Senior Airway Fellow in Neuro ICU

Job Overview
University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust is delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity to work with us.

This is a fixed-term post for 6 months with an anticipated start date of February 2026.

Please see below for detailed job description of the role.

Main duties of the job

Applications are invited for Resident Airway Fellow posts in the Wessex Neurological Intensive Care Unit at University Hospital Southampton, to start February 2026. This post is for 6 months. The post is suitable for those wishing to enhance their knowledge and experience in neurocritical care and anaesthesia, who have experience working in these areas and appropriate qualifications to do so.

The Neuro ICU is a 13-bed dedicated Neurological Intensive Care Unit. The Unit admits approximately 800 patients yearly: 300 severe neurological trauma injuries, 150 subarachnoid haemorrhages, 300 neurosurgical cases, 50 acute neurological cases.

Resident Airway Fellows work a 1:9 full shift "airway" rota. The post is supported by dedicated Consultant input. Applicants will have competence in airway management of critically unwell patients and experience in anaesthesia/critical care. Full attainment of the "Initial Assessment of Competence" is essential. Appropriate supporting evidence would include satisfactory workplace-based assessments (WBPAs) demonstrating independent practice.

Full support for study leave will be given. Fellows are encouraged to participate in our research trials and present at international meetings.

Our team won the ICS "Team of the Year" 2023. We are proud to have a talented multidisciplinary team who contribute to excellent patient outcomes. The Unit is recognised by the UK ICM committee for training in Intensive Care Medicine.

Working for our organisation

As one of the largest acute teaching Trusts in England, we offer learning and development opportunities to help you achieve the career you aspire to. UHS is rated 'Good' by the CQC and in the latest national NHS Staff Survey, we were in the top 10 acute trusts for staff engagement and for staff recommending the hospital as a place to work or receive care.

We support flexible working and will consider requests taking into account the needs of the service. UHS employees are able to access a range of NHS discounts, are entitled to a minimum of 35 days paid holiday (pro rata), and we offer a generous pension scheme.

Southampton is an attractive place to live and work situated on the south coast, with an international airport and direct trains to London. The New Forest National Park and beaches of the Jurassic coast are also right on our doorstep. The city offers living costs 20% lower than London and 14 schools rated outstanding by Ofsted.

Duties
Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• Step up into a senior leadership role, lead daily ward rounds on Neuro ICU and be part of the senior decision making in the role of "acting up Consultant".
• Staff the Resident Airway Fellow rota in and out of hours on the Neuro Intensive Care Unit.
• Further training in practical procedures relevant to Neuro Intensive Care including but not limited to: central venous cannulations including subclavian, transfer medicine, bedside ECHO and lung ultrasound.
• Specific training in Neuro ICU procedures and monitoring such as external ventricular drains and their cerebrospinal fluid sampling, analysis and intrathecal drug administration, lumbar puncture and management of lumbar drains, intracranial pressure monitoring and parenchymal brain tissue oxygenation monitoring and its management as well as participation in brain stem death testing procedure and subsequent liaison with our specialist organ donation teams (for both DCD and DBD).
• Active participation in Unit and Departmental teaching in the subjects of critical care, neuro-anaesthesia, neurosurgery and acute neurology, as well as general medicine and infectious diseases relevant to the neurocritical care patient.
• Opportunities for neurology, neuroanaesthesia, neurosurgery and neuro intensive care research with the aim of presentation at local, national and international meetings such as the annual NACCS (neuroanaesthesia and critical care society) UK conference, EuroNeuro and the LIVES meetings for the European Intensive Care Society.

What we're looking for

• Prior recent experience working in anaesthesia and critical care within a UK NHS Trust.
• Successful attainment of minimal anaesthesia "airway" competence, demonstrated through evidence of full completion of the "Initial Assessment of Anaesthetic Competence (IAC)" certificate or its equivalent.
• Proficiency at arterial line insertion and central venous cannulation, independent ability and interest in teaching these skills to juniors.
• Proficiency at intra- (and, where possible, inter-) hospital transfers of Level 3 patients.
• Interest in the speciality and knowledge of common neurological emergencies and relevant critical care syndromes.
• A desire to gain more experience in the care of the neurologically injured critical care patient with ongoing training aiming towards attainment of either CCT or CESR in either Intensive Care or Anaesthesia.

For an overview of the position, please refer to the attached Job Description and Person Specification document. This includes a detailed breakdown of the key responsibilities, role expectations, and the qualifications we are looking for. It outlines the essential criteria for the role and is designed to support you in preparing your application by helping you evaluate how your skills, experience, and professional background align with the requirements of the role.

Appointment will be made under local contractual terms and conditions of service for Trust appointed (non-training fellow doctors and dentists). Applicants requiring Skilled Worker sponsorship should ensure they meet the Home Office application criteria prior to submitting an application.

Successful candidates will have an educational framework equivalent to training grade doctors, and there will be a named educational supervisor assigned at the start of the post. The opportunity for Continued Professional Development (CPD) is highly supported and encouraged by the Trust, with options available to take study leave.

Grades for Trust appointed (non-training) fellows will be paid a basic salary at a nodal pay point linked to the grade, at the rate set out in the National Medical and Dental pay circular. Basic salary plus any additional remuneration (as applicable) for hours set out in the doctors work schedule (e.g. additional hours, weekend allowance, and any hours which attract enhanced pay)

Salary will be assessed based on experience and skills. Eligibility criteria for appointment to a Nodal Point 5;

• Have a minimum of 6 years of Specialty training
• Hold relevant higher specialty exam (e.g FRCP, FRCA, FRCS)
• A portfolio of evidence that demonstrates they meet the criteria for progression (in line with the Curriculum for the speciality similar to deanery trainee)

Interviews will be held on 3rd November 2025

This vacancy closes on or before 17th October 2025

Person specification

Qualifications, Training & Experience
Essential criteria

• MBBS or equivalent medical qualification
• GMC registration with a licence to practise
• Previous work in NHS anaesthesia
• Completion of 6 months anaesthesia with attainment of the anaesthetic "Initial Assessment of Competence" (IAC) Certificate or equivalent demonstrating airway competence
• Post graduate examinations (FRCA Primary/MRCP/FFICM/MCEM/EDIC) or equivalent
• More than 3 years working as a doctor since gaining medical degree

Desirable criteria

• Advanced life support certification (ALS or equivalent)
• Previous work in NHS Intensive Care Unit/s
• Previous work in other acute specialty

Aptitudes and skills

Essential criteria

• Evidence and ability to work effectively in multi-professional teams
• Understanding of equality and diversity and how this affects patients, visitors and staff
• Core ICU practical & transfer skills: WBPA evidence or equivalent

Desirable criteria

• Advanced ICU practical skills such as FICE accreditation at ECHO and/or lung ultrasound
• Evidence of competence at inter-hospital Level 3 transfers