Job overview
We are pleased to offer an exciting opportunity for a Locum Consultant Ophthalmologist with a subspecialist interest in Glaucoma to join our supportive and forward-thinking team at Salisbury District Hospital. This is a 12-month fixed-term, part-time role (6 PAs per week) designed to support and strengthen the delivery of our expanding glaucoma service.
Applicants will be encouraged to develop their subspecialty expertise in Glaucoma, contribute to the adult cataract service, and play a key role in shaping and supporting the development of a leading ophthalmic consultant team.
This post offers a fantastic opportunity for an enthusiastic and motivated consultant to join a department that is innovative, patient-focused, and committed to staff development and flexible working.
Main duties of the job
1. Provide high-quality glaucoma care through outpatient clinics, laser procedures, and, where appropriate, surgical intervention.
2. Support the adult cataract service, contributing to the management of both routine and complex surgical cases.
3. Collaborate with a skilled multidisciplinary team, including specialist optometrists and ophthalmic technicians.
4. Join a maturing glaucoma service that has implemented innovative pathways since the COVID-19 pandemic, including imaging clinics and telephone consultations to prioritise high-risk patients while reducing delays.
5. Help refine and further develop these pathways, with scope to shape the service and implement positive change.
6. Benefit from a range of surgical and laser treatment options, now available thanks to successful business cases, including:
MIGS procedures
Aqueous tube surgery
Micropulse cyclodiode laser
7. Participate in general ophthalmology clinics and the consultant on-call rota (pro-rata)
Working for our organisation
Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust (SFT) is an innovative hospital with a proud heritage and over 250 years of experience behind us. Here we’re driven to deliver an outstanding experience for everyone and have been well regarded for the quality of care and treatment we continue to provide for our patients and also our staff.
We are an acute Trust, rated “Good” by the CQC, with a track record of high performance providing regional and super regional specialist services such as: Burns, Plastics & Reconstructive Surgery, Wessex Regional Genetics Laboratory, Wessex Rehabilitation, Spires Cleft Centre and the Duke of Cornwall Spinal Treatment Centre. We have about 470 beds and employ over 4000 staff.
We support flexible working and will consider requests taking into account the needs of the service. We think working here is pretty rewarding. You can access a range of NHS discounts, receive a minimum of 35 days paid holiday (pro rata), and we offer a generous pension scheme. On-site benefits include car parking (fee applies), leisure centre, day nursery and holiday play scheme.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Applicants will be encouraged to develop their subspecialty expertise in Glaucoma, and contribute to the adult cataract service supporting the development of a leading ophthalmic consultant team. The sub-specialty service is supported by specialist optometrists and ophthalmic technicians. The new post-holder will join a maturing service which has been innovative in developing pathways since the COVID pandemic to ensure those most at risk are seen Face to Face in a timely way with alternative pathways including imaging clinics and phone clinics to reduce waiting times and get patients the care they need most efficiently. With scope from the appointee to further refine and improve these pathways, shape the service to easily implement positive change. Additionally, in the last year, Salisbury is now able to offer a range of surgical and laser glaucoma treatment options to patients including tubes, MIGs and micropulse cyclodiode in order to offer more individualised and targeted patient care.
The department actively supports staff training and development, as exampled by our involvement in pioneering Ophthalmic Practitioner Training (OPT) and with putting our ophthalmic technicians and optometrists through undergraduate and post-graduated diplomas and degrees. We have committed to developing of CESR training, and to ensuring a sustainable work life balance exists. We have been successful at getting many junior doctors onto Ophthamic Specialist Training at both ST1 and ST3 level. The Trust is committed to flexible working and supporting less than full time contracts to allow our clinicians to develop their interests outside of work. We have a growing research portfolio with excellent links to the University of Southampton, it is possible to have dedicated time for research in the successful candidate’s job plan. As a trust, we have excelled in medical education with many of our consultant body holding regional medical education roles, including some of the eye team.
Person specification
Qualifications and Specialist Training
Essential criteria
8. Possession, or within 6 months of possession, of a CCT in ophthalmology leading to entry onto GMC Specialist Register.
9. Full GMC registration with a licence to practice
Management Experience
Essential criteria
10. Ability to perform effectively as a member of a team, including a multidisciplinary team and to motivate and develop staff
11. Demonstration of ability to be a clinical leader
12. Demonstrates a thorough understanding of and a commitment to the principles of clinical governance
Experience/Clinical Skills
Essential criteria
13. Evidence of wide experience and a high level of competence in ophthalmology
14. Ability to perform cataract surgery independently at reasonable volume 7+.
Desirable criteria
15. Demonstrates clarity in written and spoken communication.
16. Demonstration of an interest and commitment to teaching, including training in educational supervision and experience in training
17. Ability to teach clinical and surgical skills to trainees and others. Enthusiastic and ability to inspire others
18. Experience in, and commitment to clinical audit
19. Ability to appraise research critically and apply research outcomes to clinical problems
Experience/Clinical Skills
Essential criteria
20. Appropriate knowledge base and ability to apply sound clinical judgement to problems: demonstrates clear, logical thinking/analytical approach
21. Experience in managing risk and knows when to seek help, able to prioritise clinical need
22. Knowledge and application of up to date evidence based practice
23. Evidence of specialist expertise and fellowship level of training in glaucoma
Desirable criteria
24. Ability to gain the trust and confidence of colleagues and patients
25. Good interpersonal skills and commitment to team building
26. Knowledge and commitment to espouse guidance on “Good Medical Practice” from the GMC
27. Values of individual align with those of the trust
28. Interest in innovative service delivery
29. To be empathetic and sensitive; capacity to take others perspective and treat others with understanding
30. Always considers patients preferences when discussing treatment options
Management Experience
Essential criteria
31. Ability to contribute to the development of the service
32. Capacity to manage/prioritise time and information effectively: capacity to organise own workload
33. Ability and willingness to work within the Trust and NHS performance targets
34. Ability to balance individual requirements against those of the department/Directorate
We offer excellent benefits that help make SDH a great place to work. These include but aren't limited to:-
35. Holiday starting at 27 days plus Bank Holidays rising to 29 days after 5 years and 33 days after 10 years for Agenda for Change staff
36. Holiday entitlement for Medical and Dental staff starts at 27 days for Junior/Senior Clinical Fellows, Specialty Doctors and rises to 32 days after 5 years. Consultant entitlement starts at 32 days and rises to 34 days after 7 years
37. An additional day's leave to celebrate your birthday (after 12 months & non contractual) pro rata
38. Access to a career average revalued earnings pension scheme
39. Life assurance if a member of the pension scheme
40. An extensive Health and Wellbeing offer to help you deal with life's challenges
41. Exclusive deals and discounts websites saving you money on everyday purchases, treats for the family, eating out and utility bills for home
42. Cycle to work scheme
43. Uniform provided (where required)
44. On site Day Nursery and Holiday Play scheme
45. On site health and fitness club
46. On site car parking (fee's and restrictions apply)
47. Opportunities to get on - take advantage of our ongoing learning opportunities and training, to help you achieve the job and career you want.