Job summary
A full-time post for a Head and Neck Fellow is required at the Luton and Dunstable University Hospital site of Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust to work with a supportive, dynamic & enthusiastic Head and Neck team to help support cancer services and train in head and neck surgery at Luton & Dunstable Hospital.
This subspecialist fellowship programme provides advanced training in head and neck, thyroid surgery, reconstructive microvascular surgery, and robotic-assisted surgery (TORS). The program is a head and neck department collaboration between ENT and Maxillofacial Surgery, offering exposure to a wide range of complex surgical procedures.
This fellowship is exclusively open to candidates with a background in Otolaryngology (ENT). Applicants must have completed postgraduate training in ENT and possess the necessary surgical and clinical competencies to work at a senior middle-grade level in a Head and Neck Oncology and Reconstructive Surgery unit.
Applications are welcome fromboth UK and international ENT candidateswho meet the eligibility criteria. While priorNHS experience is desirable and will be given weightage, international applicants must ensure they meet theGeneral Medical Council (GMC) registration requirementsto be eligible for practice in the UK. Candidates who do not currently hold GMC registration must demonstrate eligibility.
Main duties of the job
Key tasks of the Post:
Head and Neck Cancer Surgery: Active involvement in major oncological resections and reconstructive procedures.
Microvascular Free Flap Surgery: Training in flap harvest, microvascular anastomosis, and reconstruction techniques.
Robotic-Assisted Surgery: Exposure to Transoral Robotic Surgery (TORS) and robotic-assisted head and neck procedures, utilizing the da Vinci Xi surgical system.
Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) Participation: Engagement in weekly MDT meetings involving ENT, OMFS, Plastics, Oncology, Radiology, and Allied Health Professionals.
Thyroid and Salivary Gland Surgery: High-volume exposure to endocrine and salivary gland surgery.
Minimally Invasive Surgery: Experience in endoscopic and laser-based techniques for benign and malignant disease.
Clinical Teaching & Mentorship: Supervising junior doctors, allied health professionals, and medical students.
- Research & Audit: Active involvement in robotic surgery outcomes, cancer service development, and quality improvement projects. To actively participate in both departmental and Trust matters concerning Clinical Governance and audit.
- To undertake duties as part of the on call out of hours rota.
- To have responsibility for and actively participate in continuing professional development (CPD).
About us
Our Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Travel between hospital sites may be required.
We have state-of-the art facilities placing us at the heart of cutting edge health care. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.
Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. Please ensure that you make your application as soon as possible.
As part of our continued response to COVID19, we are closely following the Department of Health and Social Care's (DHSC) guidance and the government's new mandatory COVID-19 vaccination legislation. This means that full COVID19 vaccination will be a condition of employment in all NHS roles which have face-to-face contact with patients and service users from 1 April 2022 unless exempt. This also means that by 3 February 2022 all such staff will need to have had their first COVID19 vaccination. Should your role be identified as being within the scope of the legislation, you will be required to provide evidence of your vaccination status or a legitimate exemption from these requirements as a condition of your employment.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see attached job description for more detailed information on the main duties and responsibilities of this role and working in the ENT / Head and Neck department at Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see attached job description for more detailed information on the main duties and responsibilities of this role and working in the ENT / Head and Neck department at Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- MBChB, MBBS or other recognized equivalent medical qualification
- Have full registration with the General Medical Council at the time of application
- MRCS (ENT) or equivalent postgraduate qualification.
Desirable
- FRCS (ORL-HNS) or equivalent)
- Post CCT/CESR in Otolaryngology or equivalent
- Subspecialty Experience (Head & Neck Surgery, Microvascular Surgery, or Robotic Surgery).
Clinical Experience
Essential
- Completion of UK Foundation Training or equivalent
- Minimum of three years full-time hospital-based postgraduate training in Otolaryngology.
- Competency in airway management, including emergency tracheostomy and management of head and neck cases
- Experience in head and neck oncological surgery under consultant supervision
- Ability to assist major resections, neck dissections, and reconstructive surgery
Desirable
- Sub speciality Fellowship
- Ability to operate unsupervised
- Evidence of acquired skills
- Independent operating ability for oncological resections, free flap harvest, and microvascular anastomosis
- Previous experience in robotic-assisted surgery (TORS) or minimally invasive head and neck procedures
- Proficiency in microvascular free flap reconstruction.
- Competence in robotic-assisted surgery (TORS) or other minimally invasive surgical techniques.
Management and Administration
Essential
- Ability to organise and manage staff rotas, out-patient priorities, waiting lists and operating lists
- Flexible approach to service delivery and committed approach to development.
- Understanding of Clinical Governance, patient safety, and NHS quality improvement principles.
Desirable
- Committed to share in professional, managerial and teaching responsibilities
- Experience with audits.
- Experience in service development, pathway improvement, or quality initiatives
- Able to communicate well with patients and colleagues.
- Evidence of effective team working and professional attitude.
MDT / Teaching
Essential
- Experience participating in head and neck cancer MDTs for treatment planning and patient management.
- Experience in teaching clinical and operative skills to undergraduate and postgraduate trainees
Desirable
- Previous involvement in thyroid MDTs and oncology case discussions.
- Experience in delivering regional or national surgical courses or simulation training.
Research , Audit
Essential
- Experience of Audit and research
Desirable
- Understanding of the principles of applying research outcomes to clinical problems
- Participation in research projects
Personal Attributes
Essential
- Live within reasonable travelling time of Bedfordshire Hospital
- Have own car/current driving licence
- Be fit to carry out the duties of the post
- Be honest and reliable
- Possess an enquiring and critical approach to work
- Committed to work within Trust policies as guided by the Clinical Director
- Strong communication skills with patients, colleagues, and MDT members.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- MBChB, MBBS or other recognized equivalent medical qualification
- Have full registration with the General Medical Council at the time of application
- MRCS (ENT) or equivalent postgraduate qualification.
Desirable
- FRCS (ORL-HNS) or equivalent)
- Post CCT/CESR in Otolaryngology or equivalent
- Subspecialty Experience (Head & Neck Surgery, Microvascular Surgery, or Robotic Surgery).
Clinical Experience
Essential
- Completion of UK Foundation Training or equivalent
- Minimum of three years full-time hospital-based postgraduate training in Otolaryngology.
- Competency in airway management, including emergency tracheostomy and management of head and neck cases
- Experience in head and neck oncological surgery under consultant supervision
- Ability to assist major resections, neck dissections, and reconstructive surgery
Desirable
- Sub speciality Fellowship
- Ability to operate unsupervised
- Evidence of acquired skills
- Independent operating ability for oncological resections, free flap harvest, and microvascular anastomosis
- Previous experience in robotic-assisted surgery (TORS) or minimally invasive head and neck procedures
- Proficiency in microvascular free flap reconstruction.
- Competence in robotic-assisted surgery (TORS) or other minimally invasive surgical techniques.
Management and Administration
Essential
- Ability to organise and manage staff rotas, out-patient priorities, waiting lists and operating lists
- Flexible approach to service delivery and committed approach to development.
- Understanding of Clinical Governance, patient safety, and NHS quality improvement principles.
Desirable
- Committed to share in professional, managerial and teaching responsibilities
- Experience with audits.
- Experience in service development, pathway improvement, or quality initiatives
- Able to communicate well with patients and colleagues.
- Evidence of effective team working and professional attitude.
MDT / Teaching
Essential
- Experience participating in head and neck cancer MDTs for treatment planning and patient management.
- Experience in teaching clinical and operative skills to undergraduate and postgraduate trainees
Desirable
- Previous involvement in thyroid MDTs and oncology case discussions.
- Experience in delivering regional or national surgical courses or simulation training.
Research , Audit
Essential
- Experience of Audit and research
Desirable
- Understanding of the principles of applying research outcomes to clinical problems
- Participation in research projects
Personal Attributes
Essential
- Live within reasonable travelling time of Bedfordshire Hospital
- Have own car/current driving licence
- Be fit to carry out the duties of the post
- Be honest and reliable
- Possess an enquiring and critical approach to work
- Committed to work within Trust policies as guided by the Clinical Director
- Strong communication skills with patients, colleagues, and MDT members.
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.
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
