18 December 2024


We are excited to announce a fantastic opportunity to contribute to quality improvement in rheumatology: the 12-month GIRFT Clinical Fellowship, running from September 2025 to September 2026.


This opportunity, co-funded by GIRFT and the British Society for Rheumatology (BSR), offers clinicians the chance to engage in meaningful quality improvement (QI) work at a national level. The GIRFT Fellow will work with senior colleagues across BSR and GIRFT, to assist in data gathering and analysis of national practice and current outcomes, developing and disseminating best guidance practice with input from the wider clinical team.

The successful applicant will step out of his/her current role for three days per week to explore national clinical datasets across the life course, likely focussing on prescribing data. They will learn with a team of GIRFT Fellows from across England, with access to:

  • A 12-month QI / data analysis education programme
  • Opportunities to work with a range of senior NHS data analysts
  • Opportunities to work with a wide range of NHS datasets
  • Support as needed with data analysis

Dr Lesley Kay (National Clinical Director for MSK Conditions and GIRFT Co-clinical Lead Rheumatology) and Dr Flora McErlane (GIRFT Co-clinical Lead in Paediatric Rheumatology) will provide clinical supervision, whilst Keith Gray (Academic Content Lead GIRFT) will provide academic supervision.

How to apply

The job advert will be live early in the new year. Applicants must have an active NHS contract and written confirmation from their employer that he/she will be released for 60% WTE for a 12-month period. We will welcome applications from clinicians with prior experience analysing clinical or research data, currently working as doctors in training or embedded within the clinical team at Band 7 or above. Applicants may work within either a paediatric or adult rheumatology team. The GIRFT Fellow will work virtually with an expectation that they will remain in their current role for the remaining 40% WTE. Applicants working less than full time will be expected to commit a total of 60% WTE to the GIRFT role.

Please get in touch if you would like any further information.