Consultant Ophthalmologist with special interest in Paediatrics and Strabismus

University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust • Royal Eye Infirmary

Closing on: 31 Jan 2025

VerifiedOphthalmology

Job Highlights

Expected Salary

£93,666 - £126,281

Location

Plymouth, United Kingdom

Specialisation

Ophthalmology

Job Summary

The University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust is seeking a full-time Consultant Ophthalmologist with a special interest in Paediatrics, Adult Strabismus, and Cataracts. The role involves providing high-quality care in these specialties while contributing to the growth and development of the department. The successful candidate will join a multidisciplinary team at the Royal Eye Infirmary (REI), which is a leading ophthalmic center in the region.

Job Overview

The Consultant Ophthalmologist will be responsible for delivering comprehensive ophthalmic care with a focus on paediatric and adult strabismus cases. The role involves managing both routine and emergency cases, providing consultation services, and developing specialized services in line with the Trust's strategic goals. The post-holder will also contribute to the teaching and training of junior doctors, medical trainees, and other healthcare professionals.

Main Duties

Clinical Responsibilities:

Provide routine and emergency ophthalmology services, including paediatric urgent care and adult strabismus services.

Participate in the regional Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) service, including screening and treatment.

Perform cataract surgeries and manage related cases.

Collaborate with colleagues across the Trust and provide reciprocal cover during absences.

Engage in patient triaging, communication with families and GPs, and liaising with social services when necessary.

Teaching and Training:

Participate in the education and training of junior doctors, medical students, nurses, Orthoptists, and Optometrists.

Supervise and assess specialist registrars and contribute to continuous medical education.

Research and Development:

Participate in and contribute to clinical research and audits as agreed with the Trust.

Develop and implement treatment guidelines and clinical pathways in collaboration with the department.

Management and Governance:

Participate in clinical meetings, contribute to the Trust’s Clinical Governance Programme, and engage in the incident reporting system.

Take on leadership roles as necessary to support the development of ophthalmology services within the Trust.

The Consultant Ophthalmologist role at the Royal Eye Infirmary is a key position that requires a dedicated professional eager to contribute to the growth of the department and the overall improvement of patient care.

Job Plan:

Full-time Consultants are contracted to 10 Programmed Activities (PAs). The offered job plan comprises of 8.5 Direct Clinical Care (DCC), including 1 PA of Patient-related Admin + 1.5 Supporting Professional Activities (SPA). Generic SPA is allocated for CPD, audit, revalidation, and personal research. Admin is to be conducted on site where specified.

Additional SPAs based on interests of the successful candidate are available upon discussion e.g., Educational / Clinical Supervisor, Medical School, Research, Leadership, and managerial roles, etc.

This job plan is for indicative purpose only and the final schedule will be agreed with the Clinical Director after appointment.

Requirements

Education and Professional Qualifications:

FRCOphth, MRCOphth, or equivalent.
Full GMC registration.
Entry on the GMC specialist register.
Sub-specialty training in Paediatric Ophthalmology and Adult Strabismus.

Experience:

Proven ability to perform advanced subspecialty-specific surgeries.
Experience in retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) treatment is desirable but not essential, with training available post-appointment.
Demonstrated interest and experience in teaching and research.
Familiarity with NHS operations and clinical audit procedures.

Skills:

Strong leadership and communication skills, particularly in a multidisciplinary team environment.
Ability to delegate appropriately and prioritize patient interests.
Proficiency in information technology.
Willingness to engage in continuous professional development.

Job Overview

Main Duties

Clinical Responsibilities:

Provide routine and emergency ophthalmology services, including paediatric urgent care and adult strabismus services.

Participate in the regional Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) service, including screening and treatment.

Perform cataract surgeries and manage related cases.

Collaborate with colleagues across the Trust and provide reciprocal cover during absences.

Engage in patient triaging, communication with families and GPs, and liaising with social services when necessary.

Teaching and Training:

Participate in the education and training of junior doctors, medical students, nurses, Orthoptists, and Optometrists.

Supervise and assess specialist registrars and contribute to continuous medical education.

Research and Development:

Participate in and contribute to clinical research and audits as agreed with the Trust.

Develop and implement treatment guidelines and clinical pathways in collaboration with the department.

Management and Governance:

Participate in clinical meetings, contribute to the Trust’s Clinical Governance Programme, and engage in the incident reporting system.

Take on leadership roles as necessary to support the development of ophthalmology services within the Trust.

Job Plan:

Additional SPAs based on interests of the successful candidate are available upon discussion e.g., Educational / Clinical Supervisor, Medical School, Research, Leadership, and managerial roles, etc.

This job plan is for indicative purpose only and the final schedule will be agreed with the Clinical Director after appointment.

Requirements

Education and Professional Qualifications:

FRCOphth, MRCOphth, or equivalent.
Full GMC registration.
Entry on the GMC specialist register.
Sub-specialty training in Paediatric Ophthalmology and Adult Strabismus.

Experience:

Proven ability to perform advanced subspecialty-specific surgeries.
Experience in retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) treatment is desirable but not essential, with training available post-appointment.
Demonstrated interest and experience in teaching and research.
Familiarity with NHS operations and clinical audit procedures.

Skills:

Strong leadership and communication skills, particularly in a multidisciplinary team environment.
Ability to delegate appropriately and prioritize patient interests.
Proficiency in information technology.
Willingness to engage in continuous professional development.

About Royal Eye Infirmary

University Hospital

The Royal Eye Infirmary (REI) is the main ophthalmic centre for the district. The REI forms part of University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust (UHP), with a catchment population for secondary work of approximately half a million. We have a wider Southwest Peninsula population of 2,000,000 people who have access to our full range of specialist services, including Major Trauma, Neurosurgery, and a, level 3 Neonatal Intensive Care., The REI provides Tertiary Services to the population of Devon and Cornwall in paediatric Ophthalmology, Oculoplastic, Cornea and Vitreoretinal Surgery. There are further opportunities to extend the present Service in tertiary roles., The new purpose-built REI is a very spacious ophthalmology centre comprising 3 operating theatres, an urgent care department, an outpatients department, and an optical dispensary. The REI is located within walking distance of Derriford Hospital, which is the largest hospital Trust in the Southwest Peninsula., The REI has a whole wing exclusively dedicated to Paediatric Ophthalmology, with its own imaging equipment in addition to orthoptic and optometry rooms. The paediatric waiting area is substantial and is well appreciated by parents and children.

Location of Hospital

Plymouth, United Kingdom

Know more about the location

About University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust

100 Employees

3 Hospitals

University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust is the largest hospital Trust in the South West Peninsula. We are a teaching hospital in partnership with the Peninsula Medical School and are rapidly developing as a Centre for innovation and research. We employ 6400 staff, have more than 900 beds, and over 48,000 people pass through the main entrance of our hospital in a week. In addition, we have an integrated Ministry of Defence Hospital Unit, which has a staff of approximately 250 military personnel., Plymouth, Britain’s Ocean City, occupies a stunning location., UHP has a unique role, one of few trusts in the country to fulfil four distinct roles in the peninsula health and care system – spanning community and social care, mental health, acute and through to specialist and tertiary service