Senior Breast Microsurgery Fellow

Nhsscotland; Glasgow; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent health-care organization in Scotland seeks a Senior Fellow in Plastic Surgery focused on breast microsurgical reconstruction. This role requires candidates with a completed FRCS exit exam or equivalent training in plastic surgery. The fellowship offers flexibility in meeting the learning objectives for advanced training. Candidates will deliver the highest standard of patient care and manage inpatient care while providing support to junior trainees. Applications from diverse backgrounds are encouraged, promoting an inclusive workplace.

Benefits

Assistance with local accommodation

Study leave as per NHS Terms and Conditions

Qualifications

• Candidates should have completed the FRCS exit exam (or equivalent) or already completed training in plastic surgery.

Responsibilities

• Deliver the highest standard of patient care.
• Manage day‑to‑day care of inpatients under consultant supervision.
• Provide clinical and educational support to more junior trainees.

Job description

About the Department

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) is one of the largest health‑care systems in the UK employing around 40,000 staff in a wide range of clinical and non‑clinical professions and job roles. We deliver acute hospital, primary, community and mental‑health care services to a population of over 1.15 million and a wider population of 2.2 million when our regional and national services are included.

Shift pattern: Monday to Friday 08:00‑17:00

Post type: Fixed term 12 months – flexibility in start date or duration may be considered.

Commencement date: August 2026.

The world‑renowned Canniesburn Burns and Plastic Surgery Unit specialises in microsurgical reconstruction of the breast, orthoplastic limb reconstruction, sarcoma and head‑and‑neck cancer, performing between 250‑300 free flaps per year.

The unit also manages a large number of general plastic surgery cases, including elective and traumatic hand surgery, melanoma and non‑melanoma skin cancer, perineal reconstruction, vascular anomalies, laser treatments, facial palsy, elective and acute paediatric surgery, cleft surgery and congenital hand surgery.

The unit provides national services for brachial plexus injuries and all major adult and paediatric burns across Scotland. It maintains close working relationships with multiple specialties, including orthopaedic surgery, breast surgery, general surgery, paediatric surgery, gynaecology, dermatology, rheumatology, maxillofacial surgery and neurosurgery.

The unit is part of the Regional Services Directorate within the Greater Glasgow & Clyde Acute Division and is based at the Glasgow Royal Infirmary (GRI). Many services, including general trauma, burns, breast cancer, skin cancer, hand surgery, sarcoma and perineal reconstruction, are delivered on this site. The majority of orthoplastic limb trauma, intra‑oral head‑and‑neck reconstruction and paediatric surgery are delivered at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QEUH) and Royal Hospital for Children. Outpatient clinics are based at GRI, QEUH, the children’s hospital and multiple peripheral hospitals across the West of Scotland.

Staffing Overview

• Consultants: 26
• Specialty Doctors: 1
• Registrars/Fellows (Senior Rota): 12
• Senior Fellows: 2
• FY2CT2 Residents/Junior Fellows (Junior Rota): 11

Consultant Plastic Surgeons: Mr Adam Gilmour (Clinical Director), Prof Steven Lo, Mr John Telfer, Mr Craig Russell, Mr John Scott, Mr Richard Thompson, Prof Stephen Morley, Mr Russell Bramhall, Mr Jim Kirkpatrick, Miss Sheri Tay, Prof Andrew Hart, Ms Margaret Strick, Mr Nick Arkoulis, Mr Andrew Malyon, Mr Neil Fairbairn, Mr Ben Chew, Mr John Biddlestone, Mr David McGill, Miss Kavita Sharma, Mr Thomas Reekie, Ms CJ Tollan, Ms Kerry Davies, Ms Marie Kearns, Ms Ru Chew, Mr Mussa Menssa, Mr Kaz Rahman.

Job Title

Senior Fellow in Plastic Surgery Breast Microsurgical Reconstruction

Position Summary

This post is designed for senior candidates seeking advanced training in breast microsurgical reconstruction. Candidates sitting the FRCS exit exam (or equivalent) or those who have already completed training will be considered. A separate orthoplastic limb trauma and sarcoma reconstruction fellowship is available in the unit. This fellowship is most suitable for those with a primary interest in breast reconstruction. While involvement in other microsurgical reconstructions will be supported, these will form a minority of the workload. The fellowship offers flexibility to meet the learning objectives of each candidate.

Qualifications

Candidates should have completed the FRCS exit exam (or equivalent) or already completed training in plastic surgery.

Duties of the Post

• Deliver the highest standard of patient care.
• Manage day‑to‑day care of inpatients under consultant supervision.
• Provide clinical and educational support to more junior trainees.
• Fellows will be prioritised for cases relevant to their subspecialty but must support equitable training opportunities for others.

Service Delivery

• Most microsurgical breast reconstructions are delivered at GRI.
• Fellows will collaborate with trainees and breast reconstruction nurse specialists to organise patient management.
• Supervised by 5 consultants specialising in microsurgical breast reconstruction and 4 additional consultants performing regular breast reconstructions.
• Access to twice‑weekly dedicated breast reconstruction theatres and 12 breast reconstruction clinics per week.

Principal Relationships

Close collaboration with consultants, other fellows, specialty trainees, nursing staff, allied health‑care professionals and technical staff is expected.

Teaching

• Weekly consultant‑led departmental teaching.
• Access to regional and national teaching.
• Mandatory attendance at monthly audit/M&M meetings.
• Opportunities to participate in national and international courses, including:
• Webinar series
• Bi‑annual FRCS pre‑fellowship course
• Annual cadaveric flap course (in collaboration with the University of Glasgow)

Research

• Active clinical research in reconstructive microsurgery, functional limb reanimation, perforator flap applications, breast reconstruction/oncoplastic surgery, burns care, upper and lower limb surgery, sarcoma reconstruction, nerve injury and skin oncology.
• Structured training and mentoring aligned with specialty trainees.

Study Leave & Library Facilities

• Study leave in line with NHS Terms and Conditions.
• NHS Scotland e‑library access via ATHENS.
• Conditions of Service governed by Terms and Conditions for Hospital Medical and Dental Staff and General Whitley Council Conditions where appropriate.
• Salary: Registrar payscale with on‑call supplement, dependent on previous service.
• Assistance with local accommodation is available.
• Health clearance prior to appointment.

Informal Contact

Mr Russell Bramhall – E‑mail: [e-mail]

Recruitment Process

Applicants should provide original and authentic responses to all questions within the application form. The use of artificial intelligence, automated tools or other third‑party assistance to generate, draft or significantly modify responses is strongly discouraged. By submitting your application you confirm that all answers are your own work.

Due to the volume of applications we cannot provide shortlisting feedback.

Applicants who have not undertaken a UK foundation programme within 3.5 years of the advertised post start date will be asked to submit a Certificate of Readiness to Enter Specialty Training (CREST). The CREST form must be completed by a consultant who has worked with you for a minimum continuous period of three months whole‑time equivalent wholly within the 3.5 years prior to the advertised post start date for which you are applying.

NHSGGC‑NHS Scotland encourages applications from all sections of the community, promotes a culture of inclusion across the organisation and is proud of the diverse workforce we have.

By signing the Armed Forces Covenant, NHSGGC has pledged its commitment to being a Forces Friendly Employer. We support applications from across the Armed Forces Community, recognising military skills, experience and qualifications during the recruitment and selection process.

NHSGGC recognises the importance of work‑life balance and is committed to offering a range of flexible working options where service needs allow. For roles where less than full‑time hours can be accommodated and the tenure is listed as "various", we encourage applications from individuals seeking flexible working arrangements and this will be included as a topic for discussion during the recruitment process.

Relevant HR policies are available on the NHSGGC website.