Applications are invited for a Consultant Ophthalmologist at Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. You will join a team of nine Consultant Ophthalmologists based at Leighton Hospital in Crewe. This post is a new post. You will be required to participate both in General Ophthalmology and have a complimentary sub-specialty interest in Paediatric Ophthalmology.

Applicants must have full registration with the GMC including a License to Practice and be on the Specialist Register (or be within six months of obtaining their Certificate of Completion of Training).

The post is offered based on 10 Programmed Activities per week, however the Trust would welcome discussion with individuals looking for a more flexible working pattern to support a different work life balance. These types of arrangements are already supported within the department for some of the team.

Shortlisted candidates will be expected to visit the department prior to interview.

Main duties of the job

The post will be based at Leighton Hospital and involves clinics at Victoria infirmary in Northwich. You will join a team of Consultants providing comprehensive Ophthalmic services to the local population. Current sub-specialty expertise includes Medical Retina, Glaucoma, Oculoplastics, Anterior segment and Paediatric Ophthalmology. The on-call commitment is anticipated to be 1 in 10.

You will also be required to participate fully in undergraduate and postgraduate teaching and will be expected to promote Clinical Governance within the department.

The department is well supported by nine Specialty Doctors. There are currently three trainees of varying levels and experience on rotation from HEENW, new rotations of trainee doctors join every six months. These trainees require close clinical supervision from the Consultants who are actively involved in their training and development, both in clinic and in theatre.

The department is also supported by two Ophthalmic Advanced Nurse Practitioners, nine Ophthalmic Technicians, two Ophthalmic Photographers and comprehensive Orthoptic and Optometry departments. We have a large nursing team comprising of thirteen qualified nurses, and eighteen Health Care Assistants, as well as three members of the Ophthalmic triage team supporting our casualty referral service.

About us

The department has modern equipment, with three Heidelberg OCT machines and an OCT-A and plans to purchase an Optos machine in the near future.In addition, the Trust has close links with trusts across Liverpool and Chester, as well as universities in Manchester and Buckingham providing opportunities for collaborative research. We also have an active research programme ongoing within the department that is led by an experienced specialty doctor.

More broadly, it is an exciting time to join the Trust. We have recently migrated to the MediSIGHT system which offers EPR software, and the Trust has plans to be fully immersed in an EPR system in 5 years' time, to become entirely paperless. The Trust currently has work ongoing around a 9m investment into an Urgent Care village, 40m into the redevelopment of our Northwich site, and government approved and financially backed plans to redesign and rebuild a state of the art hospital at the Leighton hospital site over the next 5-10 years.

Job description
Job responsibilities

This is a new post for a Consultant Ophthalmologist with a sub-specialty interest in Paediatric Ophthalmology. The job plan will be based on 10 Programmed Activities per week.

The successful candidate will contribute to the overall delivery of the Ophthalmology service and will participate in an emergency on-call service on a 1:10 basis

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• Full GMC Registration with license to practice
• MBBS and FRCophth or equivalent
• Entry on the GMC Specialist Register via: CCT/CESR or European Community Rights

Experience
Essential

• At least 3 years experience higher surgical training in approved Ophthalmology post
• Extensive experience in management of Ophthalmology conditions
• Training experience in Paediatric Ophthalmology
• Commitment to clinical risk management and clinical governance

Ability
Essential

• Proven ability to conduct clinical and operative ophthalmology in all areas of the specialty. Commitment to effective departmental management
• Able to demonstrate a broad awareness of service management issues.
• Demonstrates awareness of skills required for effective change processes to work.
• Demonstrates ability to lead a team by positive example and effective organisational skill

Desirable

• Understanding of business planning and contracting
• Proven experience in leading / facilitating a change of process

Audit and research
Essential

• Proven involvement in clinical audit
• Proven track record of ophthalmology research with evidence of publications

Desirable

• Proven track record and evidence of publication in the area of sub specialist interest

Teaching and Education
Essential

• Evidence to allow accreditation as a Consultant Clinical Supervisor for trainee doctors with the GMC

Desirable

• Evidence to allow accreditation as a Consultant Educational Supervisor for trainee doctors with the GMC

Other
Essential

• Ability to communicate effectively with staff at all levels and with patients

BMJRef: BMJ-113660/412-S&C3737-E