Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

Specialty Doctor in Ophthalmology - Ophthalmic Local Trainee Scheme

The closing date is 19 December 2025

Job summary

We are delighted to offer a suitably qualified Speciality Doctor the opportunity to work in a substantive position in an exciting, modern and forward looking organisation.

The post is full-time, 10 PA's per week with associated on-call commitments on a 1 in 5 basis.

The post holder is expected to contribute to the Ophthalmology out-patient and surgical activities.

Four years' experience at post graduate level including at least 2 years in ophthalmology is necessary with the ability to practice independently. Starting salary will be commensurate with experience.

Ongoing employment will depend on completing the portfolio pathway competencies promptly. This post is fixed term for 12 months. Previous experience in the UK is essential for this role

Main duties of the job

The successful candidate will be encouraged to develop his/her own area of interest within ophthalmology for which support via the Ophthalmic Local Trainee Scheme can be provided.

The Eye Department, which is staffed by 12 Consultants and 9 Middle Grade Staff, is delivered across the entire Trust Footprint and candidates will be expected to travel between sites.

The Trust is committed to the delivery of high quality patient care and the Clinicians are actively involved in the management of the hospital and it's facilitates which creates a sound and friendly working environment.

There are excellent residential areas within easy reach of the Trust; excellent educational, cultural and sporting institutions are also located nearby.

About us

Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust serves a population of over 600,000 with a workforce of over 10,500 dedicated and skilled staff across 21 sites.

Our services:

Acute Care

Providing emergency and maternity services at Whiston, Southport and Ormskirk hospitals, and medical and surgical specialties across all our sites.

Primary Care

Providing primary care services at Marshalls Cross Medical Centre situated in St Helens Hospital.

Community Services

Providing adult community services for St Helens and a wheelchair service in Chorley, South Ribble, and West Lancashire. Our inpatient unit at Newton Community Hospital is where patients needing acute hospital beds can continue rehabilitation. We also provide urgent care at our Urgent Treatment Centre located in St Helens town centre.

Specialist Regional Services

We provide the Mersey Regional Burns & Plastic Surgery Unit at Whiston Hospital and the Spinal Injuries Unit at Southport Hospital to more than 4 million people across the whole of Merseyside, West Lancashire, Cheshire, Isle of Man and North Wales.

Achievements:

  • Rated Outstanding by CQC Inspection August 2018
  • Top 100 places to work in the NHS (NHS Employers & Health Service Journal)
  • National Preceptorship Accreditation (2023) for Nursing & AHP Preceptorship Programme.

You will be expected to undertake the Trusts' commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.

Details

Date posted

04 December 2025

Pay scheme

Hospital medical and dental staff

Grade

Specialty Doctor

Salary

£61,542 to £99,216 a year per annum

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

409-7523926

Job locations

St Helens

Marshalls Cross Road

St Helens

WA9 3DA


Job description

Job responsibilities

Please ensure you have read through the attached Job Description and Person Specification before submitting your application.

Advertising date: 4th December 2025

Closing date: 19th December 2025

Shortlisting date: 20th December 2025

Proposed Interview date: 21st January 2026

Please note, this post may close earlier than advertised if a sufficient number of applications are received.

For an informal discussion please contact:

Miss Fatemeh Shams, Clinical Director - Ophthalmology, St Helens Hospital

Secretary Telephone No 01744 646462

or

Mr Andrew OBrien, Directorate Manager - Ophthalmology, St Helens Hospital

Telephone No 01744 646659

Ms Ade Garrick Clinical Director (Southport and Ormskirk), OLT lead 01695 656030.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please ensure you have read through the attached Job Description and Person Specification before submitting your application.

Advertising date: 4th December 2025

Closing date: 19th December 2025

Shortlisting date: 20th December 2025

Proposed Interview date: 21st January 2026

Please note, this post may close earlier than advertised if a sufficient number of applications are received.

For an informal discussion please contact:

Miss Fatemeh Shams, Clinical Director - Ophthalmology, St Helens Hospital

Secretary Telephone No 01744 646462

or

Mr Andrew OBrien, Directorate Manager - Ophthalmology, St Helens Hospital

Telephone No 01744 646659

Ms Ade Garrick Clinical Director (Southport and Ormskirk), OLT lead 01695 656030.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Applicants must hold full registration and License with the GMC at the time of application
  • MBBS or equivalent medical qualification
  • FRCOphth Part 1

Desirable

  • Refraction certificate
  • A higher degree in ophthalmology

Knowledge

Essential

  • A minimum of two years' experience of a broad range of specialities
  • A minimum of two years' experience in Ophthalmology as a speciality trainee or has equivalent competencies
  • Understanding of Research Concepts
  • Wide range of experience in Ophthalmology with the ability to demonstrate knowledge, skill and experience
  • Experience of audit management
  • Up to date surgical logbook to be submitted with application
  • Up to date evidence logbook to be submitted with application

Skills

Essential

  • Ability to communicate effectively with patients, relatives and other Healthcare professionals

Desirable

  • Able to teach clinical skills

Other

Essential

  • Ability to work in a team
  • Commitment to continuing medical education
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Applicants must hold full registration and License with the GMC at the time of application
  • MBBS or equivalent medical qualification
  • FRCOphth Part 1

Desirable

  • Refraction certificate
  • A higher degree in ophthalmology

Knowledge

Essential

  • A minimum of two years' experience of a broad range of specialities
  • A minimum of two years' experience in Ophthalmology as a speciality trainee or has equivalent competencies
  • Understanding of Research Concepts
  • Wide range of experience in Ophthalmology with the ability to demonstrate knowledge, skill and experience
  • Experience of audit management
  • Up to date surgical logbook to be submitted with application
  • Up to date evidence logbook to be submitted with application

Skills

Essential

  • Ability to communicate effectively with patients, relatives and other Healthcare professionals

Desirable

  • Able to teach clinical skills

Other

Essential

  • Ability to work in a team
  • Commitment to continuing medical education

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

Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

Address

St Helens

Marshalls Cross Road

St Helens

WA9 3DA


Employer's website

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


Employer details

Employer name

Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

Address

St Helens

Marshalls Cross Road

St Helens

WA9 3DA


Employer's website

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


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Directorate Manager

Andrew O'Brien

andrew.obrien@merseywestlancs.nhs.uk

01744646675

Details

Date posted

04 December 2025

Pay scheme

Hospital medical and dental staff

Grade

Specialty Doctor

Salary

£61,542 to £99,216 a year per annum

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

409-7523926

Job locations

St Helens

Marshalls Cross Road

St Helens

WA9 3DA


Supporting documents

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