Job summary
Love Life, Love Bristol and Weston.
The Bristol Eye Hospital (BEH) at University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) is inviting applications for a consultant in vitreoretinal (VR) surgery. This is a substantive post to provide continuity following the departure of a consultant colleague. It responds to ongoing demand for tertiary-level vitreoretinal surgery and supports a high-performing, integrated retina service.
The successful candidate will join a dynamic consultant team delivering care across both BEH and Weston General Hospital (WGH).
BEH is a nationally recognised centre for training, teaching, and subspecialty ophthalmic care. It is a key part of the Division of Surgery at UHBW, which was recently rated Outstanding by the CQC. The hospital delivers a regional tertiary retina service, integrating vitreoretinal, uveitis, and medical retina care, and benefits from close collaboration with a dedicated Clinical Research Unit and an excellent ophthalmic imaging department.
Main duties of the job
The successful applicant will be expected to play an active role in service delivery, run independent clinics, provide training for VR surgery fellows, and participate in the 1-in-4 on-call rota for VR emergencies
About us
University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) is one of the largest acute Trusts in the country, bringing together a combined workforce of over 13,000 staff and over 100 different clinical services across 10 different sites, serving a core population of more than 500,000 people across South West England. UHBW has been rated by the CQC as 'Good' overall and our staff are proud to deliver excellent care to the people of Bristol, Weston and beyond. As a forward- thinking multi-award winning Trust and a digital exemplar committed to improving patient care, our world-leading research and innovations are having a positive local and global impact. Our hospitals are spread across Bristol and Weston, join us and you can enjoy the very best of both worlds; city living within a stone's throw of the countryside or beside the seaside, both with easy access to all that the South West has to offer. UHBW is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application in order to ensure we're meeting our pledge.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see attached job description and person specification for further details.
Unless there are exceptional circumstances the interviews will be face to face
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see attached job description and person specification for further details.
Unless there are exceptional circumstances the interviews will be face to face
Person Specification
Qualifications & Training
Essential
- Full registration with the GMC and eligibility for the Specialist Register in Ophthalmology (or within six months at interview) Please note, this does not apply to CESR applications.
- FRCOphth (or equivalent)
- Evidence of ongoing CPD and revalidation
Desirable
- Higher academic qualification (MD, PhD, MSc or equivalent
Clinical Expertise and Readiness for Independent Practice
Essential
- Evidence of broad and robust training in vitreo-retinal surgery, sufficient to practise independently as a consultant
- Demonstrated ability to deliver safe, high-quality VR care without direct supervision
- Experience managing complex and emergency VR cases, including on-call decision-making
- Clear understanding of personal limitations and appropriate escalation
Desirable
- A defined area of subspecialty interest that complements the existing consultant group and service strategy
Sustained Service Contribution and Professional Maturity
Essential
- Evidence of sustained contribution to a vitreo-retinal service over a meaningful period, including clinical delivery, teamwork, and service reliability
- Demonstrated ability to embed within an established multidisciplinary team and contribute positively to its function
- Evidence of reliability, continuity, and professional accountability in previous roles
Desirable
- Experience contributing to service development or stabilisation over time
Clinical Governance, Quality Improvement and Insight
Essential
- Clear understanding of clinical governance and personal consultant-level responsibility
- Evidence of meaningful participation in audit or quality improvement, with reflection on outcomes and learning
- Demonstrated insight into errors, complications, or adverse events, and learning derived from them
Desirable
- Leadership of completed QI projects resulting in measurable service improvement
Teaching, Supervision and Development of Others
Essential
- Experience teaching and supervising trainees or fellows in a structured, supportive manner
- Evidence of balancing trainee autonomy with patient safety
- Ability to provide constructive feedback and support trainees in difficulty
Desirable
- Formal training in medical education
- Contribution to regional or national training initiatives
Teamwork, Interpersonal Behaviour and Professional Conduct
Essential
- Evidence of effective, respectful, and collaborative working within multidisciplinary teams
- Demonstrated ability to manage disagreement or conflict constructively
- Consistent professional behaviour that promotes psychological safety, trust, and mutual respect
- Ability to contribute as a reliable team member rather than operating in isolation
Desirable
- Examples of leadership that enhances team function rather than personal profile
Leadership, Organisation and Service Responsibility
Essential
- Ability to manage consultant-level workload efficiently and calmly
- Evidence of sound organisational skills and prioritisation in high-pressure environments
- Demonstrated ability to take responsibility for service delivery, including rota, theatre efficiency, and patient flow
Desirable
- Formal leadership or management training
- Experience contributing to departmental or Trust-level initiatives
Personal Attributes and Values
Essential
- Demonstrates the Trust values of being Supportive, Respectful, Innovative and Collaborative
- Shows self-awareness, emotional maturity, and openness to feedback
- Adaptable, dependable, and resilient in a demanding clinical environment
Desirable
- Evidence of long-term commitment to service improvement and professional development
Person Specification
Qualifications & Training
Essential
- Full registration with the GMC and eligibility for the Specialist Register in Ophthalmology (or within six months at interview) Please note, this does not apply to CESR applications.
- FRCOphth (or equivalent)
- Evidence of ongoing CPD and revalidation
Desirable
- Higher academic qualification (MD, PhD, MSc or equivalent
Clinical Expertise and Readiness for Independent Practice
Essential
- Evidence of broad and robust training in vitreo-retinal surgery, sufficient to practise independently as a consultant
- Demonstrated ability to deliver safe, high-quality VR care without direct supervision
- Experience managing complex and emergency VR cases, including on-call decision-making
- Clear understanding of personal limitations and appropriate escalation
Desirable
- A defined area of subspecialty interest that complements the existing consultant group and service strategy
Sustained Service Contribution and Professional Maturity
Essential
- Evidence of sustained contribution to a vitreo-retinal service over a meaningful period, including clinical delivery, teamwork, and service reliability
- Demonstrated ability to embed within an established multidisciplinary team and contribute positively to its function
- Evidence of reliability, continuity, and professional accountability in previous roles
Desirable
- Experience contributing to service development or stabilisation over time
Clinical Governance, Quality Improvement and Insight
Essential
- Clear understanding of clinical governance and personal consultant-level responsibility
- Evidence of meaningful participation in audit or quality improvement, with reflection on outcomes and learning
- Demonstrated insight into errors, complications, or adverse events, and learning derived from them
Desirable
- Leadership of completed QI projects resulting in measurable service improvement
Teaching, Supervision and Development of Others
Essential
- Experience teaching and supervising trainees or fellows in a structured, supportive manner
- Evidence of balancing trainee autonomy with patient safety
- Ability to provide constructive feedback and support trainees in difficulty
Desirable
- Formal training in medical education
- Contribution to regional or national training initiatives
Teamwork, Interpersonal Behaviour and Professional Conduct
Essential
- Evidence of effective, respectful, and collaborative working within multidisciplinary teams
- Demonstrated ability to manage disagreement or conflict constructively
- Consistent professional behaviour that promotes psychological safety, trust, and mutual respect
- Ability to contribute as a reliable team member rather than operating in isolation
Desirable
- Examples of leadership that enhances team function rather than personal profile
Leadership, Organisation and Service Responsibility
Essential
- Ability to manage consultant-level workload efficiently and calmly
- Evidence of sound organisational skills and prioritisation in high-pressure environments
- Demonstrated ability to take responsibility for service delivery, including rota, theatre efficiency, and patient flow
Desirable
- Formal leadership or management training
- Experience contributing to departmental or Trust-level initiatives
Personal Attributes and Values
Essential
- Demonstrates the Trust values of being Supportive, Respectful, Innovative and Collaborative
- Shows self-awareness, emotional maturity, and openness to feedback
- Adaptable, dependable, and resilient in a demanding clinical environment
Desirable
- Evidence of long-term commitment to service improvement and professional development
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).
