Clinical Fellow (ST3+) in General Surgery

Job Summary

The General Surgery Department at Weston General Hospital is seeking a motivated ST3+ level Clinical Fellow to join our team in delivering high quality surgical care to the adult population of Weston super Mare and the wider North Somerset area.

This is a two year fixed term post to help support applying for formal surgical training programmes, offering excellent clinical exposure, supervision, and development opportunities within a supportive department. The contract will not be extended following completion of the 2 year fixed term contract.

Department Information

The department provides a comprehensive general surgery service, including SDEC, elective day-case surgery, and endoscopy. There are strong working relationships with sub-specialist teams across the Bristol hospitals, including Hepatobiliary and Oesophagogastric, Breast, and Vascular Surgery.

The consultant body comprises of six substantive consultants, one locum consultant and two specialist surgeons, providing close supervision, mentorship, and support.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

The post holder will:
Contribute to the delivery of emergency and elective general surgical services
Participate in the General Surgery on-call rota (1:9 full-shift pattern, including non-resident night shifts)
Support Same Day Emergency Care (SDEC) pathways
Participate in elective day-case surgery (benign Upper GI and colorectal)
Work effectively within a multidisciplinary team
Engage in teaching, audit, and quality improvement activities
Maintain high standards of clinical governance and patient safety

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust brings together more than 28,000 staff to deliver over 160 clinical services across thirteen hospital locations, operating from three main sites at Southmead, Bristol city centre and Weston.

With an annual turnover of £2.3 billion, we are now one of the largest NHS trusts in the United Kingdom. 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.

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust values all people as individuals. 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.

Training and Development

• Posts are structured to support progression comparable to doctors in formal training programmes
• Each appointee will be allocated an Educational Supervisor
• Regular appraisals and progress reviews will be conducted
• Ample opportunities exist to achieve core surgical competencies
• Teaching opportunities are available at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, including with University of Bristol medical students

On Call Commitment

• 1:9 full shift rota
• Day and night shifts included

Flexible Working
Flexible working arrangements may be considered for suitable candidates, reflecting the department’s progressive approach to workforce planning.
Person Specification (Essential)

• MBBS or equivalent medical qualification
• GMC registration
• Evidence of equivalent Foundation training experience
• Demonstrable NHS experience
• Interest in pursuing a career in surgery
• Ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary team
• Excellent communication and organisational skills