Job summary
- Main area
- Ophthalmology
- Grade
- NHS Medical & Dental: Consultant
- Contract
- 12 months (12 months fixed term)
- Hours
- Full time - 10 sessions per week
- Job ref
- 210-2025-108
- Employer
- Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Countess of Chester hospital
- Town
- Chester
- Salary
- £105,504 - £139,882 pa
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 08/04/2025 23:59
Employer heading
Locum Consultant Ophthalmologist
NHS Medical & Dental: Consultant
Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, staff pride themselves on not only leading through clinical excellence, but also by creating an environment where all staff are valued and appreciated. To achieve this, the Trust has embarked on an exciting new strategy focused on continuous improvement.
Our vision is to improve the lives of our community and provide excellence in healthcare, through partnership and innovation
Our High Performance Culture will support everyone to be the best version of themselves by being true to our Trust vision, values and behaviours.
We welcome applications from colleagues from our local and neighbouring communities of all backgrounds and identities, who are currently under-represented within our region such as Black, Asian, Minority ethnic and those with disabilities.
As a region we are reviewing the way we work, and exploring how new working practices that support flexible working can create a positive work-life balance. As part of our recruitment process we will explore how our inclusive employment policies, flexible working, staff engagement forums, Trust facilities and services can be of mutual benefit.
Job overview
Working Full time : 10 Sessions per week
Applications are invited for a 12-month fixed term Locum Consultant Ophthalmologist at the Countess of Chester Hospital.
This post will be based on 10 Programmed Activities per week and presents an exciting opportunity for a dynamic and motivated individual to join our department and work within our existing team of committed ophthalmic professionals.
Main duties of the job
The candidate will be expected to integrate within the team of existing consultants in order to provide a complete ophthalmology service. Sub-specialty interests will be accommodated where possible, and the successful candidate will be expected to work to support and further develop the management of Ophthalmology. They will also be expected to take part in the general consultant on-call rota.
The on-call commitment is shared with Arrowe Park Hospital Consultants and is currently 1 in 16. The post holder will also join the on-duty rota which is also 1 in 16.
You will be joining our team of 9 Consultants, 4 Specialty Doctors, 3 Specialty Trainees and 1 ST1/2 Trust doctor, plus our team of Ophthalmic nurses, Optometrists and Orthoptists.
The post will be based at The Countess of Chester Hospital site, but also includes outpatient clinic and theatre work for cataract surgery at the new Cheshire & Merseyside Surgical Centre at Victoria Infirmary Northwich (VIN).
The Countess of Chester Hospital is situated in a beautiful location on the outskirts of the historic Roman City of Chester. We are within easy access of Liverpool, Manchester Airport, North Wales and the Lake District. The Trust is committed to continued professional development, and to a culture of ongoing service improvement.
For further information, informal discussion or to arrange a department visit please contact Mr C Parkes, Consultant Ophthalmologist and Clinical Lead.
Working for our organisation
The Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust provides services to West Cheshire and to Welsh patients covered by Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board. The Trust works collaboratively within the wider Cheshire and Merseyside Health and Care Partnership. Its services are provided from three locations:
• The Countess of Chester Hospital: providing 438 general and acute beds.
• Ellesmere Port Hospital: providing 56 beds as a rehabilitation, intermediate and outpatient facility.
• Tarporley War Memorial Hospital: a base for community services which serve the local rural population.
The Trust employs over 6258 staff (headcount) which includes temporary bank staff and provides acute emergency and elective services, primary care direct access services and obstetric services to a population of approximately 407,000. This includes 357,000 residents in Chester and West Cheshire which includes Ellesmere Port and Neston as well as the Deeside area of Flintshire which has a population of approximately 50,000.
The Trust is a busy district general hospital and in 2022/2023, there were more than 503,342 patient attendances (inpatient, outpatient and diagnostic) ranging from a simple outpatient appointment to major cancer surgery. This is an increase of nearly 10,000 compared to the previous year when there were 494,387 patient attendances.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
For detailed description, please see Job Description.
Please note applicants will be required to pay for their DBS check. Costs will be deducted from their salary over the first three months of employment.
You are encouraged to enrol for the DBS Update Service. A small annual fee of £16 per year applies.
New entrants to the NHS will commence on the minimum of the scale stated above.
Applicants are advised to apply early as if a large number of applications are received for this post, we reserve the right to close the vacancy prior to the advertised date.
Good luck with your application.
Person specification
Qualifications & Skills
Essential criteria
- FRCOphth or equivalent
- On Specialist Register of the General Medical Council or within six months of anticipated CCT date on the date of interview
Desirable criteria
- MD/PhD
Clinical Experience and Effectiveness
Essential criteria
- Wide clinical experience in Neuro-Ophthalmology and Strabismus
- Experience in cataract surgery
- Participation in on-call
Teaching & Training Experience
Essential criteria
- Experience / interest in teaching
Desirable criteria
- Attendance at teaching skills courses
Attendance at teaching skills courses
Essential criteria
- Demonstrable use of Clinical Audit within a Service
- Demonstrable use of research and evidence base to practice
- Understanding of importance of management skills
Desirable criteria
- Relevant experience in undertaking and organisation of Audit
- Research and publications relevant to Neuro-Ophthalmology and Strabismus
- Attendance at relevant courses
Personal Attributes
Essential criteria
- Ability to integrate within, motivate, and provide professional leadership in a multi-disciplinary team
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Mr Craig Parkes
- Job title
- Consultant Ophthalmologist and Clinical Lead
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 01244 362238
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