About this role
Job summary
This is a locally employed Ophthalmic Local Training (OLT) post at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, based primarily at the Western Eye Hospital.
The programme provides structured clinical and surgical training, supervised experience across ophthalmic subspecialties and a clear framework for progression towards the GMC Portfolio Pathway to specialist registration.
The OLT programme is designed to mirror the standards and learning outcomes of Ophthalmic Specialist Training (OST), aligned with the RCOphth Ophthalmic Specialist Training Curriculum 2024, while recognising the applicant's previous experience and individual training needs. The successful candidate will be appointed to an appropriate equivalent level following assessment at recruitment, with a personalised training plan, rotations and regular feedback.
Main duties of the job
Main duties and responsibilities
Clinical care: Assess, investigate and manage patients in general and specialist ophthalmology clinics under appropriate supervision, escalating when needed. Contribute to inpatient, outpatient, day-case, perioperative and acute care, including on-call duties, prioritising sight-threatening presentations.
Rotations: Follow an individually agreed training timetable, gaining experience across ophthalmic subspecialties, with no more than two emergency sessions per week.
Surgical training: Attend training theatre lists, progressing from assisting to performing procedures under consultant supervision, including cataract surgery and lasers. Maintain an Eye Logbook and a continuous cataract complications audit.
Supervision and portfolio: Meet the Educational Supervisor at each attachment, agree a Personal Development Plan, complete workplace-based assessments and maintain a current portfolio for annual review of progression.
Education: Attend weekly regional and local teaching (minimum 75% attendance), prepare for RCOphth examinations and contribute to teaching.
Governance and leadership: Contribute to audit, quality improvement, research and patient safety, develop leadership skills and demonstrate the Trust values of Kind, Collaborative, Expert and Aspirational.
About us
At Imperial College Healthcare you can achieve extraordinary things with extraordinary people, working with leading clinicians pushing boundaries in patient care. Become part of a vibrant team living our values - expert, kind, collaborative and aspirational. You'll get an experience like no other and will fast forward your career. Benefits include career development, flexible working and wellbeing, staff recognition scheme. Make use of optional benefits including Cycle to work, car lease schemes, season ticket loan or membership options for onsite leisure facilities.
The statutory requirement to be fully Covid-19 vaccinated as a condition of employment from April 2022 is subject to legislative review. At Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, we strongly encourage and support vaccination uptake as this remains the best line of defence against COVID19. The successful applicant may have contact with patients and service users and as part of our pre-employment checks and risk assessments, we will ask all candidates to confirm whether or not they have been fully vaccinated or have a medical exemption.
As part of our continued response to Covid19 we are still conducting the majority of our interviews virtually.
We are committed to equal opportunities and improving the working lives of our staff and will consider applications to work flexibly, part-time or job share. Please talk to us at interview.
Job description
Job responsibilities
About the role
This Trust-employed post offers structured clinical and surgical training aligned with the RCOphth OST Curriculum 2024, supporting progression towards the GMC Portfolio Pathway. It is not a national training number post.
Key responsibilities
- Assess and manage patients in general and subspecialty clinics under supervision, escalating appropriately.
- Rotate across glaucoma, cornea, cataract, retina, uveitis, neuro-ophthalmology, oculoplastics, strabismus and paediatrics.
- Contribute to acute eye care and on-call duties, normally no more than two emergency sessions a week.
- Attend training theatre lists, progressing to supervised cataract surgery, lasers and minor procedures, keeping an Eye Logbook and cataract complications audit.
- Agree a Personal Development Plan with a named Educational Supervisor, complete workplace-based assessments and maintain a portfolio for annual review.
- Attend protected weekly regional teaching, prepare for RCOphth examinations and contribute to teaching.
- Take part in audit, quality improvement, research and patient safety, demonstrating the Trust values of Kind, Collaborative, Expert and Aspirational
Essential: MBBS or equivalent, full GMC registration with a licence to practise and ophthalmic experience appropriate to entry level
Person Specification
Academic Achievements Including Research/Publications
Essential
- Commitment to evidence-based medicine and ability to critically appraise clinical information and apply it to patient care.
Desirable
- Research participation, conference presentation, peer-reviewed publication or relevant academic project
Education / qualifications
Essential
- Primary medical qualification (MBBS or equivalent).
- Full GMC registration with a licence to practise. Evidence of continuing professional development and eligibility to work in the UK.
Desirable
- Part 1 FRCOphth, Refraction Certificate or progress towards later FRCOphth examinations. Previous curriculum-mapped training or higher ophthalmic qualification.
Relevant experience in ophthalmology
Essential
- Clinical experience and competency appropriate to the proposed OLT entry level. Sound foundations in ophthalmic assessment, patient safety, clinical documentation and appropriate escalation.
Desirable
- Previous NHS ophthalmology experience; exposure to general and subspecialty clinics, eye emergency services and theatre; evidence of relevant prior training competencies.
Education and Qualifications
Essential
- On GMC's register with a Licence to Practice or eligible to apply for GMC registration and a Licence to Practice
- On GMC's Specialist Register or within six months of being admitted to the register by the date of the interviews or eligible for specialist registration
- Appropriate Royal College Membership.
- Currently Working in NHS
Desirable
- MD, PhD
Clinical examination and decision-making
Essential
- Ability to undertake visual acuity assessment, slit-lamp examination, dilated fundus assessment and tonometry, with understanding of differential diagnosis, investigations and safe management plans.
Desirable
- Experience with gonioscopy, OCT and fundus imaging interpretation, visual fields, B-scan and advanced examination techniques.
Communication and patient-focused care
Essential
- Clear spoken and written English appropriate to the role; empathy, professional communication, reliable clinical documentation and ability to explain uncertainty and safety-netting.
Surgical and procedural aptitude
Essential
- Interest in procedural and surgical ophthalmology; willingness to undertake simulation, work within supervision limits, maintain a logbook and seek timely assistance.
Desirable
- Ophthalmic wet-lab or surgical experience, cataract theatre exposure, laser procedures or documented surgical assessments relevant to entry level.
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
Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust
Address
Western Eye Hospital
153-173 Marylebone Road
London
NW1 5QH
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.imperial.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)