Advertised role location: ROYAL VICTORIA HOSPITAL
Official document: Job Description (pdf)
JOB DESCRIPTION
TITLE: Clinical Fellow in Stroke medicine
BASE: Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast H&SC Trust
REPORTS TO: Clinical Director
RESPONSIBLE TO: Chair of Division
INTRODUCTION
This post is suitable for trainees seeking to extend their experience in stroke medicine. The
post is available for a period of up to 12 months in the first instance.
Whilst this post is not recognised for subspecialty training, depending on the expectations
of the appointee, we will endeavour to meet your training needs. Individual doctors should
discuss their training needs with the supervising Consultant. The successful candidate will
be expected to demonstrate good progress as evaluated by Workplace Based
Assessments and Educational Supervisor review.
JOB SUMMARY
The Belfast Trust will employ the post-holder as a full-time Clinical Fellow in stroke
medicine. This post has been established as part of the Trust’s programme of
implementation of the NI Stroke Strategy which include provision of 24/7 thrombolysis,
a daily TIA service and involvement in the delivery and implementation of a 24/7
regional thrombectomy service. The successful applicant will be involved in all aspects
of stroke care, with particular emphasis on delivery of acute stroke care including
thrombolysis, thrombectomy and daily TIA service, in conjunction with senior
colleagues in stroke medicine.
In addition, the successful applicant will support weekend and OOH provision of acute
stroke and TIA care on the Royal Victoria Hospital site, on a rotational basis and be
part of a dynamic on-call thrombectomy team on a 1:10 basis.

Clinical Fellow Stroke Medicine July 2026
PROFILE OF THE TRUST AND HOSPITAL SITES
The Belfast Trust delivers integrated health and social care to approximately 360,000
citizens in the greater Belfast area and provides the majority of regional specialist
services for the population of Northern Ireland (1.9 million people). With an annual
budget of almost £1.9bn and a workforce of over 20,000, we are also a Trust with
teaching hospitals and have strong links with our local university partners providing high
quality training for medical and other health care professionals across all disciplines.
The Royal Hospitals is the largest hospital complex in Northern Ireland, comprising
the Royal Victoria Hospital, the Royal Jubilee Maternity Hospital (RJMH), the Royal
Belfast Hospital for Sick Children (RBHSC) and the School of Dentistry. In combination
with its sister hospitals, it provides virtually all tertiary referral services in Northern
Ireland. The Royal Hospitals play a major role in clinical education, training and
research, with most academic departments linked to the Queen’s University of Belfast
Medical School. The Royal Hospitals is a Level 1 Trauma Centre which supports the
Northern Ireland Trauma Network, the Northern Ireland Helicopter Emergency Medical
Service and the Northern Ireland Specialist Transport and Retrieval Service (NISTAR).
Belfast City Hospital (BCH) is a major teaching hospital, most of which is
housed within the Tower (opened in 1985). The Northern Ireland Cancer Centre
opened on the campus in March 2006 providing for the development of an
internationally recognised cancer centre. A strong strategic focus on molecular
medicine, cancer and renal services has enabled the development of world
leading research programmes and a leading Cancer Clinical Trials Unit linked
with the ROI and the NCI Washington DC in a tripartite arrangement. There is a
modern radiology department and substantial AHP Services (eg Physiotherapy,
Podiatry, Occupational Therapy, Speech & Language Therapy, Nutrition &
Dietetics, etc) and a comprehensive range of pathology.
The Mater Hospital is a university teaching hospital providing Acute and
General Medicine, Cardiology, HPB Surgery, Gastroenterology (including
ERCP and Spyglass), Obstetrics & Gynaecology and Psychiatry.
Musgrave Park Hospital is the Regional Orthopaedic Unit for Northern Ireland.
The Musgrave Park Regional Orthopaedic Service is the largest in the British
Isles with 48 consultant orthopaedic surgeons and staff. On site is the Queen’s
University of Belfast’s Department of Orthopaedic Surgery which is the largest
academic unit in Orthopaedics in the British Isles with an international
reputation and an extensive research output.
A summary of the services across the different hospitals is provided in the table below:

Clinical Fellow Stroke Medicine July 2026
Site General Services Specialist Services
Royal Hospitals Emergency Medicine
Acute & General
Medicine
Anaesthesia (including
critical care)
Critical Care Medicine
Pain Management
Care of the Elderly
Recognised trauma centre
Paediatrics (RBHSC)
Obstetrics & Gynaecology (Royal Jubilee
Maternity Hospital)
School of Dentistry
Medical Specialities: Cardiology, Respiratory
including Adult Cystic Fibrosis,
Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Infectious
Diseases, Endocrinology (inc Diabetology) and
Stroke medicine.
Regional services include:
neurosciences,
medical and surgical cardiology,
thoracic surgery, ophthalmology and
specialised endocrinology, ENT, general
surgery, vascular surgery, hepatology
Belfast City Hospital Anaesthesia (including
critical care)
Pain Management
Psychiatry Services:
(Child & Adolescent Unit,
Beechcroft site)
Knockbracken HCP and
community locations
Breast Services (including reconstructive
surgery)
Gynaecology & Gynaecological Oncology
Haematology
Haemophilia Service
Medical Genetics
Medical Oncology
Nephrology (including Renal Dialysis)
Radiotherapy
Transplant Surgery
Urology
Mater Hospital Emergency Medicine
Acute & General
Medicine
Anaesthesia
Pain Management
Surgical specialties, including
Ophthalmology, Gynaecology,
Psychiatry
Musgrave
Park
Hospital
Anaesthesia
Pain Management
Regional Orthopaedic unit
Rheumatology
Rehabilitation
Regional Acquired brain injury unit
Care of the Elderly unit

Clinical Fellow Stroke Medicine July 2026
All of the major laboratory services are also available including:
• Immunology
• Haematology (including Transfusion Services)
• Bacteriology
• Virology
• Pathology
• Immunopathology
The Belfast HSC Trust functions through a series of Directorates. Stroke medicine is part
of the Unscheduled and Acute Care Directorate.
WORK OF THE DEPARTMENT
SERVICE INFORMATION
Stroke Services
The Belfast Health and Social Care Trust is responsible for ensuring that the population
of the Greater Belfast area receive emergency stroke treatment and follow up care when
needed. In addition, the Belfast Trust provides Regional Stroke services. Stroke Services
are provided within the Acute and Unscheduled Care Directorate.
The provision of stroke services has undergone significant reorganisation within the
Belfast Trust. A comprehensive stroke centre is based on the Royal Victoria Hospital
(RVH) site with provision of 24/7 thrombolysis. A regional stroke thrombectomy service
is provided between 8am and 5pm, with plans to extend this to a full 24/7 service this
year. The Regional Neurosciences centre is also based on the RVH site and there are
close working relationships with neurology, neurosurgery and neuroradiology.
Neuroradiology provide advanced imaging for acute stroke decision making, with CT,
CTA and CT perfusion as required. RAPID AI is also available to aid with decision-
making and is used on consultants’ mobile phone devices. There is also excellent access
to further diagnostic imaging with MRI and catheter angiography if needed. The stroke
unit is a geographically defined, 34-bedded unit, providing hyperacute care (8 beds)
alongside acute care / early rehabilitation. There is a well-developed early supported
discharge service. Outpatient TIA services are provided via a Stroke Day Assessment
Service (SDAS) and through conventional outpatient clinics. There is a dedicated stroke
consultant on-call rota to provide support. Benchmarking takes place through the
national SSNAP Audit.
The unit admits approximately 1500 patients per year (approximately 850 with stroke or
TIA). In 2024/25, more than 280 patients had acute reperfusion treatment, including

Clinical Fellow Stroke Medicine July 2026
around 130 who received thrombectomy. Thrombolysis and thrombectomy numbers
have been increasing year on year. Quality of care is monitored at weekly neuroradiology
meetings (where treatment decisions are discussed), monthly “door-to-needle-time”
meetings (where timelines of all interventions are reviewed) and quarterly governance
meetings (where performance across the service is considered).
The new post will not involve input to elderly care services. However, stroke, elderly care
and neurology services work closely together, with rotation of specialist trainees to the
stroke service.
Consultant Staffing in Stroke Medicine
CONSULTANT LOCATION. ROLE
Dr Cathy Patterson RVH Stroke Physician (Clinical Director)
Dr Ivan Wiggam RVH Stroke Physician (Stroke Network Lead)
Dr Enda Kerr RVH Stroke Physician
Dr Patricia Gordon RVH Stroke Physician (Chair of Division)
Dr Gerallt Roberts RVH Stroke Physician
Dr Jim McIlmoyle RVH Stroke Physician
Dr Louise Alexander RVH Stroke Physician
Dr Tim Atkinson RVH Locum Trust Stroke Physician
Other Staffing
Supporting medical staff teams include 4 specialty doctors (including 2 posts to be
appointed, currently filled by locums), 4 specialty trainees (2 in stroke medicine and 2 in
geriatric/neurology medicine), 3 IMT/BBT or GPST, 1 F2 and 5 F1 doctors. The service
is also supported by 1 band 7 clinical nurse educator, 1 wte band 6 nurse working in the
stroke day assessment service and a team of band 6 HASU nurses which provide 24/7
cover for the hyperacute service. There is a full multidisciplinary team and part-time
research nurses to support participation in several multicentre clinical trials.
KEY DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES
The post-holder will be expected to:
• Participate in regular scheduled daily ward rounds, at times with consultants and
at times as the senior doctor directing care.
• Liaise with consultants and other staff members concerning patient care
• Participate in delivery of acute stroke care (including thrombolysis and
thrombectomy) and TIA management
• Participate in stroke liaison work for referrals from other wards and hospitals.
• Supervise trainee doctors in their roles
• Ensure timely and effective delivery of care plans for acutely admitted patients,
under supervision of consultant staff

Clinical Fellow Stroke Medicine July 2026
• Perform outpatient clinics as required, normally once weekly but up to a
maximum of two clinics weekly
• Maintain competency in his/her areas of medical practice through CPD
• Participate in clinical audit and quality Improvement.
• There may be exceptional circumstances due to emergencies or essential
patient care where the post-holder may be expected to undertake additional
duties or duties outside normal roster duties.
• The job plan will be agreed between the appointee and the Clinical Director
and/or Associate Medical Director within 3 months of taking up appointment
• There may be appropriate deputising duties to cover for absent colleagues as
the need arises.
• Participate in OOH rota to cover for 24/7 thrombectomy
SUPERVISION ARRANGEMENTS
There will be a formal induction at the start of the post, which, if required, the post holder
will be trained in stroke care, including thrombolysis, thrombectomy pre-assessment,
and post treatment care over an appropriate time period. Consultant supervision will be
available at all times in relation to patient care. The lead stroke consultant will provide
overall supervision to the post-holder (Dr Cathy Patterson).
Other Responsibilities
1. The post holder will be expected to participate in postgraduate teaching, quality
improvement within the department as far as other duties permit within the agreed
times only.
2. The post holder will be expected to attend regular teaching and audit meetings
conducted within the speciality and would be expected to participate in training,
appropriate to career development.
3. The post holder may also be required to perform additional duties on occasional
and unforeseen circumstances for which appropriate remuneration will be made.

Clinical Fellow Stroke Medicine July 2026
Professional Responsibilities
1. Employees of the Trust are required to promote and support the mission and vision
of the service for which they are responsible and:
2. At all times provide a caring service and to treat those with whom they come into
contact in a courteous and respectful manner.
3. Demonstrate their commitment by their regular attendance and the efficient
completion of all tasks allocated to them.
4. Comply with the Trust’s Smoke Free Policy.
5. Carry out their duties and responsibilities in compliance with the Health and
Safety Policies and Statutory Regulations.
6. Adhere to Equality and Good Relations duties throughout the course of their
employment.
7. Ensure the ongoing confidence of the public in-service provision.
8. Maintain high standards of personal accountability.
9. Comply with the Code of Conduct for HSC employees.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Conditions of Service:
The post is subject to the Hospital Medical and Dental Staff and Doctors in Public
Health Medicine and the Community Health Service NI terms and conditions.
Continuing Professional Development:
The post holder will be expected to provide evidence of continuing professional
development and participate in annual appraisal leading to revalidation. The post
holder will be expected to participate in departmental audit.
Postgraduate Facilities:
There are excellent facilities for study and lectures etc. in the Multi-disciplinary
Education Centre, Royal Victoria Hospital site.

Clinical Fellow Stroke Medicine July 2026
Library Facilities:
A comprehensive library containing up-to-date reference books, periodicals and
journals are provided in the Education centre and library. Computer facilities including
Microsoft excel: PowerPoint and word packages and CD-ROMs are available for use
by Medical Staff. Access to the Internet and databases such as CINAHL, COCHRANE
and MEDLINE are available. Books may also be requested from the library at Queen’s
University, Belfast via the Queens catalogue.
Residence
If you are required to do on-call, but are not required to reside in the Hospital, your
residence must be within a reasonable distance of the Trust to enable you to fulfil your
commitments, unless the Trust has given approval to do otherwise. You must ensure
that there are appropriate clear and effective arrangements to enable you to be
contacted during any period of on-call.
Accommodation
The Trust does not provide accommodation and therefore the successful candidate will
have to arrange their own accommodation. The Trust will provide contact details for
local letting agencies, and supporting documentation required to secure
accommodation
Medical Examination
The appointment of the successful applicant will be subject to a Pre Employment
Health Assessment by the Trust’s Occupational Health Service.
Pension
The appointment is Pensionable unless the appointee opts out of the HSC Pension
Scheme or is ineligible to join.
Indemnity
Employees are normally covered by the HPSS and Community Health Service
Indemnity against claims for medical negligence. However, certain circumstances may
not be covered by the Indemnity, especially where a separate fee is received. The
Department of Health, Social Services & Public Safety (DHSS&PS) therefore advises
that membership of a medical defence organisation is maintained.
Removal Expenses
After appointment to a post, a relocation payment may be available to assist with
essential costs of relocating to Belfast.

Clinical Fellow Stroke Medicine July 2026
Information Governance
All employees of Belfast Health & Social Care Trust are legally responsible for all
records held, created or used as part of their business within the Belfast Health and
Social Care Trust, including patient/client, corporate and administrative records
whether paper based or electronic and also including e-mails. All such records are
public records and are accessible to the general public, with limited exceptions, under
the Freedom of Information Act 2000, the Environment Regulations 2004, the
General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.
Employees are required to be conversant and to comply with the Belfast Health and
Social Care Trust policies on Information Governance including for example the ICT
Security Policy, Data Protection Policy and Records Management Policy and to seek
advice if in doubt.
Ionising Radiation Regulations
The Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations (2000) require that any person
clinically or physically directing a procedure which involves exposure to radiation should
have appropriate training. This can be provided locally as necessary.
Environmental Cleaning Strategy
The Trusts Environmental Cleaning Strategy recognizes the key principle that
“Cleanliness matters is everyone’s responsibility, not just the cleaners.” Whilst there
are staff employed who are responsible for cleaning services, all Trust staff have a
responsibility to ensure a clean, comfortable, safe environment for patients, clients,
residents, visitors, staff and members of the general public.
Infection Prevention and Control
The Belfast Trust is committed to reducing Healthcare associated infections (HCAIs)
and all staff have a part to play in making this happen. Staff must comply with all
policies in relation to Infection Prevention and Control and with ongoing reduction
strategies. Standard Infection Prevention and Control Precautions must be used at all
times to ensure the safety of patients and staff. This includes:-
• Cleaning hands either with soap and water or a hand sanitiser at the
appropriate times (WHO ‘5 moments’);
• Using the correct ‘7 step’ hand hygiene technique;
• Being ‘bare below the elbows’ when in a clinical environment;
• Following Trust policies and the Regional Infection Control Manual (found on
intranet);
• Wearing the correct Personal Protective Equipment (PPE);
• Ensuring correct handling and disposal of waste (including sharps) and
laundry;
• Ensuring all medical devices (equipment) are decontaminated appropriately
i.e. cleaned, disinfected and/or sterilised;

Clinical Fellow Stroke Medicine July 2026
• Ensuring compliance with High Impact Interventions.
Personal Public Involvement
Staff members are expected to involve patients, clients, carers and the wider
community were relevant, in developing, planning and delivering our services in a
meaningful and effective way, as part of the Trust’s ongoing commitment to Personal
Public Involvement (PPI).
Please use the link below to access the PPI standards leaflet for further information.
http://www.publichealth.hscni.net/sites/default/files/PPI_leaflet.pdf
Clause: This job description is not meant to be definitive and may be
amended to meet the changing needs of the Belfast Health and
Social Care Trust.

Clinical Fellow Stroke Medicine July 2026
JOB SPECIFICATION
Post: Clinical Fellow in Stroke medicine
Location: RVH
Notes to applicants:
1. You must clearly demonstrate on your application form under each question, how you meet the
required criteria as failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. You should clearly
demonstrate this for both the essential and desirable criteria.
2. Shortlisting will be carried out on the basis of the essential criteria set out below, using the
information provided by you on your application form. Please note the Trust reserves the right
to use any desirable criteria outlined below at shortlisting. You must clearly demonstrate on
your application form how you meet the desirable criteria.
3. Proof of qualifications and/or professional registration will be required if an offer of employment
is made – if you are unable to provide this, the offer may be withdrawn.
ESSENTIAL CRITERIA
SECTION 1: The following are ESSENTIAL criteria which will initially be measured at
shortlisting stage although may also be further explored during the interview/selection stage.
You should therefore make it clear on your application form whether or not you meet these
criteria. Failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. The stage in the process when
the criteria will be measured is stated below.
Factor Criteria Method of
Assessment
Qualifications/
Registration
ESSENTIAL
Candidates must:
• Hold Full Registration with the GMC plus
a Licence to Practise (must have both at
time of appointment)
• Have MBBS or equivalent qualification
Shortlisting by
Application Form
Experience -Successful completion of Foundation
Programme Training or equivalent
Shortlisting by
Application Form

Clinical Fellow Stroke Medicine July 2026
- A minimum of 6 months post-FY2 experience
in acute stroke care, including thrombectomy
experience and TIA clinics.
- A minimum of 12 months’ *relevant previous
experience within the NHS (UK), HSCNI, or
HSE (ROI).
*Relevant experience is defined as paid work in a
medical or dental post under medical terms and
conditions.
Language Skills All applicants to have demonstrable skills in
written and spoken English that are adequate to
enable effective communication about medical
topics with patients and colleagues which could
be demonstrated by one of the following:
That applicants have undertaken undergraduate
medical training in English;
OR
Have the following scores in the academic
International English Language Testing System
(IELTS) – Overall 7.5, Speaking 7, Listening 7,
Reading 7, Writing 7
OR
Have taken the medical version of the
Occupational English Test (OET), achieving at
least a grade B in each testing area (Speaking,
Listening, Reading and Writing) in the same test
and have obtained them in the most recent
sitting of the test
However, if applicants believe that they have
adequate communication skills but do not fit into
one of the examples they need to provide
evidence
Shortlisting by
Application Form/
Interview
SECTION 2: The following are ESSENTIAL criteria which will be measured during the interview/
selection stage:

Clinical Fellow Stroke Medicine July 2026
Skills / Abilities -Ability to work and manage situations under
pressure
-Skills to prioritize workload effectively.
-Capacity to communicate effectively with staff
and patients.
-Have an understanding of others’
perspectives in sensitive situations.
-Be able to work well with others and solve
problems with a range of different approaches
Interview
Knowledge -Have appropriate clinical knowledge and
expertise and the capacity to apply sound
clinical judgment.
-Evidence that present achievement and
performance is commensurate with totality of
period of training.
Interview
Fitness to practise -Is up to date and fit to practice safely. Interview
Other -Eligibility to work in the UK as per UK Border
Agency Regulations.
Selection stage
DESIRABLE CRITERIA
SECTION 3: these will ONLY be used where it is necessary to introduce additional job related criteria to
ensure files are manageable. You should therefore make it clear on your application form how you meet
these criteria. Failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted
Factor Criteria Method of
Assessment
Experience Hold a valid Advanced Life Support (ALS)
certificate on appointment. Obtained
through a face-to-face assessment in
accordance with Resuscitation Council (UK)
standards or equivalent. Online-only or
remote certifications will not be accepted.
Shortlisting by
Application Form
Pre-employment
Skills / Abilities Demonstrate understanding of the importance
of both quality improvement and research and
Interview

Clinical Fellow Stroke Medicine July 2026
how they will contribute to the development of
the department

Clinical Fellow Stroke Medicine July 2026
NOTE:
Where educational/professional qualifications form part of the criteria you will be
required, if shortlisted for interview, to produce original certificates and one photocopy
of same issued by the appropriate authority. Only those certificates relevant to the
shortlisting criteria should be produced. If educational certificates are not available an
original letter and photocopy of same detailing examination results from your school or
college will be accepted as an alternative.
If successful you will be required to produce documentary evidence that you are legally
entitled to live and work in the United Kingdom. This documentation can be a P45,
Payslip, National Insurance Card or a Birth Certificate confirming birth in the United
Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland. Failure to produce evidence will result in a non-
appointment.

Clinical Fellow Stroke Medicine July 2026
HSC Values
Whilst employees will be expected to portray all the values, particular attention is drawn to
the following values for this role