Consultant Ophthalmologist - Interest in Non-Surgical Glaucoma

Job overview

Applications are invited for a part-time Consultant Ophthalmologist with a specialist interest in non-surgical Glaucoma and Medical Retina to join the Ophthalmology department at Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust.

The main services are based at Maidstone Hospital, with a smaller unit at Tunbridge Wells Hospital, and services are also provided at Medway Maritime Hospital.

This position offers an exciting opportunity to develop further the non-surgical Glaucoma and Medical Retina service within one of the largest ophthalmic departments in the Southeast, serving a population of 1.2 million people in Mid and West Kent.

Successful applicants will primarily work at the Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells sites, with outpatient sessions at Medway Maritime Hospital. These positions are whole-time appointments comprising 8 Programmed Activities (PAs).

Main duties of the job

The Maidstone & Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust is responsible for the provision of ophthalmology services for the people of Mid and West Kent. General and sub-speciality ophthalmology services are provided at the Eye, Ear, and Mouth Unit (EEMU), a modern, purpose- built facility attached to Maidstone Hospital, with further outpatient facilities provided at the Tunbridge Wells Hospital at Pembury and Medway Maritime Hospital in a “hub and spoke” model. The post-holder will have a timetable with sessions at Maidstone and other sites.

EEMU has a busy Rapid Access department, optometric and orthoptic departments. There are two dedicated ophthalmic operating theatres at Maidstone and one dedicated theatre at the Tunbridge Wells Hospital at Pembury. With a stable management team, we can continually improve services and add to the already high levels of equipment provision in our department. Friday afternoon departmental teaching for all staff is consultant- led. Research interests are supported by active links with The University of Kent at Canterbury.

Residence requirements for this post are compatible with living in the outskirts of London, or in many attractive, rural parts of Kent. Kent has selective state schooling with several excellent state grammar schools in the vicinity of Maidstone.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

To provide a high standard of care to any patient for whom you have clinical responsibility.  This will include any patients cared for by you personally.

To participate in clinical and other service activities and developments to ensure a high standard of patient care.

To take an equal share in providing subspecialty cover and covering for colleagues during the period of absence. This will include electronic triage of referrals.

To take part in the support and training of junior Ophthalmologists and the development and training of medical students and ancillary allied professionals, including the development of the oculoplastic nurse specialist role.

To participate fully in the clinical governance activities of the speciality. To attend clinical governance half-days as in the job plan. To undertake annual appraisal leading to revalidation. To participate actively in departmental audits,s which may be included in the work you undertake.

To work in close co-operation with other medical, professional and managerial colleagues, both within and outside the speciality, to provide high-quality health care to the Trust’s patients, and to make a contribution to future thinking about the Trust’s strategic direction.

To ensure at all times that you comply with the General Medical Council’s published guide “Good Medical Practice”, including the Duties of a Doctor.

To take personal responsibility for risk management in your work and undertake to review practices and learn from mistakes.  To be an active member of the risk management processes of the clinical team and care group.

To ensure that you respond promptly and efficiently to all complaints related to any patient care you have been involved with, assisting the Trust’s corporate responsibility to reply to complaints within a specified time frame.

To ensure that you develop and maintain effective working relationships with those agencies concerned with the provision of health and social care services and those representing the interests of patients.

You are required to take reasonable care for the health and safety of yourself and others who may be affected by what you do while at work. You must adhere to Trust IRMER Regulations.

The post holders will also be required to perform duties in occasional emergencies and unforeseen circumstances at the request of the Clinical Director or General Manager for Ophthalmology.