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Job summary

Main area
Ophthalmology (Corneal)
Grade
NHS Medical & Dental: Junior Clinical Fellow
Contract
12 months (12 months fixed term)
Hours
Full time - 10 sessions per week
Job ref
318-25-CORN
Employer
Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Cheltenham General Hospital
Town
Cheltenham
Salary
Dependent on experience
Closing
08/07/2025 23:59

Employer heading

Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust logo

Trust Fellow in Ophthalmology (Corneal)

NHS Medical & Dental: Junior Clinical Fellow

Join us at an exciting time for Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust! We have an ambitious plan for our journey to Outstanding and are looking for aspirational, committed individuals to join us, making a real difference to both staff and patients.

As a former winner of England for excellence award: Tourism destination of the year, the beautiful city of Gloucester and the scenic regency spa town of Cheltenham are fantastic places to work and live.

As a hospital Trust we are currently involved in over 100 clinical trials and studies, whilst also providing acute elective and specialist services to a population of over 620,000.

By joining Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust new colleagues can look forward to a warm welcome and a future full of opportunities and support.

 

Job overview

We are looking for a Trust Ophthalmology Fellow to join our Acute District General Hospital team. We have a 12-month, fixed term post in cornea which is full-time. A broad range of general ophthalmology experience can be provided, including high volume cataract surgery and experience in independent cataract surgery is required. Previous experience in cornea is required.

Applicants should have or be eligible for full GMC registration and preferably the FRCOphth or MRCOphth (or equivalent). At least 4 years postgraduate experience with at least 2 years in ophthalmology at OST/SHO/Higher grade level is also essential. Successful candidate would ideally be an independent cataract surgeon having completed at least 250 phacoemulsification's. 

Integral to the responsibilities of our posts are the following objectives:

·         to ensure the delivery of a high-quality patient-centred clinical service

·         to provide effective leadership to all staff engaged in that same task

·         to sustain and develop teaching and research wherever appropriate

·         to work in accordance with our trust’s procedures and operating policies

·         to support the business plans and development strategies formulated for the specialty

·         to work within the framework of team decisions

·         to show initiative, enthusiasm and flexibility

Main duties of the job

1.            Clinical Responsibilities/Key Responsibilities

The successful applicant will work closely under the supervision of the Corneal consultants (Mr Tomlins and Miss MacGregor) in the unit. The weekly timetable includes Corneal theatre sessions, Corneal Clinics, Casualty Clinics, injection clinic and study/administrative sessions. The post does not have any fixed-on call commitments. The post holder is expected to coordinate Corneal emergencies, both in the clinic, and in theatre. The post holder is also expected to be flexible and willing to undertake additional duties out of hours or in the event of unforeseen circumstances to ensure the smooth running of the department.

2.            Professional Development, Education and Training

There are formal weekly departmental teaching sessions on Friday afternoon’s for all medical, orthoptic, optometric and nursing staff. The postholder is encouraged to attend these teaching sessions and provide formal and informal supervision/teaching to more junior members in the team. Further teaching will be performed in clinical sessions alongside Corneal Consultants. The post holder will have the opportunity to use the cataract simulator, and dry lab to improve and fine tune her or his surgical skills.

 

3.            Research and Development 

Research opportunities are available to interested post holder, including participating in commercial research projects.

Working for our organisation

We take pride in placing people at the centre of everything we do, working together as a united team. Driven by a shared ambition to continually grow, develop, and learn, we recognise and value every contribution. By combining our experience and skills, we not only support our vibrant, diverse communities, but also support one another.

 

With a team of over 9,000 employees, we are proud to be the largest employer in Gloucestershire and rank among the top 10 largest Trusts in the South West region. By joining our Trust, you will benefit from an excellent package that includes exclusive benefits, flexible working opportunities and the chance to gain valuable experience in one or both of our innovative hospitals.

 

As well as generous annual leave allowance, you will have access to the excellent NHS pension scheme, competitive bank rates, discounts at local shops and restaurants, access to two on-site nurseries, discounted public transport, reward and recognition and a range of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Provisional Job Plan

 

  

Mon  

Tue  

Wed  

Thu  

Fri  

AM  

Corneal Clinic

WK 3 & 5 

Theatre

WK 1,2,3,5  

 

SPA  

  

  

Corneal Clinic

WK 1-5  

Corneal Clinic

WK 1 & 5

 

Theatre

WK 3

  

PM  

Corneal Clinic

WK 1-5  

Theatre

WK 1-5 

Casualty Clinic

WK 1-5

  

Corneal Clinic

WK 1-5  

Theatre C

WK 1,3,5  

Teaching WK 2

  

Governance 4  

Person specification

Qualifications & Training

Essential criteria
  • Full or eligible for full GMC Registration
  • Dip Ophth, MRCOphth or equivalent
Desirable criteria
  • FRCOphth
  • Higher Degree e.g. MSc, MD, PhD
  • Within 6 months of completing CCT

Clinical Experience

Essential criteria
  • A minimum of 4 years postgraduate experience with at leave 4 years ophthalmic StR1 or higher grade since registration
  • Experience in independent phacoemulsification cataract surgery
  • Experience working in busy outpatient and casualty clinics as well as theatre
  • Ability to work in clinic and perform cataract surgery unsupervised
Desirable criteria
  • Experience in corneal surgery and the management of corneal emergencies
  • Specialist interest in corneal surgery

Knowledge & Skills

Essential criteria
  • Experience and participation in departmental audit
  • Ability to teach junior staff
  • Good organisational skills and time management
Desirable criteria
  • Pervious QIP or audit into corneal services
  • Previous publications or research in corneal or ocular surface disease

Personal Attributes

Essential criteria
  • Acceptance that the post requires a strong service commitment
  • Ability to travel independently between hospital sites
  • Willingness to seek timely assistance from senior colleagues as appropriate
  • Ability to establish good working relationships with staff and able to communicate well with patients
  • Applicants whose primary professional qualification(s) were not taken in English and/or have spent less than 6 months in a substantive NHS post, will need to demonstrate their language competence by achieving a score of 7 in the International English Language testing system (ILETS) or equivalent
Desirable criteria
  • Evidence of personal initiative

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Apprenticeships logoNo smoking policyPositive about disabled peopleAge positiveDisability confident leaderImproving working livesWorkplace Wellbeing Charter LogoArmed Forces Covenant Gold Awardcorporate covenantStep into healthArmed Forces Covenant

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
Mr Paul Tomlins
Job title
Consultant Ophthalmologist (Corneal)
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
0300 422 2529
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