About this role
Job summary
We are seeking a Trust Ophthalmology Fellow to join our Acute District General Hospital team. This is a full-time, 12-month fixed-term post in Glaucoma. The role offers broad general ophthalmology experience, including high-volume cataract surgery, and requires independent cataract surgery experience.
Applicants must have previous Glaucoma experience and hold, or be eligible for, full GMC registration. FRCOphth or MRCOphth (or equivalent) is preferred. A minimum of 4 years postgraduate experience, including at least 2 years in ophthalmology at OST/SHO/higher level, is essential. The successful candidate would ideally be an independent cataract surgeon with at least 250 phaco procedures completed.
As a senior employee of our Trust you will work in close co-operation with and support not just other clinical professionals but also our managerial colleagues in providing high quality healthcare to our patients.
Key responsibilities include:o Providing a first-class clinical serviceo Offering effective leadership within the specialtyo Supporting teaching, quality improvement and researcho Working in line with Trust procedures and policieso Delivering clinical practice within contractual and service parameterso Maintaining confidence in business plans and development strategieso Demonstrating initiative, enthusiasm and flexibility
Main duties of the job
Clinical Responsibilities
The postholder will work under the supervision of the Glaucoma consultants. Duties include theatre, clinics, virtual clinics, casualty, VEGF clinics, and study/administrative sessions. The role has fixed on-call commitments of 1:6 weekdays and 1:6 weekends. The postholder will coordinate Glaucoma emergencies in clinic and theatre and is expected to be flexible with additional out-of-hours duties. Training in afferent (non-glaucomatous) optic neuropathies with Mr Reynolds is available if desired.
Professional Development, Education and Training
Fortnightly departmental Glaucoma teaching is provided, and the postholder is expected to attend and support teaching for junior staff, including journal clubs and key topic discussions. They will contribute to Deanery training when Glaucoma is covered and participate in teaching during clinical sessions. By the end of the fellowship, the postholder should be confident in diagnosing and managing complex glaucoma, including MIGS, trabeculectomy, Preserflo, and large-bore drainage devices, as well as pre-operative planning and post-operative complication management.
Research and Development
Research opportunities, including commercial studies, are available. The postholder may join ongoing QI and service development projects, such as virtual service expansion, community optometry pathways, and new patient assessment models. Access to the cataract simulator and dry lab will support refinement of surgical skills.
About us
We take pride in placing people at the centre of everything we do, working together as a united team. Driven by a shared ambition to continually grow, develop, and learn, we recognise and value every contribution. By combining our experience and skills, we not only support our vibrant, diverse communities, but also support one another.
With a team of over 9,000 employees, we are proud to be the largest employer in Gloucestershire and rank among the top 10 largest Trusts in the South West region.By joining our Trust, you will benefit from an excellent package that includes exclusive benefits, flexible working opportunities and the chance to gain valuable experience in one or both of our innovative hospitals.
As well as generous annual leave allowance, you will have access to the excellent NHS pension scheme, competitive bank rates, discounts at local shops and restaurants, access to two on-site nurseries, discounted public transport, reward and recognition and a range of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you.
Job description Job responsibilities Provisional Job Plan
MON
TUES
WED
THURS
FRI
AM
Glaucoma Virtual Clinic
RSTA
RSTA
Clinic with Mr Anand
GEEC wk 1-5
PM
Theatre with Gavin Reynolds
Glaucoma POD (Reynolds )1-5
Cataract Clinic 1,2,5
Theatre with Mr Anand
Laser/clinic? wk 1,2,3,5
Glaucoma Clinic 2,4
Clinical Governance wk 4
Person Specification
Qualifications & Training Essential
Full or eligible for full GMC Registration Dip Ophth, MRCOphth or equivalent
Desirable
FRCOphth Higher Degree e.g. MSc, MD, PhD Within 6 months of completing CCT
Clinical Experience Essential
A minimum of 4 years postgraduate experience with at leave 4 years ophthalmic StR1 or higher grade since registration Experience in independent phacoemulsification cataract surgery Experience working in busy outpatient and casualty clinics as well as theatre Ability to work in clinic and perform cataract surgery unsupervised
Desirable
Experience in Glaucoma surgery and the management of Glaucoma emergencies Specialist interest in Glaucoma surgery
Knowledge & Skills Essential
Experience and participation in departmental audit Ability to teach junior staff Good organisational skills and time management
Desirable
Pervious QIP or audit into Glaucoma services Previous publications or research in Glaucoma
Personal Attributes Essential
Acceptance that the post requires a strong service commitment Ability to travel independently between hospital sites Willingness to seek timely assistance from senior colleagues as appropriate Ability to establish good working relationships with staff and able to communicate well with patients Applicants whose primary professional qualification(s) were not taken in English and/or have spent less than 6 months in a substantive NHS post, will need to demonstrate their language competence by achieving a score of 7 in the International English Language testing system (ILETS) or equivalent
Desirable
Evidence of personal initiative
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 Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Address Cheltenham General Hospital
Cheltenham
GL53 7AN
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.gloshospitals.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)