Job summary
Fellowship in Spinal Surgery Fixed term for 12 months commencing September 2027

The Spinal Surgery unit at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital has one of the largest adult spinal deformity services in the UK dealing with adult degenerative conditions, revision spinal surgery and primary spinal tumours. It also provides a surgical service for children's deformity, spinal injuries, spinal infection and metastatic spinal cord compression.

This particular fellowship offers exposure to a wide range of degenerative, adult deformity and revision surgery with specific reference to minimal access techniques as well as computer navigated spinal surgery. The fellowship is primarily with Mr Robert Lee.

The fellowship is designed to provide skills and competencies above and beyond what is currently required to obtain a CCT in spinal surgery.

Applicants should either have the CCT (or equivalent) or be close to obtaining it. Full registration with the General Medical Council (GMC) will be required. Applicants should already be experienced in spinal surgery. Demonstration of a commitment to training in spinal surgery, good communication and team working skills are essential. Other experience in the form of audit or research is desirable.

Main duties of the job
This fellowship year will provide specialist training in adult degenerative conditions, adult deformity, revision spinal surgery, navigated spinal surgery with some exposure to primary and metastatic spinal tumours.

They are expected to develop knowledge clinically and surgically over the year. The aim is to prepare the successful candidate for complex adult degenerative, deformity and revision spinal surgery at consultant level.

The fellow will also develop knowledge and leadership in order to take a leading role as a Consultant in a department dealing with complex spinal conditions and their sequel, which, with altered life style, expectations and medical advances means that spinal surgeons are expected to handle increasing complex cases. The fellow will develop the communication skills and attitudes to set them up for Consultant practice in a centre of excellence to enable them to develop their skills further and train the next generation of spinal surgeons.

During the fellowship, emphasis will be placed on many facets, not just the technical aspects of surgery and performance of outpatient clinics but also on leading the MDT, coordination, and management including discharge planning etc.

The fellow will also collect audit data and be expected to prepare and deliver lectures at national and international meetings. They will be expected to prepare manuscripts for publication in peer review journals, based on work currently being performed and ongoing within the department.

About us
At the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital (RNOH), we are committed to achieving the best staff experience in the NHS. In the 2023 NHS Staff Survey, we proudly:

• Scored above the national average for the People Promises: "We are recognised and rewarded," "We are always learning," "We work flexibly," "We are a team," and for staff engagement.
• Ranked #1 among all Trusts in North and Central London for all People Promises and themes.
• Ranked #1 among all Acute Specialist Trusts for "We work flexibly."

At RNOH, we're committed to being actively anti-discriminatory and actively inclusive. We recognise our brilliant people do brilliant work, and we offer rewarding careers, no matter what their background. We continue to strive to break down barriers to be the Trust where people come together because what they do matters, makes a difference and where they can thrive.

Joining our organisation means enjoying a wide range of staff benefits, including:

• 24/7 access to wellbeing support through our Employee Assistance Programme.
• A Rewards & Recognition platform, offering opportunities to thank colleagues, send gifts, and access exclusive discounts.
• A dedicated Staff Wellbeing Hub, providing a space to relax and recharge away from the work environment.
• Salary sacrifice schemes for transport (season ticket loans, car and bike), electrical goods, and childcare

At RNOH, we are more than a workplace--we are committed to patients, to excellence and the wellbeing of our staff.

Details
Date posted: 03 July 2026
Pay scheme: Hospital medical and dental staff
Grade: Doctor - other
Salary: £76,582 a year per annum
Contract: Fixed term
Duration: 12 months
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 392-MS026-SpinalFELL
Job locations: Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Trust, Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital Trust Brockley Hill, Stanmore, HA7 4LP, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities
The duties of the fellow include MDT administration and delivery for tertiary referrals, Pre and post-op ward rounds, Surgical multidisciplinary procedures, Adult degenerative spine clinics, Out-of-hours support of patients in the spinal injuries unit and partaking in the on-call rota which does not have residential night duties, Clinical research including data collection and audit, Preparation of abstracts and papers for presentation and publication. The post is dedicated to the development of high level clinical and research experience in the field of spinal deformity correction and degenerative spine surgery.

Specifically, the fellow is expected to attend two all day operating sessions in spinal surgery (one day is based at the Wellington Hospital) and two spinal clinics per week. The fellow is also expected to see all in-patients under his/her care on a daily basis and get involved in all aspects of their care. Additionally, the fellow will prepare a surgical plan for each patient. Participation and presentation of interesting/complex cases at the weekly multi-disciplinary team meetings for spinal deformity, degenerative spine surgery, and spinal trauma/tumour, is mandatory.

In addition to routine clinical commitments and research session the fellow may also be called upon to formally teach MSc students, specialist registrars and more junior trainees.

Person Specification
Trust Values:
Essential

• Understands and committed to Trust values: Patients first always Excellence in all we do Trust, honesty and respect for each other Equality for all

Education, qualification and training
Essential

• Full registration with GMC FRCS (SN) or FRCS (T&O) NTN in relevant surgical specialty Within 12 months of CCT date

Desirable

• Higher degree

Clinical Care (knowledge and skills)
Essential

• Experience in spinal surgery at SpR level.
• Already developed an interest in complex spinal surgery.
• Experience in spinal trauma and spinal tumour surgery.

Desirable

• Research with higher degree ideally in relevant specialty
• Experience of MDT working

Maintaining clinical competence
Essential

• Evidence of good written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to assess patients with complex spinal conditions.
• An understanding of the major risk factors for spinal surgery at a population level and at the level of the individual

Desirable

• Awareness of specific needs of spinal injury and spinal deformity patients and their carers, issues relating to service provision for spinal surgery patients in hospital and the community.
• Ability and enthusiasm to teach medical undergraduates and Allied Health Professionals
• Personal participation in audit

Organisation and planning
Essential

• Clarity of career aims, in particular reasons for choosing fellowship post
• Evidence of being a good team member
• Active interest in research and audit

Desirable

• Leadership qualities
• Commitment and interest in research
• Recognition of the importance of research in the field

Communication and working relationships
Essential

• Good communication skills
• Able to build good working relationships
• Clarity of career aims, in particular reasons for choosing fellowship post in complex spinal surgery
• Evidence of being a good team member

Desirable

• Considerate Leadership qualities
• Commitment and interest in research.
• Recognition of the importance of research in the field.

Personal attributes and experience
Essential

• Attention to detail Able to work Autonomously

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.

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 (Opens in a new tab).

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 (Opens in a new tab).

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).