Senior Clinical Fellow in Emergency General Surgery (EGS)

Job summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Senior Clinical Fellow in Emergency General Surgery (EGS) within University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust.

This role is designed for senior trainees seeking to further develop independent decision-making in acute general surgery, alongside a focused interest in acute biliary disease. The post offers a combination of high-level clinical exposure, increasing autonomy, and involvement in service development, within a supportive and dynamic environment.

The successful candidate will gain experience in a high-volume service, including areas of practice available in relatively few centres across the UK ("Hot GB", Bile duct exploration), providing an excellent platform for progression to a consultant role in EGS and acute biliary surgery.

Applicants should be working towards a Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) or equivalent CESR.

Main duties of the job

The post-holder will work as part of the Emergency General Surgery service, collaborating with a multidisciplinary team including consultant surgeons, clinical nurse specialists, dietitians, and allied health professionals to deliver high-quality patient care.

The role includes:

• Participation in the General Surgery on-call rota
• Elective and emergency clinical activity across theatre, ward, and outpatient settings
• Cross-site working within the Trust, primarily based at the Bristol Royal Infirmary (BRI), with additional activity at Weston General Hospital and North Bristol Trust

Please note: The role will include weekend working and cross-site commitments.

About us

University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) is one of the largest acute Trusts in the country, bringing together a combined workforce of over 13,000 staff and over 100 different clinical services across 10 different sites, serving a core population of more than 500,000 people across South West England. UHBW has been rated by the CQC as 'Good' overall and our staff are proud to deliver excellent care to the people of Bristol, Weston and beyond. As a forward- thinking multi-award winning Trust and a digital exemplar committed to improving patient care, our world-leading research and innovations are having a positive local and global impact. Our hospitals are spread across Bristol and Weston, join us and you can enjoy the very best of both worlds; city living within a stone's throw of the countryside or beside the seaside, both with easy access to all that the South West has to offer. UHBW is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application in order to ensure we're meeting our pledge.

Job responsibilities

Clinical Responsabilities Theatre

• Dedicated elective EGS operating sessions
• Focus on acute biliary surgery, including hot gallbladders and bile duct exploration
• Exposure to a high-volume emergency caseload
• Opportunities to develop operative skills with increasing responsibility

Same Day Emergency Care (SDEC)

• Senior clinical review within SDEC
• Assessment and management of emergency surgical referrals
• Participation in ambulatory care pathways and admission avoidance

Outpatient Clinics

• Participation in general surgery clinics
• Continuity of care for elective and post-acute patients
• Opportunity to develop independent clinic practice

Inpatient and On-Call Support

• Senior support to the EGS on-call service
• Daily ward rounds and multidisciplinary team working
• Development of clinical decision-making in acute care settings

Specialist Experience Laparoscopic Common Bile Duct Exploration (CBDE)

The post offers experience within a high-volume bile duct exploration service, with opportunities to develop skills in:

• Trans-cystic and choledochotomy techniques
• Management of complex biliary stone disease
• Use of adjuncts such as lithotripsy
• Progressive involvement in bile duct exploration procedures

Acute Biliary Surgery

• Exposure to a wide spectrum of acute biliary disease
• Management of severe cholecystitis and complex gallbladder pathology
• Development of skills in subtotal cholecystectomy and bailout strategies
• Clinical decision-making in higher-risk patients

Research, Teaching and Development

The post-holder will have opportunities to:

• Contribute to audit, service evaluation, and outcomes data collection
• Participate in research and publication activity
• Deliver teaching and training within the department
• Support course organisation and simulation-based education

Service Development and Leadership

The fellowship includes involvement in service improvement initiatives, with opportunities to:

• Contribute to development of SDEC and ambulatory pathways
• Support improvements in patient flow and waiting times
• Participate in service alignment across Trust sites
• Engage in development and evaluation of new models of care

What We Offer

• A high-volume, supportive EGS environment
• Opportunities to develop skills in acute biliary surgery and bile duct exploration
• Exposure to complex emergency general surgery
• Involvement in teaching, research, and service development
• A strong platform for progression to a consultant post

Person specification

Knowledge and Experience

Essential

• Experience at registrar/fellow level in General Surgery (ST3+ equivalent)
• Minimum 1 year of NHS experience.

Desirable

• Minimum 1 years' experience at ST3+ level
• Working towards or close to CCT/CESR in EGS Surgery

Skills and Abilities

Essential

• Able to handle independent on-call and independent decision making.
• Operative skills at senior level for all emergency operations open and laparoscopic
• Skills in minimally invasive surgery

Desirable

• Experience with "hot" gallbladder surgery
• Experience in Laparoscopic Bile Duct Exploration

Qualifications and Training

Essential

• Full Registration with GMC (UK)
• MRCS (General Surgery) or equivalent

Desirable

• FRCS (general Surgery) completed or working towards examination
• ATLS course or equivalent
• Laparoscopic Skills Course
• CCrISP Course or equivalent
• Train the trainers or equivalent
• Good Clinical Practice (NIHR)

Additional and Aptitudes

Essential

• IT skills on all Microsoft packages
• Reference history
• Experience in service development or quality improvement
• Interest in ambulatory emergency care
• Ability to function as an independent senior decision-maker