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Job summary

Main area
Ophthalmology
Grade
NHS Medical & Dental: Specialty Doctor
Contract
Permanent: plus on-call
Hours
Full time - 40 hours per week
Job ref
409-7851900
Employer
Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
St Helens
Town
St Helens
Salary
£61,542 - £99,216 per annum
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
12/04/2026 23:59

Employer heading

Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust logo

Specialty Doctor Ophthalmology - VR

NHS Medical & Dental: Specialty Doctor

After applying via NHS Jobs, your submitted application will be imported into our preferred Third-party recruitment system. All subsequent information regarding your application will be generated from apps.trac.jobs. You will not be able to track the progress of your application or receive messages through the NHS Jobs website, and furthermore, as an employer, we will not be able to respond to any e-mails sent to us via the NHS Jobs website. By applying for this post you are agreeing to "name of trust" transferring the information contained in this application to its preferred applicant management system. If you are appointed to a post information will also be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records system.

Job overview

We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Specialty Doctor in Ophthalmology with specific interest and experience in Vitreoretinal (VR) surgery to join our forward‑thinking Ophthalmology Directorate. This is an exciting opportunity to become part of a dynamic, friendly, and supportive team delivering high‑quality eye care services.

The successful candidate will work closely with our Consultant VR surgeons and wider multi‑disciplinary team to support delivery of elective and emergency VR services, including participation in theatre lists, specialist clinics, and on‑call cover (if applicable)

Main duties of the job

  • Provide high‑quality clinical care to VR patients in outpatient clinics, emergency settings, and theatre.
  • Perform and assist in vitreoretinal surgical procedures under consultant supervision as appropriate to the successful candidate’s level of competence.
  • Contribute to the management of pre‑ and post‑operative VR patients.
  • Participate in departmental teaching, audit, research, and clinical governance activities.
  • Contribute to the ophthalmology on‑call rota .
  • Work effectively as part of a multi‑professional team to support safe, compassionate, and patient‑centred care.

Working for our organisation

Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust serves a population of over 600,000 with a workforce of over 10,500 dedicated and skilled staff across 21 sites.

Our services:

Acute Care

Providing emergency and maternity services at Whiston, Southport and Ormskirk hospitals, and medical and surgical specialties across all our sites.

Primary Care

Providing primary care services at Marshalls Cross Medical Centre situated in St Helens Hospital.

Community Services

Providing adult community services for St Helens and a wheelchair service in Chorley, South Ribble, and West Lancashire. Our inpatient unit at Newton Community Hospital is where patients needing acute hospital beds can continue rehabilitation. We also provide urgent care at our Urgent Treatment Centre located in St Helens town centre.

Specialist Regional Services

We provide the Mersey Regional Burns & Plastic Surgery Unit at Whiston Hospital and the Spinal Injuries Unit at Southport Hospital to more than 4 million people across the whole of Merseyside, West Lancashire, Cheshire, Isle of Man and North Wales.

Achievements:

  • Rated Outstanding by CQC Inspection August 2018
  • Top 100 places to work in the NHS (NHS Employers & Health Service Journal)
  • National Preceptorship Accreditation (2023) for Nursing & AHP Preceptorship Programme.

 

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please see Job Description and Person Specification attached.

Advertising Date: 30th March 2026

Closing Date: 12th April 2026

Shortlisting Date: W/C 14th April 2026

Proposed Interview date: 22nd April 2026

Please note this vacancy may close early if a high number of applications is reached.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria
  • Applicants must hold full registration with the GMC at the time of application
  • MBBS or equivalent medical qualifications
Desirable criteria
  • FRCOphth or equivalent qualification

Knowledge

Essential criteria
  • A minimum of two years’ experience of a broad range of specialities
  • A minimum of two years’ experience in Ophthalmology as a speciality trainee or has equivalent competencies
  • Understanding of Research Concepts
  • Demonstrable competence in Phaco-emulsification surgery, supported by evidence such as the intercollegiate surgical logbook
  • Experience of working in the NHS or equivalent healthcare system
Desirable criteria
  • Wide range of experience of Ophthalmology able to demonstrate knowledge, skill and experience
  • Experience of audit management

Skills

Essential criteria
  • Ability to communicate effectively with patients, relatives and other Healthcare professionals
Desirable criteria
  • Able to teach clinical skills

Other

Essential criteria
  • Ability to work in a team
  • Commitment to continuing medical education

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Nursing TimesApprenticeships logoDisability confident leaderArmed Forces Covenant Gold AwardNavajo - Merseyside and CheshireCare quality commission - OutstandingDying to Work CharterStep into healthHappy to Talk Flexible WorkingNHS Rainbow Badge - BronzeDefence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) - GoldPeople Promise

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
Andrew OBrien
Job title
Directorate Manager
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
01744 646675
Additional information

Miss Fatemeh Shams - Clinical Director and VR Surgeon

Via Secretary 01744  646622

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