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Job summary

Main area
Vitreoretinal Surgeon
Grade
NHS Medical & Dental: Locum Consultant
Contract
Fixed term: 6 months (Possibility of extension to 12 months)
Hours
  • Full time
  • Part time
9.05 sessions per week
Job ref
387-S7968-AFR
Employer
University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Bristol Eye Hospital
Town
Bristol
Salary
£109,725 - £145,478 pa pro rata
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
21/11/2025 23:59
Interview date
05/12/2025

Employer heading

University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust logo

Locum Vitreo Retina Consultant Ophthalmologist

NHS Medical & Dental: Locum Consultant

As an organisation we recognise the value of a healthy work-life balance. When applying, speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate flexible working, so your work life fits around your home life.

We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates as they are under-represented within the Trust.

Click on this link to find out about our values https://www.uhbw.nhs.uk/p/about-us/our-trust-values

Generative artificial intelligence (AI) describes algorithms that can be used to produce new content, including audio, code, images, text, simulations, and videos. It is developing all the time and is now being used as a support mechanism for all kinds of content-based creations. Please note the use of AI is monitored and if applicants have used it then they are required to declare this.


 

Job overview

Locum Consultant, Vitreoretinal Surgeon

Love Life, Love Bristol and Weston.

The Bristol Eye Hospital (BEH) at University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) is inviting applications for a locum consultant in vitreoretinal (VR) surgery. This is a 6-month fixed-term post, with the potential for extension to 12 months. It is anticipated that the role will be converted into a substantive consultant position following the locum period.
This post has been created to provide continuity following the departure of a consultant colleague. It responds to ongoing demand for tertiary-level vitreoretinal surgery and supports a high-performing, integrated retina service. A substantive post is expected to be advertised at the end of the locum term.
The successful candidate will join a dynamic consultant team delivering care across both BEH and Weston General Hospital (WGH).
BEH is a nationally recognised centre for training, teaching, and subspecialty ophthalmic care. It is a key part of the Division of Surgery at UHBW, which was recently rated Outstanding by the CQC. The hospital delivers a regional tertiary retina service, integrating vitreoretinal, uveitis, and medical retina care, and benefits from close collaboration with a dedicated Clinical Research Unit and an excellent ophthalmic imaging department.

Main duties of the job

The successful applicant will be expected to play an active role in service delivery, run independent clinics, provide training for VR surgery fellows, and participate in the 1-in-4 on-call rota for VR emergencies
Join us and enjoy all that the South West region has to offer. Bristol is an amazingly diverse city, with its community feel, quality housing and outstanding schools, plus many music venues, galleries and festivals that drive its creative reputation. Alternatively, if you’re looking for country living, we are only a few miles away from many picturesque villages and small towns in Gloucestershire and Somerset, which are all within commuter distance.  https://youtu.be/he7-XrxIopo 

Working for our organisation

University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) is one of the largest acute Trusts in the country, bringing together a combined workforce of over 13,000 staff and over 100 different clinical services across 10 different sites, serving a core population of more than 500,000 people across South West England. UHBW has been rated by the CQC as ‘Good’ overall and our staff are proud to deliver excellent care to the people of Bristol, Weston and beyond. As a forward- thinking multi-award winning Trust and a digital exemplar committed to improving patient care, our world-leading research and innovations are having a positive local and global impact. Our hospitals are spread across Bristol and Weston, join us and you can enjoy the very best of both worlds; city living within a stone’s throw of the countryside or beside the seaside, both with easy access to all that the South West has to offer. UHBW is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application in order to ensure we’re meeting our pledge.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

For further details please read the job description. 

For informal visits please contact:

Johannes Keller, Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon;  [email protected]

 

or the department secretaries tel: 0117 342 1401

 

Deborah Traynor [email protected]

Lesley Webster [email protected]

Person specification

Qualifications & Training

Essential criteria
  • Full and specialist registration with the General Medical Council (GMC) or
  • Eligible for specialist registration within six months of interview *Locum candidates do not need specialist registration
Desirable criteria
  • Higher academic qualification e.g. MD, PhD or equivalent

Experience

Essential criteria
  • Evidence of thorough and broad training and experience in vitreo-retina
  • Able to take responsibility for delivering service without direct supervision
Desirable criteria
  • Evidence of a special interest and expertise that complements those of other consultants in the department and is consistent with the Trust’s service strategy

Clinical Knowledge and Skills

Essential criteria
  • Up to date knowledge and experience of relevant specialty
  • Knowledge of NHS priorities with reference to specialty
Desirable criteria
  • Broad range of IT skills

Clinical Governance and Audit

Essential criteria
  • Understanding of clinical governance and the individual responsibilities it implies
  • Knowledge of the principles of clinical audit and evidence of participation
  • Positive approach to evidence based practice
  • Participation in continuing professional development (CPD) scheme and, where relevant, evidence of participation

Research

Essential criteria
  • Knowledge of the principles involved in research
  • Evidence of involvement in research
  • Evidence of peer review research papers
Desirable criteria
  • Ability to increase the academic profile of the department

Teaching and Training

Essential criteria
  • Experience of teaching medical students.
  • Experience of supervising trainees.
  • Knowledge of teaching to a multidisciplinary team
Desirable criteria
  • Formal teaching qualification

Management & Leadership

Essential criteria
  • Evidence of management training and evidence of learning from it
  • Ability to organise efficient and smooth running of a specialist service
  • Ability to cope with and effectively organise the workload of a consultant
  • Ability to practice independently as a consultant
  • Ability to take on responsibility and show evidence of leadership
  • Ability to work under pressure and cope with setbacks
Desirable criteria
  • Demonstration of knowledge of NHS management structures
  • Management experience

Interpersonal, communication and team working skills

Essential criteria
  • Ability to communicate effectively with patients, relatives, clinical colleagues, support staff and other colleagues.
  • Good knowledge of, and ability to use, spoken and written English.
  • Ability to present effectively to an audience, using a variety of methods, and to respond to questions and queries
  • Ability to develop effective working relationships on an individual and multi-professional basis with all levels of staff both within and across divisions
  • Ability to be a flexible team member

Any other Personal Abilities and Aptitudes

Essential criteria
  • Ability to adapt and respond to changing circumstances
  • Awareness of personal limitations
Desirable criteria
  • Ability to undertake additional professional responsibilities at local, regional or national levels

Other

Essential criteria
  • Demonstrates the 4 Trust values
Desirable criteria
  • Meets professional health requirements
  • Willingness to travel to and work in other sites necessitated by the role.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Trust IDDisability Confident - two yearsVeteran AwareApprenticeships logoNo smoking policyAge positiveCare quality commission - GoodMindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.Disability confident employerNHS Pastoral CareStep into healthMenopause Workplace PledgeDefence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) - GoldPride In Veterans

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

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Johannes Keller
Job title
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
Email address
[email protected]
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