Consultant Ophthalmologist

1. Job Summary

The post-holder will join the Ophthalmology Department as a Consultant Ophthalmologist with a subspecialty interest in Glaucoma, providing expert clinical leadership across outpatient, diagnostic, and surgical services. The role supports delivery of high-quality, safe, and efficient glaucoma care, including complex case management, glaucoma surgery, and multidisciplinary team development.

The Consultant will work closely with colleagues to meet service demand, support innovation, and contribute to teaching, audit, and research. The post may include service development responsibilities within the Glaucoma pathway.

2. Key Duties and ResponsibilitiesClinical Duties

• Provide specialist assessment and management of patients with primary, secondary, and complex glaucoma.
• Undertake glaucoma surgery including trabeculectomy, glaucoma drainage device implantation, MIGS, and laser procedures (e.g., SLT, YAG PI, cyclodiode).
• Supervise and support glaucoma pathways delivered by nurse specialists, optometrists, and other extended-role staff.
• Participate in general ophthalmology on-call rota (if applicable).
• Collaborate with community providers to improve shared-care glaucoma models.
• Ensure high standards of clinical documentation and coding.

Outpatient and Theatre Commitments

• Provide regular glaucoma clinics and diagnostic sessions (visual fields, OCT, pachymetry, gonioscopy).
• Perform scheduled theatre lists for glaucoma and supporting general ophthalmology procedures.
• Support virtual clinic reviews and digital diagnostic pathways.

Clinical Governance / Quality Improvement

• Participate in clinical audit, morbidity & mortality meetings, and governance activities.
• Lead or contribute to service improvement initiatives such as demand & capacity optimisation, pathway redesign, or advancing MIGS adoption.

Teaching & Training

• Provide clinical supervision and teaching for:
• Ophthalmology trainees (ST1–ST7)
• Specialty doctors
• Optometrists and nurse specialists
• Medical students and allied health professionals
• Participate in educational events, simulation training, and departmental teaching programmes.

Research (Optional but Encouraged)

• Contribute to or lead research projects in glaucoma management or innovation.
• Participate in clinical trials where appropriate.
• Support academic activities in collaboration with university partners.

Management & Leadership

• Work collaboratively with the Clinical Lead to ensure effective service delivery.
• Contribute to workforce development, including supporting extended-role practitioners.
• Attend departmental, divisional, and Trust-wide meetings as required.
• Provide leadership in glaucoma pathway governance, safety reviews, and service development.

3. Person SpecificationEssential Criteria

Qualifications

• GMC registration with a licence to practise.
• CCT in Ophthalmology (or within 6 months of award) or equivalent eligibility.
• Sub-specialty training in Glaucoma (e.g., UK fellowship or equivalent).

Experience & Skills

• Comprehensive experience in medical and surgical glaucoma management.
• Competence in glaucoma surgery (trabeculectomy and/or drainage devices).
• Experience with MIGS procedures or willingness to train.
• Ability to lead glaucoma diagnostic and treatment pathways.
• Evidence of clinical audit participation.
• Experience supervising trainees.

Personal Qualities

• Strong communication and team-working skills.
• Commitment to patient-centred care and service improvement.

Desirable Criteria

• Higher research degree (MD, PhD).
• Experience in teaching programme development.
• Evidence of leadership in service modernisation or digital innovation.
• Experience in community-based shared-care glaucoma programmes.

4. Work Pattern

A typical 10-PA job plan may include:

• 3–4 Glaucoma outpatient clinics
• 1–2 Theatre lists
• 1 Diagnostic/virtual review session
• 1 Supporting Professional Activity (SPA) session
• On-call commitment (optional depending on the Trust)

Job Types: Full-time, Part-time, Fixed term contract

Contract length: 6 months

Pay: £95.00-£110.00 per hour

Expected hours: 37.5 – 45 per week

Benefits:

• On-site parking

Work Location: In person