We are seeking an enthusiastic and motivated general consultant ophthalmologist with a subspecialty interest in cataract surgery to join our forward-thinking department. There will be opportunities for the successful candidate to contribute to the Urgent Eye Care service, depending on service needs and individual interests. Interested applicants are encouraged to contact the department to discuss the post and the possibilities for development once in the role.
Ability to offer expert clinical opinions on a range of ophthalmic problems, both emergency and elective.
Independent running of operating lists and teaching cataract surgery.
Ability to take full and independent responsibility for the clinical care of patients.
Ability to prioritize clinical needs.
Ability to supervise multi-disciplinary teams.
Willingness to work according to guidelines and group decisions.
Ability to demonstrate familiarity with and understanding of NHS structures, management, and current political issues, including awareness of national strategic plans and constraints.
Ability to demonstrate a willingness to lead clinical teams.
Effective specialist clinical service.
We are a forward thinking, very well equipped and well supported department. We provide a very wide range of ophthalmic services.
Our surgical service is run from the purpose-built Eye Surgery Unit (ESU) just upstairs from the Eye Clinic. From here we offer a one stop cataract assessment service, surgical booking service and admissions area. Our very few inpatients are admitted here and go to a ward postoperatively. Operating lists are conducted at Torbay Hospital, as well as the potential for use of the Centre of Excellence for Eyes at Nightingale Hospital in Exeter. Our second ophthalmic theatre on the Torbay Hospital site was opened in February 2024 and has dedicated HVLC lists.
Currently the majority of minor lid operations (entropion, ectropion, lesion excision etc) takes place in our minor operations suite in the outpatients’ department.
We have integrated image viewing software and use Medisoft EPR for our medical retinal, macula, eye casualty, VR and cataract surgery services. The hospital plans to start using EPIC in 2026.
We hold clinics at Newton Abbot community hospital and there is potential that we will be expanding our service into further community sites.
The Trust has a good working relationship with our commissioners and the Department has regular meetings with the commissioning bodies.
A provisional job plan is shown below, although please note this job plan is representative only. The final timetable will depend on current service redesign within the unit and the interests of the appointed candidate.
Morning
PA
Afternoon
PA
Monday
SPA
0.5
CLINIC
1
Tuesday
ADMIN
1
THEATRE/LASER
1
Wednesday
SPA
1
CLINIC
1
Thursday
Theatre
1.25
CLINIC
1
Friday
CLINIC
1
SPA
1
On call 0.25 PA
Initial split of 7.5 DCC, 2.5 SPA. Following 6 to 12 months in post (depending on previous experience), there is a baseline 1.5 SPA with a further 1 PA to be used either as SPA performing additional roles (e.g College Tutor, clinical governance, medical student supervision, etc) or DCC, according to Consultant preference.
To provide high quality consultant delivered care to patients including clinical leadership and supervision of junior medical staff, ensuring the highest standards of clinical care are provided to all patients attending the hospital.
To be proactive in ensuring that all patients receive rapid assessment, treatment and clinical decision making, whilst ensuring our standard to deliver safe quality and performance are delivered and sustained.
To provide teaching and training at undergraduate and postgraduate level and supervised and train the juniors and specialty doctors. To be proactive in the department’s clinical governance agenda and take on leadership roles to support continuous learning and improvement, thereby abiding by the clinical and corporate governance policies of the Trust.
To liaise with clinicians and managers within and outside the department to address any issues arising that may affect the services.
To participate in relevant audit and quality assurance processes.
To communicate with local GPs
Other responsibilities include:
Junior Staff: Recruitment, appointment and educational supervision including educational contracts, regular appraisal, organisation of study leave, annual leave and rotas.
Budget: Co-operate with the Deputy Medical Director and Divisional General Manager on budget issues.
Communication: This will include the responsibility for and arrangement of communication and liaison with all other medical and service departments within the Trust as well as other Trusts.
Teaching: To have an active role in the junior doctor training programme.
Eligible candidates will need to have Full GMC Registration (with licence to practice) and be on the Specialist Register by date of interview or within 6 months of CCT (Certificate of Completion of Training). We provide a very wide range of ophthalmic services including intravitreal treatments for macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy, vitreo-retinal surgery, services for medical retina including uveitis, lacrimal surgery – please see job description for more services.
