Senior Fellow in Neuro Intensive Care

Applications are invited for Senior Clinical Fellow posts in the Wessex Neurological Intensive Care Unit at University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, to start February 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. The Senior Clinical Fellow post holders participate in a 1 in 9 full shift 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, intensive care, general internal medicine, rehabilitation medicine, research and academia. 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., 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 attainment of the anaesthetic "Initial Assessment of Competence" (IAC) or equivalent is essential. Applicants with training backgrounds in anaesthesia, critical care and any Acute Care Common Stem speciality training will be considered. Full support for study leave will be given. Senior 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.

• 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".
• Further training in practical procedures relevant to Neuro Intensive Care: arterial and central venous cannulation including subclavian, jugular and femoral line insertions, 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, neuroanaesthesia, 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 2025 and the LIVES meetings for the European Intensive Care Society., 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.
UHS actively promotes a work environment free from harassment and discrimination and provides training for managers and staff to ensure this happens. We also closely monitor recruitment activity, training, development, and employment practices to ensure equality of practice with regard to race, colour, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, gender, sexual orientation, disability, marital status and age.


• Prior experience working in anaesthesia and critical care within a UK NHS Trust.
• Successful attainment of minimal anaesthesia competence, demonstrated through evidence of completion of the "Initial Assessment of Anaesthetic Competence (IAC)" certificate or its equivalent.
• Competence at initial airway management of the critically unwell ICU patient, including intubation.
• Proficiency at arterial line insertion and central venous cannulation, ability and interest in teaching these skills to juniors.
• 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.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 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.

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. We support flexible working and will consider requests taking into account the needs of the service. 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 situated on the south coast, with an international airport and direct trains to London. The New Forest National Park and beaches of the Jurassic coast are also right on our doorstep. The city offers living costs 20% lower than London and 14 schools rated outstanding by Ofsted.

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) MT04 £55,329 Basic Salary - MT05 £63,152 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