Clinical Fellow in Acute Ophthalmology (Cornea & Cataract)

King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust; Greater London; On-site; GBP 74,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare institution in London seeks a Clinical Fellow in Acute Ophthalmology to provide high-quality care in a busy teaching hospital. The role involves managing both elective and emergency ophthalmology cases, with a particular focus on cataract and corneal procedures. Applicants should have MRCOphth or equivalent qualifications and experience in independent cataract surgery. The position offers a competitive salary of £73,992 plus London zone weighting, with a commitment to sustainable healthcare and research opportunities.

Qualifications

• Wide experience in all aspects of Ophthalmology, culminating in award of CCT or equivalent.
• Ability to perform independent cataract surgery.
• Experience in day-to-day organization of Ophthalmic services in a busy Teaching Hospital.

Responsibilities

• Provide service for patients and treatment management duties.
• Participate in on-call rota and manage acute anterior segment conditions.
• Contribute to audit programmes and learning from deaths.

Skills

Effective communicator

Leadership capability within multi-disciplinary teams

Understanding of medical audit and quality improvement

Familiarity with information technology

Education

MRCOphth or equivalent

Full registration with GMC with License to Practice

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

Job description

Overview

Go back King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Clinical Fellow in Acute Ophthalmology (Cornea & Cataract)

The closing date is 10 February 2026

This is a full-time clinical post, based at King's College Hospital, Denmark Hill. The post holder will be working within the multi-disciplinary team to provide and develop elective and emergency care for ophthalmology patients, including development of the individual's sub-specialty interests in cataract and cornea. This will be an ideal post for those looking to increase their anterior segment experience, and gain experience in complex cataract surgery. The post holder must be competent to perform independent routine cataract surgery. Previous anterior segment experience and high-volume cataract surgery is desirable.

Main duties of the job

• 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.
• 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.

About us

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.

Job responsibilities

The job plan includes participation in the on-call rota, assuming adequate experience, and involvement in the acute management of acute anterior segment conditions, particularly corneal infections and trauma thus helping provide senior support to the emergency service. The post holder will have the opportunity to be involved in the crosslinking service. In addition to clinical duties the post holder will be expected to be actively involved in research projects, with a view to peer reviewed publication.

Tenure of the post is 1 year, renewable for one year by mutual consent. 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. Informal enquiries or a visit to the Unit are encouraged for shortlisted candidates (contact details are at the end of this document).

The post holder will be expected to take part in the on-call rota at Kings College Hospital, which may include provision of ophthalmic care to patients of Lewisham, Sidcup and Farnborough. Urgent general referrals from General Practitioners, Optometrists, and the Accident & Emergency Departments of Kings College, Lewisham, Sidcup and Princess Royal Hospitals are usually managed within the booked appointment system of the Kings Rapid Eye Service (KRES) at Denmark Hill or the Rapid Access Unit (RAU) at Queen Marys Hospital 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. There is a first oncall rota is resident until 10pm each day. After 10pm there is an overnight oncall rota which is non resident, although attendance may be required. The on-call doctor is required to see, and discuss with the on-call Consultant, any emergency patients requiring admission or surgery.

All employees are expected to undertake work on any of the Trusts sites as required by the service. As an employee of the Trust you will work in close co-operation with, and support other clinical, medical professional and managerial colleagues in providing high quality healthcare to the Trusts patients. Integral to these responsibilities is the following: -

The provision of a first class clinical service.

Effective leadership to all staff engaged in the specialty.

Sustaining and developing teaching and research in conjunction with Kings College London / KHP.

Undertaking all work in accordance with the Trusts procedures and operating policies.

Conducting clinical practice in accordance with contractual requirements and within the parameters of the Trusts service plans.

Maintaining the confidence of business plans and development strategies formulated for the specialty, the Care Group or the Trust.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• MRCOphth or equivalent
• Full registration with GMC with License to Practice
• Other higher degree or diploma (e.g., MD)

Training and Experience, Research , Administration

• Wide experience in all aspects of Ophthalmology, culminating in award of CCT or equivalent
• Ability to perform independent cataract surgery
• 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
• Familiar with current structure of Health Service and conversant with recent initiatives and changes

Skills, Management and Leadership

• 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
• Familiarity with information technology and general computer skills

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.

King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

£73,992 a year, plus London zone weighting