Job summary
Interview Date: 14th April 2025
The successful junior doctor rotation in the surgical specialties at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is recruiting again for August 2025. This will be a valuable and exciting opportunity for junior doctors wishing to gain experience across all the different subspecialties in neurosurgery. The role will be ideal for doctors wishing to pursue a neurosurgical career, but will equally be valuable to those interested in associated specialties focusing on peri- and postoperative care, such as anaesthetics or perioperative medicine.
The role gives candidates access to the very successful 'Getting into Neurosurgery' course run by Oxford Neurosurgery. This course has helped many past candidates secure a neurosurgical training number
Main duties of the job
Neurosurgery
This department forms part of a large regional neurosciences centre. There are 17 consultants, and 14 trainees. Subspecialties include neuro-oncology, neuromodulation, spinal surgery, skull base and pituitary surgery, as well as neurovascular surgery. There is also plenty of exposure to head injuries and emergency neurosurgery. Phlebotomy support is available, and the department has a surgical support worker to assist junior medical staff with ward tasks.
Orthopaedic spinal surgery
The orthopaedic spinal surgery team recently moved to the neurosciences ward. They have a busy service with 8 consultants and cover a range of spinal conditions including acute trauma and oncology. There is close collaboration with neurosurgical spinal surgery. JCFs will provide cover for the orthopaedic spinal surgery firm, including the opportunity to go to theatres and assist with operations ranging from simple spinal surgery to complex internal fixation.
Personal and Professional Development
Teaching will be provided, and the post-holder is strongly encouraged to participate. There are excellent local library facilities and a dedicated teaching lab with a training microscope for your use.
About us
The role includes a busy educational curriculum including anatomy and surgical skills teaching. We will again be running our Getting Into Neurosurgery (GIN) course, which could be invaluable in helping applicants successfully acquire an ST1 national training number. Nine previous course attendees have gained neurosurgical numbers, including the top ranked candidate in 2019, 2022 and 2023.
Interested candidates can find out more at our website.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Duties of post
- Aims and responsibilities: This rotation will enable the successful candidates to rotate through different neurosurgical and spinal subspecialties whilst looking after a range of general neurosurgical and spinal disorders. The overall responsibilities for these posts will focus on the day-to-day care of general and paediatric neurosurgical and spinal inpatients.
- Clinical duties: Clinical duties will concentrate on the ward care of neurosurgical/spinal inpatients. They will consist of admitting elective and emergency patients, arranging the required pre-operative investigations, and, as part of the multi-disciplinary team, ensuring high-quality post-operative care until discharge. This will include maintaining relevant documentation, and interdisciplinary liaison and collaboration. While the focus of these posts is on gaining experience in the ward care of patients, attendance in theatre will be welcome and encouraged for those trainees who express an interest.
- Facilities for study and training: OUHFT is a large teaching hospital trust and works closely with the University of Oxford. There are excellent library facilities. Regular teaching sessions for junior trainees are offered regularly throughout the year (weekly to twice weekly).
- Teaching, audit and research: There is ample opportunity to participate in the teaching of medical students and students in the allied health professions, and such participation is actively encouraged. Similarly, there are ample opportunities to participate in audits and quality improvement projects, which the trainee will be encouraged and expected to participate in. Given the close links with Oxford University, there will be the possibility to participate in research projects for interested trainees, who should discuss such plans with their clinical supervisors in the relevant specialty.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Duties of post
- Aims and responsibilities: This rotation will enable the successful candidates to rotate through different neurosurgical and spinal subspecialties whilst looking after a range of general neurosurgical and spinal disorders. The overall responsibilities for these posts will focus on the day-to-day care of general and paediatric neurosurgical and spinal inpatients.
- Clinical duties: Clinical duties will concentrate on the ward care of neurosurgical/spinal inpatients. They will consist of admitting elective and emergency patients, arranging the required pre-operative investigations, and, as part of the multi-disciplinary team, ensuring high-quality post-operative care until discharge. This will include maintaining relevant documentation, and interdisciplinary liaison and collaboration. While the focus of these posts is on gaining experience in the ward care of patients, attendance in theatre will be welcome and encouraged for those trainees who express an interest.
- Facilities for study and training: OUHFT is a large teaching hospital trust and works closely with the University of Oxford. There are excellent library facilities. Regular teaching sessions for junior trainees are offered regularly throughout the year (weekly to twice weekly).
- Teaching, audit and research: There is ample opportunity to participate in the teaching of medical students and students in the allied health professions, and such participation is actively encouraged. Similarly, there are ample opportunities to participate in audits and quality improvement projects, which the trainee will be encouraged and expected to participate in. Given the close links with Oxford University, there will be the possibility to participate in research projects for interested trainees, who should discuss such plans with their clinical supervisors in the relevant specialty.
Person Specification
Professional registration
Essential
- Full GMC registration with licence to practice
Qualifications
Essential
Desirable
- ALS/ ATLS training.
- Study towards MRCS.
Experience
Essential
- Completed pre-registration year (or equivalent outside UK)
- Training and experience in the initial assessment and care of the acutely ill patient.
Personal Skills
Essential
- Ability and willingness to learn from all sources.
- Knowledge of own limitations.
- Sound basic clinical skills.
- Achievement of Foundation Programme 1 competencies.
Behavioural Skills
Essential
- Aligned to the Trust values.
- Ability to establish good working relationships with other members of the multidisciplinary team
- Caring attitude to patients
- Ability to function calmly and effectively under pressure
- Willing to seek help from colleagues when appropriate
- Flexibility, enthusiasm and probity
- Commitment to continuing personal development.
Technical Skills
Essential
- Computer literate with experience of working with the Microsoft Office package
Audit
Essential
- Understanding of the principles of medical audit
Desirable
- Previous audit projects completed.
Research
Desirable
- Involvement in research projects.
Person Specification
Professional registration
Essential
- Full GMC registration with licence to practice
Qualifications
Essential
Desirable
- ALS/ ATLS training.
- Study towards MRCS.
Experience
Essential
- Completed pre-registration year (or equivalent outside UK)
- Training and experience in the initial assessment and care of the acutely ill patient.
Personal Skills
Essential
- Ability and willingness to learn from all sources.
- Knowledge of own limitations.
- Sound basic clinical skills.
- Achievement of Foundation Programme 1 competencies.
Behavioural Skills
Essential
- Aligned to the Trust values.
- Ability to establish good working relationships with other members of the multidisciplinary team
- Caring attitude to patients
- Ability to function calmly and effectively under pressure
- Willing to seek help from colleagues when appropriate
- Flexibility, enthusiasm and probity
- Commitment to continuing personal development.
Technical Skills
Essential
- Computer literate with experience of working with the Microsoft Office package
Audit
Essential
- Understanding of the principles of medical audit
Desirable
- Previous audit projects completed.
Research
Desirable
- Involvement in research projects.
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.
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).
Additional information
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.
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
Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Oxford University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Headley Way, Headington, Oxford, OX3 9DU
Oxford
OX3 9DU
Employer's website
https://www.ouh.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)
