Trust Doctor/Senior Clinic Fellow in Neurosurgery

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279); Brighton; On-site; CAD 73,000 - 93,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare foundation trust in Brighton is looking for a Trust Doctor/Senior Clinic Fellow in Neurosurgery. The role involves elective and emergency adult neurosurgery, working in a well-supported multidisciplinary team. Candidates need MRCS or equivalent, GMC registration, and at least two years of neurosurgical experience. Opportunities for teaching and research are included, along with participation in audits. The position offers a chance to develop skills in a state-of-the-art facility, ensuring high-quality patient care.

Benefits

State-of-the-art facilities

Excellent educational support

Qualifications

• 2 years of neurosurgical experience.
• Ability to independently perform lumbar punctures, insert external ventricular drains.
• Evidence of participation in audit and research experience.

Responsibilities

• Cover elective and emergency adult neurosurgery and spinal conditions.
• Participate in clinical governance and attend outpatient clinics.
• Assist in neurosurgical procedures under supervision.

Skills

Good communication skills

Ability to perform lumbar punctures

Experience in multi-professional teams

Education

MRCS (or equivalent)

Full GMC registration with licence to practice

Advanced Life Support Certificate

Job description

Trust Doctor/Senior Clinic Fellow in Neurosurgery

The closing date is 26 December 2025

Our South‑East Neurosurgery/Spinal surgery unit consists of 9 neurosurgical and 4 spinal consultants (with orthopaedic and/or neurosurgical training). The team includes 9 registrars, 6 SHO‑level doctors, 2 Foundation Year 1 doctors and 2 Advanced Clinical Practitioners (ACP). There are 2 dedicated neurosurgical wards at the RSCH, additional critical‑care beds, and the department is based in the new Louisa Martindale Building (3Ts), offering state‑of‑the‑art facilities: 3 dedicated neuro/spinal theatres with intra‑operative MRI, a brand‑new Neurointerventional angiography suite, O‑arm, 3 neuro‑navigation systems, CT/MRI facilities near the theatres and multiple MDT rooms.

You will have opportunities to perform and assist in a variety of neurosurgical and spinal procedures under appropriate supervision and mentorship. The role includes governance activities (audits, quality‑improvement projects), teaching, and research. You will be on a 1:10 on‑call rota, including long days and night shifts, dealing with acute referrals and surgical emergencies from Sussex and Kent. Additional opportunities include subspecialty clinics/MDTs and local teaching.

Main duties of the job

The successful applicant will cover both elective and emergency adult neurosurgery and spinal conditions, working on wards, theatres, ICU/HDU, outpatient clinics and the emergency department. The registrar on‑call rota is 1:10 and you will work with highly motivated multidisciplinary teams. This post is well supported, closely supervised by consultants, and the holder will receive educational and clinical supervision, with regular career‑progress reviews. Candidates at the level of taking the FRCS Neurosurgery exam will receive focused guidance.

On‑call commitment: 1:10, including night working.

About us

At UHSussex, diversity is our strength. We are proud of our Outstanding CQC rating and aim to deliver excellent care everywhere. Everyone is encouraged to succeed; we offer staff networks, a buddy system, and are a Disability‑Confident (Level 3) and Veteran‑Aware Trust.

Job responsibilities

Please see the attached job description and person specification for further details.

• Registrar on‑call duties – dealing with acute referrals and escalating as appropriate.
• Review of patients in our emergency department/surgical assessment unit, formulating management plans under consultant supervision.
• Weekly attendance to neurosurgical theatres, assisting and performing cranial and spinal procedures as competence allows, with consultant supervision.
• Attendance at weekly departmental teaching sessions.
• Participation in clinical governance: departmental and national audits, quality‑improvement projects.
• Attendance at outpatient clinics and review of clinic patients.
• Training and supervision of junior colleagues.
• Participation in the morning multidisciplinary board rounds and liaison with allied health professionals to ensure patient safety and care.

Person Specification

Experience / Qualifications

• MRCS (or equivalent) and previous neurosurgical experience to ST4+ level
• Full GMC registration with licence to practice
• Advanced Life Support Certificate from the Resuscitation Council UK or equivalent
• Distinctions, scholarships, prizes or other degrees (e.g. BSc, MSc, MS)

Clinical Skills and Experience

• At least 2 years of neurosurgical experience
• Ability to independently perform lumbar punctures, insert external ventricular drains and ICP monitors
• Experience in relevant specialties
• Detailed surgical logbook detailing experience in a range of neurosurgical procedures

Knowledge

• Broad experience in and outside the specialty

Organisation and Planning

• Experience and ability to work in multi‑professional teams
• Understanding of NHS, clinical governance and resource constraints
• Evidence of managerial skills: achievements, courses attended

Academic and Research

• Evidence of participation in audit
• Research experience
• Publications
• Prizes and honours

Teaching Skills

• Evidence of interest and commitment to teaching
• Recognised teaching qualification
• Appropriate progression of career to date

Personal Attributes

• Good communication skills, both oral and written

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975. A Disclosure and Barring Service check is required.