Clinical Fellow in Acute Ophthalmology (Cornea & Cataract)

Job overview

This is a full-time clinical post, based at Denmark Hill, King’s College Hospital, and Great Ormond Street Hospital working within a multi–disciplinary team to provide elective and emergency care for ophthalmology patients within the paediatric and neuro services. Tenure of the post is for 12 months.

This is an ideal post for senior trainees who already have basic subspecialty training in paediatrics and neuro-ophthalmology and are seeking to increase and broaden their experience. The post-holder will have regular access to dedicated theatre lists.

Applicants must have MRCOphth or equivalent, be eligible for full or limited registration with the GMC at the time of appointment, and be eligible to work in England. Applicants must be proficient in undertaking cataract surgery independently and should have prior surgical experience of paediatric surgery.

Main duties of the job

Regular clinical duties, which are based between King’s College Hospital and Great Ormond Street Hospital, include the management of out-patients and in-patients, including ward referrals. The post holder will also be expected to take part in the on-call rota at King’s College Hospital, which includes provision of ophthalmic care to patients of UHL and QEH. Urgent referrals from General Practitioners, Optometrists, and the Accident & Emergency Departments of KCH, ULH and QEH generally are managed within the booked appointment system of the Early Referral Service (ERS) clinic but patients may be referred to the on-call team for emergency management. Emergency referrals, particularly outside normal working hours, are handled directly by the on-call team. Each day there are 1 st and 2 nd on-call trainees, each participating in a 1 in 10 rota with internal cover. Neither is required to be resident, although free overnight accommodation is available to staff choosing to be resident when on-call, but the 1 st on-call is required to be available in the hospital until 10.00 pm. The 2 nd on-call is required to see, and discuss with the on-call Consultant, any emergency patients requiring admission or surgery. If there is any uncertainty about the care of a patient, the 1 st and 2 nd on-call must seek advice from the 2 nd on-call and the on-call Consultant respectively. It is expected that the post holder will be allocated to the 2 nd on-call rota.

Working for our organisation

King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of the UK’s largest and busiest teaching Trusts with a turnover of £1 billion, 1.5 million patient contacts a year and more than 15,000 staff based across South East London. The Trust provides a full range of local and specialist services across its five sites. The trust-wide strategy of Strong Roots, Global Reach is our Vision to be BOLD, Brilliant people, Outstanding care, Leaders in Research, Innovation and Education, Diversity, Equality and Inclusion at the heart of everything we do. By being person-centred, digitally-enabled, and focused on sustainability, we aim to take Team King’s to another level.

We are at a pivotal point in our history and we require individuals who are ready to join a highly professional team and make a real, lasting difference to our patients and our people.

King’s is committed to delivering Sustainable Healthcare for All via our Green Plan. In line with national Greener NHS ambitions, we have set net zero carbon targets of 2040 for our NHS Carbon Footprint and 2045 for our NHS Carbon Footprint Plus. Everyone’s contribution is required in order to meet the goals set out in our Green Plan and we encourage all staff to work responsibly, minimising their contributions to the Trust’s carbon emissions, waste and pollution wherever possible.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Together with other colleagues to provide a service for patients. This includes all aspects of treatment and relevant management duties for the proper functioning of the Care Group.
• Shared responsibility with other colleagues for providing 24 hours, 7 days a week cover for the Unit on a rota basis. Responsible also for covering colleagues’ periods of annual leave and short-term sickness.
• Participation in Multi-disciplinary Meetings.
• Contribution to audit and clinical governance programmes.
• Responsible for outpatient clinic commitments in peripheral hospitals as agreed with the Care Group management team.
• Contribute to the Care Group research interests in accordance with the Trust’s R&D framework.
• Contribute to the audit programmes, Morbidity and Mortality, clinical governance programs and learning from Deaths.
• Conduct all activities within the contracted level of service and operating plan for service(s).
• Work in conjunction with clinical and other professional colleagues to ensure that the productivity of staff within the specialty is maintained and their job satisfaction is enhanced. This may include involvement in the appraisal process for peers and/or junior colleagues.
• Be aware of, and comply with, all Trust infection prevention and control policies, to include hand hygiene, personal hygiene, environmental and food hygiene.
• Prepare for and undertake the protective interventions that you are responsible for in a manner that is consistent with evidence-based practice and maintaining patient safety

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria

• Registerable medical qualification
• MRCOphth or equivalent
• Full registration with GMC with License to Practice

Desirable criteria

• Other higher degree or diploma (e.g., MD)

Training and Experience

Essential criteria

• Wide experience in all aspects of Ophthalmology, culminating in award of CCT or equivalent
• Specialist training in Paediatric Ophthalmology
• Experience in day to day organisation of Ophthalmic services in a busy Teaching Hospital
• Experience of conducting or supporting clinical research
• Experience of undergraduate and post-graduate teaching and exam preparation

Desirable criteria

• Familiar with current structure of Health Service and conversant with recent initiatives and changes

Skills

Essential criteria

• Effective communicator, able to work in a close-knit team and co-operate with all medical and paramedical staff
• Able to demonstrate leadership capability within multi-disciplinary teams
• Thorough understanding of principles of medical audit and quality improvement.

Desirable criteria

• Familiarity with information technology and general computer skills

IMPORTANT

• Check your email account regularly as this is how we will communicate with you
• If you delete the job from any of your accounts, you may be prevented from accessing further communications
• To enquire about your application or inform us of any changes in your circumstances, please contact the named person on this advert
• Please provide email addresses for referees where possible
• Please review the documentation on our recruitment microsite, particularly the Trust’s criminal records checking policy
• All staff have a responsibility for safeguarding children and vulnerable adults and for ensuring they are aware of the specific duties relating to their role.
• Please note that the closing date is given as a guide. On occasion, we might close a vacancy early due to a high number of applications being received. You are advised to submit your application as early as possible to avoid disappointment.

King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust Annual Reports and Other Corporate Publications

King's Health Partners Academic Health Science Centre Website

King's College Hospital is part of King's Health Partners Academic Health Sciences Centre (AHSC), a pioneering collaboration between King's College London, and Guy's and St Thomas', King's College Hospital and South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trusts.