Complex Spine Senior Clinical Fellow

NHS; Stanmore; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading spinal health organization in Stanmore seeks a Complex Spine Senior Clinical Fellow to enhance skills in complex spinal surgery. The role offers extensive training across various complex conditions, with the aim of preparing candidates for consultant-level positions. Ideal candidates should possess relevant surgical qualifications and a commitment to developing leadership skills in a multidisciplinary team environment. Enjoy a supportive setting focused on staff well-being and professional growth.

Benefits

24/7 employee wellbeing support

Recognition platform with rewards

Staff Wellbeing Hub

Salary sacrifice schemes

Qualifications

• Completion of FRCS(Orth) / FRCS (Neurosurgery) or equivalent.
• Evidence of good written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience in spinal surgery at SpR level.

Responsibilities

• Develop clinical knowledge and surgical skills for complex spinal surgery.
• Leading role in managing complex spinal conditions.
• Emphasis on both technical and management aspects of surgery.

Skills

Written and verbal communication skills

Assessment of complex spinal conditions

Teaching medical undergraduates

Team collaboration

Education

Completion of FRCS(Orth) / FRCS (Neurosurgery)

Active interest in research and audit

12 months from CCT date

Job description

Complex Spine Senior Clinical Fellow

The closing date is 16 December 2025

The Fellowship is in Complex Spine Surgery. This Fellowship provides excellent training in Complex Spine Surgery, with all the previous fellows currently working as Consultant Spinal Surgeons in the UK and Australia.

The RNOH Spinal Surgery Unit incorporates both the Spinal Deformity and the Neuro‑Orthopaedic Spinal units. The unit is one of the largest of its kind in Europe, specialising in treatment of patients with complex spinal deformities, spinal tumours (including intradural tumours) and spinal injuries. It is a tertiary referral centre for the entire UK with regards to spinal deformity, a regional referral centre for primary spinal tumours and accepts spinal trauma referrals from across London and the south east of the UK. In addition consultants in the department see and treat a number of overseas patients each year.

The spinal injury unit accepts referrals following spinal trauma with and without spinal cord damage. There is a dedicated unit for spinal trauma and rehabilitation on site with a full multi‑disciplinary team, dedicated to the care of spinal injury patients covering all aspects of their care. There are three spinal rehabilitation consultants within the department, who provide on‑going care following initial treatment of the spinal injury. The ethos of the unit is to provide an integrated team which takes the patient from their acute phase through rehabilitation/re‑integration within the community.

Main duties of the job

The successful candidate will be expected to develop their clinical knowledge and surgical skills over the one year fellowship. The aim of the surgical fellowship is to prepare the successful candidate for complex spinal surgery at consultant level. The case mix of spinal surgery at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital is extensive: paediatric and adult complex spinal conditions, spinal tumours, spinal infections, cervical, thoracic and lumbar degenerative conditions, and spinal trauma including osteoporotic fracture management.

The fellow will also develop sufficient knowledge and leadership in order to take a leading role as a Consultant in a department dealing with complex spinal conditions and their sequelae. The fellow will develop the communication skills and attitudes to set them up for Consultant practice in a centre of excellence and to enable them to develop their skills further and train the next generation of spinal surgeons.

During the course of the fellowship emphasis will be given to many facets of the job not just the technical aspects of surgery and performance of outpatient clinics but also on leading the MDT, coordination, and management including discharge planning etc.

About us

At the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital (RNOH), we are committed to achieving the best staff experience in the NHS. In the 2023 NHS Staff Survey, we proudly:

• Scored above the national average for the People Promises: "We are recognised and rewarded," "We are always learning," "We work flexibly," "We are a team," and for staff engagement.
• Ranked #1 among all Trusts in North and Central London for all People Promises and themes.
• Ranked #1 among all Acute Specialist Trusts for "We work flexibly."

At RNOH, we’re committed to being actively anti‑discriminatory and actively inclusive. We recognise our brilliant people do brilliant work, and we offer rewarding careers, no matter what their background. We continue to strive to break down barriers to be the Trust where people come together because what they do matters, makes a difference and where they can thrive.

Joining our organisation means enjoying a wide range of staff benefits, including:

• 24/7 access to wellbeing support through our Employee Assistance Programme.
• A Rewards & Recognition platform, offering opportunities to thank colleagues, send gifts, and access exclusive discounts.
• A dedicated Staff Wellbeing Hub, providing a space to relax and recharge away from the work environment.
• Salary sacrifice schemes for transport (season ticket loans, car and bike), electrical goods, and childcare

At RNOH, we are more than a workplace--we are committed to patients, to excellence and the wellbeing of our staff.

Job responsibilities

Study and annual leave

Study leave will be granted according to nationally agreed terms and conditions. Ample opportunity to attend both National and International Courses.

The appropriate annual and study leave should only be taken after agreement with consultant supervisor. The Trust policy is for six weeks notice relating to routine requests for annual and study leave, which is subject to agreement to allow satisfactory service provision.

General Notes: Further details about the Trust can be obtained from our website: http://www.rnoh.nhs.uk

Potential applicants can obtain further information about the post by contacting Consultant Neurological and Spinal Surgeons, Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Brockley Hill, Stanmore, Middlesex HA7 4LP, Tel: [phone] or 5540.

Safeguarding Children and Adults

You have a duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and adults at risk of abuse. You should be aware of your responsibilities as detailed in the RNOH Safeguarding Children Policy and Safeguarding Adults at Risk Policy and know what to do if you have concerns about a child or adult who is at risk of or who has suffered abuse. The Trust will assist you by providing support and advice, and mandatory training in accordance to your role.

IT Skills

All staff are required to demonstrate a level of IT literacy skills appropriate to their job, as the use of IT is fundamental in delivering good quality efficient health care.

Professional conduct

The post holder must comply with the Code of Professional Conduct applicable to their profession.

Clinical Governance

All staff must comply with the Trust Infection Control Policy. All employees must attend infection control training as required within their department as directed by their line manager.

Confidentiality

Post‑holders must maintain the confidentiality of information about patients, staff and other health service business in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998. Post‑holders must not, without prior permission, disclose any information regarding patients or staff.

The Trust welcomes all persons without regard to age, ethnic or national origin, gender or sexual orientation, religion, lifestyle, presenting illness or disability. We aim to provide a non‑judgemental service at all times.

No Smoking Policy

The Trust prohibits smoking in all of their buildings and premises.

Person Specification

Education, qualification and training

• Completion of FRCS(Orth) / FRCS (Neurosurgery) / equivalent training in Home Country
• FRCS NTN in relevant surgical specialty
• Active interest in research and audit
• Within 12 months of CCT date

Clinical Care (knowledge and skills)

• Evidence of good written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to assess patients with complex spinal conditions.
• An understanding of the major risk factors for spinal surgery at a population level and at the level of the individual
• Awareness of specific needs of spinal injury and spinal deformity patients and their carers, issues relating to service provision for spinal surgery patients in hospital and the community
• Ability and enthusiasm to teach medical undergraduates and Allied Health Professionals; personal participation in audit

Organisation and planning

• Enhanced disclosure form the Criminal Records Bureau
• Prepared to assess specific training opportunities at various sites according to programme

Maintaining clinical competence

• Experience in spinal surgery at SpR level.
• Already developed an interest in complex spinal surgery.
• Experience in spinal trauma and spinal tumour surgery.
• Research with higher degree ideally in relevant specialty
• Experience of MDT working

Communication and working relationships

• Clarity of career aims, in particular reasons for choosing fellowship post in complex spine surgery and spinal trauma surgery
• Evidence of being a good team member
• Active interest in research and audit
• Commitment and interest in research
• Recognition of the importance of research in the field of spinal surgery.

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.

Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Trust