About this role
Job summary
Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust is seeking an experienced Specialty Doctor to join its Eye Emergency Department, based primarily at the Western Eye Hospital. The successful applicant will support the delivery of a busy emergency ophthalmology service, providing senior assessment, rapid treatment, emergency procedures and safe patient flow for adults and children.
This is a predominantly clinical service post requiring substantial prior ophthalmic emergency experience, independent decision-making and documented competence in a defined range of emergency surgical and laser procedures. The post-holder will undertake senior Eye Emergency Department sessions and participate in the senior ophthalmology rota within agreed clinical governance and escalation arrangements. They will be required to lead and manage flow through the ED effectively to support the delivery of our 4 hour standards and maintain safe and effective patient care.
The post is appointed at the Specialty Doctor grade. It is not a consultant appointment and does not require entry on the GMC Specialist Register, post CCT is desirable.
This role is a new addition to the Emergency Department and a fixed term contract of 1 year has been agreed.
Main duties of the job
The Western Eye Hospital provides emergency and specialist ophthalmic care, including acute referrals from community optometrists, general practitioners, NHS emergency departments and other ophthalmic services. The department works closely with cornea, glaucoma, vitreoretinal, medical retina, oculoplastic, uveitis, neuro-ophthalmology and paediatric teams. Cross-site coordination and timely escalation are essential to safe care. The selected candidate will primarily work within the Emergency Department at Western Eye and required to support out of hours demands, depending on service requirements. The candidate will be required to work in a faced pace environment, enjoy using their critical thinking and be solution focused, whilst supporting the wider team day to day.
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.
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
Independently assess, prioritise and manage acute presentations including ocular trauma, red eye, painful visual loss, sudden visual disturbance, corneal infection, retinal and neuro-ophthalmic emergencies, raised intraocular pressure, uveitis and post-operative complications.
Lead senior clinical reviews where appropriate, make evidence-based decisions on urgent imaging and investigations, and determine safe discharge, emergency surgery, urgent follow-up or specialist referral.
Provide oversight and escalation support to ophthalmology resident doctors, fellows, specialty trainees, optometrists, advanced practitioners and nursing staff in the emergency pathway, in accordance with local clinical arrangements.
Recognise and act promptly on time-critical presentations such as suspected endophthalmitis, acute angle closure, chemical injury, sight-threatening trauma, orbital compartment syndrome, giant cell arteritis and suspected retinal detachment.
Ensure clear consent, contemporaneous records, accurate clinical correspondence, documented risk assessment, safety-netting and timely handover to relevant teams.
Person Specification
Education and professional registration
Essential
- Primary medical qualification (MBBS or equivalent).
- Full GMC registration with a licence to practise. Meets 2021 Specialty Doctor grade entry criteria: at least four years of clinical ophthalmology experience, with at least two in relevant specialty training, or equivalent experience and competencies.
- Evidence of current appraisal and CPD.
- Postgraduate ophthalmology qualifications.
Desirable
- Higher degree or specialist registration (not required for this grade).
Senior emergency ophthalmology experience
Essential
- Substantial experience managing a broad range of acute and sight-threatening ophthalmic presentations. Evidence of independent clinical decision-making, safe escalation, accurate documentation and senior-level oversight of an Eye Emergency Department.
- Four years experience in NHS Ophthalmology Departments.
Desirable
- Experience in a tertiary eye hospital or high-volume eye emergency service; leading urgent review clinics or emergency patient-flow improvements.
Clinical examination and investigation
Essential
- Competent in slit-lamp examination, dilated fundoscopy, tonometry, anterior segment assessment, basic gonioscopy, interpretation of OCT/fundus imaging, and emergency clinical risk assessment.
Desirable
- Experience in B-scan interpretation, advanced anterior segment assessment, ophthalmic ultrasound and nuanced neuro-ophthalmic/retinal triage.
Independent emergency surgery
Essential
- Documented ability to perform relevant emergency ophthalmic operations independently within a defined clinical scope; competency in simple traumatic eyelid laceration repair not involving the eyelid margin or canalicular system. Ability to identify and escalate complex lid, orbital and globe injuries.
Desirable
- Independent minor emergency ophthalmic surgical activity and procedure/outcome logbook; familiarity with ophthalmic emergency theatre pathways.
Senior medical rota
Essential
- Ability and willingness to take part in the senior ophthalmology rota, provide timely senior advice, attend the hospital when required, prioritise emergencies and initiate safe transfer, theatre or subspecialty escalation. Clear insight into limits of scope.
- Previous participation in HST oncall rota for the region of practice
Desirable
- Previous experience of senior/consultant-tier/HST, including emergency theatre coordination, referral advice and multidisciplinary handover.
Leadership and multidisciplinary working
Essential
- Ability to lead urgent clinical discussions, supervise more junior team members as appropriate, work collaboratively and communicate clearly under pressure.
Desirable
- Previous emergency department leadership, rota coordination, education, service redesign or experience supporting advanced clinical practitioners.
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
Westen Eye Hospital
153-173 Marylebone Road
London
NW1 5QH
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.imperial.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)