Job summary
This post is Fixed Term for 12 months
Applications are invited from suitably experienced and enthusiastic Specialty Doctor in Ophthalmology to join a knowledgeable and highly motivated team at West Suffolk Hospital. The post is full-time, comprising a job plan of 10 PAs, working closely with 7 Consultant colleagues and 2 Specialty Doctors.
This post is intended for applicants who have completed their basic ophthalmic training. Ideally the applicant would have obtained MRCOphth or equivalent. The post will be tailored to the experience of the successful applicant and it is intended that opportunities for further training and personal development are provided where possible. It is expected that the applicant would already be competent in dealing with general and direct referral urgent ophthalmic patients.
The Ophthalmology Department serves a population of approximately 280,000 over an area of 600 square miles centred on Bury St Edmunds. Included in this area are Thetford to the north, Newmarket to the west, Sudbury to the south and Stowmarket to the east and peripheral clinics are held in Newmarket and Sudbury.
The Ophthalmology Department is currently undergoing a significant recovery trajectory following the impact of COVID-19, with new opportunities for development, innovation and quality improvement. The individual to join the MDT to explore these opportunities and to maximise our available resources and sustain effective and safe care delivery for our community.
Main duties of the job
The Specialty Doctor post holder will be attached to the Ophthalmology service under the direction of the Clinical Lead; specifically, they will support the subspecialty clinics and general/Acute Ophthalmic clinics in the Eye Treatment Centre and there will be a training element to the post, appropriate to the needs of the post holder. Elective ophthalmic surgery is carried out in the Eye Treatment Centre theatres. The specialty doctor may attend theatre either in a supervised or unsupervised role dependent upon the experience of the successful candidate. In addition, they will be responsible for attending clinics as part of the agreed weekly timetable. The specialty doctor will be expected to take an active role in the training of junior doctors, nursing and other staff in the department, and will participate in the on-call rota in conjunction with all other training and specialist grades.
There is ample opportunity to participate in teaching and audit, whilst attendance at regional and departmental teaching sessions is also encouraged and supported.
The post is full time and based at West Suffolk Hospital. The precise timetable will be adapted according to the experience of the successful applicant. It is anticipated that a training element may be accommodated.
About us
#BeKnown at West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust. By us. By our patients. By our community
We are a busy, friendly, rural NHS Trust providing high-quality care and compassion to more than a quarter of a million people across west Suffolk. We care for, treat and support people in hospital, at home and in various community settings.
The West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds provides acute and secondary care services (emergency department, maternity and neonatal services, day surgery unit, eye treatment centre, Macmillan unit and children's ward). It has 500+ beds and is a partner teaching hospital of the University of Cambridge.
Adult and paediatric community services, provided in collaboration with West Suffolk Alliance partners, include a range of nursing, therapy, specialist, and ongoing temporary care and rehabilitation, some at our Newmarket Community Hospital.
We do our utmost to achieve outstanding clinical outcomes for patients and our values of fairness, inclusivity, respect, safety and team work guide how we work and behave as a team.
With nearly 5,000 staff, from all over the world, we strive to make our organisation a great place to work. Whatever your role or ambition, we want to help you be the best you can be.
We promote a diverse and inclusive community where everyones voice counts and you can #BeKnown for whoever you are.
Join us. What will you #BeKnown for?
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see the job description and person specification attached for further information on the role.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see the job description and person specification attached for further information on the role.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- MBBS or equivalent medical qualification
- MRCOphth or equivalent
- Full GMC registration with a licence to practise
- Shall have completed at least four years' full-time postgraduate training (or its equivalent gained on a parttime or flexible basis) at least two of which will be in a specialty training programme in a relevant specialty or as a fixed term specialty trainee in a relevant specialty; or shall have equivalent experience and competencies.
Desirable
- Higher degree Medical Retina fellowship or other experience
Motivation
Essential
- Ability to provide complete details of employment history
- At least 2 years' experience (at SHO/ ST1) in Ophthalmology (not including Foundation modules)
Desirable
- 2 years' experience in ophthalmology
Experience
Essential
- Appropriate knowledge base and capacity to apply sound clinical judgement Evidence of at least 2 years of ophthalmic training equivalent to that recognised in UK
- Realistic insight into specialty. Demonstrates self-awareness and commitment to personal & professional development
Desirable
- Shows aptitude for practical skills, e.g. hand-eye coordination, dexterity
- Extracurricular activities / achievements relevant to ophthalmology
- Attendance at appropriate meetings and courses
Clinical Governance & Research
Essential
- Demonstrates understanding of the principles of audit and research
Desirable
- Evidence of relevant academic & research achievements , e.g. degrees, prizes, awards, distinctions, publications, other achievements
- Evidence of active participation in audit
- Presentations at local / regional / national meetings
Communication
Essential
- All applicants to have demonstrable skills in written and spoken English that are adequate to enable effective communication about medical topics with patients and colleagues which could be demonstrated by one of the following: o a) that applicants have undertaken undergraduate medical training in English; or o b) have the following scores in the academic lnternational English Language Testing System (IELTS) - Overall 7.5, Speaking 7, Listening 7, Reading 7, Writing 7.
Teaching/Education
Essential
- Evidence of interest and experience in teaching
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- MBBS or equivalent medical qualification
- MRCOphth or equivalent
- Full GMC registration with a licence to practise
- Shall have completed at least four years' full-time postgraduate training (or its equivalent gained on a parttime or flexible basis) at least two of which will be in a specialty training programme in a relevant specialty or as a fixed term specialty trainee in a relevant specialty; or shall have equivalent experience and competencies.
Desirable
- Higher degree Medical Retina fellowship or other experience
Motivation
Essential
- Ability to provide complete details of employment history
- At least 2 years' experience (at SHO/ ST1) in Ophthalmology (not including Foundation modules)
Desirable
- 2 years' experience in ophthalmology
Experience
Essential
- Appropriate knowledge base and capacity to apply sound clinical judgement Evidence of at least 2 years of ophthalmic training equivalent to that recognised in UK
- Realistic insight into specialty. Demonstrates self-awareness and commitment to personal & professional development
Desirable
- Shows aptitude for practical skills, e.g. hand-eye coordination, dexterity
- Extracurricular activities / achievements relevant to ophthalmology
- Attendance at appropriate meetings and courses
Clinical Governance & Research
Essential
- Demonstrates understanding of the principles of audit and research
Desirable
- Evidence of relevant academic & research achievements , e.g. degrees, prizes, awards, distinctions, publications, other achievements
- Evidence of active participation in audit
- Presentations at local / regional / national meetings
Communication
Essential
- All applicants to have demonstrable skills in written and spoken English that are adequate to enable effective communication about medical topics with patients and colleagues which could be demonstrated by one of the following: o a) that applicants have undertaken undergraduate medical training in English; or o b) have the following scores in the academic lnternational English Language Testing System (IELTS) - Overall 7.5, Speaking 7, Listening 7, Reading 7, Writing 7.
Teaching/Education
Essential
- Evidence of interest and experience in teaching
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.
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).
Additional information
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.
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).
