Job overview

It is an exciting opportunity for a consultant ophthalmologist to shape and support the delivery of our new Community Ophthalmology service (COS). Community Ophthalmology is a relatively new sub-specialty which bridges the gap between primary and secondary care. By providing care at the community level, it improves patient access to specialist care while also delivering that care closer to home. For chronic conditions, this reduces the burden of hospital visits for the patients, while freeing up hospital capacity for those patients with more acute needs.

For many years, this service in Buckinghamshire has been provided by an intermediate care provider; but in 2023, this work has been taken back in-house by BHT, and therefore there is a need for consultant-level oversight, leadership and support - sharing audit, teaching, governance (and social) activity with the main hospital sites and team.

 Utilising BHT’s community hospital sites at Chalfont and Buckingham, the COS will have the ability to triage, diagnose, manage and provide ongoing monitoring for conditions such as stable or low-risk glaucoma, benign choroidal naevi, lid lumps minor ops and other stable conditions.  The nature of these and the development of the service, and types of clinic, will be dependent upon the skills of the appointed candidate -  eg laser DSLT, virtual clinics.

 Applicants should be on the GMC Specialist Register, or within 6 months of achieving CCT at the time of interview.

Planned AAC Interview Date is Friday 28 February 2025

Main duties of the job

• Triaging referrals from GP's and Opticians ensuring patients are seen in the correct pathway

• Patient-facing care in our Community Hospital's

•  Provide clinical expertise and support for allied health care professionals (optometrists, orthoptists, nurses) as they deliver patient-facing care

•  Clinical and other administration as required by agreement 

  ·         Ensure clinical governance and regular audit of the COS, to demonstrate its effectiveness and safety

  ·         Lead the development and growth of the COS.

  ·         Teaching and training of Oxford Deanery trainees, junior staff and undergraduates and AHPs

    

Working for our organisation

 Why colleagues think we are "a great place to work!"

What does Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust offer you?

As part of our BHT family, you’ll benefit from learning and development opportunities to support your career progression.

Alongside NHS benefits of generous annual leave entitlement and pension scheme, you'll have access to NHS discount schemes. 

We provide a range of health and wellbeing services to promote a healthy, happy workforce.

What do we stand for?

Our vision is to provide outstanding care, support healthy communities and be a great place to work.

Our mission is to provide personal and compassionate care every time.

We are working hard to increase diversity at all levels within the trust. We believe a diverse workforce can have a positive effect on both staff wellbeing and patient outcomes.

We welcome applications from black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates, LGBTQ+ candidates, candidates with disabilities and care-experienced candidates.

We are proud to achieve the Gold award for the Armed Forces Covenant and support applications from the Armed Forces Community. Please contact [email protected] (our Armed Forces Covenant Lead) if you would like guidance or assistance with your application.

We make employment decisions by matching our service needs with the skills and experience of candidates, regardless of age, disability, gender, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation.