Job summary
Employer heading
Fixed Term Clinical Fellow in Ophthalmology (ST3+)
NHS Medical & Dental: Local Appointment nodal point 4 (MT04)
Job overview
We are seeking applications for the position of Clinical Fellow in Ophthalmology for a period of 6 months (until 5th August 2025).
This role aims to support the ophthalmology services while offering opportunities for training, including potential theatre and laser sessions.
The Eye Unit, known for its strong culture of training, support, and cohesive teamwork, provides substantial consultant support in specialist clinics and eye care. Ideal candidates will have experience equivalent to at least a year 2 or 3 specialist registrar in ophthalmology or have completed equivalent higher surgical training in ophthalmology.
Main duties of the job
Key Responsibilities:
- Assist in the delivery of ophthalmology services
- Participate in training opportunities, including theatre and laser sessions
- Collaborate with consultants in specialist clinics and eye care
- Participate on the on call rota
- To undertake administrative duties associated with the care of your patients.
- To respond to queries from patients, general practitioners and colleagues.
Details of the job plan and full Job Description and Person Specification are included in the application pack.
Working for our organisation
#BeKnown at West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust. By us. By our patients. By our community
We are a busy, friendly, rural NHS Trust providing high-quality care and compassion to more than a quarter of a million people across west Suffolk. We care for, treat and support people in hospital, at home and in various community settings.
The West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds provides acute and secondary care services (emergency department, maternity and neonatal services, day surgery unit, eye treatment centre, Macmillan unit and children's ward). It has 500+ beds and is a partner teaching hospital of the University of Cambridge.
Adult and paediatric community services, provided in collaboration with West Suffolk Alliance partners, include a range of nursing, therapy, specialist, and ongoing temporary care and rehabilitation, some at our Newmarket Community Hospital.
We do our utmost to achieve outstanding clinical outcomes for patients and our values of fairness, inclusivity, respect, safety and team work guide how we work and behave as a team.
With nearly 5,000 staff, from all over the world, we strive to make our organisation a great place to work. Whatever your role or ambition, we want to help you be the best you can be.
We promote a diverse and inclusive community where everyones voice counts and you can #BeKnown for whoever you are.
Join us. What will you #BeKnown for?
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
THE OPHTHALMOLOGY DEPARTMENT
The Trust delivers services to patients seven days a week and aims to provide equality of treatment and outcome regardless of the day of the week. To meet these aims and changing service requirements, the Trust may need you either to work temporarily outside of your core hours or to permanently change your core working days and hours. The Trust will give you reasonable notice, where possible, of temporary changes to your days or hours of work and will consult with you and/or your staff representatives about substantial permanent changes, but ultimately, these are changes which may be required of you.
Person specification
Education and Qualifications
Essential criteria
- MBBS or equivalent medical qualification
- MRC Ophth or equivalent
- Full GMC registration with a licence to practise
Desirable criteria
- Higher degree
Motivation
Essential criteria
- Ability to provide complete details of employment history.
- At least 2 years’ experience (at SHO/ ST1) in Ophthalmology (not including Foundation modules)
Desirable criteria
- 2 years’ experience in ophthalmology
Experience and Knowledge
Essential criteria
- Appropriate knowledge base and capacity to apply sound clinical judgement.
- Evidence of at least 2 years of ophthalmic training equivalent to that recognised in UK.
- Realistic insight into specialty.
- Demonstrates self-awareness and commitment to personal & professional development.
Desirable criteria
- Personal Attributes: Shows aptitude for practical skills, e.g. hand-eye coordination, dexterity.
- Extracurricular activities / achievements relevant to ophthalmology
- Attendance at appropriate meetings and courses
Personality
Essential criteria
- Capacity to take in others’ perspectives, sees patients as people, able to develop rapport.
- Capacity to adapt language as appropriate to the situation, open and non-defensive, well-presented application.
- Capacity to work cooperatively with others and show leadership/authority where appropriate.
- Capacity to use logical/lateral thinking to solve problems and make decisions.
- Capacity to operate under pressure.
- Demonstrates initiative & resilience to cope with setbacks & adapt to rapidly changing circumstances.
- Capacity to manage time and information effectively. Capacity to prioritise clinical tasks.
Desirable criteria
- Information technology skills
Clinical Governance and Research
Essential criteria
- Demonstrates understanding of the principles of audit and research.
Desirable criteria
- Evidence of relevant academic & research achievements, e.g. degrees, prizes, awards, distinctions, publications, other achievements
- Evidence of active participation in audit
- Presentations at local / regional / national meetings
Management Ability
Essential criteria
- All applicants to have demonstrable skills in written and spoken English that are adequate to enable effective communication about medical topics with patients and colleagues which could be demonstrated by one of the following: - PLAB 1 - PLAB 2 However, if applicants believe that they have adequate communication skills but do not fit into one of the examples they need to provide evidence.
Teaching/Education
Essential criteria
- Evidence of interest and experience in teaching
Health
Essential criteria
- Meets professional health requirements (in line with GMC standards/Good Medical Practice)
- Is up to date and fit to practise safely.
Probity
Essential criteria
- Capacity to take responsibility for own actions and demonstrate a non-judgemental approach towards others.
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
- Athanasios Vardarinos
- Job title
- Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon & Clinical Lead
- Email address
- [email protected]
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