Job summary
The Royal Eye Infirmary is seeking a highly skilled and motivated Consultant Ophthalmologist with a subspecialty interest in Glaucoma to join its expanding medical and surgical ophthalmology team.
The postholder will provide expert glaucoma care, lead service development, support multidisciplinary pathways, and contribute to training, research & governance.
The Glaucoma service is set up as multidisciplinary clinics with Ophthalmologists, Optometrist, ACP's and Imaging support. The REI is served by sixteen Consultants and an increasing number of supporting medical and ancillary staff. There are five Associate/Specialty doctors supporting general clinics, urgent care and subspeciality clinics.
There is a scheduled teaching programme for junior staff consisting of one-half day weekly, including regular subregional and regional Southwestern Ophthalmological Society meetings. Continuous medical education at all levels is encouraged, and there is an active multidisciplinary Clinical Governance programme. Mentoring support for newly appointed Consultants is available at departmental and Trust level.
The REI has strong connections with the Plymouth University Peninsula Schools of Medicine and Dentistry, providing regular teaching and research opportunities. In addition, the Trust Research and Development Department offers opportunities to support the set-up of research projects, providing access to national and international studies.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will be expected to provide comprehensive glaucoma assessment, diagnosis, and management, including complex and tertiary-level cases and to deliver a full range of surgical treatments such as:
Trabeculectomy
Shunt surgery
Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS)
Laser procedures (SLT, YAG PI, cyclodiode)
The post holder will lead consultant-led glaucoma clinics and contribute to shared-care pathways with optometrists and specialist nurses. Participate in multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings and case discussions. Provide on-call ophthalmology cover as per departmental rota. Service development will include supporting the service line director and Glaucoma lead in shaping and expanding the glaucoma service, developing and implementing evidence-cased patient care pathways and protocols, contribute to outpatient optimisation, surgical efficiency and community integration. Champion diagnostic, virtual review models and advancing imaging.
We believe in supporting the growth of the future workforce and therefore the post-holder will partake in teaching and training of Allied health professionals, Medical trainees and Fellows. Access to mentoring for newly appointed consultants is encouraged.
About us
We are a people business - where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff, who are committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence and great customer care. The Trust has great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment. We offer all of this in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure. PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION WILL BE ELECTRONIC, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY. If you have any issues with applying online and need additional support including reasonable adjustments with the application process please contact the recruitment manager for this post who will put you in touch with the recruitment team. We recognise that work life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants around less than full time/flexible working for our advertised roles. Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss this prior to your application submission. We commit to giving this full consideration in each case. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, as diversity strengthens our teams. It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.
Job description
Job responsibilities
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. Clinical activities and their allocation in the working week may be possible to change due to clinical interests of the successful candidate. A Job Plan review will take place within the first 6 months, to support the successful candidate in developing services for treatment of specialist services, including pathway redesign.
The post holder will be professionally accountable to the Medical Director and managerially accountable to the Service Line Director Mr K Frimpong-Ansah.
Where required a newly appointment Consultant will have support of a designated named mentor who is able to support them clinically dependent on specialism.
There is office accommodation for all consultants separate from the main department. There is secretarial support for this position.
Job description
Job responsibilities
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. Clinical activities and their allocation in the working week may be possible to change due to clinical interests of the successful candidate. A Job Plan review will take place within the first 6 months, to support the successful candidate in developing services for treatment of specialist services, including pathway redesign.
The post holder will be professionally accountable to the Medical Director and managerially accountable to the Service Line Director Mr K Frimpong-Ansah.
Where required a newly appointment Consultant will have support of a designated named mentor who is able to support them clinically dependent on specialism.
There is office accommodation for all consultants separate from the main department. There is secretarial support for this position.
Person Specification
Education, Qualification & Specialist Training
Essential
- FRCOphth, MRCOphth or equivalent
- Full GMC registration
- Entry on GMC specialist register
- Applicant can be within 6 months of their CCT date if not yet on the specialist register
Desirable
- Fellowship-level training in glaucoma
- Higher level degree
- Postgraduate prizes and awards
- Other medical qualifications
- Experience outside speciality
Other Factors
Essential
- Ability to work the hours of the job and to participate in the 2nd on-call rota
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Sub-speciality training (fellowship level or equivalent) in glaucoma
- Evidence of ability to perform advanced glaucoma surgery including trabeculectomy and presserflo MMC
Desirable
- Attended appropriate courses/meetings in the last 3 years relevant to the speciality
- Understanding of NHS
Aptitude and abilities
Essential
- Ability to lead and work with a multidisciplinary team
- Ability to delegate appropriately
- Willingness to become part of existing ophthalmology team
- Communication skills, particularly in dealing with other medical teams and parents
- Prepared to put patients' interests above all others
Desirable
- Evidence of enthusiasm and experiencing teaching undergraduates, postgraduates, and other healthcare professionals
- Interest in clinical research evidenced by publications and participation in research projects
- Excellent IT skills
Disposition, attitude, motivation
Essential
- Enthusiastic and approachable
- Commitment to continuing personal professional development
- Flexible / adaptable with any reasonable adjustment to take account of any local requirement or disability
- Native English speaker or relevant language qualification
Person Specification
Education, Qualification & Specialist Training
Essential
- FRCOphth, MRCOphth or equivalent
- Full GMC registration
- Entry on GMC specialist register
- Applicant can be within 6 months of their CCT date if not yet on the specialist register
Desirable
- Fellowship-level training in glaucoma
- Higher level degree
- Postgraduate prizes and awards
- Other medical qualifications
- Experience outside speciality
Other Factors
Essential
- Ability to work the hours of the job and to participate in the 2nd on-call rota
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Sub-speciality training (fellowship level or equivalent) in glaucoma
- Evidence of ability to perform advanced glaucoma surgery including trabeculectomy and presserflo MMC
Desirable
- Attended appropriate courses/meetings in the last 3 years relevant to the speciality
- Understanding of NHS
Aptitude and abilities
Essential
- Ability to lead and work with a multidisciplinary team
- Ability to delegate appropriately
- Willingness to become part of existing ophthalmology team
- Communication skills, particularly in dealing with other medical teams and parents
- Prepared to put patients' interests above all others
Desirable
- Evidence of enthusiasm and experiencing teaching undergraduates, postgraduates, and other healthcare professionals
- Interest in clinical research evidenced by publications and participation in research projects
- Excellent IT skills
Disposition, attitude, motivation
Essential
- Enthusiastic and approachable
- Commitment to continuing personal professional development
- Flexible / adaptable with any reasonable adjustment to take account of any local requirement or disability
- Native English speaker or relevant language qualification
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).
