Senior Fellow in Neuro ICU
Job overview
University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust is delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity to work with us.
Please see below for detailed job description of the role.
Main duties of the job
Applications are invited for Resident Airway Fellow posts in the Wessex Neurological Intensive Care Unit at University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, to start August 2025. This post is for 6 months or 1 year. The post is suitable for those who wish to enhance their knowledge and clinical experience in neurocritical care and neuroanaesthesia and who have prior experience working in either of these areas and appropriate qualifications to do so.
The Neuro ICU is a 13-bed dedicated Neurological Intensive Care Unit. The Unit admits approximately 800 patients per annum, usually comprising in the region of: 300 severe neurological trauma injuries (brain and/or spinal injuries with complex polytrauma), 150 subarachnoid haemorrhages, 100 emergency neurosurgical cases, 200 elective neurosurgical cases, approximately 50 acute neurological cases (demyelinating polyneuropathies, autoimmune encephalitis etc) as well as some general medical and surgical cases.
The Resident Airway Fellow post holders participate in a 1 in 9 full shift “airway” rota. The post is well supported by dedicated Consultant input. The 13 Neuro ICU Consultants have varying backgrounds or interests in a number of fields: pre-hospital emergency medicine, trauma, aeromedical transfers, anaesthesia and neuro-anaesthesia, intensive care, general internal medicine, rehabilitation medicine, research and academia.
Working for our organisation
As one of the largest acute teaching Trusts in England, we offer learning and development opportunities to help you achieve the career you aspire to. UHS is rated ‘Good’ by the CQC and in the latest national NHS Staff Survey, we were in the top 10 acute trusts for staff engagement and for staff recommending the hospital as a place to work or receive care.
Specific details and flexible working options can be discussed as part of the interview process. UHS employees are able to access a range of NHS discounts, are entitled to a minimum of 35 days paid holiday (pro rata), and we offer a generous pension scheme.
Southampton is an attractive place to live and work, being situated on the south coast, with an international airport, direct trains to London and ferry services to the Channel Islands and Isle of Wight as well as international destinations.The New Forest National Park and beaches of the Jurassic coast and the Isle of Wight are also right on our doorstep. The city offers living costs approximately 20% lower than London and has 14 schools rated outstanding by Ofsted.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Step up into a senior leadership role, including leading daily ward rounds on Neuro ICU and being part of the senior decision making in the role of “acting up Consultant”.
Staff the Resident Airway Fellow rota in and out of hours on the Neuro Intensive Care Unit.
Further training in practical procedures relevant to Neuro Intensive Care including but not limited to: central venous cannulations including subclavian, transfer medicine, bedside ECHO and lung ultrasound.
Specific training in Neuro ICU procedures and monitoring such as external ventricular drains and their cerebrospinal fluid sampling, analysis and intrathecal drug administration, lumbar puncture and management of lumbar drains, intracranial pressure monitoring and parenchymal brain tissue oxygenation monitoring and its management as well as participation in brain stem death testing procedure and subsequent liaison with our specialist organ donation teams (for both DCD and DBD).
Active participation in Unit and Departmental teaching in the subjects of critical care, neuro-anaesthesia, neurosurgery and acute neurology, as well as general medicine and infectious diseases relevant to the neurocritical care patient.
Opportunities for neurology, neuroanaesthesia, neurosurgery and neuro intensive care research with the aim of presentation at local, national and international meetings such as the annual NACCS (neuroanaesthesia and critical care society) UK conference, EuroNeuro and the LIVES meetings for the European Intensive Care Society.
WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FORPrior recent experience working in anaesthesia and critical care within a UK NHS Trust.
Successful attainment of minimal anaesthesia “airway” competence, demonstrated through evidence of full completion of the “Initial Assessment of Anaesthetic Competence (IAC)” certificate or its equivalent.
Proficiency at arterial line insertion and central venous cannulation, independent ability and interest in teaching these skills to juniors.
Proficiency at intra- (and, where possible, inter-) hospital transfers of Level 3 patients.
Interest in the speciality and knowledge of common neurological emergencies and relevant critical care syndromes.
A desire to gain more experience in the care of the neurologically injured critical care patient with ongoing training aiming towards attainment of either CCT or CESR in either Intensive Care or Anaesthesia.
Appointment will be made under local contractual terms and conditions of service for Trust appointed (non-training fellow doctors and dentists).Successful candidates will have an educational framework equivalent to training grade doctors, and there will be a named educational supervisor assigned at the start of the post. The opportunity for Continued Professional Development (CPD) is highly supported and encouraged by the Trust, with options available to take study leave.
All licensed doctors must meet the GMC requirements for revalidation and there will be an annual appraisal to support this process.
Grades for Trust appointed (non-training) fellows will be paid a basic salary at a nodal pay point linked to the grade, at the rate set out in the National Medical and Dental pay circular.
Basic salary detailed below plus any additional remuneration (as applicable) for hours set out in the doctors work schedule (e.g. additional hours, weekend allowance, and any hours which attract enhanced pay)
Basic Salary – MT04 £61,825 | Basic Salary – MT05 £70,425
Salary will be assessed based on experience and skills. Eligibility criteria for appointment to a Nodal Point 5;- Have a minimum of 6 years of Specialty training
- Hold relevant higher specialty exam (e.g FRCP, FRCA, FRCS)
- A portfolio of evidence that demonstrates they meet the criteria for progression (in line with the Curriculum for the speciality similar to deanery trainee)
Travelling expenses will not be paid for attending interview Please note that GMC registration (with a licence to practice) and right to work in the UK are essential for this role.
Successful applicants will already have GMC registration or will be able to demonstrate they are eligible.
Applicants requiring Tier 2 sponsorship should ensure they meet the Home Office application criteria prior to submitting an application.
Interviews will be held on 1st April 2025
Job Reference; 188-MA10325 - This vacancy closes on or before 26th March 2025
Successful applicants will have preliminary competence in the airway management of the critically unwell patient as well as prior experience working in anaesthesia and/or critical care for a minimum of at least 6 months. Demonstration of full attainment of the anaesthetic “Initial Assessment of Competence” (IAC) or equivalent is essential.Experience in intra- (and where possible inter-) hospital transfers is required. Proficiency at central venous and arterial cannulation is mandatory. Appropriate supporting evidence would include satisfactory workplace-based assessments (WBPAs) or equivalent, which demonstrate independent practice.
Applicants with training backgrounds in anaesthesia, critical care and any Acute Care Common Stem speciality training will be considered. The majority of our successful applicants join us at ST3 or above.
Full support for study leave will be given. Resident Airway Fellows are encouraged to participate in the many ongoing clinical research trials within the Wessex Neurological Centre and present at relevant regional, national and international meetings with full funding available for this.
Our sub-speciality team have recently been named Team of the Year at the Intensive Care Society Awards 2023 and we are proud to have a hugely talented multidisciplinary group of individuals who contribute to our excellent patient outcomes. The Unit is recognised nationally by the UK Intensive Care Medicine speciality training committee for training in Intensive Care Medicine.Previous fellows have gone on to gain successful training posts in anaesthesia, intensive care, medicine, neurosurgery, academia and emergency medicine, ultimately leading to successful CCT or CESR accreditation. Our feedback in providing training and development in these areas is consistently excellent.
Person specification
Qualifications, Training & Experience
Essential criteria- MBBS or equivalent medical qualification
- GMC registration with a licence to practise
- Previous work in NHS anaesthesia
- Completion of 3-6 month attainment of the anaesthetic “Initial Assessment of Competence” (IAC) Certificate or equivalent demonstrating airway competence
- More than 3 years working as a doctor since gaining medical degree
- Advanced life support certification (ALS or equivalent)
- Post graduate examinations (FRCA/MRCP/FFICM/MCEM/EDIC) or equivalent
- Previous work in NHS Intensive Care Unit/s
- Previous work in other acute specialty
Aptitudes and skills
Essential criteria- Evidence and ability to work effectively in multi-professional teams
- Understanding of equality and diversity and how this affects patients, visitors and staff
- Core ICU practical & transfer skills: WBPA evidence or equivalent
- Advanced ICU practical skills such as FICE accreditation at ECHO and/or lung ultrasound
- Evidence of competence at inter-hospital Level 3 transfers
Trust Values
Essential criteria- Patients First
- Working Together
- Always Improving
Please be advised that this vacancy may close earlier than stated if we receive a large number of applications. We will not accept any applications or queries via agencies, under any circumstances.
For more information about our Trust
https://careers.uhs.nhs.uk
Getting to work - our travel promise
Getting to work should be as easy as possible and that’s why we have introduced the UHS travel promise – a commitment from the Trust that we will provide reasonable travel options for every member of staff. Every member of staff can apply for a permit to use our park & ride facility.Eligibility for on-site parking is dependent on the nature and requirement of the role. All staff can also access a range of discounted benefits relating to travel including reduced price bus tickets, purchase of salary sacrifice bikes and ultra-low emission cars.
Our commitment to equality
Equality remains at the centre of our policymaking, service delivery, and employment practice, giving all employees equal opportunity to develop, apply for promotions, and have working arrangements that enable them to achieve a manageable work-life balance.
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