Mr. Andrew Harris – Academic Clinical Lecturer - ENT

After completing a basic surgical rotation, I identified Ear Nose and Throat (ENT), (specifically Head and Neck Surgery) as my chosen career choice. Fortuitously, there were minimal registrar posts available and the new medical careers method of selection was about to begin. At this time, I had little chance of obtaining a post, being too senior for a ST 1 or 2 but not competitive enough for a ST 3 (Registrar) position.

I decided to apply for a Research Fellowship and successfully obtained a position with a bursary awarded. The bursary lasted approximately 7 months and during this time, I also applied for further funding to complete a PhD.

I was award a CR-UK training fellowship, which enabled completion of my PhD whilst also building a very competitive CV for higher surgical training. As a PhD student, I undertook a small clinical workload and on completion of my doctorate I wanted to start higher surgical training with a focus on the clinical aspects.

After completing just over 3 years of higher surgical training, I obtained a Clinical Lecturer post in Head and Neck Surgery and this is the main focus of the research I now undertake. I would encourage anyone from the craft specialities to allow themselves at least 3, if not 4, years of higher surgical training prior to taking on such a position. It allows focusing of the surgical training to be sub-speciality specific.