity to take in others perspectives and treat others with understanding; sees patients as people. Demonstrates respect for all. Managing Others & Team Involvement: Able to work in multi-professional teams & supervise junior medical staff. Ability to show leadership, make decisions, organise and motivate other team members. Organisation & Planning: Capacity to manage/prioritise time and information effectively. Capacity to prioritise own workload & organise ward rounds. Evidence of thoroughness (is well prepared, shows vigilance & situational awareness). Capacity to monitor developing situations and anticipate issues. Coping with Pressure and managing uncertainty: Capacity to operate under pressure. Demonstrates initiative & resilience to cope with changing circumstances. Is able to deliver good clinical care in the face of uncertainty. Professional Integrity: Demonstrates probity (displays honesty, integrity, aware of ethical dilemmas, respects confidentiality). Capacity to take responsibility for own actions. Shows initiative/drive/enthusiasm (self-starter, motivated, shows curiosity, initiative).

Qualifications: MBBS or equivalent medical qualification.

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.