Clinical Fellow in Ophthalmology (Vitreoretinal)

Clinical Fellow in Ophthalmology (Vitreoretinal)

Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

We are looking for a Trust Ophthalmology Fellow to join our Acute District General Hospital team. We have a 12-month fixed term post in vitreoretinal. A broad range of general ophthalmology experience can be provided, including high volume cataract surgery and experience in independent cataract surgery is required. Previous experience in vitreoretinal surgery is not required but previous exposure to vitreoretinal surgery is desirable.

As a senior employee of our Trust you will work in close co-operation with and support not just other clinical professionals but also our managerial colleagues in providing high quality healthcare to our patients.

Main duties of the job

Integral to the responsibilities of our posts are the following objectives:

1. To ensure the delivery of a high-quality patient-centred clinical service
2. To provide effective leadership to all staff engaged in that same task
3. To sustain and develop teaching and research wherever appropriate
4. To work in accordance with our trust's procedures and operating policies
5. To support the business plans and development strategies formulated for the specialty
6. To work within the framework of team decisions
7. To show initiative, enthusiasm and flexibility

About us

We are a large organisation providing acute services from Gloucestershire Royal Hospital in Gloucester and Cheltenham General Hospital to a population of 652,475 in Gloucestershire as well as caring for patients from surrounding counties and beyond.

Our workforce is almost 8,000 strong and our caring and dedicated staff are recognised as providing good and outstanding patient-centred, high-quality emergency, elective and specialist care across a range of clinical areas.

We are committed to recruiting the best people to work with us to achieve our Vision of providing Best Care for Everyone and our success depends on the commitment and dedication of our staff, many of whom are world leaders in healthcare, teaching and research. You could make a real difference to our patients' lives by joining our team.

Ophthalmology services within Gloucestershire have responsibility for all countywide ophthalmology services. The principal ophthalmology departments are based at Cheltenham General Hospital and Gloucestershire Royal Hospital with peripheral outpatient clinics being held at Cirencester, Tewkesbury, Stroud, Lydney, North Cotswold and Forest of Dean.

Surgery is undertaken at Cheltenham General Hospital and Tewkesbury Community Hospital. The department is supported by orthoptic, optometry and imaging.

Job responsibilities

The successful applicant will work closely under the supervision of the Vitreo Retina consultants (Mr Kaintatzis, Mr Clarke, Mr Dell-Aversana and Ms Safiullina) in the unit.

The weekly timetable includes vitreoretinal and cataract theatre sessions, vitreoretinal clinics, casualty clinics, and study/administrative sessions.

The post does not have any fixed-on call commitments. The postholder is expected to coordinate vitreoretinal emergencies, both in the clinic, and in theatre. The postholder is also expected to be flexible and willing to undertake additional duties out of hours or in the event of unforeseen circumstances to ensure the smooth running of the department.

Teaching

There is formal weekly departmental teaching on Friday afternoon for all medical, orthoptic, optometric and nursing staff. The postholder is encouraged to attend these teaching sessions and provide formal and informal supervision/teaching to more junior members in the team. Further teaching will be performed in clinical sessions alongside vitreoretinal consultants.

Administration

It is not expected that the postholder will have any formal administrative responsibility other than that related to direct patient care.

Research

Research opportunities are available to interested postholder, including participating in commercial research projects.

Continuing Education

The postholder will have the opportunity to use the cataract simulator, and dry lab to improve and fine tune their surgical skills.

Person Specification

Registration & Qualifications

• Full or eligible for full GMC Registration
• Dip Ophth MCCOphth or equivalent
• FRCOphth Higher Degree e.g. MSc, MD, PhD within 6 months of completing CCT

General

• Acceptance that the post requires a strong service commitment
• Ability to travel independently between hospital sites
• Evidence of personal initiative

Experience

• A minimum of four years postgraduate experience with at least four years Ophthalmic StR1 or higher grade since registration
• Experience in independent phacoemulsification cataract surgery
• Experience in vitreoretina surgery and the management of vitreoretina emergencies

Audit & Research

• Experience and participation in departmental audits
• Previous QIP or audit in vitreoretina services
• Previous publications or research in vitreoretina

Clinical Skills

• Experience working in busy outpatients, casualty and theatre
• Ability to work in clinic and perform cataract surgery unsupervised
• Special interest in vitreoretina surgery

Interpersonal Skills

• Willingness to seek timely assistance from senior colleagues when appropriate
• Ability to establish good working relationships with staff and be able to communicate well with patients
• Applicants whose primary professional qualification(s) were not taken in English, and those Applicants whose primary professional qualification(s) were not taken in English and who have spent less than 6 months in a substantive NHS post, will need to provide evidence to demonstrate their language competence by showing that they have achieved a score in a recognised language test which is acceptable to the Trust such as the International English Language testing System (ILETS) or equivalent
• If relevant, to have achieved the following scores in the academic International English Language Testing System (IELTS) in a single sitting within 24 months at time of application - Overall 7, Speaking 7, Listening 7, Reading 7, Writing 7
• Evidence of leadership

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust