Advanced Clinical Training Fellow in Neurology

NHS; Leeds; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in Leeds seeks an Advanced Clinical Training Fellow in Neurology, focusing on Motor Neurone Disease. This full-time role involves subspecialty training, participation in neurology clinics, and opportunities for research. Ideal candidates should have significant experience in neurology and possess MRCP or equivalent qualifications. The fellowship offers a chance for substantial professional development in a multidisciplinary environment.

Qualifications

• MBBS or equivalent medical qualification.
• CCT (or within 24-36 months of CCT).
• Up to date and fit to practice safely.
• Evidence of thoroughness, discipline, commitment.

Responsibilities

• Provide all aspects of subspecialty training in MND.
• Gain exposure to muscle biopsy and Botox delivery.
• Participate in the Neurology out-of-hours rota.

Job description

Advanced Clinical Training Fellow in Neurology

Applications are invited for the exciting new post of an Advanced Clinical Training Fellowship in Neurology with a subspecialist focus on Motor Neurone Disease. This post will form a key part of the medical team at the new Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease.

This post is for the new Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease and is based at Seacroft Hospital. The candidate will also provide support for patients admitted to wards at Leeds General Infirmary and St James's University Teaching Hospital.

Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust is one of the largest teaching hospital Trusts in Europe with access to leading clinical expertise and medical technology. We care for people from all over the country, as well as the 800,000 residents of Leeds. The Trust has a budget of £1 billion and employs 17,000 staff.

The Rob Burrow Centre is led by Dr Agam Jung, Director; Dr Shaun Foo, Co‑director and is supported by a Centre Manager, 3 MND specialist nurses and a wide multidisciplinary team, including sub‑specialities e.g. respiratory and gastroenterology.

The Centre comes under the department of Neurology, which is part of the Neurosciences CSU. Mr Robert Rathbone is the General Manager of the CSU, Dr Jonathan Bilmen is the Clinical Director and Mr Robin Darby is the Head of Nursing. Dr Maruthi Vinjam is the Clinical Lead for Neurology.

Planned interview date: 17 December 2025

Main duties of the job

The successful applicant should possess MRCP (or equivalent) and would have achieved CCT, or be within 24 to 36 months of attainment (ST6‑8, 1 WTE). If currently within a training programme in the UK, applicants will need to have a minimum of 7 years experience following full GMC accreditation, with at least 5 of these in neurology.

Applicants should have established skills in neurology, including a strong commitment to undergraduate and postgraduate teaching and a research interest is desirable.

Interest and ambition to build a specialist practice in the diagnosis, treatment and management of Motor Neurone disease is crucial.

This is a full‑time Clinical Fellow post which will focus on developing your skills and knowledge on all aspects of Motor Neurone Disease. This will predominantly be based at the new Centre at Seacroft Hospital, but support to the wider Neurology service and in‑reach to inpatient units at Leeds General Infirmary and St James University Hospital will also form an element of this post.

This post-holder has the option to contribute to the Neurology Registrar on‑call rota (pre CCT) or to the Consultant rota.

Consideration will be given to applicants who wish to work full or part time and those wishing to job share.

If shortlisted, you will be required to give a 10‑minute presentation on: The Development of Motor Neurone Services at the Rob Burrow MND Centre, as a local, regional and supra‑regional centre.

Job responsibilities

This MND Advanced Clinical Fellowship post is formally recognised by the Association of British Neurologists (ABN). The Fellow will be funded for 12 months primarily by the MND Association and also by the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. The funds from the MNDA are from fundraising carried out in the name of the Yorkshire rugby legend Rob Burrow who was cared for by the Leeds MND Service.

The fellowship is designed for neurology clinicians at the end of training and that have achieved their Neurology SCE, to provide all aspects of subspecialty training in MND and thus prepare for a consultant role in this field. This would be one of the country’s first MND Clinical Fellowships and we expect the candidate to work as a neurology consultant with a specialist MND interest in the region.

The Fellow will be fully immersed in the MND service. This will include a thorough grounding in the clinical management, investigation and learning new skills e.g. Botox for optimally managing all varieties of MND and MND mimics. It includes care for the patient holistically at home and hospice as well.

There are further opportunities to develop a research interest and also to attend MND services in other specialist centres e.g. Sheffield. LTHT has a good network of support with neighbouring Trusts under the West Yorkshire Association of Acute Trusts which will enable the fellow to attend supervised clinics. Named consultants in neighbouring Trusts have agreed to host the Fellow and the WYAAT passport scheme will allow seamless working across hospitals.

This post is not suitable for more junior applicants, who are not yet at a CCT or peri‑CCT standard. More junior applicants should not apply.

To maximise the available learning opportunity, it is expected that candidates will already have previous neurology experience in the NHS system. Previous experience in MND is desirable.

The post is structured such that the training will be planned and delivered over a 12‑month period and is therefore not suitable for trainees looking for a shorter fellowship placement. The Fellow will have access to an office space and IT including a Trust laptop. They will have a Trust as well as a departmental induction. A dedicated supervisor and peer mentor (another neurology trainee / ABN peer mentoring programme) will be available to support the fellow. They will be expected to attend the weekly Regional Neurology Academic meeting, as well as the monthly Neuromuscular MDT to develop an understanding of MND mimics. Self‑directed learning will be strongly encouraged.

If the Fellow is Pre CCT, they will also attend monthly regional training days.

Joining the on‑call rota can be considered.

Interventional MND activity – The Fellow will gain exposure to muscle biopsy and in the future on intrathecal treatments as well as learn about Botox delivery. They will be expected to learn and deliver by attaining competency in delivering Botox injections for saliva and spasticity management. Training for this will be provided.

Non‑MND clinics – The Fellow also has the option to attend general neurology clinics to continue to gain a thorough understanding of the management of neurological conditions.

The Fellow will be expected to keep a portfolio of their activities and educational progress, utilising a recognised portfolio (e.g. NHS e‑Portfolios).

The Fellow will be expected to support the MND Research nurse to maintain the national MND databases.

The Fellow is strongly encouraged to involve themselves in the current research within the MND service, including actively recruiting patients to trials such as MRF / Computer Vision / Drug Trials / Assessment of Informal Carer Well‑being. The Fellow will be expected to lead the PPIE group meetings.

We hope to set up an MND journal club which the MND Clinical fellow is expected to co‑ordinate and to present at.

Out of hours – The post-holder can participate in the Neurology out‑of‑hours rota via the Trust internal bank services which includes cover of adult neurology patients at a registrar level.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• MBBS or equivalent medical qualification
• CCT (or within 24‑36 months of CCT)
• Up to date and fit to practise safely and is aware of own training needs
• Ability to provide complete details of employment history
• Evidence that career progression is consistent with personal circumstances
• Evidence that present achievement and performance is commensurate with totality of their period of training
• Be eligible for full registration with, and hold a current licence to practise from, the GMC at intended start date.
• Eligibility to work in the UK.

Additional Criteria

• All applicants to have demonstrable skills in written and spoken English adequate to enable effective communication about medical topics with patients and colleagues.
• Evidence of thoroughness (is well prepared, shows self‑discipline/commitment, is punctual and meets deadlines)
• Capacity to monitor developing situations and anticipate issues
• Capacity to operate under pressure
• Demonstrates initiative & resilience to cope with Application form Interview / Selection centre References changing circumstance
• Is able to deliver good clinical care in the face of uncertainty
• Understands, respects and demonstrates the values of the NHS Constitution (e.g. everyone counts; improving lives; commitment to quality of care; respect and dignity; working together for patients)
• Demonstrates probity (displays honesty, integrity, aware of ethical dilemmas, respects confidentiality)
• Capacity to take responsibility for own actions

Experience

• 7 years of experience after full GMC registration or equivalent, 5 of which should be in neurology, and evidence of achievement of foundation competences, in line with GMC standards.
• Demonstrates clarity in written/spoken communication & capacity to adapt language as appropriate to the situation.
• Able to build rapport, listen, persuade & negotiate.
• Capacity to use logical/lateral thinking to solve problems/make decisions, indicating an analytical/scientific approach.
• Capacity to take in others perspectives and treat others with understanding; sees patients as people.
• Demonstrates respect for all.
• Able to work in multi‑professional teams & supervise junior medical staff.
• Ability to show leadership, make decisions, organise and motivate other team members for the benefit of patients through, for example, audit and quality improvement Projects.
• Capacity to work effectively with others.
• Capacity to manage/prioritise time and information effectively.
• Capacity to prioritise own workload & organise ward rounds.
• Ability to apply sound clinical knowledge and judgement to problems.
• Ability to prioritise clinical need.
• Ability to maximise safety and minimise risk.
• Recognition of, and ability to undertake the initial management of, an acutely ill patient.
• Demonstrable interest in, and understanding of, the specialty.
• Commitment to personal and professional development.
• Evidence of attendance at organised teaching and training programme(s).
• Evidence of self‑reflective practice.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

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.