Job summary
Working Full time: 10 Sessions per week
Applications are invited for a Substantive Consultant Ophthalmologist with a special interest in Neuro-Ophthalmology and Strabismus to join our team immediately, but applications for a 2026 start will be considered.
This post will be based on 10 Programmed Activities per week and presents an exciting opportunity for a dynamic and motivated individual to join our department and work within our existing team of committed ophthalmic professionals.
You will be joining our team of 9 Consultants, 4 Specialty Doctors, 3 Specialty Trainees and 1 ST1/2 Trust doctor, plus our team of Ophthalmic nurses, Optometrists and Orthoptists.
The post will be based at The Countess of Chester Hospital site but also includes outpatient clinic and theatre work for cataract surgery at the new Cheshire & Merseyside Surgical Centre at Victoria Infirmary Northwich (VIN).
Main duties of the job
The candidate will be expected to integrate within the team of existing consultants in order to provide a complete ophthalmology service. They will be expected to have an interest in Neuro-Ophthalmology and Strabismus, and work to support and further develop the management of Ophthalmology. They will be expected to take part in the general consultant on-call rota.
The on-call commitment is shared with Arrowe Park Hospital Consultants and is currently 1 in 16. The post holder will also join the on-duty rota which is also 1 in 16.
About us
The Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust provides services to West Cheshire and to Welsh patients covered by Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board. The Trust works collaboratively within the wider Cheshire and Merseyside Health and Care Partnership. Its services are provided from three locations:
o The Countess of Chester Hospital: providing 438 general and acute beds.o Ellesmere Port Hospital: providing 56 beds as a rehabilitation, intermediate and outpatient facility.o Tarporley War Memorial Hospital: a base for community services which serve the local rural population.
The Trust employs over 5916 staff (headcount) which includes temporary bank staff and provides acute emergency and elective services, primary care direct access services and obstetric services to a population of approximately 411,000. This includes 361,000 residents in Chester and West Cheshire which includes Ellesmere Port and Neston as well as the Deeside area of Flintshire which has a population of approximately 50,000.
Job description
Job responsibilities
See Job Description for further details.
Recruitment selection processes are based on competence (see Person specification) and values.
Please note applicants will be required to pay for their DBS check. Costswill be deducted from their salary over the first three months of employment.
You are encouraged to enrol for the DBS Update Service. A small annual fee of £16per year applies.
New entrants to the NHS will commence on the minimum of the scale stated above.
Applicants are advised to apply early as if a large number of applications are received for this post, we reserve the right to close the vacancy prior to the advertised date.
Good luck with your application.
Job description
Job responsibilities
See Job Description for further details.
Recruitment selection processes are based on competence (see Person specification) and values.
Please note applicants will be required to pay for their DBS check. Costswill be deducted from their salary over the first three months of employment.
You are encouraged to enrol for the DBS Update Service. A small annual fee of £16per year applies.
New entrants to the NHS will commence on the minimum of the scale stated above.
Applicants are advised to apply early as if a large number of applications are received for this post, we reserve the right to close the vacancy prior to the advertised date.
Good luck with your application.
Person Specification
Qualifications & Skills
Essential
- FRCOphth or equivalent
- On Specialist Register of the General Medical Council or within six months of anticipated CCT date on the date of interview
Desirable
Clinical Experience and Effectiveness
Essential
- Wide clinical experience in Neuro-Ophthalmology and Strabismus
- Experience in cataract surgery
- Participation in on-call
Teaching & Training Experience
Essential
- Experience / interest in teaching
Desirable
- Attendance at teaching skills courses
Management & Administrative Experience
Essential
- Demonstrable use of Clinical Audit within a Service
- Demonstrable use of research and evidence base to practice
- Understanding of importance of management skills
Desirable
- Relevant experience in undertaking and organisation of Audit
- Research and publications relevant to Neuro-Ophthalmology and Strabismus
- Attendance at relevant courses
Person Specification
Qualifications & Skills
Essential
- FRCOphth or equivalent
- On Specialist Register of the General Medical Council or within six months of anticipated CCT date on the date of interview
Desirable
Clinical Experience and Effectiveness
Essential
- Wide clinical experience in Neuro-Ophthalmology and Strabismus
- Experience in cataract surgery
- Participation in on-call
Teaching & Training Experience
Essential
- Experience / interest in teaching
Desirable
- Attendance at teaching skills courses
Management & Administrative Experience
Essential
- Demonstrable use of Clinical Audit within a Service
- Demonstrable use of research and evidence base to practice
- Understanding of importance of management skills
Desirable
- Relevant experience in undertaking and organisation of Audit
- Research and publications relevant to Neuro-Ophthalmology and Strabismus
- Attendance at relevant courses
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).
