Consultant in Spinal Surgery

Cardiff and Vale University Health Board; Wales; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A major health institution in the UK is seeking a Consultant in Spinal Surgery to join their Spinal Surgical Team. The successful candidate will participate in an on-call rota and manage complex spinal cases. Applicants should hold a relevant higher degree, be on the GMC Specialist Register, and have completed an advanced fellowship in spinal surgery. This is a unique opportunity to work in a collaborative environment focused on innovative clinical practices. Succeeding in this role requires strong communication and leadership skills.

Qualifications

• Demonstrable experience in the operative management of complex spine trauma.
• Completion of recognised Spinal Surgery fellowship is essential.
• Evidence of independent practice required.

Responsibilities

• Participate in a 1 in 6 week on-call rota.
• Manage patients with complex spine trauma and adult degenerative spinal surgery.
• Contribute to clinical governance and audit.

Skills

Effective and demonstrable communication skills

Evidence of effective team and multidisciplinary working

Evidence of continuing professional development (CPD)

Education

Relevant higher degree e.g. MD, PhD, MSc in Trauma

On GMC Specialist Register for specialty / Specialty Registrar with CCT

Recognised Advanced Fellowship in Spinal Surgery

ATLS or APLS provider status

Job description

Consultant in Spinal Surgery

The closing date is 25 January 2026

Main duties of the job

The successful candidate will participate in a 1 in 6 week on-call rota to cover all Spinal Surgery emergencies and referrals. This is a non-resident rota and includes weekdays and weekend cover. No elective work takes place during this week. The on-call week is supported by 2 spinal fellows 0800-2000 weekdays, 1 spinal fellow 0800-2000 at the weekend and the Orthopaedic Registrar on call overnight (2000-0800).

The successful candidate will occupy an integral position within the Spinal Surgical Team. Suitable candidates should be on the Specialist Register and must have obtained the FRCS (Tr&Ortho / Neurosurg) or equivalent and have recognised advanced experience in Spinal Surgery and have a track record lending credibility to a career dedicated to Spinal Surgery, including specialist fellowship experience.

About the post

Applications are invited for the post of Consultant in Spinal Surgery as part of the Spines Surgical Team within Cardiff and Vale University Health Board. University Hospital of Wales is the first Major Trauma Centre to launch within Wales. The Major Trauma Centre is part of an inclusive and collaborative South West and Mid Wales Network spanning six Health Board areas. This post has been created due to the expansion of the department to cope with increasing demand, predominantly in degenerative adult spinal pathology and major trauma. At the present time the role will not include paediatric deformity but there is the potential for the development of this in the future. The successful candidate will be expected to have competencies in the independent operative management of patients with complex spine trauma, adult degenerative spinal surgery (cervical and lumbar), metastatic spinal cord compression, spinal infections and cauda equina syndrome.

Applicants must ensure they provide names and contact details of referees covering at least the last 3 years of their employment/training history in full. In addition, applicants who are currently or have most recently been employed as a substantive Consultant or as a Locum Consultant in post for more than 12 months must also provide the name of their Medical Director as an additional referee.

Qualifications

• On GMC Specialist Register for specialty / Specialty Registrar with CCT due within 6 months of interview date (note that Portfolio Pathway applicants must be on the Specialist Register at the point of application)
• Recognised Advanced Fellowship in Spinal Surgery
• ATLS or APLS provider status
• Relevant higher degree e.g. MD, PhD, MSc in Trauma

Experience

• Broad training and experience in Spinal Surgery
• Demonstrable experience in the operative management of complex spine trauma, adult degenerative spinal surgery (cervical and lumbar), metastatic spinal cord compression, spinal infections and cauda equina syndrome
• Completion of recognised Spinal Surgery fellowship
• Evidence of independent practice
• Experience of Major Trauma Centre working

Skills

• Evidence of effective team and multidisciplinary working
• Effective and demonstrable communication skills
• Evidence of CPD

Clinical Governance

• Evidence of participation in clinical audit and understanding role of audit in improving medical practice
• Comprehension of core philosophy and building blocks of clinical governance
• Evidence of proactive engagement with appraisal and revalidation (or equivalent)

Research

• Evidence of active research interests

Education and Training

• Interest in education and training of resident doctors and medical students

Management

• Evidence of effective leadership skills

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.

About us

Cardiff and Vale University Health Board is one of the largest Integrated Health Boards in the UK, employing over 15,000 staff, providing over 100 specialist services. Working across 6 hospital sites, we have a diverse range of career opportunities to offer. Serving around 500,000 people living in Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan, we are focussed on the health and care needs of our local population whilst working with our partners to develop regional services.

Our mission is "Living Well, Caring Well, Working Together" and our vision is that every person's chance of leading a healthy life should be equal. As an organisation we are unashamedly ambitious for our population's health, rising to the challenges of today and tomorrow through our 10-year strategy, Shaping our Future Wellbeing. We are contributing to a healthier Wales with great emphasis placed on innovation and improvement, learning from around the world and leading the way in clinical research. Partnership working is strong at Cardiff and Vale, and we work closely with our staff and our community.

Cardiff, the thriving Welsh capital, is a fantastic city to live and work in with an abundance of sports, arts and cultural attractions. Situated to the west of Cardiff, the Vale of Glamorgan offers a combination of beautiful Welsh countryside and a dramatic natural coastline. Whether city life or rural living, Cardiffand the Vale offers the best of both worlds.

Job responsibilities

You will be able to find a full Job description and Person Specification attached within the supporting documents for this post.

Person Specification

Cardiff and Vale University Health Board