Job summary
Swansea Bay University Health Board (SBUHB) is seeking to appoint a Senior Clinical Fellow in Spinal Surgery to join the Regional Spinal Surgical Unit based at Morriston Hospital. The post offers an excellent opportunity to gain broad experience in adult spinal surgery within a high-volume tertiary spinal service serving Swansea Bay and the wider Mid and South West Wales population.

The Spinal Unit provides comprehensive elective and emergency spinal care, including management of degenerative spinal conditions, spinal trauma, infection, tumours and metastatic spinal cord compression. The service delivers a wide range of open, minimally invasive, navigated and endoscopic spinal procedures from occiput to sacrum.

The post holder will work closely with consultant spinal surgeons, specialist nurses, physician associates and the wider multidisciplinary team to support the delivery of safe, high-quality patient care. The role provides extensive exposure to spinal clinics, ward management, theatre activity, research, audit and service improvement. This fellowship is designed to support professional development while contributing to the effective delivery of spinal services across the Health Board.

Main duties of the job
The Senior Clinical Fellow will provide day-to-day clinical support to the Regional Spinal Service, ensuring the safe assessment, treatment and ongoing management of patients with spinal conditions.

Key responsibilities include undertaking inpatient reviews and ward rounds, assessing emergency and elective admissions, participating in pre-operative and post-operative patient care, and supporting the management of patients throughout their hospital journey. The post holder will work under the supervision of consultant spinal surgeons and will liaise closely with nursing, therapy and multidisciplinary teams.

The successful candidate will participate in spinal operating lists and outpatient clinics appropriate to their level of competence and experience, gaining exposure to a wide range of spinal procedures and management strategies. The role also includes communicating with patients and relatives regarding planned treatment and ongoing care.

In addition, the post holder will actively contribute to clinical audit, research, quality improvement and service development initiatives, while maintaining high professional standards in line with GMC Good Medical Practice and Health Board policies.

About us
Swansea Bay University Health Board has responsibility for the health of around 390,000 people in the Neath Port Talbot and Swansea areas, with a budget of around £1 billion and employing 12,500 people.We are a University Health Board working in partnership with Swansea University, Swansea School of Medicine, the School of Health Science and the Institute of Life Science. The HB has three major hospitals providing a range of services: Morriston and Singleton hospitals in Swansea and Neath Port Talbot hospital in Baglan, Port Talbot.

The Health Board is part of A Regional Collaboration for Health (ARCH), which is a partnership with Hywel Dda UHB and Swansea University. Aimed at improving the wellbeing and wealth of Southwest Wales.

Job responsibilities
The Senior Clinical Fellow will be primarily based at Morriston Hospital and will support the Regional Spinal Surgical Unit in delivering high-quality inpatient and outpatient spinal care.

Responsibilities include conducting patient assessments, clerking admissions, undertaking daily ward rounds, requesting and reviewing investigations, contributing to treatment plans, preparing patients for surgery, and providing post-operative care under consultant supervision. The post holder will attend theatre sessions, assist with and perform procedures appropriate to their training and competence, and attend outpatient clinics when required.

The role requires effective communication with patients, relatives and members of the multidisciplinary team to ensure coordinated and patient-centred care. The fellow will support timely patient flow, accurate clinical documentation and adherence to governance and safety standards.

The post holder will be expected to participate in audit, research, teaching and service improvement activities and contribute to departmental educational programmes. They will comply with all Health Board policies, maintain patient confidentiality, participate in mandatory training and appraisal processes, and undertake any other duties consistent with the grade of the post as delegated by supervising consultants.

Please refer to the full Job Description and Person Specification for complete details of the role, responsibilities and requirements.

Qualifications
Essential

• Full GMC/GDC Registration
• At least 2yrs of experience in a surgical specialty, Or as fixed-term specialty trainee in a relevant specialty, OR equivalent experience / competencies

Desirable

• MRCS or recognised equivalent
• Previous Spinal Surgery experience (6 months or more)
• Further relevant degree/diploma/teaching qualification

Experience
Essential

• Evidence of working effectively as a part of a multidisciplinary team
• Commitment to team approach and multi-disciplinary working
• Up to date with current practices in Trauma and Orthopaedics or Neurosurgery or any surgical specialty
• Teaching and training of post/undergraduate medical staff
• Evidence of participation in, progressing and completing audit

Desirable

• Liaison with other agencies
• Experience of research in Orthopaedics, Neurosurgery and/or Spinal Surgery
• Previous experience of working in the NHS/experience of NHS working practices and systems.

Skills
Essential

• Understanding of clinical risk management and clinical governance
• Ability to take independent clinical decisions when necessary and to seek advice from senior doctors as appropriate
• Ability to manage own time and work load
• Experience of the assessment of emergencies
• Able to work as a member of a team or on own
• Good verbal and written communication skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills - ability to communicate sensitively with patients, relatives and staff
• Understanding of information systems and technology
• Clinical Skills in Orthopaedics OR Neurosurgery
• Appropriate operative experience

Personal Attributes
Essential

• Flexible and adaptable to competing demands
• Ability to travel between sites
• Commitment to modern practices

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).