Job summary
Applications are invited for a Consultant Ophthalmologist at Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. You will join a team of nine Consultant Ophthalmologists based at Leighton Hospital in Crewe. This a replacement post. You will be required to participate both in General Ophthalmology and have a complimentary sub-specialty interest in Paediatrics.
Applicants must have full registration with the GMC including a License to Practice and be on the Specialist Register (or be within six months of obtaining their Certificate of Completion of Training).
The post is offered based on 10 Programmed Activities per week, however the Trust would welcome discussion with individuals looking for a more flexible working pattern to support a different work life balance. These types of arrangements are already supported within the department for some of the team.
Shortlisted candidates will be expected to visit the department prior to interview.
The proposed AAC date is 10.04.2026.
Main duties of the job
The post will be based at Leighton Hospital and involves clinics at Victoria infirmary in Northwich. You will join a team of Consultants providing comprehensive Ophthalmic services to the local population. Current sub-specialty expertise includes Medical Retina, Glaucoma, Oculoplastics, Anterior segment and Paediatric Ophthalmology. The on-call commitment is anticipated to be 1 in 9.
You will also be required to participate fully in undergraduate and postgraduate teaching and will be expected to promote Clinical Governance within the department.
The department is well supported by nine Specialty Doctors. There are currently three trainees of varying levels and experience on rotation from HEENW, new rotations of trainee doctors join every six months. These trainees require close clinical supervision from the Consultants who are actively involved in their training and development, both in clinic and in theatre.
The department is also supported by two Ophthalmic Advanced Nurse Practitioners, nine Ophthalmic Technicians, two Ophthalmic Photographers and comprehensive Orthoptic and Optometry departments. We have a large nursing team comprising of thirteen qualified nurses, and eighteen Health Care Assistants, as well as three members of the Ophthalmic triage team supporting our casualty referral service.
About us
Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (MCHFT) provides good quality, safe and effective healthcare to the people of Cheshire and beyond. The Trust, which manages Leighton Hospital in Crewe, Victoria Infirmary in Northwich, and Elmhurst Intermediate Care Centre in Winsford, was established as an NHS Trust in April 1991 and became a Foundation Trust in April 2008.
We employ almost 5,000 members of staff, provide around 540 hospital beds, with a range of services including accident and emergency, maternity, outpatients, therapies, and children's health.
The Trust is also part of Central Cheshire Integrated Care Partnership (CCICP), a unique local health partnership that provides a range of community services for people across South Cheshire and Vale Royal.
During the Coronavirus pandemic, the Trust was recognised nationally for its 'Be Safe Be EquiPPEd' campaign, which aimed to make the Trust as safe as possible for staff and patients, through supporting the correct use of PPE.
The results in the 2020 national NHS Staff Survey showed improvements in all elements of the safety culture theme, with 92% of respondents feeling their role made a difference to our patients. We were also recognised nationally for our workforce health and wellbeing initiatives.
At Mid Cheshire, we value our staff and appreciate that in order to give our patients the best quality, compassionate care, we also need to look after our colleagues
Job description
Job responsibilities
This post is for a Consultant Ophthalmologist with a sub-specialty interest in Paediatrics . The job plan will be based on 6.5 Programmed Activities per week.
The successful candidate will contribute to the overall delivery of the Ophthalmology service.
The non-resident on-call rota frequency is determined by the number of consultants on the rota. The frequency has varied between 1:8 to 1:10 over the last 2 years. The expectation is that the on-call is shared fairly across all consultants and altered through job planning, as required when recruitment allows. The current anticipated frequency is 1:9.
Job description
Job responsibilities
This post is for a Consultant Ophthalmologist with a sub-specialty interest in Paediatrics . The job plan will be based on 6.5 Programmed Activities per week.
The successful candidate will contribute to the overall delivery of the Ophthalmology service.
The non-resident on-call rota frequency is determined by the number of consultants on the rota. The frequency has varied between 1:8 to 1:10 over the last 2 years. The expectation is that the on-call is shared fairly across all consultants and altered through job planning, as required when recruitment allows. The current anticipated frequency is 1:9.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Full GMC Registration with license to practice
- MBBS and FRCophth or equivalent
- Entry on the GMC Specialist Register via: CCT (proposed CCT date must be within 6 months of interview) CESR or European Community Rights
Desirable
- PhD, MD or other high degree
Experience
Essential
- Clinical training and breadth of experience equivalent to that required for training UK CCT Ophthalmology
- Extensive experience in management of ophthalmology conditions with a subspeciality interest and training in Paediatric Ophthalmology, eg. ASTO / TSC training.
- Ability to offer expert clinical opinion and management on a wide range of problems, both emergency and elective, within the subspecialty and general ophthalmology, at a consultant level. This includes the surgical management of paediatric strabismus patients and leading the Retinopathy of Prematurity screening service
- Ability to take full and independent responsibility for the clinical care of patients.
Desirable
- Recognised fellowship training in Paediatric Ophthalmology.
- Experience and expertise in the management of adult oculo-motility disorders including running outpatient clinics and undertaking surgical intervention.
Ability
Essential
- Proven ability to conduct clinical and operative ophthalmology in all areas of the specialty. Commitment to effective departmental management
- Able to demonstrate a broad awareness of service management issues.
- Demonstrates awareness of skills required for effective change processes to work.
- Demonstrates ability to lead a team by positive example and effective organisational skill
Desirable
- Understanding of business planning and contracting
- Proven experience in leading / facilitating a change of process
Audit and research
Essential
- Proven involvement in clinical audit
- Proven track record of ophthalmology research with evidence of publications
Desirable
- Proven track record and evidence of publication in the area of sub specialist interest
Teaching and Education
Essential
- Evidence to allow accreditation as a Consultant Clinical Supervisor for trainee doctors with the GMC
Desirable
- Evidence to allow accreditation as a Consultant Educational Supervisor for trainee doctors with the GMC
Other
Essential
- Ability to communicate effectively with staff at all levels and with patients
- Commitment to clinical risk management and clinical governance
- Ability to communicate effectively with staff at all levels and with patients
- Able to establish good working relationships with other members of the MDT.
- Flexible and adaptable to competing demands Commitment to modern practices.
- Ability to communicate effectively.
- Ability to apply research outcomes to clinical problems.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Full GMC Registration with license to practice
- MBBS and FRCophth or equivalent
- Entry on the GMC Specialist Register via: CCT (proposed CCT date must be within 6 months of interview) CESR or European Community Rights
Desirable
- PhD, MD or other high degree
Experience
Essential
- Clinical training and breadth of experience equivalent to that required for training UK CCT Ophthalmology
- Extensive experience in management of ophthalmology conditions with a subspeciality interest and training in Paediatric Ophthalmology, eg. ASTO / TSC training.
- Ability to offer expert clinical opinion and management on a wide range of problems, both emergency and elective, within the subspecialty and general ophthalmology, at a consultant level. This includes the surgical management of paediatric strabismus patients and leading the Retinopathy of Prematurity screening service
- Ability to take full and independent responsibility for the clinical care of patients.
Desirable
- Recognised fellowship training in Paediatric Ophthalmology.
- Experience and expertise in the management of adult oculo-motility disorders including running outpatient clinics and undertaking surgical intervention.
Ability
Essential
- Proven ability to conduct clinical and operative ophthalmology in all areas of the specialty. Commitment to effective departmental management
- Able to demonstrate a broad awareness of service management issues.
- Demonstrates awareness of skills required for effective change processes to work.
- Demonstrates ability to lead a team by positive example and effective organisational skill
Desirable
- Understanding of business planning and contracting
- Proven experience in leading / facilitating a change of process
Audit and research
Essential
- Proven involvement in clinical audit
- Proven track record of ophthalmology research with evidence of publications
Desirable
- Proven track record and evidence of publication in the area of sub specialist interest
Teaching and Education
Essential
- Evidence to allow accreditation as a Consultant Clinical Supervisor for trainee doctors with the GMC
Desirable
- Evidence to allow accreditation as a Consultant Educational Supervisor for trainee doctors with the GMC
Other
Essential
- Ability to communicate effectively with staff at all levels and with patients
- Commitment to clinical risk management and clinical governance
- Ability to communicate effectively with staff at all levels and with patients
- Able to establish good working relationships with other members of the MDT.
- Flexible and adaptable to competing demands Commitment to modern practices.
- Ability to communicate effectively.
- Ability to apply research outcomes to clinical problems.
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).
