Job summary
- Main area
- Ophthalmology
- Grade
- NHS Medical & Dental: Locum Consultant
- Contract
- Fixed term: 12 months (on call requirement)
- Hours
- Full time - 10 sessions per week (varied, cross sites and on call commitment)
- Job ref
- 359-MSD7727301-OPHTH
- Employer
- Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Maidstone Hospital
- Town
- Maidstone
- Salary
- £109,725 - £145,478 per annum pro rata
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 09/02/2026 23:59
Employer heading
Locum Consultant in Ophthalmology (Interest in Glaucoma)
NHS Medical & Dental: Locum Consultant
Job overview
Applications are invited for one fixed-term locum consultant ophthalmology appointment in the Glaucoma service at Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust. We expect the successful candidate to have the opportunity to apply for a substantive position in due course. The timetable and commitment will be to provide and develop the rapid access eye care service, which will include training and support for ophthalmology trainees, clinical nurse specialists, optometrists and orthoptists, as well as support for nurse-led triaging. There will also be an opportunity to participate in other subspecialties, including surgery, depending on the candidate’s particular interests and skills.
Main duties of the job
EEMU has a busy Rapid Access department, optometric and orthoptic departments. There are two dedicated ophthalmic operating theatres at Maidstone and one dedicated theatre at the Tunbridge Wells Hospital at Pembury. With a stable management team, we can continually improve services and add to the already high levels of equipment provision in our department. Friday afternoon departmental teaching for all staff is consultant- led. Research interests are supported by active links with The University of Kent at Canterbury.
Residence requirements for this post are compatible with living in the outskirts of London, or in many attractive, rural parts of Kent. Kent has selective state schooling with several excellent state grammar schools in the vicinity of Maidstone.
Working for our organisation
Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust ranks among the top 10 NHS Trusts nationwide and was named the second-best Trust to work for in the South East in the 2023 and 2024 NHS Staff Survey.
We are a large acute hospital trust in south-east England, providing general hospital services and specialist care to around 600,000 residents in West Kent and East Sussex. With a dedicated and diverse team of over 8,000 staff we are proud to offer specialised cancer services to over two million people through the Kent Oncology Centre.
Fordcombe Hospital, near Tunbridge Wells, became part of the Trust in October 2024. Specialising in planned care, it offers two operating theatres, 28 inpatient and day-care beds, diagnostic services (X-ray, MRI, CT, and endoscopy), and consultation/treatment rooms.
Looking for flexible working?
We are a flexible working-friendly organisation. Whether it’s adjusting your hours or exploring other flexible arrangements, we want to work with you to find the best solution for you, our patients, and the Trust. Talk to us about how we can accommodate your working needs.
Click here to hear what our staff say.
Joining us includes a comprehensive benefits package:
- Generous annual leave entitlement
- Membership in the NHS Pension Scheme, with a employer contribution of 23.7% and life assurance benefits
- Blue Light card eligibility
- And more, additional benefits can be found in the benefits documents below
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
To provide a high standard of care to any patient for whom you have clinical responsibility. This will include any patients you personally care for.
To participate in clinical and other service activities and developments to ensure a high standard of patient care.
To take an equal share in providing subspecialty cover and covering for colleagues during the period of absence. This will include electronic triage of referrals.
To take part in the support and training of junior Ophthalmologists and the development and training of medical students and ancillary allied professionals, including the development of the oculoplastic nurse specialist role.
To participate fully in the clinical governance activities of the speciality. To attend clinical governance half-days as in the job plan. To undertake annual appraisal leading to revalidation. To participate actively in departmental audits,s which may be included in the work you undertake.
To work in close co-operation with other medical, professional and managerial colleagues, both within and outside the speciality, to provide high-quality health care to the Trust’s patients, and tocontributen to future thinking about the Trust’s strategic direction.
To ensure at all times that you comply with the General Medical Council’s published guide “Good Medical Practice”, including the Duties of a Doctor.
Person specification
Education
Essential criteria
- Full GMC Registration
- Possession or within 6 months of CCT for specialist registration
- FRCOphth or Equivalent
Desirable criteria
- Distinctions, scholarships, prizes
- Other degrees, e.g. BSc, MSc MD
Experience
Essential criteria
- Clinical training and experience equivalent to that required for gaining UK CCT in ophthalmology
- Ability to take full and independent responsibility for clinics
- Demonstrable experience in Clinical Audit and Research
Desirable criteria
- Experience of risk management
- Experience in setting up multi-disciplinary clinics
- Virtual Clinics
- Laser surgery
Skills
Essential criteria
- Evidence of leadership
- Organisational ability
- Ability to establish good professional relationships with others
Desirable criteria
- Critical and enquiring approach to knowledge acquisition
- To have undertaken a postgraduate communication skills course
Employer certification / accreditation badges
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
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Matthew Hawker
- Job title
- Glaucoma lead
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 01622 729000
- Additional information
If you would like to discuss this further or organise a visit, then please do not hesitate to contact:
Mohamed Elalfy - [email protected] - Consultant Ophthalmologist and Deputy CD
or
Dee Hart - General Manager - [email protected]
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