Specialist Doctor for Ophthalmology (Paediatric Ophthalmology)

Job overview

The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospitals NHS Trust is advertising an exciting opportunity within the Ophthalmology service for a permanent Specialist Doctor in Ophthalmology with special interest in paediatric Ophthalmology. The successful applicant will also provide a general ophthalmology service and will be based at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital (RSH) but will also be required to work cross-site at Princess Royal Hospital (PRH). The timetable will include a variety of outpatient clinic sessions as well as theatre sessions and on-call. The department currently have 10 substantive consultants.

Main duties of the job

Main Clinical Duties include:

• Provide Ophthalmic services, with sub-specialist interest in paediatric ophthalmology.
• Complete clinical sessions in theatre, specialist and general clinics.
• Support the eye department 24-hour cover for emergencies as part of the 1in8 non-resident on-call rota.
• To provide support for ROP Screening Service.
• To support with the triaging of referrals received for the Paediatric Ophthalmology Service.
• Complete supporting professional activities, such as RSTA time including research and audit.
• To develop enhanced clinical skills, especially in the assessment and management of acutely ill patients.
• To have excellent team-working skills with the abilities and professional attitude to work well in a multi-professional team.
• To deliver clinical and quality targets agreed both nationally and locally with clinical teams and commissioners.
• To follow patients throughout their clinical pathways.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

A formal job plan will be agreed between the successful candidate and their Clinical Director and consultant colleagues, on behalf of the Medical Director within 3 months of starting in post. A full-time job plan is based on a 10 PA working week. The job plan will be reviewed annually and is a prospective agreement that sets out the specialist's duties, responsibilities, and objectives for the coming year. It covers all aspects of a specialist’s professional practice including clinical work, teaching, research, education and managerial responsibilities. It will provide a clear schedule of commitments, both internal and external and will include personal objectives, detailing links to wider service improvements and trust strategic priorities.

For a full-time contract, the job plan will be divided on average per week (pro-rata for a part time post) as:

• 9 Programmed Activities (PAs) of Direct Clinical Care - includes clinical activity, clinically related activity and predictable and unpredictable emergency work.
• 1 Supporting Professional Activities (SPAs) - includes CPD, audit, teaching and research.
• Additional Programmed Activities (APAs) – additional sessions can be included with formal agreement between the successful applicant and their clinical director.

The allocation of PAs is reviewed and may be subject to adjustment when a further diary exercise is undertaken or if the service demands a review of the team job plan.

Any applicant who is unable, for personal reasons, to work full-time will be eligible to be considered for the post. If such a person is appointed, modification of the job content will be discussed on a personal basis with the Trust in consultation with other consultant colleagues.

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.