About this role
Job summary
The Royal Eye Infirmary at University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust is seeking to appoint a Locum Consultant Ophthalmologist with a specialist interest in Medical Retina. This is an exciting opportunity to join a high-performing, forward-thinking department delivering high-volume, patient-centred care across a diverse population.
The postholder will play a central role in the delivery and ongoing development of medical retina services. They will provide clinical leadership within a multidisciplinary team, supporting service transformation, pathway redesign, and integration with community services.
A key aspect of the role is to ensure the full implementation and sustained embedding of Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) recommendations, driving improvements in quality, productivity, and patient outcomes across services.
The successful candidate will contribute to teaching, training, clinical governance, and research, supporting the Trust's commitment to developing its workforce and delivering high-quality, sustainable ophthalmology services for the future.
Main duties of the job
The postholder will provide clinical leadership within the Ophthalmology service, contributing to the delivery of high-quality medical retina service. They will work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team to ensure safe, efficient, and patient-centred care.
Key responsibilities include:
Lead and support service development. Ensure full implementation and sustained embedding of Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) recommendations, promoting best practice, productivity, and continuous quality improvement. Provide clinical supervision, mentorship, and training for junior medical staff, fellows, and allied health professionals. Contribute to undergraduate and postgraduate teaching in collaboration with the University of Plymouth Peninsula Medical School. Engage in clinical governance activities, including audit, quality improvement, and incident review, to maintain and enhance patient safety. Participate in research and innovation in line with departmental and Trust priorities. Maintain effective communication with colleagues
About us
We are a people business - where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff, who are committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence and great customer care. The Trust has great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment. We offer all of this in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure. PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION WILL BE ELECTRONIC, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY. If you have any issues with applying online and need additional support including reasonable adjustments with the application process please contact the recruitment manager for this post who will put you in touch with the recruitment team. We recognise that work life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants around less than full time/flexible working for our advertised roles. Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss this prior to your application submission. We commit to giving this full consideration in each case. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, as diversity strengthens our teams. It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.
Job description Job responsibilities
To collaborate and work to maintain Ophthalmology services in line with strategic requirements.
To provide a consultation and advisory service to medical colleagues in other specialties in the Trust.
To develop a special interest to complement those of the existing Consultants in the specialty and in accordance with the priorities of the Trust.
To develop appropriate services and techniques required to fulfil clinical needs, within available resources.
To take responsibility for the professional supervision and appraisal of junior medical staff, in conjunction with colleagues.
To participate in the education and training of junior doctors, medical students, nurses, Orthoptists, Optometrists, and general practitioners.
To participate in the training and assessment of specialist registrars rotating through the department.
To liaise with medical staff in other specialties and participate in clinical meetings and postgraduate activities in the Trust.
To maintain and develop good communications with general practitioners.
To participate in research in accordance with priorities agreed within the Division and the Trust within available resources.
To contribute to the development of Ophthalmology services, treatment guidelines and the promotion of greater knowledge of the management of Ophthalmology conditions in primary care.
To demonstrate a firm commitment to the principles of clinical governance, including:
Developing and maintaining appropriate systems and practice to ensure effective clinical audit in Ophthalmology.
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
Full GMC registraiton FRCOphth, MRCOphth or equivalent
Experience Essential
Ability to carry out Medical Retina Clinics Ability to carry out laser clinics
Aptitude & Abilities Essential
Ability to lead and work with a multidisciplinary team Excellent communication skills, verbal and written Evidence of enthusiasm and experience teaching undergrad, postgrad and other healthcare professional s
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 University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
Address Royal Eye Infirmary
Derriford
Plymouth
PL6 5ZF
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.plymouthhospitals.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)