Clinical Fellow in Neuro-Ophthalmology & inflammatory eye disease

This is a full-time post, based at King's College Hospital, Denmark Hill (DH) with sessions at St Thomas' Hospital, and working within a multi-disciplinary team to provide elective and emergency care for ophthalmology patients within the Neuro-ophthalmology service at King's and the Medical Eye Unit (MEU) at Guy's and St Thomas' Trust (GSTT). Tenure of the post is for 12 months from 1 August 2024.

Main duties of the job

This is an ideal post for a senior trainee who already has basic training in neuro-ophthalmology and inflammatory eye disease/uveitis and is seeking to broaden their experience. There is also the potential to gain experience in other areas e.g., medical retina or cataract surgery if sufficiently experienced.

Applicants must have MRCOphth, FRCOphth, or equivalent, be registered with a licence to practise with the GMC at the time of appointment. Applicants ideally would be proficient in undertaking cataract surgery independently. Regular clinical duties include the management of out-patients and in-patients, including ward referrals.

The post-holders will also be expected to take part in the on-call rota at King's College Hospital (Denmark Hill site). Emergency referrals, particularly outside normal working hours, are handled directly by the on-call team. Each day there are 1st and 2nd on-call trainees, based at Denmark Hill, each participating in a 1 in 10 or less frequent rota with internal cover. The 1st on-call is required to be on the hospital site until 10.00 pm. The 2nd on-call is non-resident after 5pm, but is required to see, and discuss with the on-call Consultant, any emergency patients requiring admission or surgery. If there is any uncertainty about the care of a patient, the 1st on-call must seek advice from the 2nd on-call and the 2nd on-call from the on-call Consultant respectively.

About us

King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of the UK's largest and busiest teaching Trusts with a turnover of c£1 billion, 1.5 million patient contacts a year and more than 15,000 staff based across South East London. The Trust provides a full range of local and specialist services across its five sites. The Trust-wide strategy of Strong Roots, Global Reach is our Vision to be BOLD, Brilliant people, Outstanding care, Leaders in Research, Innovation and Education, Diversity, Equality and Inclusion at the heart of everything we do. By being person-centred, digitally-enabled, and focused on sustainability, we aim to take Team King's to another level.

King's is committed to delivering Sustainable Healthcare for all via our Green Plan. In line with national Greener NHS ambitions, we have set net zero carbon targets by 2040 for our NHS Carbon Footprint and 2045 for our NHS Carbon Footprint Plus. Everyone's contribution is required in order to meet the goals set out in our Green Plan and we encourage all staff to work responsibly, minimising their contributions to the Trust's carbon emissions, waste and pollution wherever possible.

Job description

Job responsibilities

The post will be based at the Denmark Hill site, and this will be reviewed within 3 months of the postholder commencing in post.

All employees are expected to undertake work on any of the Trust's sites as required by the service. As an employee of the Trust you will work in close co-operation with, and support other clinical, medical professional and managerial colleagues in providing high quality healthcare to the Trust's patients. Integral to these responsibilities is the following:

1. The provision of a first class clinical service.
2. Effective leadership to all staff engaged in the specialty.
3. Sustaining and developing teaching and research in conjunction with Kings College London / KHP.
4. Undertaking all work in accordance with the Trust's procedures and operating policies.
5. Conducting clinical practice in accordance with contractual requirements and within the parameters of the Trust's service plans.
6. Maintaining the confidence of business plans and development strategies formulated for the specialty, the Care Group or the Trust.

1. PROPOSED TIMETABLE

*These timetables are indicative only. All timetables within the service are constantly under review, and as such are subject to change.*

*The post holder will be expected to take part in the on-call rota at Kings College Hospital, which may include provision of ophthalmic care to patients of Lewisham, Sidcup and Farnborough. Urgent general referrals from General Practitioners, Optometrists, and the Accident & Emergency Departments of Kings College, Lewisham, Sidcup and Princess Royal Hospitals are usually managed within the booked appointment system of the Kings Rapid Eye Service (KRES) at Denmark Hill or the Rapid Access Unit (RAU) at Queen Marys Hospital but patients may be referred to the on-call team for emergency management. Emergency referrals, particularly outside normal working hours, are handled directly by the on-call team. There is a first on-call rota is resident until 10pm each day. After 10pm there is an overnight on-call rota which is non-resident, although attendance may be required. The on-call doctor is required to see, and discuss with the on-call Consultant, any emergency patients requiring admission or surgery.*

Indicative timetable

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thur

Fri

AM

OPD (uveitis)
GSTT
Mr J McHugh
OPD
(DH)
Neuroradiology MDT
MEU Complex Case Round GSTT
Mr E OSullivan
OPD
(DH)
Neuro radiology meeting (DH)
Ward reviews (DH)

PM

OPD (Medical Eye)
GSTT
CPD
MEU Teaching
Ophthalmology teaching/ virtual biologics MDT meeting
GSTT
Virtual Review Clinic / Clinical Admin (Alt.) (DH)
Theatre/OPD

2. KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Together with other colleagues to provide a service for patients. This includes all aspects of treatment and relevant management duties for the proper functioning of the Care Group.

Shared responsibility with other colleagues for providing 24 hours, 7 days a week cover for the Unit on a rota basis. Responsible also for covering colleagues periods of annual leave and short-term sickness.

Participation in Multi-disciplinary Meetings.

Contribution to audit and clinical governance programmes.

Responsible for outpatient clinic commitments in peripheral hospitals as agreed with the Care Group management team.

Contribute to the Care Group research interests in accordance with the Trust's R&D framework.

Contribute to the audit programmes, resident teaching programmes, Morbidity and Mortality, clinical governance programs and learning from Deaths.

Conduct all activities within the contracted level of service and operating plan for service(s).

Work in conjunction with clinical and other professional colleagues to ensure that the productivity of staff within the specialty is maintained and their job satisfaction is enhanced. This may include involvement in the appraisal process for peers and/or junior colleagues.

Be aware of, and comply with, all Trust infection prevention and control policies, to include hand hygiene, personal hygiene, environmental and food hygiene.

Prepare for and undertake the protective interventions that you are responsible for in a manner that is consistent with evidence-based practice and maintaining patient safety.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Registerable medical qualification.
• MRCOphth, FRCOphth or equivalent.
• Full registration with GMC/GDC with License to Practice.

Desirable

• Other higher degree or diploma (e.g., MD).
• MRCP or equivalent.
• Management course and/or qualification.

Experience
Essential

• Wide experience in all aspects of Ophthalmology, culminating in award of CCT or equivalent.
• Training in neuro-ophthalmology and inflammatory eye disease.
• Experience in day to day organisation of Ophthalmic services in a busy Teaching Hospital.
• Experience of conducting or supporting clinical research.

Desirable

• Familiar with current structure of Health Service and conversant with recent initiatives and changes.

Skills
Essential

• Familiarity with information technology and general computer skills.
• Able to demonstrate leadership capability within multi-disciplinary teams.
• Thorough understanding of principles of medical audit and quality improvement.
• Must be able to demonstrate ability to lead change.

Desirable

• Teaching skills course/qualification.

213-DH-7151239