Junior Fellow - Non Airway in Neuro ICU

University Hospital Southampton NHS FT; Southampton; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A major NHS hospital in Southampton is seeking a Resident Non Airway Fellow for the Wessex Neurological Intensive Care Unit, starting February 2026. This is a 6-month role that could extend to 12 months. Ideal candidates will have completed UK Foundation Training. Responsibilities include patient management in intensive care, participation in teaching and clinical research, and gaining hands-on experience in critical care skills. The role offers training support and career development opportunities.

Benefits

NHS discounts

Minimum of 35 days paid holiday

Generous pension scheme

Qualifications

• Full completion of uninterrupted UK Foundation Training or its equivalent.
• 2 years of experience as a doctor since gaining medical degree.
• Understanding of equality and diversity impacting patients, visitors and staff.

Responsibilities

• Daily management of neurological intensive care patients.
• Attend and present patients at ward rounds.
• Participate in clinical research trials and audits.

Skills

Central venous line insertion

Communication skills

Computer literacy

Education

MBBS or equivalent medical qualification

GMC registration with a licence to practise

Job description

Overview

University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust is delighted to offer a fixed-term contract opportunity. This is a 6-month contract with a view to extend to 12 months, commencing February 2026.

Applications are invited for Resident Non Airway Fellow posts in the Wessex Neurological Intensive Care Unit at University Hospital Southampton, to start February 2026. This post is for 6 months with a view to extend. Successful applicants will have successfully completed UK Foundation Training or equivalent. While prior ICU experience is desirable, it is not essential. Applicants with training backgrounds or interests in anaesthesia, surgery, critical care and any Acute Care Common Stem speciality training will be considered. Many previous fellows joined us at F3 stage and find this to be a good time for specialist training.

The Neurosciences Critical Care Unit is recognised by the UK Intensive Care Medicine Specialist Training Committee for training in ICU. We support those hoping to develop speciality skills leading to successful attainment of a CCT or CESR in Intensive Care Medicine or Anaesthesia. Our unit and team have received positive feedback from Fellows and Trainees, and our sub-speciality team was named Team of the Year at the Intensive Care Society Awards 2023.

Working for our organisation: As one of the largest acute teaching Trusts in England, we offer learning and development opportunities to help you achieve your career goals. UHS is rated ‘Good’ by the CQC and, in the latest NHS Staff Survey, ranked highly for staff engagement and for staff recommending the hospital as a place to work or receive care. We support flexible working and will consider requests that meet service needs. UHS employees have access to NHS discounts, a minimum of 35 days paid holiday (pro rata), and a generous pension scheme. Southampton is a coastal city with an international airport and direct trains to London; the New Forest and Jurassic Coast beaches are nearby, with living costs noted as lower than London and high-quality Ofsted-rated schools.

Responsibilities

Junior Clinical Fellows are primarily involved in the daily management of neurological intensive care patients. Attendance and presentation of patients at ward rounds is expected. Routine work is shared among Fellows and supporting medical staff. Fellows should have or be willing to acquire skills such as central venous line insertion and arterial cannulation, with thorough training provided.

There are opportunities to develop skills in lung ultrasound, transthoracic echocardiography, and neuro intensive care skills such as lumbar puncture, cerebrospinal fluid sampling and analysis, and multimodal monitoring for neurotrauma (e.g., intracranial pressure waveform analysis and brain tissue oxygenation monitoring).

Fellows will manage organ support measures after demonstrating competence and support senior staff, including care for patients undergoing brain stem death testing and organ donation. Meticulous record keeping and computer literacy are essential. Comprehensive clinical handover is expected. Mandatory teaching is organised weekly, and attendance at relevant multidisciplinary meetings is encouraged. Opportunities to gain experience in teaching and presenting are available. Fellows may participate in clinical research trials and audits underway in the neurological intensive care unit. Full support for funded study leave is provided, and fellows are encouraged to present at regional, national and international conferences. An educational supervisor will be assigned at the start, and workplace-based assessments and appraisal are required.

For an overview of the position, please refer to the attached Job Description and Person Specification document, which outlines key responsibilities, role expectations, and the essential criteria for the role.

Appointment will be made under local contractual terms and conditions for Trust-appointed (non-training) fellows. Applicants requiring Skilled Worker sponsorship should ensure they meet Home Office criteria prior to application. Successful candidates will have an educational framework equivalent to training grade doctors, with a named educational supervisor. There is strong support for Continued Professional Development (CPD) and options for study leave.

Grades for Trust-appointed (non-training) fellows will be paid at a basic salary aligned with the grade, with additional remuneration for hours as per the doctors’ work schedule (e.g., additional hours, weekend allowance, and enhanced pay).

Interviews will be held on 5 November 2025. This vacancy closes on or before 20 October 2025.

Person specification

Qualifications, Training & Experience

Essential criteria

• MBBS or equivalent medical qualification
• GMC registration with a licence to practise
• 2 years of experience as a doctor since gaining medical degree
• Full completion of uninterrupted UK Foundation Training or its equivalent

Desirable criteria

• Postgraduate qualification/ALS/ATLS
• Postgraduate examinations FRCA/MRCP/FFICM/MCEM/EDIC or equivalent
• Previous work in NHS acute specialty
• Previous work in NHS Intensive Care

Aptitudes and skills

Essential criteria

• Understanding of equality and diversity and how this affects patients, visitors and staff
• Foundation Competencies or equivalent – evidenced – WBPAs, CREST or equivalent
• IT skills

Desirable criteria

• Anaesthetic and/or ICU practical skills

Trust Values

Essential criteria

• Patients First
• Always Improving
• Working Together