Cardiff and Vale University Health Board
Specialist in Spinal Surgery

How your CV stacks up
Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role
?%
The Cardiff Spinal Unit
The Cardiff Spinal Unit has been established for over 20 years. In 2011, the Welsh Centre for Spinal Trauma and Surgery opened at the UHW site. There are currently 10 Consultant Spinal Surgeons (8 Orthopaedic and 2 Neurosurgical), 4 Senior Spinal Fellows, 2 Junior Spinal Fellows, 2 Specialist Registrars, 2 Junior Clinical Fellows, 2 Foundation Year 1 doctors and 2 Clinical Nurse Specialists. It is an established renowned centre of excellence performing all aspects of Spinal Surgery in the capital city of Wales, UK. It is an AO Spine Centre.
The Unit performs on an annual basis:
- Elective spinal operations >600
- Emergency spinal operations 200
- Paediatric spinal operations >120
- Spinal Injections >500
- Spinal Outpatient appointments 5500
Over the years the unit has trained over 80 Fellows who have become Consultants around the world. The team of Consultants comprise internationally recognized trainers, senior lecturers and faculty of our governing bodies. The unit has become the Major Trauma Centre in Wales and has seen a large influx of spinal trauma cases. The unit has a standalone spinal outpatient clinic with radiological support and a spinal injection suite. There has been recent investment in endoscopic spinal surgery. The unit plans to invest in spinal navigation systems / robotics and as part of the MTC the hospital is investing in 3D C-Arm systems. The NHS in Wales has established a National Robotics Program for Surgery.
Reasons to use Rodeo
I’m in my final year doing Economics and I don’t know whether to apply for grad schemes now or do a masters first. What do you think?
Honest answer — it depends on where you want to end up. A lot of top grad schemes (Big 4, civil service, banking) don’t need a masters. Let’s look at the ones you’d be competitive for now, and we can decide if a masters actually adds anything.
Also worth knowing: most autumn 2026 applications are open now. Timing matters more than you think.
Start with a chat, not a search bar
Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
Graduate Consultant — 2026 Scheme
Why you're a good match
StrongYour economics background and your summer at a regional bank line up with what PwC looks for on the consulting scheme. Applications close in four weeks.
See breakdownIt searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Why you're a good match
You’ve got the grades and the economics background, and your bank internship is exactly the experience this scheme looks for. Apply soon — deadlines close within the month.
Experience fit
Your summer at the bank plus your econometrics coursework map directly to the day-one responsibilities on this scheme — client modelling, market briefings, and deal support.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
Clinical
You will provide with senior colleagues (as appropriate) a service in the speciality to the hospitals so designated, with responsibility for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of illness and promotion of health.
- You will be expected to help in teaching aspects of diagnosis, treatment and management of diseases to junior medical staff and nursing staff.
- You will be expected to participate in the senior spinal on-call rota appropriate to competence and agreed scope of practice, with Consultant support arrangements as required. This consists of a week on call 1 in 7 (See timetable below).
The post holder will practise with a high degree of clinical autonomy within agreed competencies, scope of practice, and local governance frameworks, working collaboratively with Consultant colleagues.
Any other duties with other agencies that have been agreed with the employing Health Board.


Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
Cardiff and Vale University Health Board
Cardiff and Vale University Health Board is one of the largest Integrated Health Boards in the UK, employing over 17,000 staff, providing over 100 specialist services. Working across 6 hospital sites, we have a diverse range of career opportunities to offer. Serving over 500,000 people living in Cardiff and the Vale, we are focussed on the health and care needs of our local population whilst working with our partners to develop regional services. Together we are committed to improving health outcomes for everyone, delivering excellent care and support.
Our mission is “Living Well, Caring Well, Working Together”, and our vision is that every person’s chance of leading a healthy life should be equal. Our 10-year transformation and improvement strategy, Shaping Our Future Wellbeing, is our chance to work collaboratively with the public and our workforce to make our health board more sustainable for the future.
For further details / informal visits contact:
- Name: Mike Mccarthy
- Job title: Spinal Surgeon
- Email address: mike.mccarthy@wales.nhs.uk
- Telephone number: 02920 748010
“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
Jessica, London
Skills
Location