Job summary It is an exciting opportunity for a consultant ophthalmologist to shape and support the delivery of our new Community Ophthalmology service (COS). Community Ophthalmology is a relatively new sub-specialty which bridges the gap between primary and secondary care. By providing care at the community level, it improves patient access to specialist care while also delivering that care closer to home. For chronic conditions, this reduces the burden of hospital visits for the patients, while freeing up hospital capacity for those patients with more acute needs. For many years, this service in Buckinghamshire has been provided by an intermediate care provider; but in 2023, this work has been taken back in-house by BHT, and therefore there is a need for consultant-level oversight, leadership and support - sharing audit, teaching, governance (and social) activity with the main hospital sites and team. Utilising BHT's community hospital sites at Chalfont and Buckingham, the COS will have the ability to triage, diagnose, manage and provide ongoing monitoring for conditions such as stable or low-risk glaucoma, benign choroidal naevi, lid lumps minor ops and other stable conditions. The nature of these and the development of the service, and types of clinic, will be dependent upon the skills of the appointed candidate - eg laser DSLT, virtual clinics. Applicants should be on the GMC Specialist Register, or within 6 months of achieving CCT at the time of interview. Planned AAC Interview Date is Friday 28 February 2025 Main duties of the job Triaging referrals from GP's and Opticians ensuring patients are seen in the correct pathway Patient-facing care in our Community Hospital's Provide clinical expertise and support for allied health care professionals (optometrists, orthoptists, nurses) as they deliver patient-facing care Clinical and other administration as required by agreement Ensure clinical governance and regular audit of the COS, to demonstrate its effectiveness and safety Lead the development and growth of the COS. Teaching and training of Oxford Deanery trainees, junior staff and undergraduates and AHPs About us Why colleagues think we are "a great place to work" What does Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust offer you? As part of our BHT family, you'll benefit from learning and development opportunities to support your career progression. Alongside NHS benefits of generous annual leave entitlement and pension scheme, you'll have access to NHS discount schemes. We provide a range of health and wellbeing services to promote a healthy, happy workforce. What do we stand for? Our vision is to provide outstanding care, support healthy communities and be a great place to work. Our mission is to provide personal and compassionate care every time. We are working hard to increase diversity at all levels within the trust. We believe a diverse workforce can have a positive effect on both staff wellbeing and patient outcomes. We welcome applications from black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates, LGBTQ candidates, candidates with disabilities and care-experienced candidates. We are proud to achieve the Gold award for the Armed Forces Covenant and support applications from the Armed Forces Community. Please contact Pam.Daleynhs.net (our Armed Forces Covenant Lead) if you would like guidance or assistance with your application. We make employment decisions by matching our service needs with the skills and experience of candidates, regardless of age, disability, gender, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. Date posted 21 January 2025 Pay scheme Hospital medical and dental staff Grade Consultant Salary £105,504 to £139,882 a year per annum Contract Permanent Working pattern Full-time, Flexible working Reference number 434-MSCC-330 Job locations Chalfont & Gerrards Cross Hospital Hampden Road Chalfont St Peter SL9 9SX Job description Job responsibilities The key duties and responsibilities are: Building on the close working relationships we already have with community optometrists and GPs to facilitate efficient and timely referrals and their triage to see patients in the community clinics or in Hospital Eye Services as appropriate Oversee the creation of clear guidelines for management of step-up or step-down care between HES and the COS Lead and work alongside a senior glaucoma specialist Optometrist, and Speciality doctor, already very experienced in community ophthalmology clinics. Provide clinical expertise and support for allied health care professionals (optometrists, orthoptists, nurses) as they deliver patient-facing care. Job description Job responsibilities The key duties and responsibilities are: Building on the close working relationships we already have with community optometrists and GPs to facilitate efficient and timely referrals and their triage to see patients in the community clinics or in Hospital Eye Services as appropriate Oversee the creation of clear guidelines for management of step-up or step-down care between HES and the COS Lead and work alongside a senior glaucoma specialist Optometrist, and Speciality doctor, already very experienced in community ophthalmology clinics. Provide clinical expertise and support for allied health care professionals (optometrists, orthoptists, nurses) as they deliver patient-facing care. Person Specification Qualifications & Training Essential MB, BS or equivalent GMC registrable qualifications. General training in Ophthalmology to CCT / CESR level Registration on GMC Specialist Register in Ophthalmology OR within six months of achieving CCT at the time of interview (CESR must already be held if that is the route by which specialist registration was achieved) Recognised Higher degree/Fellowship in Ophthalmology Experience Essential General training in Ophthalmology. SpR or ST training programme plus ASTO/TSC training Ability to make good decisions at consultant level Skills,knowledge and ability Essential Excellent leadership, organisational, communication, professional and personal skills to undertake effectively the role of consultant Good personal and interpersonal skills Good spoken and written English communication skills should be highly developed experience of teaching doctors-in-training and undergraduates Experience of clinical audit Trust 'CARE' Values Essential Collaborate - Communicates openly, honestly and professionally, and actively promotes team working and building strong working relationships. Aspire - Patients are always first. Drives service improvements. Strong self-awareness with a desire to grow. Respect - Treats all with compassion and kindness. Ensures everyone feels valued. Enable - Consults others and listens to their views/opinions. Enables others to take the initiative. Other Requirements Essential GMC Registration Ability to travel to and between sites Person Specification Qualifications & Training Essential MB, BS or equivalent GMC registrable qualifications. General training in Ophthalmology to CCT / CESR level Registration on GMC Specialist Register in Ophthalmology OR within six months of achieving CCT at the time of interview (CESR must already be held if that is the route by which specialist registration was achieved) Recognised Higher degree/Fellowship in Ophthalmology Experience Essential General training in Ophthalmology. SpR or ST training programme plus ASTO/TSC training Ability to make good decisions at consultant level Skills,knowledge and ability Essential Excellent leadership, organisational, communication, professional and personal skills to undertake effectively the role of consultant Good personal and interpersonal skills Good spoken and written English communication skills should be highly developed experience of teaching doctors-in-training and undergraduates Experience of clinical audit Trust 'CARE' Values Essential Collaborate - Communicates openly, honestly and professionally, and actively promotes team working and building strong working relationships. Aspire - Patients are always first. Drives service improvements. Strong self-awareness with a desire to grow. Respect - Treats all with compassion and kindness. Ensures everyone feels valued. Enable - Consults others and listens to their views/opinions. Enables others to take the initiative. Other Requirements Essential GMC Registration Ability to travel to and between sites 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 Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust Address Chalfont & Gerrards Cross Hospital Hampden Road Chalfont St Peter SL9 9SX Employer's website https://careers.buckshealthcare.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)