252044 Clinical Development Fellow in Rheumatology

Job Description

Equal Opportunities and Diversity:

NHS Lothian is committed to encouraging equality and diversity among our workforce and eliminating unlawful discrimination. The aim is for our workforce to be truly representative and for each employee to feel respected and able to give their best.

To this end, NHS Lothian welcomes applications from all sections of society.

We will fully support disabled candidates, and candidates with long term conditions or who are neurodivergent by making reasonable adjustments to our recruitment policy and practices.

Job Title: Clinical Development Fellow in Rheumatology at the Western General Hospital

Department: Rheumatology Medicine

Base: Western General Hospital, NHS Lothian

Post Summary:

All posts are for a period of 12 months from August 2026 – August 2027.

The Clinical Fellow post in Rheumatology is aimed at FY2+ level i.e. those Doctors having completed the UK Foundation programme and having been assessed as “acute take safe” under supervision who are looking for some further experience in rheumatology. This may be to further pursue a career in rheumatology medicine or to provide a professional development adjunct to any future clinical activity. We also welcome applications from more senior doctors than FY2 and roles may be negotiable dependent on experience.

The Clinical Fellow will work along with the Specialty trainees and be on the registrar rota. Responsibilities include:

• Seeing patients in clinic
• Rheumatology on calls (9 6 pm weekdays and 9 12 pm weekends)
• Injection clinics
• Coverage of some inpatient rheumatology patients
• Participating in the Rheumatology on call rota (9 6 pm weekdays and 9 12 pm weekends)

It is recognised that trainees in this post may often be undertaking postgraduate examination and we are happy to support and assist in preparation for these. There is also support for application and interview process available for candidates in applying for training routes of entry into IMT, ACCS and GPST or any other required.

The rheumatology team has a reputation for excellence in teaching and training, patient safety and quality improvement with consistent positive feedback from trainees. The consultant team are enthusiastic, supportive and enjoy teaching and training.

All Clinical Fellow posts include 10% development time which will be combined with supervised and directed activities linked to an area of mutual professional interest including clinical teaching, quality improvement and patient safety, management and leadership development or informatics.

It is expected the successful candidate will develop as a teacher contributing as a co tutor for University of Edinburgh year 4 students during their rheumatology attachment and will also contribute to the WGH Rheumatology Quality Improvement Team and local research.

The post does not have educational approval from the Postgraduate Dean and will not be recognised for training. The post is designed however to meet educational and developmental needs and is ideally suited for anyone looking to build a career in respiratory medicine.