Post-CCT Fellow - Bariatric Surgery
Job Description
Job summary
The Birmingham Heartlands Bariatric Fellowship is a 12 month, post CCT Senior Clinical Fellowship based at University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust (UHB), one of the largest teaching hospital trusts in the UK. The programme is designed to provide advanced subspecialty training in Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery, preparing Fellows for independent consultant practice in this rapidly expanding field.
The fellowship is delivered across Solihull Hospital (elective hub) and Birmingham Heartlands Hospital (complex and acute care), offering a comprehensive exposure to the full spectrum of bariatric practice. UHB is a high-volume tertiary referral centre performing approximately 200+ bariatric procedures annually, including sleeve gastrectomy, gastric bypass, and complex revisional surgery, with around 50--60 revisional cases per year. The Trust offers laparoscopic and robotic-assisted bariatric surgery, alongside specialist multidisciplinary support.
Main duties of the job
Clinical & Operative
*Deliver pre-, peri- and post-operative care for bariatric and complex/revisional patients
*Participate in high-volume operating lists with progressive autonomy
*Manage post-operative complications and contribute to ward rounds and clinics
Technical Skills
*Develop advanced laparoscopic skills in primary and revisional bariatric surgery
*Gain exposure to robotic techniques
Multidisciplinary & Leadership
*Participate in and present at MDT and complex case meetings
*Work closely with dietitians, endocrinologists, psychologists, and specialist teams
On-Call Duties
*Contribute to the general surgery on-call rota
*Develop independent decision-making and leadership skills, with supervised "acting up" opportunities
Academic & Teaching
*Engage in audit, research, and quality improvement
*Teach and support junior doctors and medical students
Professional Skills
*Demonstrate effective communication, teamwork, and clinical judgement
*Maintain high standards of patient safety and professionalism
About us
University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust strives to have an inclusive culture where everyone feels like they belong, can thrive, knows that they add value and feels valued. We do this by developing compassionate and culturally competent leaders, being values driven in all that we do and by creating a welcoming and inclusive workplace that thrives on the diversity of our people. As such we want to attract and recruit talented individuals from all backgrounds, and for each of you to feel supported for the diversity you bring, to achieve your full potential. For those staff with a disability, including physical disability, long term health condition, mental health or neurodiverse condition, this also means being committed to making reasonable adjustments needed for you to carry out your role.
Job responsibilities
The primary aim of the Fellowship is to provide in-depth experience in the pre-operative assessment, operative management, and post-operative care of patients undergoing bariatric surgery. Fellows will gain significant operative exposure, including participation in at least 75 bariatric procedures (a mix of primary and complex cases), with progressive autonomy leading to independence in laparoscopic bariatric procedures by the end of the programme.
Clinical duties include attendance at outpatient clinics, inpatient ward rounds, and regular operating lists across both sites. Fellows will actively participate in multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings and are expected to coordinate and present at complex/revisional surgical planning meetings. Exposure to peri-operative complication management, including patients presenting following bariatric surgery abroad, is a key component of the training. The Fellow will also support diagnostic endoscopy lists including for complex bariatric patients and endoscopic interventions.
The Fellowship also incorporates cross-specialty collaboration with endocrinology, dietetics, and psychology services, reflecting the multidisciplinary nature of modern bariatric care. Fellows will develop expertise in managing patients with complex obesity-related comorbidities, including type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome.
In addition to elective bariatric training, the fellow will contribute to the general surgery on-call rota at Birmingham Heartlands Hospital, gaining experience in acute and emergency general surgery. Opportunities to "act up" to Consultant level (with supervision) are provided to support the transition to independent practice.
Academic development is strongly encouraged, with opportunities to participate in audit, quality improvement, and research projects supported by the Academic Department of Surgery. Fellows are expected to contribute to research output, including presentations and peer-reviewed publications. Teaching responsibilities include supervision of junior doctors and medical students.
The fellowship is supervised by experienced consultant bariatric surgeons and follows a structured curriculum with regular assessments aligned to ISCP standards. Overall, this programme offers a comprehensive, high-volume, and multidisciplinary training environment, equipping fellows with the clinical, technical, and professional competencies required for a consultant career in bariatric and metabolic surgery.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- *Medical Degree from a recognised University
- *Full GMC Specialist registration (or within 6 months of acquiring it)
- *Evidence of achievement of Foundation competencies in line with GMC standards/Good Medical Practice
- *Eligibility to live and work in the UK
Experience
Essential
- *A minimum of 6 years full time post graduate training (or equivalent gained on a part time basis) or equivalent experience and competencies.
- *Post-CCT in General (Upper GI) Surgery
- *Previous bariatric surgery experience
- *Previous endoscopy experience in diagnostic OGD
- *Applicants who are Nationals from another European country or elsewhere overseas would have to show equivalence to the 5 years training period in the National Health Service required for the specialty.
- *Completed CCT requirements for number of UGI procedures.
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.
Certificate of Sponsorship
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
University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Heartlands Hospital
Bordesley Green E
Birmingham
West Midlands
B9 5SS
United Kingdom
