Job summary
Applications are invited for a part-time Consultant Ophthalmologist with a specialist interest in non-surgical Glaucoma and Medical Retina to join the Ophthalmology department at Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust.
The main services are based at Maidstone Hospital, with a smaller unit at Tunbridge Wells Hospital, and services are also provided at Medway Maritime Hospital.
This position offers an exciting opportunity to develop further the non-surgical Glaucoma and Medical Retina service within one of the largest ophthalmic departments in the Southeast, serving a population of 1.2 million people in Mid and West Kent.
Successful applicants will primarily work at the Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells sites, with outpatient sessions at Medway Maritime Hospital. These positions are whole-time appointments comprising 8 Programmed Activities (PAs).
Main duties of the job
The Maidstone & Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust is responsible for the provision of ophthalmology services for the people of Mid and West Kent. General and sub-speciality ophthalmology services are provided at the Eye, Ear, and Mouth Unit (EEMU), a modern, purpose- built facility attached to Maidstone Hospital, with further outpatient facilities provided at the Tunbridge Wells Hospital at Pembury and Medway Maritime Hospital in a "hub and spoke" model. The post-holder will have a timetable with sessions at Maidstone and other sites.
EEMU has a busy Rapid Access department, optometric and orthoptic departments. There are two dedicated ophthalmic operating theatres at Maidstone and one dedicated theatre at the Tunbridge Wells Hospital at Pembury. With a stable management team, we can continually improve services and add to the already high levels of equipment provision in our department. Friday afternoon departmental teaching for all staff is consultant- led. Research interests are supported by active links with The University of Kent at Canterbury.
Residence requirements for this post are compatible with living in the outskirts of London, or in many attractive, rural parts of Kent. Kent has selective state schooling with several excellent state grammar schools in the vicinity of Maidstone.
About us
Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust ranks among the top 10 NHS Trusts nationwide and was named the second-best Trust to work for in the South East in the 2023 and 2024 NHS Staff Survey.
We are a large acute hospital trust in south-east England, providing general hospital services and specialist care to around 600,000 residents in West Kent and East Sussex. With a dedicated and diverse team of over 8,000 staff, we are proud to offer specialised cancer services to over two million people through the Kent Oncology Centre.
Fordcombe Hospital, near Tunbridge Wells, became part of the Trust in October 2024. Specialising in planned care, it offers two operating theatres, 28 inpatient and day-care beds, diagnostic services (X-ray, MRI, CT, and endoscopy), and consultation/treatment rooms.
Looking for flexible working?We are a flexible working-friendly organisation. Whether it's adjusting your hours or exploring other flexible arrangements, we want to work with you to find the best solution for you, our patients, and the Trust. Talk to us about how we can accommodate your working needs.
Click here to hear what our staff say.
Joining us includes a comprehensive benefits package:
- Generous annual leave entitlement
- Membership in the NHS Pension Scheme, with an employer contribution of 23.7% and life assurance benefits
- Blue Light card eligibility
- And more, additional benefits can be found in the benefits documents below
Job description
Job responsibilities
To provide a high standard of care to any patient for whom you have clinical responsibility. This will include any patients cared for by you personally.
To participate in clinical and other service activities and developments to ensure a high standard of patient care.
To take an equal share in providing subspecialty cover and covering for colleagues during the period of absence. This will include electronic triage of referrals.
To take part in the support and training of junior Ophthalmologists and the development and training of medical students and ancillary allied professionals, including the development of the oculoplastic nurse specialist role.
To participate fully in the clinical governance activities of the speciality. To attend clinical governance half-days as in the job plan. To undertake annual appraisal leading to revalidation. To participate actively in departmental audits,s which may be included in the work you undertake.
To work in close co-operation with other medical, professional and managerial colleagues, both within and outside the speciality, to provide high-quality health care to the Trusts patients, and to make a contribution to future thinking about the Trusts strategic direction.
To ensure at all times that you comply with the General Medical Councils published guide Good Medical Practice, including the Duties of a Doctor.
To take personal responsibility for risk management in your work and undertake to review practices and learn from mistakes. To be an active member of the risk management processes of the clinical team and care group.
To ensure that you respond promptly and efficiently to all complaints related to any patient care you have been involved with, assisting the Trusts corporate responsibility to reply to complaints within a specified time frame.
To ensure that you develop and maintain effective working relationships with those agencies concerned with the provision of health and social care services and those representing the interests of patients.
You are required to take reasonable care for the health and safety of yourself and others who may be affected by what you do while at work. You must adhere to Trust IRMER Regulations.
The post holders will also be required to perform duties in occasional emergencies and unforeseen circumstances at the request of the Clinical Director or General Manager for Ophthalmology.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To provide a high standard of care to any patient for whom you have clinical responsibility. This will include any patients cared for by you personally.
To participate in clinical and other service activities and developments to ensure a high standard of patient care.
To take an equal share in providing subspecialty cover and covering for colleagues during the period of absence. This will include electronic triage of referrals.
To take part in the support and training of junior Ophthalmologists and the development and training of medical students and ancillary allied professionals, including the development of the oculoplastic nurse specialist role.
To participate fully in the clinical governance activities of the speciality. To attend clinical governance half-days as in the job plan. To undertake annual appraisal leading to revalidation. To participate actively in departmental audits,s which may be included in the work you undertake.
To work in close co-operation with other medical, professional and managerial colleagues, both within and outside the speciality, to provide high-quality health care to the Trusts patients, and to make a contribution to future thinking about the Trusts strategic direction.
To ensure at all times that you comply with the General Medical Councils published guide Good Medical Practice, including the Duties of a Doctor.
To take personal responsibility for risk management in your work and undertake to review practices and learn from mistakes. To be an active member of the risk management processes of the clinical team and care group.
To ensure that you respond promptly and efficiently to all complaints related to any patient care you have been involved with, assisting the Trusts corporate responsibility to reply to complaints within a specified time frame.
To ensure that you develop and maintain effective working relationships with those agencies concerned with the provision of health and social care services and those representing the interests of patients.
You are required to take reasonable care for the health and safety of yourself and others who may be affected by what you do while at work. You must adhere to Trust IRMER Regulations.
The post holders will also be required to perform duties in occasional emergencies and unforeseen circumstances at the request of the Clinical Director or General Manager for Ophthalmology.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- GMC Registration
- FRCS / FRCOphth
- Entered on CCT Register or within 6 months of obtaining CCT
Desirable
- Distinctions, scholarships, prizes
- Other degrees, e.g. BSc, MSc MD
Experience/Knowledge
Essential
- Clinical training and experience equivalent to that required for gaining UK CCT in ophthalmology
- Recognised Sub-specialty training in Cornea
- Ability to take full and independent responsibility for clinics and theatre lists
- Demonstrable experience in Clinical Audit and Research
Desirable
- Experience of risk management
- Experience in setting up multi-disciplinary clinics
- Virtual Clinics
- Laser surgery
Skills
Essential
- Evidence of leadership
- Organisational ability
- Able to take responsibility and cope with stressful situations
- Able to get on with other members of the multi-disciplinary team
- A sympathetic approach to patients and relatives
- Ability to establish good professional relationships with others
Desirable
- Critical and enquiring approach to knowledge acquisition
- To have undertaken a postgraduate communication skills course
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- GMC Registration
- FRCS / FRCOphth
- Entered on CCT Register or within 6 months of obtaining CCT
Desirable
- Distinctions, scholarships, prizes
- Other degrees, e.g. BSc, MSc MD
Experience/Knowledge
Essential
- Clinical training and experience equivalent to that required for gaining UK CCT in ophthalmology
- Recognised Sub-specialty training in Cornea
- Ability to take full and independent responsibility for clinics and theatre lists
- Demonstrable experience in Clinical Audit and Research
Desirable
- Experience of risk management
- Experience in setting up multi-disciplinary clinics
- Virtual Clinics
- Laser surgery
Skills
Essential
- Evidence of leadership
- Organisational ability
- Able to take responsibility and cope with stressful situations
- Able to get on with other members of the multi-disciplinary team
- A sympathetic approach to patients and relatives
- Ability to establish good professional relationships with others
Desirable
- Critical and enquiring approach to knowledge acquisition
- To have undertaken a postgraduate communication skills course
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).
