About this role
Job summary
We are pleased to offer the opportunity for an enthusiastic Senior Clinical Fellow with well-rounded training to join an existing team of 12 Consultants.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will be expected to work alongside the 12 Consultant Surgeons together with Specialist Registrars, Core Surgical Trainees and Foundation Trainees. The department provides a wide range of in-patient and day case procedures and provides emergency and elective general surgery services as well as subspecialty services in Colorectal, Breast and Upper GI. The department has an excellent reputation for laparoscopic surgery and performs significant numbers of laparoscopic colorectal resections, groin and ventral hernia repairs and fundoplications each year. The laparoscopic approach is routine for appendicectomy and cholecystectomy (both elective and emergency). The breast unit perform over 250 cancer resections per year with both immediate and delayed reconstructions. Complex abdominal wall reconstructions are undertaken regularly for complex/giant incisional hernia.
Acute Surgical Unit
In 2019 the Trust opened a new Acute Surgical Unit, with bespoke assessment facilities aimed at maximising our ambulatory care pathways for surgical patients. A senior surgical assessor reviews patients on presentation and integral ultrasound assessment speeds diagnosis.
It has reduced non-elective admissions and reduced length of stay. Initially aimed at General Surgery patients, work is underway to broaden the approach to other surgical specialities who could take advantage of the facilities and ambulatory pathways.
About us
The Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust (TRFT) is a combined acute and community Trust serving our local population of around 270,000 people. Our vision is to always act the right way and be proud to provide exceptional healthcare to the communities of Rotherham.
As a Trust we are on a journey to excellence and our people and culture are at the heart of everything we do for patients. In the latest NHS Staff Survey, we are the second most improved Trust in England for would you recommend the Trust as a place to work? and were one of the most improved for staff engagement overall.
But dont just take our word for it each year hundreds of colleagues receive nominations for our Excellence and Proud awards, showcasing our brilliant people and recognising their achievements. Our people make a difference to the lives of patients every day and we are proud of the improvements we are making.
All of our 5,100 colleagues are key to our improvement journey and we are continuing to improve our services by upholding the Trusts values of Ambitious, Caring and Together. If you are passionate about making a difference, then please apply to join us on our journey to excellence.
All Senior Clinical Fellow interviews will be performed in person (face to face). If there are any exceptional circumstances as to why a candidate cannot attend in person then a possible virtual interview will be considered by the Executive panel but is not guaranteed.
Job description Job responsibilities
There are 14 Consultant Surgeons together with Specialist Registrars, Core Surgical Trainees and Foundation Trainees. The department provides a wide range of in-patient and day case procedures and provides emergency and elective general surgery services as well as subspecialty services in Colorectal, Breast and Upper GI. The department has an excellent reputation for laparoscopic surgery and performs significant numbers of laparoscopic colorectal resections, groin and ventral hernia repairs and fundoplications each year. The laparoscopic approach is routine for appendicectomy and cholecystectomy (both elective and emergency). The Trust has invested over £2 million to install a dual console Da Vinci Xi surgical robot in March 2026 and to train current colorectal and gynaecological surgeons. The plan is for most colorectal resection, complex endometriosis surgery and complex abdominal wall reconstructions to move towards a robotic approach during the course of 2026. The breast unit perform over 250 cancer resections per year with both immediate and delayed reconstructions. Complex abdominal wall reconstructions are undertaken regularly for complex/giant incisional hernia.
Acute Surgical Unit The Acute Surgical Unit has bespoke assessment facilities aimed at maximising our Same Day Emergency Care pathways for surgical patients. A senior surgical assessor, separate to the on-call team, reviews patients on presentation and integral ultrasound assessments speeds diagnosis. It has reduced non-elective admissions and reduced length of stay.
UROLOGY
The department has 5 Consultants (including Trust Locum Consultants and one agency Locum) plus Specialty and Foundation Trainees. Activity includes outpatient, day case surgery, inpatient elective procedures and emergency admissions
ON-CALL
We are New Deal compliant and work in a full shift rota. The rota is compliant with the new contract and is a 1 in 9 rota. Post holders will be expected to co-operate in the introduction of new ways of working and monitoring processes with the support of the junior medical doctors.
Patients requiring major vascular procedures are transferred to the Sheffield Vascular Institute, which also provides emergency vascular cover.
The ST3+ and equivalents cover urology admissions out of hours and are expected to liaise with the consultant urologist who is on call 24/7 if there are urological problems. There is a daily (including weekends) consultant-led urology ward round.
EDUCATION AND TRAINING
The successful candidates will have access to all resources currently available in the Trust. This will involve Library and Knowledge Services, e-learning resources, Clinical Skills Training programmes, simulation training and other opportunities.
Induction will be provided covering both generic and specialty specific requirements. For new starters in the UK there will be a one-week programme in PGME prior to starting clinical duties to prepare the post holder for practice in the UK. This may be extended according to individual needs. Initial work in clinical areas would be supernumerary until the Clinical Supervisor agrees the doctor is ready to do on call.
The post holders will be expected to develop a portfolio showing on-going professional development and can access support from PGME to do this. The post holders will have a named Educational Supervisor; with whom they will meet on a regular basis for appraisal. They will agree to a Personal Development Plan and receive assessment in the workplace and regular feedback, including multisource feedback.
Each clinical department will provide access to in-house teaching equivalent to training grade doctors. It is intended that a monthly teaching session for doctors on this rotation will be established.
Funding for external study leave may be available from the department equivalent in value to career grade staff employed by the Trust.
General 1. In conjunction with Consultant and Senior colleagues, to provide a high quality service for in-patient and out-patient General Surgery.
2. In conjunction with Consultant and Senior colleagues, to take part in medical audit and research as appropriate.
3. In conjunction with Consultant and Senior colleagues, to ensure that the requirements of clinical governance are met.
4. To ensure that there are adequate arrangements for hospital staff involved in the care of your patients to be able to contact you when necessary.
Junior Medical Staff 5. In conjunction with Consultant and Senior colleagues, to play a full part in the professional supervision and management of junior medical staff.
6. In conjunction with Consultant and Senior colleagues, to take responsibility for and devote time to teaching, examination and accreditation duties as required for junior medical staff.
Management & Service Development
7. In conjunction with the Divisional Senior Team, to take an active role in the management of the Division.
8. In conjunction with the Divisional Director, Consultant & Senior colleagues, to play a full part in developing & implementing new ways of working in line with modernisation principles that are fit for the future.
9. In conjunction with Consultant and Senior colleagues, to take responsibility for the best use of departmental staffing and other resources to ensure the maximum efficiency of the department.
10. To observe the Trusts agreed policies and procedures, in particular in relation to managing staff, and to follow the Trusts Standing Orders and Standing Financial Instructions. These policies and procedures have been drawn up in consultation with the profession on clinical matters.
Clinical Governance
11. In conjunction with Consultant colleagues, to ensure that the requirements of clinical governance are met.
Any Other Duties
12. Any other duties as deemed appropriate.
On-call/Full Shift duties
Timetable will be provided upon commencement
Person Specification
Experience Essential
Previous experience in General Surgery and a minimum of 2 years on a Basic Surgical Training Programme in posts approved for training required over and above that they could reasonably have gained via training to CCT level.
Desirable
Subspecialty training or equivalent
Research and Audit Essential
Where appropriate ask for relevant research published in peer review journals. Evidence of audit and the implementation of change following the audit
Desirable
Relevant research published in peer review journal
Qualifications Essential
Full registration and a licence to practise with the GMC Please confirm GMC number Possession of MRCS (or equivalent).
Desirable
Higher Medical Degree
Ability/skills Essential
Specific skills required to undertake the role above those required by the GMC standards.
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.
Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details Employer name The Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust
Address The Rotherham Foundation Trust
THE ROTHERHAM NHS FOUNDATION TRUST
Moorgate Road
Rotherham
S60 2UD
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.therotherhamft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)