Consultant Ophthalmologist - Medical Retina in Wales

The post will be based at Singleton Hospital in Swansea where the successful applicants will join a team of supporting specialists working as a South West Wales Regional Ophthalmology Service, with consultants sharing duties across both Swansea Bay and Hywel Dda University Health Boards. The successful applicant will join a team of 16 Consultants responsible for the provision of Ophthalmology services to the Health Board. The successful applicant will participate in the 1 in 11 on-call rota at Singleton Hospital, with prospective cover. In exceptional circumstances, it may also be necessary to undertake duties at other locations within 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.

About us

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.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Registered with the GMC
• Further relevant post graduate qualification in ophthalmology FRCOphth
• Teaching qualification/Higher qualification in medical education
• 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 recognised specialist qualification from a European Member State which will allow direct entry to the GMC Specialist Register

Experience

• 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)
• High standard of clinical skill and expertise in ophthalmology
• Expertise in routine and complex cataract surgery procedures
• Sub-specialty training should be to a level appropriate for UK consultant sub-specialist practice – fellowship or equivalent level experience

Skills

• Effective leadership ability to take responsibility and demonstrate leadership when appropriate
• Understands the importance of effective team working with all levels of staff, takes 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)
• Demonstrates learning in Improvement science and methodology, ability and drive to use information and experience to improve the service (Always Improving)
• 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

Personal

• 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