Junior Surgical Fellow

University Hospital Southampton; Southampton; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent healthcare provider is seeking a Junior Surgical Fellow to support surgical services. This role is ideal for individuals who have recently completed the foundation programme and wish to gain diverse surgical experience. The position involves managing patients, attending ward rounds, and participating in multidisciplinary teams. Essential qualifications include an MBBS and GMC registration, with a strong emphasis on teamwork and communication skills. Opportunities for continued professional development are highly supported.

Benefits

Access to NHS discounts

Minimum of 35 days paid holiday

Generous pension scheme

Qualifications

• Minimum of six months experience in the NHS.
• Minimum of 4 months experience in a surgical speciality at foundation year 1 or 2 level.
• Documented audit experience.

Responsibilities

• Manage patients pre and post-operatively.
• Liaise between nurses, doctors, and patients.
• Attend and participate in ward rounds.

Skills

Teamwork

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Compassionate care

Ability to prioritize

Education

MBBS or equivalent medical qualification

GMC registration with licence to practice

Job description

Job Overview

University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust is delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity to work with us. Please see below for a detailed job description of the role.

Main duties of the job: The department is looking for a junior surgical fellow to help support the surgery service at University Hospital Southampton NHS FT. This post is ideal for those who have just completed the foundation programme and are interested in a career in surgery, looking to gain exposure in various surgical specialities.

Please note that this post has a fixed‑term end date of August 2026.

Working for our organisation

As one of the largest acute teaching Trusts in England, we offer learning and development opportunities to help you achieve the career you aspire to. UHS is rated ‘Good’ by the CQC and is in the top 10 acute trusts for staff engagement and for staff recommending the hospital as a place to work or receive care.

We support flexible working and will consider requests taking into account the needs of the service. UHS employees are able to access a range of NHS discounts, are entitled to a minimum of 35 days paid holiday (pro rata), and we offer a generous pension scheme.

Southampton is an attractive place to live and work situated on the south coast, with an international airport and direct trains to London. The New Forest National Park and beaches of the Jurassic coast are also right on our doorstep. The city offers living costs 20% lower than London and 14 schools rated outstanding by Ofsted.

We believe that using technology wisely shows strong time management and commitment to innovation. However, personalising your recruitment application to highlight your unique skills and experiences is crucial. Relying too heavily on generic, AI‑generated content instead of drawing from your own strengths and accomplishments may lead to your application being rejected if multiple candidates present identical or similar information.

Detailed Job Description and Main Responsibilities

The post will have a service element and the following covers the majority of duties. You will be on the full SHO on‑call rota as part of the post. There will be minor variations in different posts but the list is aimed at covering the majority of duties:

• Day‑to‑day management of patients both pre and post operatively handing over the medical night team daily.
• Liaise between nurses, doctors, patients, relatives and senior medical staff.
• Attend and participate in ward rounds as timetabled.
• Attend regular supervised theatre lists.
• Complete discharge summaries and communicate with GPs and other clinical colleagues as required.
• Completing sick notes where appropriate.
• Study for higher examination and maintain continued professional development.
• Attend educational and multidisciplinary sessions.
• Undertake audit at various times throughout the rotations.
• Teaching commitments to medical students and foundation year 1 doctors.
• The post will form part of a full shift rota in the area you are allocated.
• 2 hours/week self development time (SDT).
• Attend departmental teaching.

For an overview of the position, please refer to the attached Job Description and Person Specification document. This includes a detailed breakdown of the key responsibilities, role expectations, and the qualifications we are looking for. It outlines the essential criteria for the role and is designed to support you in preparing your application by helping you evaluate how your skills, experience, and professional background align with the requirements of the role.

Appointment will be made under local contractual terms and conditions of service for Trust appointed (non‑training fellow doctors and dentists). Applicants requiring Skilled Worker sponsorship should ensure they meet the Home Office application criteria prior to submitting an application.

Successful candidates will have an educational framework equivalent to training grade doctors, and there will be a named educational supervisor assigned at the start of the post. The opportunity for Continued Professional Development (CPD) is highly supported and encouraged by the Trust, with options available to take study leave.

Grades for Trust appointed (non‑training) fellows will be paid a basic salary at a nodal pay point linked to the grade, at the rate set out in the National Medical and Dental pay circular. Basic salary plus any additional remuneration (as applicable) for hours set out in the doctors work schedule (e.g. additional hours, weekend allowance, and any hours which attract enhanced pay).

Proposed interview date: 15th January 2026.

This vacancy closes on or before 1st January 2026.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria:

• MBBS or equivalent medical qualification.
• GMC registration with licence to practice.
• Appropriate knowledge base, and ability to apply sound clinical judgement to problems.
• Documented audit experience.
• Minimum of six months experience in the NHS.
• Minimum of 4 months experience in a surgical speciality at a foundation year 1 or 2 level.

Desirable criteria:

• Completion of Foundation training Programme.
• Less than 18 months surgical experience.
• Certification in ATLS, ALS, BLS.
• MRCS part A or equivalent.
• Presentation at a national or international meeting.
• Peer‑reviewed publication.
• Certification in a teaching course.
• Surgical logbook with at least 10 cases.

Skills

Essential criteria:

• Evidence and ability to work effectively in multi‑professional teams.
• Understanding of equality and diversity and how this affects patients, visitors and staff.
• Evidence and ability to communicate and liaise effectively with patients and colleagues (verbal and written communication skills in English).
• Demonstrate good organisational skills including ability to prioritise effectively and meet deadlines.
• Demonstrate the ability to be calm, compassionate, and able to respond efficiently to various circumstances, which may change rapidly.
• Evidence of participation in undergraduate and postgraduate teaching.
• Ability to motivate and develop the staff in the department.
• Ability to assess and formulate immediate treatment plans on a range of emergency problems within the speciality.
• Ability to manage and prioritise emergency care of patients.
• A wide range of clinical skills and practice in the speciality.
• Must be competent in undertaking on‑calls at middle grade level.

Trust Values

Essential criteria:

• Trust Values – Patients First, Working Together, Always Improving.