Specialty Doctor in Ophthalmology

Job overview

The James Paget University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is seeking to appoint a Specialty Doctor in Ophthalmology.

The position provides an excellent opportunity for suitably qualified doctor to actively develop their skills in general ophthalmology and to contribute to the further development of a modern Ophthalmology service within this highly regarded Trust, with its wide range of acute and community services that will afford high professional visibility. The Post is based at the JPUH but there is a strong focus on teaching, training and research with links to UEA (University of East Anglia).

Main duties of the job

The department has a strong regional reputation for teaching and training and in working towards Portfolio / CESR Article 14 route for Specialist registration in Ophthalmology. The department has consultants who are senior RCOphth CESR assessor, train at the RCOphth microsurgical skills course & EyeSi simulation leads, and who examine for the College. Prof BJL Burton is the current RCOphth College President.

We also run regional surgical skills courses twice a year at this hospital, and we are a regional skills hub with a virtual-reality cataract surgical simulator facility and wet lab.

The eye unit has recently acquired the state-of-the-art 3-D 4K Zeiss ARTEVO Microscope with integrated OCT and Callisto system in keeping with the service vision and ambition to provide the best and latest eyecare and opportunity for professional development.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The posts will be a full time appointment at 10 PA’s per week, to cover day and on call commitments.

The post holder will be experienced enough to diagnose general ophthalmic conditions, formulate and execute management plans independently, and demonstrate clinical competency and safety by way of regular audit.

Post holder with suitable skills and experience may be offered surgical time which can be discussed. CESR support and training opportunity will be available for a suitable, self-motivated applicant and the eye unit has an excellent track record of successful CESR route trainees.

Preference will be given to applicants who ca perform independent cataract surgery and supervise junior colleagues for cataract surgery.

The post holder will be required to participate in junior medical staff / specialty doctors ward rounds, liaise with the rota coordinator to ensure safe running of the on-call rotas. He/she will also be expected to take part in the delivery of teaching for undergraduate medical students, as required.

The Specialty Doctor will be committed to the following weekly duties:

• Six or Seven outpatient clinics –mix of general and sub-specialty clinics

• One theatre session for post-holder with suitable skills (2 theatre sessions per week may be available for post-holder with suitable surgical skills).

• Half Day for research/study each week

• One session a week is set aside for all staff for the formal teaching programme
• On call commitment (1st on call, 1 in 7 with prospective cover). Weekend on-call rota involves ward round for potential inpatients only / internal referrals.
• This post will not involve inclusion in regional weekend acute ophthalmic on-call which is covered by NNUH@Norwich.

The post holder will actively participate and contribute to the department teaching/audit/research programme, and will have the opportunity to attend regional study days.

So far as is consistent with the proper discharge of the above duties, the post holder undertakes to deputise from time to time for absent colleagues. The post holder undertakes, exceptionally, to perform additional duties in occasional emergencies and unforeseen circumstances outside of normally rostered duties, for the continuity of patient care.

The Rota

The department operates an on call rota on a 1:7 basis.

The position is remunerated at 10 PA’s per week.