Job summary
Two substantive fulltime Consultant posts in Paediatric Ophthalmology
It's a great time to come and join the Paediatric Ophthalmology team at the Bristol Eye Hospital that is expanding. We are now inviting applications for two substantive Consultant Paediatric Ophthalmologists--one replacement post and one brand-new role.
Bristol Eye Hospital is a welcoming and highly collaborative unit providing paediatric ophthalmology services to a local population of around 500,000 and acting as a tertiary referral centre for a further 1.5 million people across the region.
We work closely with the Bristol Royal Children's Hospital (recently ranked 4th in the UK for Paediatrics by Newsweek) and benefit from strong links with major paediatric services including Neurosciences, Metabolic Medicine, Haematology/Oncology, and Critical Care, as well as two Level 3 Neonatal Units.
Our partnerships extend to the University of Bristol (a leading research institution), the University of the West of England's School of Optometry, and Sirona, the primary provider of community paediatric services. These relationships offer fantastic opportunities for teaching, research and broader service development. The University of Bristol Department of Ophthalmology has close links with Moorfields/UCL Institute of Ophthalmology and leads its field in research into eye disease and the development of new treatments. The hospital also houses one of only two corneal transplant banks in England.
Main duties of the job
These roles will expand our current consultant team (one full time and two part time) to three full time and two part time consultants (4 WTE). With this growth, we aim to strengthen and broaden our subspecialty provision through new MDTs, extended regional services, and enhanced teaching and training for colleagues across the Southwest. We are seeking colleagues with paediatric subspecialty training and a passion for delivering excellent clinical care. With two posts available, we can offer flexibility in job planning, theatre allocation and timetable design. Successful candidates will participate in ROP screening and treatment (training can be provided) and support general paediatric outpatient care, including outreach at our coastal Weston super Mare site. Surgical lists including paediatric and adult cataract/strabismus can be shared based on experience and interest. We also welcome applicants who can bring or develop a special interest, particularly in areas such as Botox, paediatric glaucoma, neuro ophthalmology, or inherited eye disease.
Interview date = 1st May 2026 Unless there are exceptional circumstances the interview will be held face to face.
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 of this position.
Find Out More
Hear directly from the team:
Video about working at BEH: https://youtu.be/he7-XrxIopo Special Schools outreach service: https://vimeo.com/uhbwmi/download/949114658/4f9c7a2320
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see attached job description and person specification for further details of this position.
Find Out More
Hear directly from the team:
Video about working at BEH: https://youtu.be/he7-XrxIopo Special Schools outreach service: https://vimeo.com/uhbwmi/download/949114658/4f9c7a2320
Person Specification
Qualifications & Training
Essential
- Fully registered with GMC.
- Certification of completion of specialist training (CCT) (or equivalent, OR Certificate of Eligibility for Specialist Registration (CESR) at the point of interview
- Candidates can be within 6 months of gaining CCT at the date of interview. Please note this does not apply to CESR applications
- Must be on the GMC's Specialist Register to start Consultant appointment.
Desirable
- Higher academic qualification e.g. MD, PhD or equivalent
Experience
Essential
- Evidence of thorough and broad training and experience in Paediatric Ophthalmology including ROP screening
- Able to take responsibility for delivering service without direct supervision
Desirable
- Previous Paediatric Ophthalmology Fellowship or TSC (Trainee Selected Component) in Paediatric Ophthalmology
- ROP treatment experience
- Evidence of a special interest and expertise that complements the department
Clinical Knowledge and Skills
Essential
- Up to date knowledge and experience of relevant specialty
- Knowledge of NHS priorities with reference to specialty
Desirable
Clinical Governance and Audit
Essential
- Understanding of clinical governance and the individual responsibilities it implies
- Knowledge of the principles of clinical audit and evidence of participation
- Positive approach to evidence-based practice
- Participation in continuing professional development (CPD) scheme with evidence
Research
Essential
- Knowledge of the principles involved in research
- Evidence of involvement in research
- Evidence of peer review research papers
Desirable
- Ability to increase the academic profile of the department
Teaching and Training
Essential
- Experience of teaching medical students.
- Experience of supervising trainees.
- Knowledge of teaching to a multidisciplinary team
Desirable
- Formal teaching qualification
Management & Leadership
Essential
- Evidence of management training and evidence of learning from it
- Ability to organise efficient and smooth running of a specialist service
- Ability to cope with and effectively organise the workload of a consultant
- Ability to practice independently as a consultant
- Ability to take on responsibility and show evidence of leadership
- Ability to work under pressure and cope with setbacks
Desirable
- Demonstration of knowledge of NHS management structures
- Management experience
Interpersonal, communication and team working skills
Essential
- Ability to communicate effectively with patients, relatives, clinical colleagues, support staff and other colleagues.
- Good knowledge of, and ability to use, spoken and written English.
- Ability to present effectively to an audience, using a variety of methods, and to respond to questions and queries
- Ability to develop effective working relationships on an individual and multi-professional basis with all levels of staff both within and across divisions
- Ability to be a flexible team member
Any other Personal Abilities and Aptitudes
Essential
- Ability to adapt and respond to changing circumstances
- Awareness of personal limitations
Desirable
- Ability to undertake additional professional responsibilities at local, regional or national levels
Other
Essential
- Demonstrates the 4 Trust values
- Meets professional health requirements
- Willingness to travel to and work in other sites necessitated by the role.
Person Specification
Qualifications & Training
Essential
- Fully registered with GMC.
- Certification of completion of specialist training (CCT) (or equivalent, OR Certificate of Eligibility for Specialist Registration (CESR) at the point of interview
- Candidates can be within 6 months of gaining CCT at the date of interview. Please note this does not apply to CESR applications
- Must be on the GMC's Specialist Register to start Consultant appointment.
Desirable
- Higher academic qualification e.g. MD, PhD or equivalent
Experience
Essential
- Evidence of thorough and broad training and experience in Paediatric Ophthalmology including ROP screening
- Able to take responsibility for delivering service without direct supervision
Desirable
- Previous Paediatric Ophthalmology Fellowship or TSC (Trainee Selected Component) in Paediatric Ophthalmology
- ROP treatment experience
- Evidence of a special interest and expertise that complements the department
Clinical Knowledge and Skills
Essential
- Up to date knowledge and experience of relevant specialty
- Knowledge of NHS priorities with reference to specialty
Desirable
Clinical Governance and Audit
Essential
- Understanding of clinical governance and the individual responsibilities it implies
- Knowledge of the principles of clinical audit and evidence of participation
- Positive approach to evidence-based practice
- Participation in continuing professional development (CPD) scheme with evidence
Research
Essential
- Knowledge of the principles involved in research
- Evidence of involvement in research
- Evidence of peer review research papers
Desirable
- Ability to increase the academic profile of the department
Teaching and Training
Essential
- Experience of teaching medical students.
- Experience of supervising trainees.
- Knowledge of teaching to a multidisciplinary team
Desirable
- Formal teaching qualification
Management & Leadership
Essential
- Evidence of management training and evidence of learning from it
- Ability to organise efficient and smooth running of a specialist service
- Ability to cope with and effectively organise the workload of a consultant
- Ability to practice independently as a consultant
- Ability to take on responsibility and show evidence of leadership
- Ability to work under pressure and cope with setbacks
Desirable
- Demonstration of knowledge of NHS management structures
- Management experience
Interpersonal, communication and team working skills
Essential
- Ability to communicate effectively with patients, relatives, clinical colleagues, support staff and other colleagues.
- Good knowledge of, and ability to use, spoken and written English.
- Ability to present effectively to an audience, using a variety of methods, and to respond to questions and queries
- Ability to develop effective working relationships on an individual and multi-professional basis with all levels of staff both within and across divisions
- Ability to be a flexible team member
Any other Personal Abilities and Aptitudes
Essential
- Ability to adapt and respond to changing circumstances
- Awareness of personal limitations
Desirable
- Ability to undertake additional professional responsibilities at local, regional or national levels
Other
Essential
- Demonstrates the 4 Trust values
- Meets professional health requirements
- Willingness to travel to and work in other sites necessitated by the role.
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).
