At a Glance
- Tasks: Deliver high-quality care in paediatric ophthalmology and adult strabismus, including surgery.
- Company: Join the outstanding Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and a supportive team environment.
- Other info: Join a top-rated NHS employer with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on patients' lives while advancing your career in a dynamic setting.
- Qualifications: MB ChB, GMC registration, and experience in ophthalmology required.
We want talented and enthusiastic people from all backgrounds to join #TeamMWL, with us you can learn, grow and develop yourself and your career, realising your true ambitions and aspirations. Whatever you’re looking for in your career, you’ll find it here at MWL.
Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is seeking an enthusiastic and skilled Consultant Ophthalmologist with a special interest in Paediatric Ophthalmology and Adult Strabismus to join our expanding service across Southport and Ormskirk Hospitals. This is a new consultant post replacing an established Associate Specialist to continue to the delivery of a high-performing, patient-centred department. This opportunity offers the successful candidate a chance to develop a thriving paediatric practice, including ROP screening, alongside delivering adult strabismus and general ophthalmology care, with the option to undertake adult cataract surgery. The successful candidate will be required to join the Trust's general on-call service.
Main duties of the job
- You will deliver high-quality consultant-led care in:
- Paediatric Ophthalmology - including ROP screening, paediatric clinics and surgery
- Adult Strabismus
- General Ophthalmology
- Adult Cataract Surgery (optional)
- Participation in the 1:4 consultant on-call rota (non-resident; 5pm-9pm weekdays, 9am-9pm weekends).
- The job plan comprises 10 PAs, including theatre, clinics, ROP activity, SPA time and supporting activities. Final job plan will be agreed with the Clinical Director upon appointment.
- You will contribute to national clinical standards, CG, audit, teaching, and supervision of junior staff, with opportunities to participate in research and regional teaching programmes.
- You will provide consultant leadership and oversight to the orthoptic service within the S&O footprint.
Working for our organisation
Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust serves a population of over 600,000 with a workforce of over 10,500 dedicated and skilled staff across 21 sites.
Our services:
- Acute Care Providing emergency and maternity services at Whiston, Southport and Ormskirk hospitals, and medical and surgical specialties across all our sites.
- Primary Care Providing primary care services at Marshalls Cross Medical Centre situated in St Helens Hospital.
- Community Services Providing adult community services for St Helens and a wheelchair service in Chorley, South Ribble, and West Lancashire.
- Specialist Regional Services We provide the Mersey Regional Burns & Plastic Surgery Unit at Whiston Hospital and the Spinal Injuries Unit at Southport Hospital to more than 4 million people across the whole of Merseyside, West Lancashire, Cheshire, Isle of Man and North Wales.
Achievements:
- Rated Outstanding by CQC Inspection August 2018
- Top 100 places to work in the NHS (NHS Employers & Health Service Journal)
- National Preceptorship Accreditation (2023) for Nursing & AHP Preceptorship Programme.
Please ensure you have read through the attached Job Description and Person Specification before submitting your application.
Person specification
Values
- We are kind
- We are open
- We are inclusive
Qualifications
- MB ChB or evidence of equivalent qualification
- Full and specialist registration with the General Medical Council (GMC), and licenced to practice
- Entered on the Specialist Register (or eligible for registration within six months of interview)
- FRCOphth or equivalent CCT in Ophthalmology
- Evidence of thorough and broad training and experience in all aspects of general Ophthalmology
- Competent in Surgical and Medical Paediatric ophthalmology and ROP Screening
- Competent in adult cataract surgery including training Juniors
- Able to take responsibility for delivering Paediatric ophthalmology service without direct supervision
Knowledge
- Knowledge and experience of Ophthalmology
- Broad range of IT skills
- Knowledge of evidence-based practice
- Understanding of clinical governance and the individual responsibilities it implies
- Knowledge of the principles of clinical audit and evidence of participation
- Participation in continuing professional development (CPD) scheme and, where relevant, evidence of participation
- Interest in teaching medical, nursing, and other groups of staff
- Experience of supervising trainee doctors, clinically and surgically
- Experience of teaching clinical skills to undergraduate medical students
- Experience of clinical or lab-based research with publications in peer reviewed journals
- Publication of audit results
- Ability to supervise research
Skills
- Ability to communicate effectively with clinical colleagues, colleagues in Ophthalmology, other specialties and support staff
- Good knowledge of, and ability to use, spoken and written English
- Ability to present effectively to an audience, using a variety of methods and to respond to questions
- Ability to develop effective working relationships on an individual and multi-disciplinary basis with all levels of staff
- Ability to be a flexible team member
- Ability to cope with and effectively organize the workload of a consultant
- Ability to practise independently as a consultant
- Ability to take responsibility and show evidence of leadership
- Ability to help manage and lead the department balancing departmental and personal objectives
Consultant Ophthalmologist with S/I in Paediatrics & Adult Strabismus in Ormskirk employer: Merseywestlancs
At St Helens Hospital, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work environment for our Therapy Assistants. Our commitment to professional development ensures that you will have ample opportunities to grow your skills while making a meaningful impact on patient care. With a focus on teamwork and collaboration, you'll be part of a dedicated team that values diversity and fosters innovation in rehabilitation services.
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