Senior Fellow - Ophthalmology

Job responsibilities

SOUTHAMPTON EYE UNIT

The Southampton Eye Unit is a purpose-built block within the University Hospital Southampton. The department underwent an exciting expansion. The department consists of an inpatient ward and custom-built day-surgery unit and three fully equipped ophthalmic theatres in the Southampton Eye unit and a dedicated eye theatre on the Lymington site. There is an additional dedicated administrative area including a refurbished junior doctors mess and seminar room, an ophthalmic casualty department and an independent outpatient facility which includes a dedicated injection suite and minor operating theatre.

We recently expanded our outpatient facilities and currently have 28 cubicles for patient reviews including the paediatric wing. We have some of the latest state-of-the-art imaging equipment. This includes have 7 Heidelberg OCTs, 5 Topcons OCTs, 3 Optos, including a California and 5 Digital slit lamps. We also have 2 Solix OCT scanners as our latest addition.

There are several defined treatment and investigation areas for ultrasound, Pascal and YAG/SLT laser, fluorescein angiography and visual field analysis. We also run OPD clinics in our Lymington site which consist of 4 OPD cubicles.

OPERATING THEATRES

There are 4 fully equipped recently refurbished dedicated ophthalmic theatres which has an Alcon Centurion Phacoemulsification machine, 2 Alcon Constellation machines and Phacoemulsification and Vitreoretinal procedures. All theatres are equipped with Ngenuity 3D viewing systems. At our main site we have Leica Proveo 8 microscope with intra operative OCT and recording capabilities.

We use the medisoft electronic patient record enabling personal surgical audits. We are in the process of migrating in to an upgraded EPR system- Open eyes, due to be completed by the end of the year. We also have a fully dedicated theatre at Lymington and New Forest hospital. Additional theatres for interdisciplinary procedures are available as required in the main hospital.

WHAT YOULL DO

This post is an excellent opportunity for a clinician to develop their research and clinical experience in ophthalmology. It is expected that the appointee will publish research papers during their fellowship. They will also be expected to actively participate in the delivery of our teaching programmes and also complete audit projects.

WHAT WERE LOOKING FOR

Ideally the candidate would hold MRCOphth or equivalent qualification and hold or be eligible for full GMC registration with a licence to practice. They should have a basic understanding of medical retinal conditions and interpretation of investigations, for example, OCT. Surgical experience is ideal but not an essential requirement.

Previous medical retina fellows have successfully presented and published papers during this fellowship and gone on to gain CCT through national training or via an article 14 route.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Appointment will be made under local contractual terms and conditions of service for Trust appointed (non-training fellow doctors and dentists).

Successful candidates will have an educational framework equivalent to training grade doctors, and there will be a named educational supervisor assigned at the start of the post. The opportunity for Continued Professional Development (CPD) is highly supported and encouraged by the Trust, with options available to take study leave. All licensed doctors must meet the GMC requirements for revalidation and there will be an annual appraisal to support this process.

Grades for Trust appointed (non-training) fellows will be paid a basic salary at a nodal pay point linked to the grade, at the rate set out in the National Medical and Dental pay circular. Basic salary detailed below plus any additional remuneration (as applicable) for hours set out in the doctors work schedule (e.g. additional hours, weekend allowance, and any hours which attract enhanced pay)

Basic Salary - Basic Salary - MT04 £55,329 Basic Salary MT05 £63,152

Salary will be assessed based on experience and skills. Eligibility criteria for appointment to a Nodal Point 5;

• Have a minimum of 6 years of Specialty training
• Hold relevant higher specialty exam (e.g FRCP, FRCA, FRCS)
• A portfolio of evidence that demonstrates they meet the criteria for progression (in line with the Curriculum for the speciality similar to deanery trainee)

Travelling expenses will not be paid for attending interview.

Please note that GMC registration (with a licence to practice) and right to work in the UK are essential for this role. Successful applicants will already have GMC registration or will be able to demonstrate they are eligible. Applicants requiring Tier 2 sponsorship should ensure they meet the Home Office application criteria prior to submitting an application.

Interviews will be held on Thursday 9th November 2023

Job Reference: MT1055 - This vacancy closes on or before:27th October 2023

Qualifications and training

Essential

• MBBS or equivalent medical qualification
• GMC registration with a licence to practise
• Minimum 12 months ophthalmology practice

Desirable

• Further Qualifications / Higher Degree
• Experience in Medical Retina
• Post CCT

Aptitudes and skills

Essential

• Evidence of participation and completion of audits

Previous or relevant experience

Essential

• Appropriate knowledge base, and ability to apply sound clinical judgement to problems
• Ability to perform intravitreal injections
• Some experience of interpretation of fluorescein angiograms for age-related macular degeneration and other retinal disorders

Desirable

• Evidence of participation in Research
• Knowledge of General Ophthalmology

Aptitudes and skills

Essential

• Evidence and ability to work effectively in multi- professional teams
• Evidence and ability to communicate and liaise effectively with patients and colleagues (verbal and written communication skills in English)
• Demonstrate the ability to be calm, compassionate, and able to respond efficiently to various circumstances, which may change rapidly
• Evidence of participation in undergraduate and postgraduate teaching
• Ability to be flexible and adapt to change
• Ability to independently travel between multiple different venues

Living the Trust values

Essential

• Patients First
• Always Improving
• Working Together

Aptitudes and skills

Essential

• Understanding of equality and diversity and how this affects patients, visitors and staff
• Demonstrate good organisational skills including ability to prioritise effectively and meet deadlines
• Evidence and ability to show enthusiasm and leadership skills
• Able to work a variety of different shifts subject to rota

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).