Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Trust Fellow in Ophthalmology (Corneal)

The closing date is 08 July 2025

Job summary

We are looking for a Trust Ophthalmology Fellow to join our Acute District General Hospital team. We have a 12-month, fixed term post in cornea which is full-time. A broad range of general ophthalmology experience can be provided, including high volume cataract surgery and experience in independent cataract surgery is required. Previous experience in cornea is required.

Applicants should have or be eligible for full GMC registration and preferably the FRCOphth or MRCOphth (or equivalent). At least 4 years postgraduate experience with at least 2 years in ophthalmology at OST/SHO/Higher grade level is also essential. Successful candidate would ideally be an independent cataract surgeon having completed at least 250 phacoemulsification's.

Integral to the responsibilities of our posts are the following objectives:

to ensure the delivery of a high-quality patient-centred clinical service

to provide effective leadership to all staff engaged in that same task

to sustain and develop teaching and research wherever appropriate

to work in accordance with our trust's procedures and operating policies

to support the business plans and development strategies formulated for the specialty

to work within the framework of team decisions

to show initiative, enthusiasm and flexibility

Main duties of the job

1. Clinical Responsibilities/Key Responsibilities

The successful applicant will work closely under the supervision of the Corneal consultants (Mr Tomlins and Miss MacGregor) in the unit. The weekly timetable includes Corneal theatre sessions, Corneal Clinics, Casualty Clinics, injection clinic and study/administrative sessions. The post does not have any fixed-on call commitments. The post holder is expected to coordinate Corneal emergencies, both in the clinic, and in theatre. The post holder is also expected to be flexible and willing to undertake additional duties out of hours or in the event of unforeseen circumstances to ensure the smooth running of the department.

2. Professional Development, Education and Training

There are formal weekly departmental teaching sessions on Friday afternoon's for all medical, orthoptic, optometric and nursing staff. The postholder is encouraged to attend these teaching sessions and provide formal and informal supervision/teaching to more junior members in the team. Further teaching will be performed in clinical sessions alongside Corneal Consultants. The post holder will have the opportunity to use the cataract simulator, and dry lab to improve and fine tune her or his surgical skills.

3. Research and Development

Research opportunities are available to interested post holder, including participating in commercial research projects.

About us

We take pride in placing people at the centre of everything we do, working together as a united team. Driven by a shared ambition to continually grow, develop, and learn, we recognise and value every contribution. By combining our experience and skills, we not only support our vibrant, diverse communities, but also support one another.

With a team of over 9,000 employees, we are proud to be the largest employer in Gloucestershire and rank among the top 10 largest Trusts in the South West region.By joining our Trust, you will benefit from an excellent package that includes exclusive benefits, flexible working opportunities and the chance to gain valuable experience in one or both of our innovative hospitals.

As well as generous annual leave allowance, you will have access to the excellent NHS pension scheme, competitive bank rates, discounts at local shops and restaurants, access to two on-site nurseries, discounted public transport, reward and recognition and a range of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you.

Details

Date posted

19 June 2025

Pay scheme

Hospital medical and dental staff

Grade

Doctor - other

Salary

Depending on experience Dependent on experience

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

318-25-CORN

Job locations

Cheltenham General Hospital

Cheltenham

GL53 7AN


Job description

Job responsibilities

Provisional Job Plan

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

AM

Corneal Clinic

WK 3 & 5

Theatre

WK 1,2,3,5

SPA

Corneal Clinic

WK 1-5

Corneal Clinic

WK 1 & 5

Theatre

WK 3

PM

Corneal Clinic

WK 1-5

Theatre

WK 1-5

Casualty Clinic

WK 1-5

Corneal Clinic

WK 1-5

Theatre C

WK 1,3,5

Teaching WK 2

Governance 4

Job description

Job responsibilities

Provisional Job Plan

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

AM

Corneal Clinic

WK 3 & 5

Theatre

WK 1,2,3,5

SPA

Corneal Clinic

WK 1-5

Corneal Clinic

WK 1 & 5

Theatre

WK 3

PM

Corneal Clinic

WK 1-5

Theatre

WK 1-5

Casualty Clinic

WK 1-5

Corneal Clinic

WK 1-5

Theatre C

WK 1,3,5

Teaching WK 2

Governance 4

Person Specification

Qualifications & Training

Essential

  • Full or eligible for full GMC Registration
  • Dip Ophth, MRCOphth or equivalent

Desirable

  • FRCOphth
  • Higher Degree e.g. MSc, MD, PhD
  • Within 6 months of completing CCT

Clinical Experience

Essential

  • A minimum of 4 years postgraduate experience with at leave 4 years ophthalmic StR1 or higher grade since registration
  • Experience in independent phacoemulsification cataract surgery
  • Experience working in busy outpatient and casualty clinics as well as theatre
  • Ability to work in clinic and perform cataract surgery unsupervised

Desirable

  • Experience in corneal surgery and the management of corneal emergencies
  • Specialist interest in corneal surgery

Knowledge & Skills

Essential

  • Experience and participation in departmental audit
  • Ability to teach junior staff
  • Good organisational skills and time management

Desirable

  • Pervious QIP or audit into corneal services
  • Previous publications or research in corneal or ocular surface disease

Personal Attributes

Essential

  • Acceptance that the post requires a strong service commitment
  • Ability to travel independently between hospital sites
  • Willingness to seek timely assistance from senior colleagues as appropriate
  • Ability to establish good working relationships with staff and able to communicate well with patients
  • Applicants whose primary professional qualification(s) were not taken in English and/or have spent less than 6 months in a substantive NHS post, will need to demonstrate their language competence by achieving a score of 7 in the International English Language testing system (ILETS) or equivalent

Desirable

  • Evidence of personal initiative
Person Specification

Qualifications & Training

Essential

  • Full or eligible for full GMC Registration
  • Dip Ophth, MRCOphth or equivalent

Desirable

  • FRCOphth
  • Higher Degree e.g. MSc, MD, PhD
  • Within 6 months of completing CCT

Clinical Experience

Essential

  • A minimum of 4 years postgraduate experience with at leave 4 years ophthalmic StR1 or higher grade since registration
  • Experience in independent phacoemulsification cataract surgery
  • Experience working in busy outpatient and casualty clinics as well as theatre
  • Ability to work in clinic and perform cataract surgery unsupervised

Desirable

  • Experience in corneal surgery and the management of corneal emergencies
  • Specialist interest in corneal surgery

Knowledge & Skills

Essential

  • Experience and participation in departmental audit
  • Ability to teach junior staff
  • Good organisational skills and time management

Desirable

  • Pervious QIP or audit into corneal services
  • Previous publications or research in corneal or ocular surface disease

Personal Attributes

Essential

  • Acceptance that the post requires a strong service commitment
  • Ability to travel independently between hospital sites
  • Willingness to seek timely assistance from senior colleagues as appropriate
  • Ability to establish good working relationships with staff and able to communicate well with patients
  • Applicants whose primary professional qualification(s) were not taken in English and/or have spent less than 6 months in a substantive NHS post, will need to demonstrate their language competence by achieving a score of 7 in the International English Language testing system (ILETS) or equivalent

Desirable

  • Evidence of personal initiative

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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).

Employer details

Employer name

Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Cheltenham General Hospital

Cheltenham

GL53 7AN


Employer's website

https://www.gloshospitals.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Cheltenham General Hospital

Cheltenham

GL53 7AN


Employer's website

https://www.gloshospitals.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Consultant Ophthalmologist (Corneal)

Mr Paul Tomlins

paul.tomlins@nhs.net

03004222529

Details

Date posted

19 June 2025

Pay scheme

Hospital medical and dental staff

Grade

Doctor - other

Salary

Depending on experience Dependent on experience

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

318-25-CORN

Job locations

Cheltenham General Hospital

Cheltenham

GL53 7AN


Supporting documents

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