Consultant Ophthalmologist
3 days ago
Torquay
\n Consultant Ophthalmologist\n Closing date: 07 August 2026 \n We are seeking an enthusiastic and motivated general consultant ophthalmologist with a subspecialty interest in cataract surgery to join our forward-thinking department. There will be opportunities for the successful candidate to contribute to the Urgent Eye Care service, depending on service needs and individual interests. Interested applicants are encouraged to contact the department to discuss the post and the possibilities for development once in the role. Main duties of the job\n \n • Provide expert clinical opinions on a range of ophthalmic problems, both emergency and elective.\n, • Run operating lists independently and teach cataract surgery.\n, • Take full independent responsibility for the clinical care of patients.\n, • Prioritise clinical needs.\n, • Supervise multi‑disciplinary teams.\n, • Work according to guidelines and group decisions.\n, • Demonstrate familiarity with NHS structures, management and current political issues, including awareness of national strategic plans and constraints.\n, • Show willingness to lead clinical teams.\n, • Deliver effective specialist clinical service.\n About us\n We are a forward‑thinking, very well equipped and well supported department that offers a wide range of ophthalmic services. \n Our surgical service is run from the purpose‑built Eye Surgery Unit (ESU) just upstairs from the Eye Clinic. We offer a one‑stop cataract assessment service, surgical booking service and admissions area. Very few inpatients are admitted here and will be moved to a ward post‑operatively. Operating lists are conducted at Torbay Hospital, with potential use of the Centre of Excellence for Eyes at Nightingale Hospital in Exeter. Our second ophthalmic theatre on the Torbay Hospital site was opened in February 2024 and hosts dedicated HVLC lists. \n Minor lid operations (entropion, ectropion, lesion excision, etc.) are primarily performed in our minor operations suite in the outpatients’ department. \n We have integrated image‑viewing software and use Medisoft EPR for our medical retinal, macula, eye casualty, VR and cataract surgery services. The hospital plans to start using EPIC in 2026. \n We hold clinics at Newton Abbot community hospital and may expand into further community sites. \n The Trust has a good working relationship with our commissioners and the Department regularly meets with commissioning bodies. Job responsibilities\n Provisional job plan (representative only) – final timetable will depend on current service redesign and the interests of the appointed candidate. \n Morning – PA \n Afternoon – PA \n Monday – SPA 0.5, CLINIC 1 \n Tuesday – ADMIN 1, THEATRE/LASER 1, SPA 1, CLINIC 1 \n Thursday – Theatre 1.25, CLINIC 1 \n Friday – CLINIC 1, SPA 1 \n On‑call: 0.25 PA. Initial split of 7.5 DCC, 2.5 SPA. Following 6‑12 months in post (depending on previous experience) there is a baseline 1.5 SPA with an additional 1 PA to be used either as SPA performing additional roles (e.g. College Tutor, clinical governance, medical student supervision, etc.) or DCC, according to consultant preference. \n To provide high quality consultant‑delivered care to patients, including clinical leadership and supervision of junior medical staff, ensuring the highest standards of clinical care are provided to all patients attending the hospital. \n \n • Proactively ensure all patients receive rapid assessment, treatment and clinical decision‑making while ensuring our standard to deliver safe, quality and performance are sustained.\n, • Provide teaching and training at undergraduate and postgraduate level, supervise and train junior doctors and specialty doctors. Be proactive in the department’s clinical governance agenda and take on leadership roles to support continuous learning and improvement, thereby abiding by the clinical and corporate governance policies of the Trust.\n, • Liaise with clinicians and managers within and outside the department to address any issues arising that may affect the services.\n, • Participate in relevant audit and quality assurance processes.\n, • Communicate with local GPs.\n \n Other responsibilities include: \n \n • Junior Staff: recruitment, appointment and educational supervision, including educational contracts, regular appraisal, organisation of study leave, annual leave and rotas.\n, • Budget: cooperate with the Deputy Medical Director and Divisional General Manager on budget issues.\n, • Communication: arrange and lead communication and liaison with all other medical and service departments within the Trust as well as other Trusts.\n, • Teaching: have an active role in the junior doctor training programme.\n \n Eligible candidates will need to have Full GMC Registration (with licence to practice) and be on the Specialist Register by date of interview or within 6 months of CCT (Certificate of Completion of Training). We provide a wide range of ophthalmic services including intravitreal treatments for macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy, vitreo‑retinal surgery, services for medical retina including uveitis, lacrimal surgery and more. Person Specification Qualifications\n \n • FRCOphth or equivalent\n, • Full GMC Registration with licence to practice\n, • Minimum English Level 2 (GCSE grade C or equivalent)\n, • IELTS or graduate of a UK Medical School\n, • Name on Specialist Register by date of interview or within 6 months of CCT\n Knowledge\n \n, • Expert clinical opinion on a range of ophthalmic problems, both emergency and elective.\n, • Independent running of operating lists and teaching cataract surgery.\n, • Full independent responsibility for clinical care of patients.\n, • Prioritise clinical need.\n, • Supervise multi‑disciplinary teams.\n, • Work to guidelines and group decisions.\n, • Familiarity with NHS structures, management and current political issues, including awareness of national strategic plans and constraints.\n, • Willingness to lead clinical teams.\n, • Experience of audit and management.\n, • Proven ability to teach clinical skills within multi‑disciplinary teams and apply evidence‑based knowledge.\n, • Willingness and ability to contribute to departmental and Trust teaching programmes.\n Skills\n \n, • Good spoken and written English language skills\n, • Effective communication with patients, relatives and staff\n, • Honesty and reliability\n, • Teamworking ability\n Disclosure and Barring Service Check\n This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and will require a Disclosure and Barring Service check to assess any previous criminal convictions. \n Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust \n #J-18808-Ljbffr