Consultant Ophthalmologist in Cataract Surgery

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust; Bristol; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust's Bristol Eye Hospital invites applications for a Consultant Ophthalmologist with a subspecialty in cataract surgery to join our expanding team. The post provides high quality sub-specialist cataract services and opportunities to lead developments across the BEH service.

The role requires GMC registration, a CCT or within six months of award, and readiness to work across multiple sites within the Trust as part of a growing clinical service, with a focus on delivering

Qualifications

• Full and specialist registration with the General Medical Council (GMC).
• Holder of Certificate of Completion of Training in Ophthalmology (CCT), or evidence of within six months of award of CCT or equivalent by date of interview.
• Eligible for specialist registration within six months of interview.
• Higher academic qualification e.g. MD, PhD or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Play an active role in running the cataract service and complement the existing ophthalmology team.
• Participate in the workload of the department as needed and help develop service strategy.
• Lead and contribute to service development and delivering high-quality sub-specialist cataract care.

Skills

General ophthalmology

Cataract surgery

Independence in practice

Teaching/CPD

Education

GMC registration

CCT or near award

MD/PhD or equivalent

Tools

General IT skills

Job description

Consultant Ophthalmologist in Cataract Surgery

NHS Medical & Dental: Consultant

As part of the transition to a Group Clinical Services structure within Bristol NHS Foundation Trust, there is an increased expectation of cross-site working.

Although roles will have a designated base, post holders are likely to be required to work across multiple Trust sites in line with service needs. Where this is not included in the initial job plan, any future requirement arising from the departmental restructures will be addressed through the job planning process. Travel time will be taken into consideration in line with contractual expectations.

North Bristol NHS Trust (NBT) and University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) have merged as of 1 st July 2026 to become Bristol NHS Foundation Trust. This will create an exciting future that brings together the best of both organisations. As a single, strong and sustainable organisation, we will not only be able to deliver better outcomes for our patients and fairer care for our population, but it will also provide greater opportunities for our people.
Bristol NHS Foundation Trust recognise the value of a healthy work-life balance. When applying, speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate flexible working, so your work life fits around your home life.

We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates as they are under-represented within the Trust.
Our job adverts may close as soon as sufficient applications have been received.

Generative artificial intelligence (AI) describes algorithms that can be used to produce new content, including audio, code, images, text, simulations, and videos. It is developing all the time and is now being used as a support mechanism for all kinds of content-based creations. Please note the use of AI is monitored and if applicants have used it then they are required to declare this.

Job overview

Consultant Ophthalmologist in Cataract Surgery

Love Life, Love Bristol Eye Hospital.

At Bristol NHS Foundation Trust we are passionate about delivering outstanding care and developing innovative services for the communities we serve. Bristol Eye Hospital (BEH) is looking to grow its talented team of consultants to help drive an ambitious future vision for ophthalmology services across Bristol and Weston. See Yourself at Bristol Eye Hospital (subtitles) on Vimeo

We are excited to offer an opportunity for a motivated and forward-thinking Consultant Ophthalmologist with a specialist interest in Cataract Surgery to join our expanding team. This is an excellent opportunity to lead and further develop a the cataract service within one of the UK's leading specialist eye hospitals.

The substantive Consultant post has been designed to provide high quality sub-specialist cataract services for patients at the Bristol Eye Hospital (BEH).

Main duties of the job

The successful candidate will complement the existing ophthalmology team and will be expected to play an active role in the running of the cataract service. They will also be expected to participate in the workload of the department should the need arise.
Bristol Eye Hospital is a regional centre for ophthalmology and forms part of the Division of Surgery within Bristol NHS Foundation Trust. The hospital provides comprehensive secondary and tertiary ophthalmic services and is recognised as a specialist referral centre. Working within a highly skilled multidisciplinary team, the successful candidate will have the opportunity to contribute to both service development and the wider strategic ambitions of one of the UK's most respected ophthalmic services.

Working for our organisation

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust brings together more than 28,000 staff to deliver over 160 clinical services across thirteen hospital locations, operating from three main sites at Southmead, Bristol city centre and Weston.

With an annual turnover of 2.6 billion, we are now one of the largest NHS trusts in the United Kingdom.

Chaired by Ingrid Barker and led by Maria Kane as Chief Executive, Bristol NHS Foundation Trust aims to transform the way healthcare is delivered locally with a clear focus on making a difference for what we call our Four Ps:

• Better outcomes for ourPatients
• More opportunities for our People
• Fairer more consistent care for ourPopulation
• Best Value for Public Purse

Our vision for five years from now:

• Patients will wait less time to be diagnosed and treated, and they will have the same high-quality experience and outcomes, regardless of who they are or where they live.
• We will meet rising demand by maximising the use of our available resources.
• More care will be delivered nearer to patients, in their homes or the community.
• Digital technologies will have transformed the way we work and the way we deliver care.
• Our people will feel engaged, energised and empowered by their work.
• We will be known as a place where people enjoy working, training and building a career.
• Our volume of globally renowned research and innovation will have grown significantly.
• We will contribute to system financial balance

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please see the attached job description and person specification for further details of the position.

For further details/informal visits please contact:

Rhys Harrison or Omar Elhaddad, Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeons
via their secretaries on 0117 342 9066 or 9140. Alternatively, please email [emailprotected] or [emailprotected]

Person specification

Qualifications & Training

• Full and specialist registration with the General Medical Council (GMC)
• Holder of Certificate of Completion of Training in Ophthalmology (CCT), or evidence of within six months of award of CCT or equivalent by date of interview (Please note this does not apply to CESR applicants)
• Eligible for specialist registration within six months of interview
• Higher academic qualification e.g. MD, PhD or equivalent

Experience

• Evidence of thorough and broad training and experience in general ophthalmology and high volume cataract services.
• Able to take responsibility for delivering service without direct supervision
• Evidence of a special interest and expertise that complements those of other consultants in the department and is consistent with the Trust’s service strategy

Clinical Knowledge and Skills

• Up to date knowledge and experience of relevant specialty
• Knowledge of NHS priorities with reference to specialty
• Skills in general ophthalmology and cataract.
• Able to operate independently covering a comprehensive range of cataract surgical procedures
• Broad range of IT skills

Clinical Governance and Audit

• Understanding of clinical governance and the individual responsibilities it implies
• Knowledge of the principles of clinical audit and evidence of participationPositive approach to evidence based practice
• Participation in continuing professional development (CPD) scheme and, where relevant, evidence of participation

Research

• Knowledge of the principles involved in research
• Evidence of involvement in research
• Evidence of peer review research papers
• Ability to increase the academic profile of the department

Teaching and Training

• Experience of teaching medical students.
• Experience of supervising trainees.
• Knowledge of teaching to a multidisciplinary team
• Formal teaching qualification
• Evidence of management training and evidence of learning from it
• Ability to organise efficient and smooth running of a specialist service
• Ability to cope with and effectively organise the workload of a consultant
• Ability to practice independently as a consultantAbility to take on responsibility and show evidence of leadership
• Ability to work under pressure and cope with setbacks
• Demonstration of knowledge of NHS management structures

Interpersonal, communication and team working skills

• Ability to communicate effectively with patients, relatives, clinical colleagues, support staff and other colleagues.
• Good knowledge of, and ability to use, spoken and written English.
• Ability to present effectively to an audience, using a variety of methods, and to respond to questions and queries
• Ability to develop effective working relationships on an individual and multi-professional basis with all levels of staff both within and across divisions
• Ability to be a flexible team member

Any other Personal Abilities and Aptitudes

• Ability to adapt and respond to changing circumstances
• Awareness of personal limitations
• Ability to undertake additional professional responsibilities at local, regional or national levels

Other

• Demonstrates the four Trust values
• Meets professional health requirements
• Willingness to travel to and work in other sites necessitated by the role

We hope that you will decide to join us and become part of this exciting journey, helping us to shape our future together.

As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application to ensure we’re meeting our pledge.

The Trust is committed to investing in and caring for all our staff. We will support you in maintaining and improving your health and wellbeing, as well as your career development through management and training support - developing exceptional people for exceptional careers.

BFT is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults.

To comply with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016 all applicants must be able to speak fluent English to an appropriate standard which will be assessed at Interview.

If you require sponsorship for a visa to work in the UK, to avoid disappointment, please check to ensure you are eligible under the UKVI points based system.

The Trust uses electronic new starter forms on Trac to collect personal details. Information collected is securely stored and used to set up the employee record on the ESR HR system.

By applying for this post, you are agreeing to Bristol NHS Foundation Trust transferring the information contained in this application to its preferred applicant management system. If you are offered a job, information will also be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records system.

Please be aware of scams – unless specified above, we will only communicate with you via @recruit.trac.jobs or nhs.net e-mails and we will never ask you for any payments.

IMPORTANT:

Due to the high number of applications that are received for some posts we may close this vacancy before the advertised closing date.

Only those candidates who clearly demonstrate how they meet the person specification will be shortlisted for this job.

As a guide interviews should usually take place within 3 weeks of the closing date.

When providing employment reference details, please provide correct work-related email addresses so references can be sought promptly when we are looking to progress your application. Your referee must all be known to you in a line manager or professional lead capacity.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

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.