Ophthalmology Specialty Doctor in Plymouth

We are seeking an enthusiastic and committed Specialty Doctor in Ophthalmology to join the Ophthalmology Department at University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust. This post offers an excellent opportunity to work within a supportive multidisciplinary team, providing high-quality ophthalmic care across outpatient, inpatient, emergency, and surgical services.

The successful applicant will work alongside Consultant Ophthalmologists to deliver comprehensive ophthalmology services, including the management of general and urgent eye conditions, participation in subspecialty clinics, laser treatments, and theatre sessions. The role includes opportunities to contribute to teaching, clinical audit, quality improvement, research, and service development, while maintaining continuing professional development.

This is an ideal opportunity for an experienced ophthalmologist who is committed to delivering safe, effective, and patient-centred care, supporting the education and development of colleagues, and contributing to the ongoing improvement of ophthalmology services within a progressive NHS Trust.

Main duties of the job

The Specialty Doctor in Ophthalmology role is to deliver high-quality, patient-centred ophthalmic care across outpatient, inpatient, emergency, and surgical services at the Royal Eye Infirmary and Derriford Hospital, under the supervision of Consultant Ophthalmologists. The role also supports the continuous improvement of clinical services through active participation in clinical governance, audit, quality improvement, and research activities.

The post holder will contribute to the education and training of junior doctors, nursing staff, and allied health professionals while maintaining their own continuing professional development in line with Royal College standards.

Working collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team, the successful applicant will help develop ophthalmology services, support service innovation, participate in the on-call rota where required, and contribute to the efficient use of departmental resources. The role requires commitment to delivering excellent patient care, maintaining high professional standards, and supporting the ongoing development of the Ophthalmology Department at University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The Specialty Doctor in Ophthalmology will work under the supervision of Consultant Ophthalmologists to provide high-quality, patient-centred ophthalmic care across outpatient, inpatient, emergency, and surgical services at the Royal Eye Infirmary and Derriford Hospital.

The post holder will:

• Independently manage general and urgent ophthalmology clinics and participate in subspecialty clinics, laser treatments, and operating theatre lists within their competencies.
• Contribute to the delivery of safe, effective, and responsive ophthalmology services, including participation in the on-call rota where required.
• Provide inpatient care and work collaboratively with consultants, SAS doctors, trainees, nursing staff, allied health professionals, and the wider multidisciplinary team.
• Participate in clinical governance, audit, quality improvement, and research activities to support continuous service improvement.
• Contribute to the teaching, supervision, and training of junior doctors, medical students, nursing staff, and allied health professionals, while maintaining their own continuing professional development.
• Support service development, efficient use of departmental resources, and achievement of Trust quality standards and NHS waiting time targets.
• Comply with Trust policies, professional standards, and statutory requirements, undertaking any other duties appropriate to the grade of the post.

Person specification

Qualifications
Equivalent of M/FRCOphth, M/FRCS, Overseas equivalent in Ophthalmology

Experience
Demonstrate evidence of a sound ophthalmic training
At least 4 years of experience in ophthalmology

Communication skills, particularly in dealing with other medical teams and patients
Ability to work with a multidisciplinary team

Other factors
Ability to work hours of the job and participate in the 1st on call rota
Flexibility in patient care provision

We recognise that work life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants about less than full time/flexible working for our advertised roles. We commit to giving requests full consideration.

We welcome and encourage applicants who identify with all protected characteristics to apply for our roles. We believe that diversity strengthens our teams and improves our patients' experience. At UHP we aim to create an inclusive workplace and hospital where everyone feels they belong and included.

It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.

Providing false information is an offence & could result in the application being rejected or summary dismissal/police action if an applicant is successful.

Please note that if you are successful in your application & accept the position you agree that the Staff Health and Wellbeing Department can access your health records from your current/previous employer in order to check the status of your inoculations & screening tests. This is an automated process & the information will only be used for these purposes prior to your taking up the position with us.

For Doctors Roles:
Unsolicited CVs and Candidate Profiles/Details
University Hospitals Plymouth has a commitment to sourcing candidates directly and as such we do not accept speculative CVs from agencies.

We do, however, work with a defined list of preferred HTE Framework suppliers who may be invited to support us in sourcing candidates for particular roles. In line with our preferred supplier list, we only pay agency fees where we have a signed agreement in place and an agency has been instructed by a member of the Trust’s Medical Workforce team.

We do not pay agency fees where speculative and unsolicited CVs are submitted to the Trust or Trust employees by any other means than the official route above. Where this is not observed the Trust reserves the right to contact these candidates directly and initiate discussions without payment of any agency fee.

Any candidate details (whether written or spoken) or CVs that are referred directly will not constitute an introduction. The Trust will under no circumstances be responsible for any recruitment fees in relation to these contacts.

Submission of any unsolicited CVs, candidate’s details and/or proposals to the Trust will not be considered further and will be deemed evidence of full and unlimited acceptance of this Agency Protocol.

In order to establish and maintain good working relationships with the Trust’s agency suppliers, we ask that this Protocol is adhered to and thank you for your co-operation.

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.