Consultant Ophthalmologist Glaucoma

Job overview

This appointment offers an exciting opportunity to join the Ophthalmology Department at a time of significant service development within the Trust. The glaucoma service delivers both face‑to‑face and virtual clinic activity, with substantial expansion of virtual capacity currently underway to support growing demand.

The post‑holder will contribute to the delivery of high‑quality glaucoma care for patients across Gloucestershire, alongside teaching and supervising resident doctors and medical students. Close collaboration with general practitioners, community optometrists and wider multidisciplinary colleagues is essential to ensure seamless, integrated patient care.

As a senior member of the Trust, the post‑holder will work in partnership with clinical, professional and managerial colleagues to uphold the highest standards of patient care. Core responsibilities include:

• Ensuring the provision of a first‑class clinical glaucoma service
• Providing effective leadership within the specialty
• Supporting and developing teaching and research activities
• Working in accordance with Trust procedures and operating policies
• Delivering clinical practice aligned with contractual requirements and the Trust’s service plans
• Contributing to and maintaining confidence in service development and business plans across the specialty, Surgical Division and wider Trust

Main duties of the job

The post holder will be required to have completed senior subspecialty fellowship training in glaucoma, providing the knowledge, clinical expertise and surgical skill necessary to practise independently within the glaucoma service. They must have experience managing the full spectrum of complex glaucoma conditions, including advanced and secondary glaucoma’s, and be proficient in the assessment, initiation and monitoring of medical, laser and surgical treatments.

The post holder should demonstrate expertise in interpreting glaucoma diagnostics—including OCT, visual fields, optic nerve imaging and anterior segment imaging—and have the ability to formulate and deliver safe, evidence‑based management plans. Surgical competence should include experience in traditional and minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS), with the ability to manage surgical complications and coordinate perioperative care.

In relation to virtual care pathways, the post holder will be expected to have experience in the setup, oversight and development of glaucoma virtual clinics, including risk‑stratified patient flows, quality‑assurance processes and identifying opportunities to expand and optimise virtual service delivery across the county.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• Clinical Responsibilities/Key Responsibilities
• Deliver high‑quality, patient‑centred care within the Ophthalmology service, with a specific focus on Glaucoma.
• Provide General Ophthalmology services alongside consultant colleagues and the wider multidisciplinary team.
• Lead and deliver a specialist Glaucoma service across Gloucestershire Hospitals, working collaboratively with ophthalmologists, orthoptists, optometrists, nurses and wider clinical teams.
• Assess, diagnose and manage glaucoma patients in outpatient, inpatient, surgical and diagnostic settings, ensuring timely, evidence‑based treatment.
• Provide senior clinical decision‑making support and supervision to resident doctors, specialty trainees, optometrists, orthoptists and nursing colleagues.
• Participate in the out‑of‑hours rota in accordance with agreed departmental protocols.
• Professional Development, Education and Training
• Support high‑quality training opportunities for medical, nursing, AHP and non‑medical staff, aligned with national and local requirements.
• Contribute to undergraduate and postgraduate teaching, including clinical teaching, departmental meetings, tutorials and educational sessions.
• Act as Educational Supervisor for junior or middle‑grade medical staff where agreed, undertaking appraisal and supporting development plans.
• Maintain engagement with current literature and learning resources. The department has extensive journal access, strong library facilities in Gloucester and Cheltenham, and wide digital and intranet support for research and education.
• Management and Leadership
• Provide clinical leadership and specialist glaucoma expertise in service development, pathway optimisation and operational improvements.
• Participate in consultant and senior staff meetings, contributing to the delivery of Trust and departmental objectives.
• Attend relevant departmental, Divisional, Trust, regional and national meetings as required.
• Work in accordance with all Trust policies, procedures and governance frameworks.
• Clinical Governance and Audit
• Promote and demonstrate evidence‑based practice and comply with NICE, national glaucoma guidelines, and emerging best‑practice standards.
• Lead and support clinical audit, quality improvement and service evaluation relating to glaucoma pathways and outcomes.
• Participate in risk management, incident investigation and quality assurance across the ophthalmology service.
• Maintain up‑to‑date knowledge and skills in accordance with RCOphth CPD requirements.
• Manage complaints, concerns and clinical incidents appropriately and constructively.
• Attend accredited courses and meetings to maintain and enhance clinical, teaching and leadership skills.
• Participate in the annual Job Planning Review and Trust Appraisal process.
• Comply with the Trust’s Adverse Clinical Incident Policy and all clinical governance requirements.
• Communication and Working Relationships
• Work collaboratively within the multidisciplinary team, contributing to high‑quality communication and shared clinical decision‑making.
• Support integrated care and partnership working with community ophthalmic services and regional glaucoma networks.
• Demonstrate initiative, enthusiasm and flexibility in professional activities and service delivery.
• General Working Conditions
• Report professionally to the Glaucoma Lead, Specialty Director, and Divisional Lead.
• Engage actively in appraisal processes and take responsibility for ongoing professional development.
• Maintain a safe working environment, ensuring the health, safety and wellbeing of patients, visitors and colleagues.