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
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
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
- 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
List jobs with Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust in Medical and Dental or all sectors












