Spinal Fellow

Job summary

TheLeeds Spinal Unit based at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust would like toformally invite trainees who are interested to join our long establishedfellowship programme. These posts willbe based at the Leeds General Infirmary (LGI).Successful candidates are expected to commence from between February2025 to February 2026 (*different start dates for different posts). The length of fellowship is between 12 monthsto 2 years.

Thepost is suitable for a committed spinal surgical trainee who wish to obtainextra experience in spinal surgery with interest in clinical research in spinalsurgery. The successful candidate will join a department of 12 SpecialistSpinal Surgery consultants, two 3-4 specialty trainees, and a Clinical NurseSpecialist.

AvailableFellowships

Nationalspine fellow (February 2025 and February 2026)

Advancedspine fellow (August 2025 and August 2026)

Interfacespine fellow (August 2025 and August 2026)

Trustspine fellow (January 2026)

Internationalspinal fellow (February 2026)

Main duties of the job

Theclinical work will involve managing a wide range of spinal conditions includingdeformity, lumbar and cervical degenerative conditions, trauma, infection andtumour. Opportunities will also beavailable to gain experience in the management of spinal injuries patients atthe LGI. Research work will involve amain project and there will be an expectation to achieve at least onepublication in a peer reviewed journal.

Itis planned for the post to be 80% clinical and 20% research. Any candidate who is unavailable, forpersonal reasons, to work full time will be eligible to be considered for thepost; if such a person is appointed, modifications of the job plan will bediscussed on a personal basis with the Trusts in-consultation. Salary will bethe on the appropriate point on the StR payscale

Informalvisits are encouraged and should be arranged through Mr A Rao, ConsultantSpinal surgeon by emailing .

Candidatesmust be fully registered with the General Medical Council and hold a license topractice at the time of application.

About us

TheSpinal Unit in Leeds is a busy regional spinal unit receiving more than 100 newreferrals per week covering a population of over million. The post-holderwill be contributing to the duties of both elective admissions and acute spinalsurgery on-call cover including supporting the regional Major Trauma Centrewhich is based in the LGI.

Leeds Teaching Hospitals is committed to our processof redeploying 'at risk' members of our existing workforce to new roles. Assuch, all our job adverts are subject to this policy and we reserve the rightto close, delay or remove adverts while this process is completed. If you doexperience a delay in the shortlisting stage of the recruitment cycle, pleasebear with us while this process is completed, and contact the named contact ifyou have any questions.

Job description

Job responsibilities

JOBDETAILS

JobTitle: SPINAL FELLOW,

Grade:MIDDLE GRADE

Specialty/Department:NEUROSCIENCES

Location:LGI, LEEDS

INFORMATIONABOUT THE DEPARTMENT

The Leeds Spinal Unit is looking to appoint aSpinal Fellow to the join our long established fellowship programme. These posts will be based at the LeedsGeneral Infirmary (LGI). We have several start dates between February 2025 toFebruary 2026. Successful candidates areto be appointed for a fixed term of 1 year and is suitable for a committedsenior spinal surgical trainee who may wish to obtain extra experience inspinal surgery and has an interest in clinical research. The successfulcandidate will join a department of 12 Specialist Spinal Consultants, 3-4specialty trainees, and a Clinical Nurse Specialist.

Theclinical work will involve a wide range of spinal conditions includingdeformity, lumbar and cervical degenerative conditions, trauma, infection andtumour. Opportunities will also beavailable to gain experience in the management of spinal injuries at theLGI. Research work will involve a mainproject and there will be an expectation to achieve at least one publication ina peer reviewed journal.

MEDICALSTAFF IN THE DEPARTMENT

Spinalsurgery consultants, spinal surgery fellows,

KNOWLEDGE,SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

Seeperson specification.

Thecandidate should have achieved competency in Orthopaedic and Neurosurgery inline with their Speciality training programme at a level approaching or havingachieved CCT (or equivalent).

Candidatesmust be fully registered with the General Medical Council and hold a license topractice at the time of application.

DUTIESOF THE POST

Thecandidate will be expected to provide supervised input into the care ofpatients. This would involve the following:

Pre-admissionsclinics

Wardmanagement

Operatingtheatre and outpatients

Post-operativeintensive care

Discussionswith relatives

Initiation/changeof treatment

LEVELSOF RESPONSIBILITY

Inpatientand Outpatient duties, independent decision making and liaising with seniordoctors.

Thesuccessful candidate will also be expected to contribute to the departmentsresearch and clinical trials programme. A tailored training programme will benegotiated around previous experience, and professional development plans.

Candidatewill be expected to take part in the Spinal on-call rota and this should notinterfere with the day to day commitments of the fellowship post.

TEACHINGAND RESEARCH/STUDY AND TRAINING

Regularsessions of teaching for junior doctors and nursing staff. Candidates expectedto lead journal clubs including initiating, participating and taking leadershiproles in research projects.

Thefellow will have opportunities to attend local weekly MDT and monthlyeducational departmental meetings, and will be supported to attend national andinternational meetings and educational events.

Thesuccessful applicant will be required to provide teaching for colleagues andtrainees, and will be expected to provide evidence of feedback in line withgood medical practice guidelines.

Trainingopportunities will be tailored to the successful candidate, taking level ofexperience and training needs into consideration. The successful candidate willreceive extensive training in simple and complex spinal surgery.

THELEEDS WAY VALUES

Ourvalues are part of what make us different from other trusts, so we see this asa strength, as well as a responsibility. They have been developed by our staffand set out what they see as important to how we work. Our five values are:

Patient-centred

Collaborative

Fair

Accountable

Empowered

Allour actions and endeavours will be guided and evaluated through these values.

CONDITIONSOF SERVICE

Thispost is covered by the Hospital Medical and Dental Staff (England and Wales)Terms and Conditions of Service. These documents are available on the MedicalStaffing Intranet site.

Thepost holder is required to be fully registered with the General Medical Council(GMC) and hold a licence to practice.

Standardsof Conduct and Behaviour

Youare required to work to the standards set out by the General Medical Council inGood Medical Practice. This includesprotecting patients when you believe that a doctors or other colleaguesconduct, performance or health is a threat to them. If, after establishing the facts, it isnecessary, you must follow the Trusts procedures in this matter and informyour Clinical Director or Medical Director in the first instance.

Yourgeneral conduct at work should comply with the standards set out in the Trustsdocument on Appraisal, in particular the section on Core Behaviours.

LeaveArrangements

Allleave should be applied for in accordance with the Trusts Leave Policy,normally giving six weeks notice of any leave, other than in exceptionalcircumstances.

Training

Duringthe course of your employment, you agree to undergo whatever training the Trustdeems necessary. This may include, butis not limited to, induction training, professional development and safeworking practices. Funding of suchtraining will be in accordance with the Trusts Staff Development Policy.

Health& Safety

TheTrust has a responsibility to provide a safe working environment for allstaff. As an employee/supervisor/manageryou are responsible for your own safety and that of others. This will require you to comply with theTrust arrangements for Health & Safety and Risk Management. As a supervisor/manager, you will beresponsible for ensuring your team work in a safe manner and are competent todo so.

Equality& Diversity

Thejobholder must comply with all policies and procedures designed to ensureequality of employment and that services are delivered in ways that meet theindividual needs of patients and their families. No person whether they are staff, patient orvisitor should receive less favourable treatment because of their gender,ethnic origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, religion etc.

TheTrust's Equality and Diversity Policy ensures that barriers to employment fordisadvantaged groups are identified and removed, and that no person is treatedless favourably on the grounds of their race, ethnic group, religion,impairment, age, gender, sexual orientation or mental health status. Reasonableadjustments will be made for disabled applicants and post holders whererequired.

SmokingPolicy

TheLeeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust recognises the serious hazards to healthcaused by smoking and has adopted a strict no smoking policy. Under the terms of our No Smoking Policy,staff, visitors and patients will not be permitted to smoke at any time or inany part of Trust property, whether inside or outside the hospitalbuildings.

Rehabilitationof Offenders Act & DBS Disclosure

Thisposition involves access to patients during the normal course of duties and istherefore subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order)1975. As such you must reveal anyinformation which you may have concerning convictions which would otherwise beconsidered as spent.

Anoffer of appointment to this post would be subject to the express conditionthat the Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust receives a satisfactory Disclosure andBarring Service (DBS, formerly CRB) Disclosure which will check the existenceand the content of any criminal record received.

TheTrust has the right to withdraw an offer or employment if not satisfied of acandidate's suitability for this position by reason of criminal record orantecedents, especially in cases where no declaration of criminal proceedingshas been made on a candidates application form or DBS Form. The Trust reserves the right to determinethis issue at its sole discretion. Ifyou are successful in being short listed for this position you will be asked tocomplete a criminal disclosure form to be handed to a representative atinterview. Furthermore, if appointed tothis post you will be asked to complete a 'DBS Disclosure Application Form'which will be submitted to the DBS.

LeedsTeaching Hospitals NHS Trust has a Policy Statement on the Recruitment ofEx-offenders which is available on request.

InfectionControl

Thejobholder must comply at all times with the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS TrustInfection Control policies, in particular by practicing Universal InfectionControl Precautions. Hand hygiene must be performed before and after contactwith patients and their environment.

Patientand Public Involvement

TheTrust has a statutory duty to involve patients and public in evaluating andplanning services. All staff have aresponsibility to listen to the views of patients and to contribute to serviceimprovements based on patient feedback.

Respectfor Patient Confidentiality

Thejobholder should respect patient confidentiality at all times and not divulgepatient information unless sanctioned by the requirements of the role.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

MBChB or equivalent, ATLS, MRCS, AO Basic & Advanced course

Desirable

FRCS Tr&O or FRCS (SN)

Experience

Essential

Demonstrate research and audit experience with publications in peer reviewed journals Presentations local or national

Desirable

Previous teaching experience

Eligibility, Fitness to practice, and Language Skills

Essential

More than 4-6 years experience of Orthopaedic Surgery or Neurosurgery at StR level. (Current trainee at ST7/8- will be eligible for National Spinal Fellow post)

Desirable

Further Orthopaedic experience In Spinal Surgery or Neurosurgery Ability to communicate sensitively, effectively and exercise judgement when dealing with others Excellent verbal and written skills

Clinical, Academic, and Personal Skills

Essential

Word processing Databases Spreadsheets PowerPoint

Additional Requirements

Essential

Work as an effective team member Effective supervisory/managerial skills Ability to work under pressure and achieve deadlines

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