Job summary 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 vitreoretinal. 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 vitreoretinal surgery is not required but previous exposure to vitreoretinal surgery is desirable. As a senior employee of our Trust you will work in close co-operation with and support not just other clinical professionals but also our managerial colleagues in providing high quality healthcare to our patients. Main duties of the job Integral to the responsibilities of our posts are the following objectives: 4 to ensure the delivery of a high-quality patient-centred clinical service 4 to provide effective leadership to all staff engaged in that same task 4 to sustain and develop teaching and research wherever appropriate 4 to work in accordance with our trust's procedures and operating policies 4 to support the business plans and development strategies formulated for the specialty 4 to work within the framework of team decisions 4 to show initiative, enthusiasm and flexibility About us We are a large organisation providing acute services from Gloucestershire Royal Hospital in Gloucester and Cheltenham General Hospital to a population of 652,475 in Gloucestershire as well as caring for patients from surrounding counties and beyond. Our workforce is almost 8,000 strong and our caring and dedicated staff are recognised as providing good and outstanding patient-centred, high-quality emergency, elective and specialist care across a range of clinical areas. We are committed to recruiting the best people to work with us to achieve our Vision of providing Best Care for Everyone and our success depends on the commitment and dedication of our staff, many of whom are world leaders in healthcare, teaching and research. You could make a real difference to our patients' lives by joining our team. Figures based CCG data on the number of people registered at a GP surgery in Gloucestershire Ophthalmology services within Gloucestershire have responsibility for all countywide ophthalmology services. The principal ophthalmology departments are based at Cheltenham General hospital and Gloucestershire Royal hospital with peripheral outpatient clinics being held at; Cirencester, Tewkesbury, Stroud, Lydney, North Cotswold and Forest of Dean. Surgery is undertaken at Cheltenham General Hospital and Tewkesbury Community Hospital. The department is supported by orthoptic, optometry and imaging. Date posted 21 March 2025 Pay scheme Hospital medical and dental staff Grade Doctor - other Salary £59,175 to £95,400 a year per annum Contract Fixed term Duration 12 months Working pattern Full-time Reference number 318-25-VITFEL Job locations Cheltenham General Hospital Sandford Road Cheltenham GL53 7AN Job description Job responsibilities The successful applicant will work closely under the supervision of the Vitreo Retina consultants (Mr Kaintatzis, Mr Clarke, Mr Dell-Aversana and Ms Safiullina) in the unit. The weekly timetable includes vitreoretinal and cataract theatre sessions, vitreoretinal clinics, casualty clinics, and study/administrative sessions. The post does not have any fixed-on call commitments. The postholder is expected to coordinate vitreoretinal emergencies, both in the clinic, and in theatre. The postholder 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. Teaching There is formal weekly departmental teaching on Friday afternoon 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 vitreoretinal consultants. Administration It is not expected that the postholder will have any formal administrative responsibility other than that related to direct patient care. Research Research opportunities are available to interested postholder, including participating in commercial research projects. Continuing Education The postholder will have the opportunity to use the cataract simulator, and dry lab to improve and fine tune their surgical skills. Job description Job responsibilities The successful applicant will work closely under the supervision of the Vitreo Retina consultants (Mr Kaintatzis, Mr Clarke, Mr Dell-Aversana and Ms Safiullina) in the unit. The weekly timetable includes vitreoretinal and cataract theatre sessions, vitreoretinal clinics, casualty clinics, and study/administrative sessions. The post does not have any fixed-on call commitments. The postholder is expected to coordinate vitreoretinal emergencies, both in the clinic, and in theatre. The postholder 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. Teaching There is formal weekly departmental teaching on Friday afternoon 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 vitreoretinal consultants. Administration It is not expected that the postholder will have any formal administrative responsibility other than that related to direct patient care. Research Research opportunities are available to interested postholder, including participating in commercial research projects. Continuing Education The postholder will have the opportunity to use the cataract simulator, and dry lab to improve and fine tune their surgical skills. Person Specification Registration & Qualifications Essential Full or eligible for full GMC Registration Dip Ophth MCCOphth or equivalent Desirable FRCOphth Higher Degree e.g. MSc, MD, PhD within 6 months of completing CCT General Essential Acceptance that the post requires a strong service commitment Ability to travel independently between hospital sites Desirable Evidence of personal initiative Experience Essential A minimum of four years postgraduate experience with at least four years Ophthalmic StR1 or higher grade since registration Experience in independent phacoemulsification cataract surgery Desirable Experience in vitreoretina surgery and the management of vitreoretina emergencies Audit & Research Essential Experience and participation in departmental audits Desirable Previous QIP or audit in vitreoretina services Previous publications or research in vitreoretina Clinical Skills Essential Experience working in busy outpatients, casualty and theatre Ability to work in clinic and perform cataract surgery unsupervised Desirable Special interest in vitreoretina surgery Interpersonal Skills Essential Willingness to seek timely assistance from senior colleagues when appropriate Ability to establish good working relationships with staff and be able to communicate well with patients Applicants whose primary professional qualification(s) were not taken in English, and those Applicants whose primary professional qualification(s) were not taken in English and who have spent less than 6 months in a substantive NHS post, will need to provide evidence to demonstrate their language competence by showing that they have achieved a score in a recognised language test which is acceptable to the Trust such as the International English Language testing System (ILETS) or equivalent If relevant, To have achieved the following scores in the academic International English Language Testing System (IELTS) in a single sitting within 24 months at time of application - Overall 7, Speaking 7, Listening 7, Reading 7, Writing 7 Desirable Evidence of leadership Person Specification Registration & Qualifications Essential Full or eligible for full GMC Registration Dip Ophth MCCOphth or equivalent Desirable FRCOphth Higher Degree e.g. MSc, MD, PhD within 6 months of completing CCT General Essential Acceptance that the post requires a strong service commitment Ability to travel independently between hospital sites Desirable Evidence of personal initiative Experience Essential A minimum of four years postgraduate experience with at least four years Ophthalmic StR1 or higher grade since registration Experience in independent phacoemulsification cataract surgery Desirable Experience in vitreoretina surgery and the management of vitreoretina emergencies Audit & Research Essential Experience and participation in departmental audits Desirable Previous QIP or audit in vitreoretina services Previous publications or research in vitreoretina Clinical Skills Essential Experience working in busy outpatients, casualty and theatre Ability to work in clinic and perform cataract surgery unsupervised Desirable Special interest in vitreoretina surgery Interpersonal Skills Essential Willingness to seek timely assistance from senior colleagues when appropriate Ability to establish good working relationships with staff and be able to communicate well with patients Applicants whose primary professional qualification(s) were not taken in English, and those Applicants whose primary professional qualification(s) were not taken in English and who have spent less than 6 months in a substantive NHS post, will need to provide evidence to demonstrate their language competence by showing that they have achieved a score in a recognised language test which is acceptable to the Trust such as the International English Language testing System (ILETS) or equivalent If relevant, To have achieved the following scores in the academic International English Language Testing System (IELTS) in a single sitting within 24 months at time of application - Overall 7, Speaking 7, Listening 7, Reading 7, Writing 7 Desirable Evidence of leadership Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions. Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab). From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab). UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window). Additional information Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions. Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab). From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab). UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window). Employer details Employer name Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Address Cheltenham General Hospital Sandford Road Cheltenham GL53 7AN Employer's website https://www.gloshospitals.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)