About this role
Job summary
Working Full time: 10 Sessions per week
We are seeking an enthusiastic and committed Specialty Doctor to join the Ophthalmology Department.
This is a full-time, 12-month fixed-term opportunity within a supportive multidisciplinary team delivering comprehensive ophthalmology services across a range of subspecialties, including medical retina, glaucoma, cornea, oculoplastics and vitreoretinal surgery.
The role will involve outpatient clinics, rapid-access and casualty services, laser treatment and theatre activity, with potential opportunities to undertake surgery and intravitreal injections depending on the successful candidate's experience and competence.
The post will support the department in providing timely, safe and effective care, while offering regular teaching, professional development and participation in clinical audit and evidence-based practice.
Main duties of the job The post holder will provide high-quality ophthalmology care across a range of outpatient clinics, treatment services and theatre sessions, supporting the delivery of timely access to specialist eye care. Duties will include assessing and managing patients in general and subspecialty clinics, undertaking laser procedures, participating in rapid access and ophthalmic casualty services, contributing to surgical activity where appropriate, and maintaining accurate clinical records. The successful candidate will work closely with consultants, trainees, nurses, optometrists and orthoptists within a multidisciplinary team, while also participating in clinical governance, audit, teaching, service development and continuing professional development to ensure the highest standards of patient care.
About us
The Trust's services are provided from three locations:
o The Countess of Chester Hospital: providing 473 general and acute beds.o Ellesmere Port Hospital: providing 60 beds as a rehabilitation, intermediate and outpatient facility.o Tarporley War Memorial Hospital: a base for community services which serve the local rural population.
The Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust employs 5,964 staff (headcount) to provide care and treatment to a population of over 400,000 people living in Chester and West Cheshire which includes Ellesmere Port and Neston as well as the Deeside area of Flintshire.
The Trust works collaboratively within the wider Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care System. Due to its location on the border with North Wales, the Trust also works closely with the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board.
The Trust treats patients from England and some parts of Wales. During 2024/2025, there were approximately 643,000 patient attendances (inpatient, A&E, outpatient and diagnostic) ranging from a simple outpatient appointment to major cancer surgery
Job description Job responsibilities
See Job Description for further details.
Recruitment selection processes are based on competence (see Person specification) and values. An applicant guide to help and support you through your recruitment journey can be accessed at the bottom of this page.
If you have a disability that meets the definition set out in the Equality Act 2010, and you can show that you meet the essential criteria described in the person specification for an available position, please answer YES to the question: Do you wish to be considered under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme?
Please inform the team if you have any special support needs to be considered as part of the interview and selection processes.
The trust offers a Guaranteed Interview Scheme to any armed forces community applicants who meet the essential criteria for the post.
If a DBS is required for your role, you are encouraged to enrol for the DBS Update Service. A small annual fee applies which is payable to the DBS Service.Please note applicants will be required to pay for their DBS check. Costswill be deducted from their salary over the first three months of employment.
New entrants to the NHS will commence on the minimum of the scale stated above.
Applicants requiring sponsorship may wish to determine the likelihood of obtaining sponsorship for this position by assessing themselves against the criteria on the gov.uk website - https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa.
The Trust will not sponsor where the starting salary does not meet immigration rules
Applicants are advised to apply early as if a large number of applications are received for this post, we reserve the right to close the vacancy prior to the advertised date.
Good luck with your application.
Person Specification
Qualifications & Skills Essential
Diploma in Ophthalmology MRCOphth or equivalent qualification Full GMC registration with a license to practice
Desirable
FRCOphth or equivalent
Clinical Experience and Effectiveness Essential
4 years full time post graduate training (or equivalent on a part-time or flexible basis), at least 2 of which will be in Ophthalmology Wide clinical experience in general ophthalmology Experience in dealing with large numbers of outpatients
Desirable
Experience / interest in Teaching
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 Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Address The Countess of Chester Hospital
Liverpool Road
Chester
CH2 1UL
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.coch.nhs.uk/working-with-us.aspx (Opens in a new tab)