Locum Consultant Neurosurgeon

Job Overview

The Locum Consultant Neurosurgeon provides senior‑level specialist leadership for the neurosurgical service, including emergency and elective cranial and spinal surgery, outpatient clinics, and multidisciplinary care. The role involves leading complex cases, supervising junior doctors and registrars, and ensuring high‑quality, safe neurosurgical care across wards, theatres, and clinics. This position is suited to experienced neurosurgeons seeking flexible locum work in a busy Irish hospital setting.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide consultant‑level assessment and management of patients with neurosurgical conditions such as traumatic brain injury, spinal injury, tumours, cerebrovascular disease, hydrocephalus, and degenerative spinal disorders.
• Lead and perform (or supervise) elective and emergency neurosurgical procedures within the agreed subspecialty interests (e.g., vascular, skull‑base, spine, or paediatric, as appropriate).
• Supervise and mentor registrars, SHOs, and other junior medical staff on the wards and in theatre.
• Attend and lead ward rounds, consultant rounds, neurosurgical MDT meetings, and educational sessions.
• Manage outpatient clinics, including pre‑operative assessment, follow‑up, and complication review.
• Oversee 24‑hour neurosurgical cover, including emergency admissions and urgent referrals from ED, ICU, and specialist teams.
• Ensure accurate documentation, operative notes, and clinical records in line with hospital and HSE standards.
• Contribute to clinical governance, audit, research, teaching, and service development.
• Uphold infection control, patient‑safety, and risk‑management protocols for the neurosurgical unit.

Requirements

• Medical degree recognised by the Irish Medical Council.
• Full specialist registration in Neurosurgery on the Specialist Division of the IMC register, or equivalent with eligibility to obtain it.
• Consultant‑level experience in neurosurgery with a broad range of cranial and spinal procedures.
• Demonstrated experience in teaching, training, and supervising junior neurosurgical staff.
• Current ALS/ACLS certification; ATLS or trauma‑related training is highly desirable.
• Eligibility to work in Ireland (e.g., Irish/UK/EU passport or appropriate work permit/visa).

Skills and Competencies

• Strong clinical judgment and advanced decision‑making skills in complex neurosurgical cases.
• Leadership and team‑management experience in a neurosurgical unit.
• Confidence managing high‑acuity and time‑critical neurosurgical emergencies.
• Excellent communication with patients, families, and multidisciplinary colleagues.
• Commitment to patient safety, governance, and continuous professional development.
• Flexibility to work variable rota patterns and ad‑hoc or urgent cover as required.

Working Conditions

• Consultant‑level rota that may include day, evening, night, weekend, and on‑call duties.
• Busy neurosurgical unit with exposure to emergency and elective cranial and spinal surgery, wards, and clinics.
• May involve working across multiple sites within a hospital group.

Remuneration and Benefits

• Competitive locum consultant rates, typically aligned with or above HSE Public‑Only Consultant 2023 scales (pro‑rated to hours worked).
• Flexible working arrangements and variable‑length contracts.
• Opportunity to work in leading Irish neurosurgical centres.