Locum Consultant Ophthalmologist - Paediatrics in Swansea

We expect everyone that works for the Health Board, regardless of their role, to share and uphold our values in all that they do: Caring for each other - in every human contact in all of our communities and each of our hospitals. Working together - as patients, families, carers, staff and communities so that we always put patients first. Always improving - so that we are at our best for every patient and for each other.

Job overview

Do you share our Health Board values; Caring for each other; Working together; Always improving? If so, we would love for you to come and work for Swansea Bay University HB. Full time locum consultant post, fixed term for 12 months to support Ophthalmology Paediatric services. The post will be based at Singleton Hospital in Swansea where the successful applicant will join a team of 16 Consultants responsible for the provision of Ophthalmology services to the Health Board. In exceptional circumstances it may also be necessary to undertake duties at other locations with the Health Board. Travelling as necessary between hospitals/clinics may be required to undertake such duties. Travel expenses will be remunerated according to the Health Board policy and procedures for claiming.

The Surgical Specialties Directorate is an integrated directorate serving Neath Port Talbot Hospital in Port Talbot, and Morriston and Singleton Hospitals in Swansea. The Directorate also provides regional services to patients living along the M4 corridor in South Wales and to the population of West Wales.

Main duties of the job

You will provide a clinical service, with colleagues, which will include the responsibility for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of illness. Working with consultant colleagues and the multi-professional team you will have continuing responsibility for the well-being of all patients under your care; allowing for proper delegation to, and training of staff. In partnership with clinical and managerial colleagues you will also have responsibility for the safe, efficient and effective functioning of the services in which you work in line with the values, operational policies and integrated medium term plan (IMTP) of the Health Board. You are encouraged to consider how services can be improved and to report any concerns about safety. You will be required to adhere to the principles of good medical practice as laid down by the General Medical Council. You will be required to participate in the Health Board’s risk management process, clinical governance and any other healthcare governance activities within the department, the Surgical Division / Neath Port Talbot Singleton Service Group and the Health Board.

Working for our organisation

Swansea Bay University Health Board has responsibility for the health of around 390,000 people in the Neath Port Talbot and Swansea areas, with a budget of around £1 billion and employing 12,500 people. We are a University Health Board working in partnership with Swansea University, Swansea School of Medicine, the School of Health Science and the Institute of Life Science. The HB has three major hospitals providing a range of services: Morriston and Singleton hospitals in Swansea and Neath Port Talbot hospital in Baglan, Port Talbot. The Health Board is part of A Regional Collaboration for Health (ARCH), which is a partnership with Hywel Dda UHB and Swansea University. Aimed at improving the wellbeing and wealth of Southwest Wales.

Swansea is Wales' second largest city and sits on the five-mile sweep of Swansea Bay. An ideal base for exploring South-West Wales, there is also much on offer for visitors in Swansea itself. Swansea has a range of shops, cosy cafes, great restaurants, art galleries as well as being able to offer good outdoor lifestyle with its beautiful coastline and beaches on the Gower Peninsula. Swansea also has excellent sporting facilities including the Wales National pool and Swansea.com stadium home to the Ospreys and Swansea City Football Club.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

For more details in relation to this post please click on the supporting documents section to find the full job description and person specification.

Person specification

• Qualifications

• Essential criteria

• On Specialist Register with GMC as a specialist in OPHTHALMOLOGY or eligible for CCT within 6 months of date of interview and have passed exit exam or a statement of eligibility for registration issued by PMETB or a primary medical qualification and recognized specialist qualification from a European Member State which will allow direct entry to the GMC Specialist Register.
• Further relevant post graduate qualification in ophthalmology FRCOphth.
• Registered with the GMC.
• Licensed to practice.

• Desirable criteria

• Teaching qualification/Higher qualification in medical education.

• Experience

• Essential criteria

• Evidence of an ability to develop effective working relationships, on an individual and multi-disciplinary basis with all levels of staff (“Working Together”).
• Evidence of working with management and clinical colleagues to improve a service (“Always Improving”).
• Values partnership with other agencies (“Working Together”).
• Where a sub-specialty interest is required sub-specialty training should be to a level appropriate for UK consultant sub-specialist practice - fellowship or equivalent level experience.
• High standard of clinical skill and expertise in ophthalmology.
• Expertise in routine and complex cataract surgery procedures.
• Experience of participation in the on-call rotas and emergency cover.
• Evidence of teaching and training of post/undergraduate clinical staff.
• Evidence of initiating, progressing and completing audit.

• Skills & Abilities

• Essential criteria

• Effective leadership; ability to take responsibility and demonstrate leadership when appropriate.
• Understands the importance of effective Team Working with all levels of staff, take time to listen, understand and involve people; receptive to appropriate change (“Working Together”).
• Understands and can apply the principles of Prudent Healthcare (“Caring for each other”).
• Excellent interpersonal skills – ability to communicate effectively (written and verbal) with patients, colleagues, relatives and staff; communicate openly and honestly and explain things clearly (“Caring for each other”).
• Understands information systems and technology.
• Ability to offer expert clinical opinion and decision making over a range of general ophthalmic disorders (in both emergency and elective cases).
• Ability to take full and independent responsibility for clinical care of patients.

• Desirable criteria

• Demonstrates learning in Improvement science and methodology, ability and drive to use information and experience to improve the service (“Always Improving”).

• Personal Attributes

• Essential criteria

• Flexible and adaptable to competing demands with the ability to work effectively under pressure and cope with setbacks.
• Ability to undertake on-call.
• A commitment to continuous improvement, with a positive attitude, seeks out learning, and continually develops skills and the service (“Always Improving”).
• Enthusiasm to take a lead role in clinical development.
• Empathy and sensitivity: ability to listen, understand and involve people; see people as individuals.

Swansea Bay University Health Board is committed to supporting its staff and processes to fully embrace the need for bilingualism thereby enhancing service users experience. In our commitment to increase the number of staff able to communicate in Welsh with patients and professionals, we would particularly welcome applications from Welsh speakers.

Equality remains at the centre of the Health Boards policy-making, service delivery and employment practices. We value the diversity of our staff and welcome applications from people from protected groups under the Equality Act 2010, this specifically includes age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/reassignment, race, religion, disability, pregnancy and maternity and marriage and civil partnership.

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration. This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service. Welsh language skills are desirable.