The post is for a fully accredited general Consultant Ophthalmologist with a specialist interest in Cornea . The post holder will be expected to provide clinical leadership in developing services.. This involves working closely with administrators, commissioners, optometrists, and other clinicians at Derriford Hospital.

The Royal Eye Infirmary (REI) is the main ophthalmic centre for the district, with a catchment population for secondary work of approximately 450,000. PHNT provides some tertiary services to the population of Devon and Cornwall in Oculoplastics and Cornea, and there are further opportunities to extend the present service in tertiary roles. We are looking to expand by appointing new consultant posts, to deliver specialist services in our developing department.

Main duties of the job

This post will be based in the new purpose-built REI Ophthalmology centre, the post holder will be joining an experienced team, to provide specialist activity within Cornea. We would also like the successful candidate to support in leading on Acute Urgent Care services within the REI.

The department has a well-established Cornea service which is currently a single person led service, this position is a new role as part of our expansion and the team will work together to grow the specialist service. This will include supporting the team in developing improved pathways in line with national eye care recovery and transformation programme.

We have an enthusiastic team of orthoptists who are looking forward to working with the successful applicant to deliver improved patient pathways and working relationships with the wider medical services within UHP.

The post holder will be expected to take part in urgent care and manage and/or supervise acute clinics. We believe in supporting the growth of the future workforce and therefore the post-holder will partake in teaching and training of AHPs, trainees and fellows.

A Job Plan review will take place within the first 6 months, to support the successful candidate to in developing services for treatment of specialist services, including pathway redesign.

About us

Expansion of REI plan: Our ambition is to move the REI to a purpose-built facility. We have moved a step closer to realising that ambition following submission of planning application for a new facility and a decision is anticipated around March. If approved, we will look to open our new facility Summer 2022. The projected three-storey unit will see an increased number of treatment rooms, expanded paediatric facilities and better access for patients, with a drop-off bay and parking immediately outside. The new site will include a dedicated high flow cataract theatre and will also see the addition of a third theatre. This third theatre will further increase our capacity to treat sub-specialities, such as oculoplastic, orbital and corneal surgeries where patients are currently waiting longer than we would like. A new REI would give us the space and facilities to continue to develop an excellent future service, both locally and across the region as a specialist centre. 2022 promises to be a big year for the REI.

Job description
Job responsibilities

Please refer to the Job Description and Person Specification for a full description of the role.

For more information or an informal discussion, please contact: Mr Tomas Cudrnak, Service Line Clinical Director for Ophthalmology on 01752 439356

Person Specification
Education, qualifications & special training
Essential

• FRCOphth (or equivalent) Full GMC registration To be on the appropriate GMC Specialist Register or eligible for admission within six months of interview.

Desirable

• Higher degree. Postgraduate prizes and awards. Other medical qualifications. Experience outside specialty.

Particular skills and experience
Essential

• Demonstrate evidence of a sound ophthalmic training equivalent to that recognised in the UK. Attended appropriate basic specialty courses. Demonstrate evidence of having had a good subspecialty training. Evidence of ability to perform advanced subspecialty specific procedures. Ability to lead a team. Comprehensive knowledge of subspecialty subject.

Desirable

• Understanding of NHS. Good time management. Demonstrate evidence of wide based specialty knowledge. Attended appropriate courses/meetings in the last 6 years covering the spectrum of the entire specialty. Fellowship experience. Attended subspecialty specific meeting or courses within the last 3 years.

Research & Clinical Audit
Essential

• Presentations or publications in peer reviewed journals. Able to conduct clinical audit. Evidence of a research interest. Published as 1st author.

Desirable

• Current research. Research in a specialty interest or trauma. Extensively published. Presentations at local/ regional/national/ international meetings. Publications and presentations in subspecialty subject. Demonstrate an enthusiasm to continue with research and clinical audit. Relevant audit projects Statistical Knowledge

Teaching
Essential

• Ability to teach clinical and practical skills. Demonstrate experience in having taught junior doctors.

Desirable

• Evidence of experience and ability in teaching. Supervision of projects. ATLS instructor. Training the trainers course or equivalent. Evidence of enthusiasm and experiencing teaching undergraduates, post-graduates and other health-care professionals.

Communication & interpersonal skills
Essential

• Well-presented CV. Ability to work in a team. Ability to delegate appropriately. Prepared to put patients' interests above all other Willingness to become part of existing ophthalmology team Demonstrate evidence of ability to communicate and co-operate well with patients and other health-care professionals

Desirable

• Evidence of good communication skills. Information technology skills. Leadership skills. Good presentation skills.

Management
Essential

• Willingness to participate in management process. Participated in some sort of Management process (service or research) requirement or disability. Evidence of commitment

Desirable

• Evidence of interest and ability in management. Management qualification

Practical Requirements
Essential

• Full UK Driving Licence Ability and willingness to work hours of the job, shifts, on-call with any reasonable adjustment to take account of any local requirement or disability. Evidence of commitment.

BMJRef: BMJ-80048/216-10295-COP-A