Job overview

We are looking for an enthusiastic ophthalmologist with subspecialty fellowship experience in neuro-ophthalmology. This is for a period of 12 months pending a future appointment to a substantive Consultant post at the Birmingham & Midland Eye Centre (BMEC) if suitable. We are increasing our current consultant team of 33, 2 associate specialists, 13 specialty doctors and 17 fellows enabling us to meet the growing ophthalmic demands of our ever changing demographics. Are you ready to join our outstanding medical team; many of whom are internationally renowned for cutting-edge research and care innovation and work collaboratively within its integrated A & E, Ward, Theatre, Outpatient, orthoptists and visual function diagnostic team. The post holder will be working with an extended team of specialist nurses, allied health professionals, technicians and photographers to further support new ways of working and expand the quality services BMEC already offers.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will be supporting the specialised neuro-ophthalmology services in tertiary settings including services for the regional Ophthalmic A&E. The post holder will be supported by the neuro-ophthalmology service in Queen Elizabeth Hospital during the weekdays for any emergencies and support for advice. The post holder will also be working closely with our team of experienced orthoptist team and also have the support of a dedicated Visual Function Team that can provide imaging and diagnostic services such as B-scan ultrasound and electrodiagnostic tests. The long term plan will be development of a fully functional neuro-ophthalmology service with a fellowship programme. Fellowship in Neuro-ophthalmology is essential and experience in independent cataract and adult motility surgery is desirable for this post. BMEC, founded in 1823, is one of the largest tertiary level Ophthalmic Hospitals in Europe, providing highly specialised expertise in clinical care, research and education. We are a Centre of Excellence for the treatment and care of patients across the West Midlands as well as receiving referrals both nationally and internationally.

Working for our organisation

Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust (SWB) serves Birmingham and the Black Country – one of the country’s most culturally diverse areas. It’s a friendly and welcoming place – a place where you can belong, and a place where you can grow.

We care for our patients, we care about our population, and we care about our people.

Our values – Ambition, Respect and Compassion – are at the heart of who we are. They guide us every step of the way; how we work with each other, and how we look after our patients and their families; how we respect and value the rich diversity of our team and our community.

Our Trust has always aspired to be more than a hospital, more than a healthcare provider. Our purpose is to “Improve the Life Chances and Health Outcomes of our Population.” It is what inspires, drives, and unites us every day. It’s what makes us unique.

We want working at SWB to feel like more than just a job. We want our Trust to be a place where you can feel you belong. A place where you feel happy, safe, and rewarded. A place where you can develop your career in whatever way you choose. When we say we’re ‘with you all the way’ we want you to know that we mean it. Visit the SWB website to find out more about our ambitions and people plans.

Multi-site working 

The four partner Trusts of the Black Country Provider Collaborative (Dudley Group NHS FT, Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, Sandwell & West Birmingham NHS Trust, and Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust) are actively working in partnership to deliver a collective vision focused on providing "better, faster and safer care to the population of the Black Country and beyond". 

To support this vision, we are (where appropriate and safe to do so) actively looking at new models of care which:

Against this context, although this post is hosted by Sandwell & West Birmingham NHS Trust, there may be an expectation to work flexibly across the four partner Trusts to better meet patient and service needs.