Clinical Fellow in Thoracic Surgery

University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust; Bristol; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading NHS Trust in Bristol is seeking a Senior Thoracic Surgery Fellow to join their high-volume thoracic service. This 6-month Fellowship is aimed at surgeons seeking advanced training in minimally invasive thoracic procedures. Candidates should have at least 2 years of dedicated thoracic surgery training. The role involves extensive operative exposure and active participation in MDTs and teaching. The Trust values work-life balance and diversity, and it offers visa sponsorship for international candidates.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years full-time equivalent dedicated Thoracic Surgery training.
• Experience and understanding of audit, governance, and research processes.
• Knowledge of clinical and basic sciences relevant to Thoracic Surgery.
• Able to assess, resuscitate, and stabilise acutely sick patients.

Responsibilities

• Participate actively in MDTs, clinics, perioperative care, and service development.
• Contribute to audit, research, and quality improvement.
• Teach junior trainees and medical students.

Skills

Ability to organise and prioritise workload

Ability to manage time and set own goals

Ability to work effectively within MDT environment

Flexibility

Ability to gain confidence of staff and patients

Willing to undertake additional clinical duties

Education

MBChB or equivalent

MRCS or equivalent

Holds current GMC registration

Higher degree or peer-reviewed publications

FRCS(CTh) or equivalent

Enrolled on a recognised training scheme

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

As an organisation we recognise the value of a healthy work-life balance. When applying, speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate flexible working, so your work life fits around your home life.

We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates as they are under-represented within the Trust.

Generative artificial intelligence (AI) describes algorithms that can be used to produce new content, including audio, code, images, text, simulations, and videos. It is developing all the time and is now being used as a support mechanism for all kinds of content-based creations. Please note the use of AI is monitored and if applicants have used it then they are required to declare this.

Job overview

UHBW invites applications for a senior Thoracic Surgery Fellow to join our high-volume, minimally invasive thoracic service based at the Bristol Royal Infirmary. This post is designed for surgeons who have completed specialist certification in cardiothoracic surgery (UK CCT or international equivalent) and who wish to undertake further focused training in complex thoracic procedures within a centre recognised for its VATS programme, enhanced recovery pathways, and multidisciplinary oncology network.

This 6-month Fellowship offers extensive operative exposure to major thoracic surgery, including VATS lobectomy and segmentectomy, complex lung cancer resections, airway and pleural surgery, and benign thoracic pathology. The Fellow will also have access to robotic thoracic surgery, with opportunities to participate in and develop experience on the robotic platform as part of the unit’s minimally invasive programme.

Main duties of the job

The Fellowship offers extensive operative exposure to major thoracic surgery, including VATS lobectomy and segmentectomy, complex lung cancer resections, airway and pleural surgery, and benign thoracic pathology. The Fellow will also have access to robotic thoracic surgery, with opportunities to participate in and develop experience on the robotic platform as part of the unit’s minimally invasive programme.

Fellows are expected to participate actively in MDTs, clinics , perioperative care, service development and governance.

Candidates must have at least 2 year full-time equivalent dedicated thoracic surgery training in a recognised unit, with demonstrable hands-on experience in minimally invasive thoracic techniques. The post is not suitable for applicants whose background is primarily general surgery, cardiac-only practice, or below registrar level.

The successful candidate will contribute to audit, research and quality improvement, and will be encouraged to develop a portfolio of work suitable for publication or presentation. Teaching of junior trainees and medical students is an integral part of the role.

The Trust welcomes applications from UK and international candidates and is able to offer visa sponsorship where required.

This Fellowship provides an excellent opportunity for an ambitious surgeon seeking high-quality, advanced training within a forward-looking UK thoracic surgery service, with access to both VATS and robotic platforms.

Working for our organisation

University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) is one of the largest acute Trusts in the country, bringing together a combined workforce of over 13,000 staff and over 100 different clinical services across 10 different sites, serving a core population of more than 500,000 people across South West England. UHBW has been rated by the CQC as ‘Good’ overall and our staff are proud to deliver excellent care to the people of Bristol, Weston and beyond. As a forward-thinking multi-award winning Trust and a digital exemplar committed to improving patient care, our world-leading research and innovations are having a positive local and global impact.

Our hospitals are spread across Bristol and Weston, join us and you can enjoy the very best of both worlds; city living within a stone’s throw of the countryside or beside the seaside, both with easy access to all that the South West has to offer. UHBW is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them.

Anonymous information will be used from your application in order to ensure we’re meeting our pledge.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please see the attached job description for a more detailed overview of the main responsibilities of the role.”

Person specification

Qualifications and Training

• MBChB or equivalent.
• MRCS or equivalent.
• Holds current GMC registration with a licence to practice.
• Higher degree, or peer-reviewed publications relevant to thoracic surgery.
• FRCS(CTh) or equivalent.
• Enrolled on a recognised training scheme leading to the award of the UK CCT in cardiothoracic surgery or equivalent.

Skills and Abilities

• Ability to organise and prioritise workload
• Ability to manage time, take initiative and set own goals.
• Ability to work effectively within MDT environment
• Flexibility
• Ability to gain confidence of both staff and patients
• • Willing to undertake additional clinical duties when necessary, including cover for colleagues on leave

Knowledge and Experience

• Minimum 2 years full-time equivalent dedicated Thoracic Surgery training.
• Experience and understanding of audit, governance, and research processes.
• Knowledge of clinical and basic sciences relevant to Thoracic Surgery
• Knowledge of Good Clinical Practice (GCP)
• Able to assess, resuscitate and stabilise acutely sick patients.

Additional and Aptitudes

• IT skills on all Microsoft packages

We hope that you will decide to join us and become part of this exciting journey, helping us to shape our future together.

· As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application to ensure we’re meeting our pledge.

· The Trust is committed to investing in and caring for all our staff. We will support you in maintaining and improving your health and wellbeing, as well as your career development through management and training support - developing exceptional people for exceptional careers.

· UHBW is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults.

· To comply with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016 all applicants must be able to speak fluent English to an appropriate standard which will be assessed at Interview.

· If you require sponsorship for a visa to work in the UK, to avoid disappointment, please check to ensure you are eligible under the UKVI points based system.

· The Trust uses electronic new starter forms on Trac to collect personal details. Information collected is securely stored and used to set up the employee record on the ESR HR system.

· By applying for this post, you are agreeing to University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust transferring the information contained in this application to its preferred applicant management system. If you are offered a job, information will also be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records system.

· Please be aware of scams – unless specified above, we will only communicate with you via @recruit.trac.jobs or nhs.net e-mails and we will never ask you for any payments.

IMPORTANT:

Please note that if you apply for a position with this Trust, you may be contacted via Trac or via email. This includes invites for job interviews. We therefore recommend that you regularly check your Trac account and email accounts. We may also contact you by texting the mobile number, if provided, on the application form.

Due to the high number of applications that are received for some posts we may close this vacancy before the advertised closing date. Therefore, please apply for this post as soon as you can, if you are interested and you meet the requirements of the Person Specification

Only those candidates who clearly demonstrate how they meet the person specification will be shortlisted for this job.

As a guide interviews should usually take place within 3 weeks of the closing date.

When providing employment reference details, please provide correct work-related email addresses so references can be sought promptly when we are looking to progress your application. Your referee must all be known to you in a line manager or professional lead capacity.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Application numbers

Our job adverts may close as soon as sufficient applications have been received. Considering this, if you are interested in this role, please do apply as soon as you can.