Job summary
We are pleased to invite applications for our Consultant role in Ophthalmology at West Suffolk. The Consultant would be expected to be proficient in general ophthalmology, glaucoma management and day case cataract surgery. We would welcome applications from those who have a particular specialist interest and have experience in Glaucoma.
The Ophthalmology Department serves a population of approximately 280,000 over an area of 600 square miles centred on Bury St Edmunds. Included in this area are Thetford to the north, Newmarket to the west, Sudbury to the south and Stowmarket to the east and peripheral clinics are held in Newmarket and Sudbury.
The department was opened as an NHS Eye Treatment Centre in 2004 adjoining the Day Surgery Unit. The building was planned in close cooperation with the architect by clinicians to provide a first class environment for staff and patients. The ground floor comprises a cataract unit and a medical retina suite with nurse assessment rooms with IOL masters, an auto refractor, fundus camera and Cirrus OCT. Adjacent to the cataract unit is a large comfortable surgical waiting area leading to the ophthalmic theatre. Theatres are equipped to a high standard with Zeiss microscopes and B&L phacoemulsification machines, one with posterior vitrectomy capability; 99% of surgery including children under GA is conducted as daycase work.
Main duties of the job
To provide a Consultant Ophthalmology service for in-patients, day cases and out-patients, with continuing responsibility for the patients, their care and for the effective functioning of the department
To take part in the Consultant on call rota (1:7)
To carry out teaching duties as required and to take an active part in the education programme of junior medical staff, nurses and AHPs
To provide supervision and training to junior hospital doctors
To participate in clinical audit, evidence based practice and clinical governance within the department.
To participate in regional sub-speciality audit and clinical governance
To participate actively in continuing professional development (CPD).
A job plan will be agreed by the Clinical Directors in the first instance and approved by the Medical Director on behalf of the Chief Executive. This Plan will be reviewed annually and will provide an opportunity for discussion of the individuals personal development plan and for appraisal.
An out of hours emergency service on-call commitment will be provided on a shared basis with other Consultants within the department. (1:7 including this post)
Benefits and Perks:
Flexible working arrangements to promote work-life
balance and accommodate personal commitments.
A robust and well-run service with a highly efficient
community glaucoma monitoring system, with no community backlog.
On-site nursery facilities to provide convenience and
peace of mind for working parents.
See job description for full details.
About us
#BeKnown
at West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust. By us. By our patients. By our community
Were
a busy, friendly, rural NHS Trust providing high-quality care and compassion to
more than a quarter of a million people across west Suffolk. We care for,
treat and support people in hospital, at home and in various community
settings.
The
West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds provides acute and secondary care
services (emergency department, maternity and neonatal services, day surgery
unit, eye treatment centre, Macmillan unit and childrens ward). It has 500+
beds and is a partner teaching hospital of the University of Cambridge.
Adult
and paediatric community services, provided in collaboration with West Suffolk
Alliance partners, include a range of nursing, therapy, specialist, and ongoing
temporary care and rehabilitation, some at our Newmarket Community Hospital.
We
do our utmost to achieve outstanding clinical outcomes for patients and our
values of fairness, inclusivity, respect, safety and team work guide how we
work and behave as a team.
With
nearly 5,000 staff, from all over the world, we strive to make our organisation
a great place to work. Whatever your role or ambition, we want to help you be
the best you can be.
We
promote a diverse and inclusive community where everyones voice counts and you
can #BeKnown for whoever you are.
Join
us. What will you #BeKnown for?
Job description
Job responsibilities
To provide a Consultant Ophthalmology service for in-patients, day cases and out-patients, with continuing responsibility for the patients, their care and for the effective functioning of the department
Duties of the Post
To provide primary care and general ophthalmology services at the West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust including outpatient services and operating sessions. Provide support and oversee the Junior doctors on the 1-st on-call rota
To work with Primary care Groups and the Strategic Health Authority to develop, implement and refine specialist services at the West Suffolk Hospital and peripheral sites. These services would include the provision of a comprehensive age-related macular degeneration service within agreed protocols.
An involvement in research and assisting the participation of other staff in research at the West Suffolk Hospital.
To contribute to Clinical Governance, Clinic Audit and evidence-based practice within the department
To participate in regional Sub-speciality Audit and Clinical Governance.
To participate in teaching of undergraduates and postgraduates and other health care professionals.
To provide supervision and training to junior hospital doctors and to facilitate the expansion of the role of nursing and orthoptic staff.
To provide supervision and training to junior hospital doctors and non-career grade staff.
To contribute to the management of ophthalmic services within the Trust.
Regular participation in departmental case review meetings.
Timetable
This will comprise ten PAs, of which seven will be clinical. Subject to detailed negotiation, there will be one or two operating/treatment session and five or six clinics. One clinic may be at a peripheral location. Currently, there is a reorganisation of the overall timetable in the Eye Treatment Centre extending the working day to three session days. Therefore, the successful candidate might be required to have one or two PAs in Evening sessions.
A job plan will be agreed by the Clinical Directors in the first instance and approved by the Medical Director on behalf of the Chief Executive. This Plan will be reviewed annually and will provide an opportunity for discussion of the individuals personal development plan and for appraisal.
Clinical Governance/Audit is undertaken as an ongoing programme within the Region, and in-house on a rolling half-day basis. It is expected that the appointee will be actively involved in this and all routine clinical duties should be suspended during these session
On Call/Emergency Duties
An out of hours emergency service on-call commitment will be provided on a shared basis with other Consultants within the department. (1:7 including this post)
Benefits and Perks:
Flexible working arrangements to promote work-life
balance and accommodate personal commitments.
A robust and well-run service with a highly efficient
community glaucoma monitoring system, with no community backlog.
On-site nursery facilities to provide convenience and
peace of mind for working parents.
Access to an extensive library with excellent support,
fostering a conducive learning environment.
On-site parking with designated spaces for consultants,
ensuring hassle-free commuting.
Eye department with integrated theatres adjacent to eye
clinics as well as the Glaucoma team office, facilitating seamless patient care
and efficient workflow.
Proximity of the eye department to the main hospital on
the same site, fostering collaboration and ease of access to other specialties.
Free access to leisure facilities, enabling a healthy
work-life balance and promoting employee well-being.
Utilization of a well-established, nationally recognized
ophthalmic Electronic Patient Record (EPR) system with comprehensive national
audit reporting capabilities.
Dedicated meeting room with teaching facilities, enabling
effective knowledge sharing and educational activities.
Excellent PA support to ensure efficient management of
administrative tasks, allowing you to focus on patient care and professional
development.
Designated office space for privacy and convenience.
Working alongside with a knowledgeable nurse specialized
in glaucoma with prescribing training, that offers assistance in clinic
settings, addressing patient inquiries, and managing administrative tasks.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To provide a Consultant Ophthalmology service for in-patients, day cases and out-patients, with continuing responsibility for the patients, their care and for the effective functioning of the department
Duties of the Post
To provide primary care and general ophthalmology services at the West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust including outpatient services and operating sessions. Provide support and oversee the Junior doctors on the 1-st on-call rota
To work with Primary care Groups and the Strategic Health Authority to develop, implement and refine specialist services at the West Suffolk Hospital and peripheral sites. These services would include the provision of a comprehensive age-related macular degeneration service within agreed protocols.
An involvement in research and assisting the participation of other staff in research at the West Suffolk Hospital.
To contribute to Clinical Governance, Clinic Audit and evidence-based practice within the department
To participate in regional Sub-speciality Audit and Clinical Governance.
To participate in teaching of undergraduates and postgraduates and other health care professionals.
To provide supervision and training to junior hospital doctors and to facilitate the expansion of the role of nursing and orthoptic staff.
To provide supervision and training to junior hospital doctors and non-career grade staff.
To contribute to the management of ophthalmic services within the Trust.
Regular participation in departmental case review meetings.
Timetable
This will comprise ten PAs, of which seven will be clinical. Subject to detailed negotiation, there will be one or two operating/treatment session and five or six clinics. One clinic may be at a peripheral location. Currently, there is a reorganisation of the overall timetable in the Eye Treatment Centre extending the working day to three session days. Therefore, the successful candidate might be required to have one or two PAs in Evening sessions.
A job plan will be agreed by the Clinical Directors in the first instance and approved by the Medical Director on behalf of the Chief Executive. This Plan will be reviewed annually and will provide an opportunity for discussion of the individuals personal development plan and for appraisal.
Clinical Governance/Audit is undertaken as an ongoing programme within the Region, and in-house on a rolling half-day basis. It is expected that the appointee will be actively involved in this and all routine clinical duties should be suspended during these session
On Call/Emergency Duties
An out of hours emergency service on-call commitment will be provided on a shared basis with other Consultants within the department. (1:7 including this post)
Benefits and Perks:
Flexible working arrangements to promote work-life
balance and accommodate personal commitments.
A robust and well-run service with a highly efficient
community glaucoma monitoring system, with no community backlog.
On-site nursery facilities to provide convenience and
peace of mind for working parents.
Access to an extensive library with excellent support,
fostering a conducive learning environment.
On-site parking with designated spaces for consultants,
ensuring hassle-free commuting.
Eye department with integrated theatres adjacent to eye
clinics as well as the Glaucoma team office, facilitating seamless patient care
and efficient workflow.
Proximity of the eye department to the main hospital on
the same site, fostering collaboration and ease of access to other specialties.
Free access to leisure facilities, enabling a healthy
work-life balance and promoting employee well-being.
Utilization of a well-established, nationally recognized
ophthalmic Electronic Patient Record (EPR) system with comprehensive national
audit reporting capabilities.
Dedicated meeting room with teaching facilities, enabling
effective knowledge sharing and educational activities.
Excellent PA support to ensure efficient management of
administrative tasks, allowing you to focus on patient care and professional
development.
Designated office space for privacy and convenience.
Working alongside with a knowledgeable nurse specialized
in glaucoma with prescribing training, that offers assistance in clinic
settings, addressing patient inquiries, and managing administrative tasks.
Person Specification
Research Experience
Essential
- Ability to apply research outcomes to clinical problems
- Publications in peer-reviewed journals
Qualifications
Essential
- MBBS or equivalent
- FRCOphth or equivalent
- Entry on GMC Specialist Register or be eligible for entry onto the Register within six months of receipt of Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) at time of interview
- Hold full GMC Registration with a Licence to Practise
Desirable
Other Attributes
Essential
- Ability to work in a team
- Good interpersonal skills
- Enquiring, critical approach to work
- Caring attitude to patients
- Ability to communicate effectively with patients, relatives, all grades of Health Care professionals and other agencies
- Commitment to CPD and the requirements of Clinical Governance and Audit
- Willingness to undertake additional professional responsibilities at local, regional or national levels
- Able to meet the travel requirements of the post.
Desirable
- Have access to car/current UK driving licence.
Experience
Essential
- Proven clinical experience in diagnosis and treatment of general ophthalmic conditions, including thorough training in phacoemulsification cataract surgery.
- Ability to deal with Ophthalmic emergencies
- Ability to take full and independent responsibility for clinical care of patients
- Experience in diagnosis, medical and surgical treatment of glaucoma conditions
Desirable
- Other subspecialty expertise, such as neuro-ophthalmology, welcome
Teaching Experience
Essential
- Experience of and interest in supervision and training of junior medical staff (FY1, FY2, ST1/2, SpRs)
- Experience of teaching healthcare professionals
- Ability to teach clinical skills
Desirable
- Attendance at a course on presentation and teaching skills, teaching the teacher or similar
Language and Communication Skills
Essential
- All applicants to have demonstrable skills in written and spoken English that are adequate to enable effective communication about medical topics with patients and colleagues which could be demonstrated by one of the following:-
- - that applicants have undertaken undergraduate medical training in English; or
- - have the following scores in the academic International English Language Testing System (IELTS)-Overall 7.5 Speaking 7, Listening 7, Reading 7, Writing 7.
- If applicants believe that they have adequate communication skills, but do not fit into one of the examples they need to provide evidence
Management and Administrative Experience
Essential
- Ability to provide leadership in developing clinical services and to ensure their quality.
- Evidence of participation in clinical audit activities.
- Understanding of mechanisms required when dealing with concerns about professional practice
- Ability to manage teams
Desirable
- Attendance on management course
- Willingness to be ophthalmology College Tutor.
- Willingness to be lead clinician in rotation with colleagues.
Person Specification
Research Experience
Essential
- Ability to apply research outcomes to clinical problems
- Publications in peer-reviewed journals
Qualifications
Essential
- MBBS or equivalent
- FRCOphth or equivalent
- Entry on GMC Specialist Register or be eligible for entry onto the Register within six months of receipt of Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) at time of interview
- Hold full GMC Registration with a Licence to Practise
Desirable
Other Attributes
Essential
- Ability to work in a team
- Good interpersonal skills
- Enquiring, critical approach to work
- Caring attitude to patients
- Ability to communicate effectively with patients, relatives, all grades of Health Care professionals and other agencies
- Commitment to CPD and the requirements of Clinical Governance and Audit
- Willingness to undertake additional professional responsibilities at local, regional or national levels
- Able to meet the travel requirements of the post.
Desirable
- Have access to car/current UK driving licence.
Experience
Essential
- Proven clinical experience in diagnosis and treatment of general ophthalmic conditions, including thorough training in phacoemulsification cataract surgery.
- Ability to deal with Ophthalmic emergencies
- Ability to take full and independent responsibility for clinical care of patients
- Experience in diagnosis, medical and surgical treatment of glaucoma conditions
Desirable
- Other subspecialty expertise, such as neuro-ophthalmology, welcome
Teaching Experience
Essential
- Experience of and interest in supervision and training of junior medical staff (FY1, FY2, ST1/2, SpRs)
- Experience of teaching healthcare professionals
- Ability to teach clinical skills
Desirable
- Attendance at a course on presentation and teaching skills, teaching the teacher or similar
Language and Communication Skills
Essential
- All applicants to have demonstrable skills in written and spoken English that are adequate to enable effective communication about medical topics with patients and colleagues which could be demonstrated by one of the following:-
- - that applicants have undertaken undergraduate medical training in English; or
- - have the following scores in the academic International English Language Testing System (IELTS)-Overall 7.5 Speaking 7, Listening 7, Reading 7, Writing 7.
- If applicants believe that they have adequate communication skills, but do not fit into one of the examples they need to provide evidence
Management and Administrative Experience
Essential
- Ability to provide leadership in developing clinical services and to ensure their quality.
- Evidence of participation in clinical audit activities.
- Understanding of mechanisms required when dealing with concerns about professional practice
- Ability to manage teams
Desirable
- Attendance on management course
- Willingness to be ophthalmology College Tutor.
- Willingness to be lead clinician in rotation with colleagues.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
