Senior Clinical Fellow in Emergency General Surgery (EGS)

Job overview

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.

Detailed job description and main 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

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.