Senior Clinical Fellow in Paediatric Cardiac Surgery

Job summary

The post is designed for individuals who envision to pursue a career in paediatric cardiac surgery. This post would suit a cardiothoracic trainee (ST4 equivalent or above) who wishes to gain exposure to congenital cardiac surgery to guide future training. The post-holder will work within the department of paediatric and adult congenital heart surgery. This post is for duration of 6 months, although an extension of this arrangement may be considered for suitable applicants.

Main duties of the job

The post will be based at the Evelina Children’s Hospital at Guy’s and St Thomas’ Trust. However, it is a requirement of your employment that you be prepared to work at any additional or different location owned or served by the Trust, either on an on-going or temporary basis according to the demands of the service.

As a clinical fellow the post-holder will be responsible for the surgical care of all in-patients scheduled for surgery on the paediatric and adult congenital heart services.

The post-holder will assist, or undertake with consultant supervision, cases requiring surgery for paediatric and adult congenital heart disorders.

The post-holder will be responsible for all aspects of these patients’ pre and post-operative care in conjunction with the other congenital surgical registrars and colleagues in the paediatric and adult congenital cardiology and intensive care units.

In addition, the post-holder might be asked to participate in out-patient surgical clinics in agreement with consultant colleagues.

The post-holder will also be expected to participate in audit and research projects as identified by mutual agreement with consultant colleagues, as well as in teaching of junior staff, and in clinical governance activities within the department.

Person Specification

Qualifications and Training:

Essential

• Full registration with GMC with licence to practice.
• MRCS or equivalent
• Evidence of continuous professional development.

Desirable

• Higher degree

Clinical Experience:

Essential

• Evidence of achievement of Foundation competencies by time of appointment in line with GMC standards/Good Medical Practice including:
• Good clinical care
• Maintaining good medical practice
• Good relationships and communication with patients
• Good working relationships with colleagues
• Good teaching and training
• Professional behaviour and probity
• Delivery of good acute clinical care
• Evidence of achievement of ST1 ST2 and ST3 competencies relevant to cardiothoracic surgery by time of appointment
• Ability to provide complete details of employment history

Desirable

• Demonstrate operating experience within adult cardiac surgery

Knowledge and Skills:

Essential

• Language: Demonstrable skills in written and spoken English that are adequate to enable effective communication about medical topics with patients and colleagues
• Good communication Skills: Capacity to communicate effectively & sensitively with others, able to discuss treatment options with patients
• Teamwork: Capacity to work effectively in a multi-disciplinary team & demonstrate leadership when appropriate. Capacity to establish good working relations with others
• Judgement under Pressure: Capacity to operate effectively under pressure. Awareness of own limitations & when to ask for help
• Situation Awareness: Capacity to monitor and anticipate situations that may change rapidly
• Decision Making: Demonstrates effective judgement and decision-making skills
• Organisation & Planning: Capacity to manage time and prioritise workload, balance urgent and important demands and follow instructions. Understands importance and impact of information systems
• Technical Knowledge & Clinical Expertise: Capacity to apply sound clinical knowledge and judgement, and prioritise clinical need. Demonstrates appropriate technical competence and evidence of development of excellent diagnostic skills and judgement

Desirable

• Attendance at relevant courses, e.g. ATLS, Basic Surgical Skills or equivalent
• Validated logbook documentation of surgical exposure to date

Research and Audit

Essential

• Demonstration of an understanding of the basic principles of audit, clinical risk management and evidence-based practice.
• Understanding of research basic research principles, methodology and ethics, with potential to contribute to research
• Evidence of contributing to teaching and learning of others

Desirable

• Evidence of relevant academic & research achievements, e.g. degrees, prizes, awards, distinctions, publications, presentations, other achievements
• Evidence of active participation in audit
• Evidence of participation in risk management and/or clinical/laboratory research

Management:

Essential

• Good written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to use information technology
• Awareness of and positive attitude to equal opportunities issues within healthcare and education

Desirable

• Evidence of formal training in health services management

Good Medical Practice:

Essential

• Evidence of understanding of and adherence to the principles of Good Medical Practice set out by the General Medical Council

others

Essential

• Professional Integrity: Takes responsibility for own actions, demonstrates respect for the rights of all. Demonstrates awareness of ethical principles, safety, confidentiality and consent. Awareness of importance of being the patients’ advocate, clinical governance and responsibilities of an NHS employee

Desirable

• Learning & Development: Demonstrates knowledge of training programme and commitment to own development. Shows critical and enquiring approach to knowledge acquisition, commitment to self-directed learning and reflective/analytical approach to practice

Closing Date: 2 August 2026