About this role
Job summary
Join a dynamic and forward-thinking ophthalmology team at Kettering General Hospital, part of the University Hospitals of Northamptonshire NHS Group, as a Consultant Ophthalmologist with a subspecialist focus in Cornea, Anterior Segment, and high-volume Cataract surgery.
This is a unique opportunity to lead service development, shape the future of Eye Casualty, and contribute to regional specialist care pathways. You'll work within a supportive consultant team, engage in teaching and mentoring, and collaborate across disciplines and tertiary centres to deliver outstanding patient care. If you're passionate about clinical excellence, innovation, and making a meaningful impact, we'd love to hear from you.
Main duties of the job
The Consultant Ophthalmologist will provide high-quality, consultant-led care across outpatient, inpatient, and emergency settings, with a sub specialist interest in Cornea, Anterior Segment, and high-volume Cataract surgery.
The post holder will contribute to the two-stop cataract pathway, . Additional duties include supervising junior staff, managing departmental administration, and working with other specialties to ensure comprehensive eye care.
Supporting professional activities include appraisal, CME, clinical governance, and involvement in teaching, research, and quality improvement. The consultant will access the EyeSi simulation suite for training and contribute to weekly journal clubs, regional education programmes, and annual accredited meetings. Mentoring is available for new consultants. The role also includes strategic input into service development, particularly the redesign of Eye Casualty and expansion of corneal services with Leicester and Northampton.
Strong multidisciplinary and cross-sector collaboration ensures integrated, patient-centred care and ongoing innovation.
About us
Please submit your application as soon as possible, as we reserve the right to close adverts once sufficient applications have been received.
We recognise that AI tools can support application writing; however, candidates are asked to keep their use to a minimum. Responses should reflect your own experience, skills and knowledge, as over-reliance on AI-generated content may result in generic answers that do not accurately represent your abilities.
University Hospitals of Northamptonshire (UHN) brings together Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust. As a group, we are committed to improving services for our communities through collaboration, modernising care delivery and striving for excellence. Working together enables us to share expertise, strengthen services and create greater opportunities, and there may be a requirement to work across sites depending on service needs.
Our Excellence Values are Compassion, Accountability, Respect, Integrity and Courage. UHN welcomes applications from all backgrounds and is committed to an inclusive working environment. We are proud signatories of the Armed Forces Covenant and hold the Gold Award under the Employer Recognition Scheme. Candidates who identify as members of the Armed Forces community and meet the essential criteria will be guaranteed an interview.
Job description Job responsibilities
For a full overview of the role, please refer to the attached job description outlining detailed responsibilities and expectations.
Person Specification
QUALIFICATIONS AND TRAINING Essential
Medical degree FRCS or equivalent Completion of Specialty Training (CCT) or within 6 months of achieving it in relevant specialty Full GMC registration
Desirable
Education / Medical Education Qualification (preferably at Masters level)
KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE Essential
Minimum of 7 years postgraduate experience, including higher surgical training. Part of this period may be in a post equivalent with responsibility and training potential At least 3 years' experience higher surgical training in approved ophthalmology post Extensive experience in management of ophthalmology conditions Proven involvement in clinical audit Proven track record of ophthalmology research with evidence of publications
Desirable
Special interest that complements the Department Commitment to clinical risk management and clinical governance
Skills Essential
Good written and verbal communication skills. Evidence of the ability to communicate with patients, colleagues and staff at all levels Ability to teach effectively to all levels of staff Ability to motivate and develop junior medical staff
OTHER REQUIREMENTS Essential
Ability to plan, implement and evaluate research. Participate in and implement audits. Be actively involved with Risk Management strategies Flexible approach, able to work independently and as part of a team. Ability to gain the trust and confidence of colleagues and patients Enthusiasm and willingness to collaborate across UHN to improve patient outcomes for all
Desirable
The appointee will be expected to drive and provide own transport and live within reasonable travelling distance of Kettering General Hospital for on-call commitments
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 Northampton General Hospital
Address Kettering General Hospital
Rothwell Road
Kettering
NN16 8UZ
Employer's website https://www.northamptongeneral.nhs.uk/Home.aspx (Opens in a new tab)