Job summary
Applications are invited for a Clinical Fellow posts in Neurosurgery within Cardiff and Vale Health Board with a fixed term contract for 12 months from February/March 2027

The ward-based aspect of the post involves being an active member of a team consisting of resident doctors, clinical nurse specialists and nurse practitioners under the guidance of a neurosurgical physician. As well as operative experience and exposure to neurosurgical high care, the post offers the unique opportunity to gain experience across a number of neurosurgical sub speciality.

The clinical fellow will work closely with all services within the Neurosurgery department to ensure continuity of care and development of treatment pathways. Other sub-speciality interests may be developed within the unit subject to mutual agreement. There will be an expectation to assist in the development of pre-admission assessment services.

This post has proven highly successful for previous post holders as a step towards their future applications for specialist training. The resident clinical fellows are encouraged to get involved in research as well as audit projects to present at monthly neurosurgical Quality and Safety meetings based at the University Hospital of Wales.

Cardiff & Vale is a teaching health board with close links to Cardiff University. The University boasts a high-profile teaching, research and development role within the UK and abroad.

Main duties of the job
The Clinical Fellows will undertake a broad range of clinical duties across the Neurosurgery service, including the neurosurgical wards and Neuroscience High Dependency ward whilst participating in the departmental on-call rota. This role provides excellent exposure to the assessment and management of complex neurosurgical patients, offering valuable experience in both acute and elective neurosurgical care within a tertiary neuroscience centre.

About us
Cardiff and Vale University Health Board is one of the largest Integrated Health Boards in the UK, employing over 15,000 staff, providing over 100 specialist services. Working across 6 hospital sites, we have a diverse range of career opportunities to offer. Serving around 500,000 people living in Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan, we are focussed on the health and care needs of our local population whilst working with our partners to develop regional services.

Our mission is "Caring for People, Keeping People Well", and our vision is that every person's chance of leading a healthy life should be equal. As an organisation we are unashamedly ambitious for our population's health, rising to the challenges of today and tomorrow through our 10-year strategy, Shaping our Future Wellbeing. We are contributing to a healthier Wales with great emphasis placed on innovation and improvement, learning from around the world and leading the way in clinical research. Partnership working is strong at Cardiff and Vale, and we work closely with our staff and our community.

Cardiff, the thriving Welsh capital, is a fantastic city to live and work in with an abundance of sports, arts and cultural attractions. Situated to the west of Cardiff, the Vale of Glamorgan offers a combination of beautiful Welsh countryside and a dramatic natural coastline. Whether city life or rural living, Cardiff and the Vale offers the best of both worlds.

Details
Date posted: 05 November 2026
Pay scheme: Hospital medical and dental staff
Grade: Doctor - other
Salary: £56,925 to £64,170 a year Per Annum (plus on call commitments)
Contract: Fixed term
Duration: 12 months
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 001-MP186.26
Closing date: 19 November 2026

Person Specification
Essential

• Effective communication skills - Verbal and written
• Up to date with current medical practices
• MBBS or Equivalent
• Training in Radiation Protection or agreement to attend next available course
• Current GMC Certificate with a full licence to practice
• Previous Surgical experience including responsibility for acute admissions
• Demonstrates knowledge of evidence-informed practice
• Demonstrates understanding of the basic principles of audit, clinical risk management, evidence based practice, patient safety and clinical quality improvement initiatives
• Able to work in multi-professional teams & supervise junior medical staff
• Motivated, Initiative and enthusiastic
• Able to relate to patients, staff and medical colleagues
• Demonstrable interest in and understanding of the specialty
• Ability to work as part of a team
• Evidence of self-reflective practice

Desirable

• Audit
• Teaching
• Intercalated Degree
• MSc or PHD
• Academic Excellence (Prizes, merits, distinctions etc)
• MRCS
• Previous Neurosurgical experience including responsibility for acute admissions
• Evidence of involvement in teaching students, postgraduates and other professionals, with feedback
• Evidence of participation in relevant courses
• Evidence of participation at meetings and activities relevant to the specialty

Employer contact details
Neurosurgery Service Manager: Priya Chankria, Neurosciences.DirectorateOffice@wales.nhs.uk

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 UK Visas and Immigration website. 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. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants.

UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.

Apply through our website.