Locum Consultant Ophthalmologist Interest Medical Retina (6 months)

Locum Consultant Ophthalmologist Interest Medical Retina (6 months)

University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust

The closing date is 30 September 2025

Applications are invited for the post of Consultant Ophthalmologist, specialist interest Medical Retina, at the University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust (UHB). The post will be based on a fixed term part time 7.75 PA contract. UHB encompasses 4 hospital sites with more than 30 consultant ophthalmologists. This post will be based mainly at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham but cross site work (Solihull, Heartlands, Good Hope Hospital) is expected at times. As well as consultant ophthalmologists, the eye service is supported by ophthalmic specialist trainees, trust grades, fellows, orthoptists, optometrists, ophthalmic nurses and ophthalmic technicians. Imaging facilities vary across the hospital sites depending on the service needs; current facilities include OCT, OCTA, Bluepeak AF, Multicolour, HRA-OCT for FFA/ICG, California UWF Optos, Ultrasound, UBM, AS-OCT, Corneal topography and research access to FLEX mobile Spectralis and Anterion SS AS-OCT.

Main duties of the job

This is a fixed term post to cover a period of maternity leave in UHB Ophthalmology services in medical retina. The successful applicant will be expected to maintain a service to help meet the clinical requirements of the workload from across the region. It is anticipated that the post holder will have post-CCT subspecialty training in medical retina.

The main duties involve management of both acute and chronic general medical retina conditions. The timetable will also include cataract theatre, a cataract clinic and be expected to cover acute general ophthalmology patients on a prospective daytime only rota. The final timetable of duties will be discussed with the successful candidate on appointment.

Flexibility with regards to the timetabling of fixed sessions will be expected. We are working towards a three session day, therefore some of the timetabled fixed sessions may be evening sessions and/or weekend sessions. We are also increasing our provision of community ophthalmology and thus clinics may include work and review of remotely acquired investigations or at community sites. Flexible/annualised sessions may be included for some sessions to support the department maximising clinic and theatre capacity for our patients.

On-Call Duties
At present there are no regular out of hours duties. Cover of general ophthalmology ward and urgent patients on a daytime rota is expected. The trust is a Stage one Trauma Centre and out of hours provision at UHB may be necessary in the future.

About us

University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust strives to have an inclusive culture where everyone feels like they belong, can thrive, knows that they add value and feels valued. We do this by developing compassionate and culturally competent leaders, being values driven in all that we do and by creating a welcoming and inclusive workplace that thrives on the diversity of our people. As such we want to attract and recruit talented individuals from all backgrounds, and for each of you to feel supported for the diversity you bring, to achieve your full potential. For those staff with a disability, including physical disability, long term health condition, mental health or neurodiverse condition, this also means being committed to making reasonable adjustments needed for you to carry out your role.

Job responsibilities

KEY SKILLS

All aspects of ophthalmology with a specialist interest in Medical Retina:

Capacity to work and operate under pressure and remain objective.

Good communication; both verbally and written

Capacity to work effectively in a multi-disciplinary team and demonstrate leadership where appropriate.

Manage time and prioritise workload

Understand the importance and impact of information systems.

Reliable and self-motivated.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Leadership & Governance:

a. Ensures service delivery by the department is within the resources available.

b. Helps manage demand and prioritises on the basis of urgent ophthalmology cases as required.

c. Demonstrates excellence in patient quality care.

d. To cover for ophthalmology colleagues as required during time of leave in order to maintain a safe service.

Interpersonal and Communication Skills:

a. The post holder must be willing to join an established collaborative department which involves working closely with colleagues from all four sites to provide a comprehensive and cohesive service.

b. Contribute to the design and implementation of service by applying the latest evidence and delivering high quality patient care.

c. Have excellent report/letter writing skills and be able to communicate effectively with clinical colleagues. To develop and maintain effective networks within the region enabling best practice to be identified and implemented by the Trust.

d. The post holder must have well-developed listening and communication skills and be able to interact effectively with a wide range of clinicians, managers and professionals both within and outside the Trust.

Planning and organising:

a. Contribute to the discussion on the future development of ophthalmology services within the department.

b. Support the development of a culture of continuous improvement.

c. Effectively plan, communicate and execute changes ensuring engagement and involvement.

d. Support the department in achieving its financial and performance targets.

Administrative support

a. Shared office space and shared administrative support will be provided.

This job description will be subject to review and amendment, in consultation with the post holder, to meet the changing needs of the service and the organisation.

This role profile is designed to identify principal responsibilities. The post holder is required to be flexible in developing the role in accordance with changes within the Trusts management agenda and priorities. Although this is a list of the key responsibilities of the post it is expected that the post holder and manager will develop and define the detail of the work to be undertaken.

Person Specification Qualifications

• Entry on GMC Specialist Register
• Evidence of Continuing Professional Development including CME

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.

University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust