NHS HIGHLAND
Location: Caithness General Hospital
Job Title: Rural Clinical Fellow (CF) or Rural Clinical Development Fellow (CDF) Post
Full time 40 hours per week
Salary: £47,438- £62,758 per annum pro rata plus banding supplement
Fixed term until 31st August 2026
This post may be of particular interest to doctors considering careers in Emergency Medicine, GP, Medicine, Surgery or Anaesthetics, especially if thinking of working in rural Britain or undertaking humanitarian work overseas.
Working in Caithness General Hospital, one of Scotland’s Rural General Hospitals (RGH), you will be exposed to the full spectrum of clinical presentations, usually providing the initial assessment of patients presenting to the hospital. You will be given a high level of responsibility appropriate to your experience, whilst having rapid access to consultant opinion and support. We are remote, have good diagnostic facilities and a strong multidisciplinary team designed to provide care close to the patient’s home. Those requiring specialist or Level 2 critical care are usually transferred, often by air.
Applicants must have completed equivalent UK FY1 & FY2 training. They must have worked at least 2 years in the UK NHS. We are developing a teaching programme based around the GMC Remote and Rural Credential. Whilst Fellows will not be eligible to apply for the credential, we are using the curriculum as a framework to help provide you with the knowledge and skills required of a remote and rural practitioner. You will be supported to undertake quality improvement and personal development projects related to rural healthcare.
Post is available from until 31st August 2026. There may be opportunities to undertake a short exchange with CF/CDFs working in other RGHs. Successful applicant will be contracted for 40 hours per week, which for those successful in a CDF post will include an average of 4 hours per week of protected development time. Post holders will be paid at the ST level appropriate to their previous experience, with an additional banding supplement relevant to the OOH rota.
We are situated in an area of outstanding natural beauty with access to a wide range of outdoor activities. For useful information please see:
Informal enquiries should be made to:
Dr John MacLeod, Clinical Lead. john.macleod2@nhs.scot
Dr Charlie Siderfin, Rural Emergency Physician. charles.siderfin@nhs.scot
Dr Neil Shepherd, Rural Emergency Physician. neil.shepherd@nhs.scot
How to apply: Externally via JobTrain Only
Please quote reference: 236693
Closing date: 8th February 2026
NHS Scotland 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 Scotland welcomes applications from all sections of society.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR CANDIDATES
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NHS Highland is geographically the largest of the 14 regional boards of NHS Scotland, covering an area of 12,500 square miles, across Highland and Argyll & Bute.
We employ over 10,700 people, making us one of the biggest employers in the area. As an organisation, we make a very significant contribution to the local economy.
Our staff are also important members of our communities. Our greatest asset is our workforce, and the way we go about our work comes from the values and behaviours we demonstrate on a daily basis. As a board we strive to ensure the environment is conducive to nurturing a positive culture, supported and delivered through our NHS and social care values .
Care and compassion
Dignity and respect
Openness, honesty and responsibility
Quality and teamwork