Consultant Ophthalmologist in Paediatric and Strabismus

NHS; Taunton; On-site; GBP 105,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

An established healthcare provider is seeking a dedicated Consultant in paediatric ophthalmology and strabismus. This full-time role offers the chance to shape and develop services across two hospitals, focusing on high-quality patient care and clinical governance. With a commitment to flexible working and career development, this position not only promises professional growth but also a supportive work environment. The role includes leading paediatric clinics, participating in teaching sessions, and providing emergency cover, making it an exciting opportunity for those passionate about advancing their careers in a dynamic setting.

Benefits

Flexible working options

NHS pension scheme

Generous annual leave allowance

Career development opportunities

Blue Light Card discounts

Qualifications

• Clinical training equivalent to UK CCT in Ophthalmology.
• Ability to offer expert clinical opinion at consultant level.

Responsibilities

• Provide high-standard specialist diagnosis and treatment in Ophthalmology.
• Participate in audit, teaching, and clinical governance activities.
• Lead clinician for paediatric ophthalmology at Yeovil Hospital.

Skills

Paediatric Ophthalmology

Strabismus Management

Cataract Surgery

Clinical Governance

Teaching and Mentoring

Education

Medical Degree

FRCOphth or FRCS (Ophth)

GMC Registration

Higher Degree/Fellowship in Paediatric Ophthalmology

Job description

Job summary

Somerset Foundation Trust is looking for an enthusiastic Consultant with a subspecialty interest in paediatric ophthalmology and strabismus to join our team. The role is full time attracting 10 PA's per week. The general on call commitment is approximately 1 in 9, which may change overtime as the department develops.

The post will be based at both the main hospitals within the trust, Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton, and Yeovil Hospital. It may include clinics in the community.

The post holder will be expected to participate in all elements of the Ophthalmology departmental activity, including audit, teaching and clinical governance.

There are weekly teaching sessions on a Friday afternoon as well as a monthly audit and clinical governance meetings. The weekly timetable will include dedicated paediatric clinic and adult strabismus clinics, alongside the orthoptic team. The post holder will also have theatre commitments, including cataract surgery.

The post holder will be joint lead clinician in paediatric ophthalmology and strabismus for SFT, alongside the current paediatric ophthalmologist, and will be lead clinician for paediatric ophthalmology at Yeovil Hospital. As the joint working between Taunton and Yeovil is new, this being the second consultant appointment to be jointly part of both departments, this is an exciting opportunity to shape and develop the paediatric and strabismus service for Somerset.

Main duties of the job

• To provide, to a high standard, the full range of specialist diagnosis, treatment and care to patients requiring Ophthalmology services in Musgrove Park Hospital and Yeovil Hospital, in conjunction with the consultants in the Ophthalmology Department.
• To participate in all elements of the Ophthalmology departmental activity, including audit, teaching and clinical governance. There are weekly teaching sessions on a Friday afternoon as well as a monthly audit and clinical governance meetings.
• The weekly timetable will include dedicated paediatric clinics and adult strabismus clinics, alongside the orthoptic team.
• To be joint lead clinician in paediatric ophthalmology and strabismus for SFT, alongside the current paediatric ophthalmologist, and will be lead clinician for paediatric ophthalmology at Yeovil Hospital.
• Leading the ROP screening service for Yeovil and being involved in covering provision for the ROP screening service in Taunton.
• Participation in provision of a General Ophthalmology Service including involvement in the Eye Health Network and theatre commitments including cataract surgery.
• Participation in the Primary Care and Acute Referral Service for Ophthalmology at both sites.
• Participation in the emergency/on-call rota for Ophthalmology on a 1 in 9, based at Musgrove Park Hospital.
• Participation in administration of the above.
• Involvement in Supervision/teaching of trainees.

About us

At Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, we're committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer:

• Flexible working options to help you balance work and life
• NHS pension scheme for long-term financial security
• Generous annual leave allowance to recharge and relax
• A strong focus on career development to help you grow and achieve your potential

Additionally, you'll gain access to our Blue Light Card, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS-specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work.

We are proud to foster a diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds.

Why Somerset? Somerset offers the perfect blend of idyllic countryside, outstanding areas of natural beauty, and breathtaking coastlines, with vibrant cities like Bristol, Bath, and Exeter just a short drive away - and only two hours to London.

The region is home to excellent educational facilities, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it's a great place to build both your career and your future.

Somerset truly has it all - the peaceful countryside and cosmopolitan city life, with something for everyone to enjoy.

Date posted

30 April 2025

Pay scheme

Hospital medical and dental staff

Grade

Consultant

Salary

£105,504 to £139,882 a year for working 10 PA's per week

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

184-OL-MED-SURG-2311

Job locations

Musgrove Park Hospital

Musgrove Road

Taunton

Somerset

TA1 5DA

Yeovil District Hospital

Higher Kingston

Yeovil

Somerset

BA21 4AT

Job description Job responsibilities

Please refer to the attached job description for full details of this exciting role including the full persons specification and proposed job plan timetable.

Further duties of the role include:

Except in emergencies or where otherwise agreed with your manager, you will be responsible for fulfilling the duties and responsibilities and undertaking the programmed activities set out in your job plan, as reviewed from time to time.

The purpose of including agreed personal objectives in your Job Plan is to set out in clear and transparent terms what you and your clinical manager have agreed should reasonably be achieved in the year in question.

These objectives are not contractually binding in themselves, but you will have a duty to make all reasonable efforts to achieve them.

You will be required to participate in an on-call rota to provide emergency cover. When not on an on-call rota, we may in exceptional circumstances, ask you to return to site for emergencies if we are able to contact you. You are not however, required to be available for such eventualities. The post will be approximately 1 in 9 on-call for general ophthalmology, although this frequency may change over time depending on departmental circumstances.

The number of consultants who are away on leave at any one time will be agreed with the Trust specialty policy. During the absence of colleagues on leave, consultants are expected to provide agreed levels of cover.

Where you wish to have external duties included in your job plan, you must discuss with and have the agreement of your clinical manager in advance. Scheduling of such duties will be by agreement between you and your clinical manager.

To provide and develop a subspecialty interest and service, required by the Trust's catchment population, that complements the specialist interests of the existing consultants.

Job description Job responsibilities

Please refer to the attached job description for full details of this exciting role including the full persons specification and proposed job plan timetable.

Further duties of the role include:

Except in emergencies or where otherwise agreed with your manager, you will be responsible for fulfilling the duties and responsibilities and undertaking the programmed activities set out in your job plan, as reviewed from time to time.

The purpose of including agreed personal objectives in your Job Plan is to set out in clear and transparent terms what you and your clinical manager have agreed should reasonably be achieved in the year in question.

These objectives are not contractually binding in themselves, but you will have a duty to make all reasonable efforts to achieve them.

You will be required to participate in an on-call rota to provide emergency cover. When not on an on-call rota, we may in exceptional circumstances, ask you to return to site for emergencies if we are able to contact you. You are not however, required to be available for such eventualities. The post will be approximately 1 in 9 on-call for general ophthalmology, although this frequency may change over time depending on departmental circumstances.

The number of consultants who are away on leave at any one time will be agreed with the Trust specialty policy. During the absence of colleagues on leave, consultants are expected to provide agreed levels of cover.

Where you wish to have external duties included in your job plan, you must discuss with and have the agreement of your clinical manager in advance. Scheduling of such duties will be by agreement between you and your clinical manager.

To provide and develop a subspecialty interest and service, required by the Trust's catchment population, that complements the specialist interests of the existing consultants.

Person Specification Qualifications Essential

• Medical Degree.
• FRCOphth, or FRCS (Ophth) or equivalent.
• Full GMC Registration with an active license to practice at time of applying.
• Entry on the GMC Specialist Register in Ophthalmology via CCT (proposed CCT date must be within 6 months of the interview date), CESR or European Community Rights
• Recognised higher degree/fellowship training in paediatric-ophthalmology.

Desirable

• An appropriate higher degree or qualification (MD, PhD or equivalent).

Experience Essential

• Clinical training and breadth of experience equivalent to that required for gaining UK CCT in Ophthalmology.
• SPR or ST approved training programme or equivalent.
• ASTO/TSC training.
• Ability to offer expert clinical opinion on a wide range of problems, both emergency and elective within the Subspecialty, at a consultant level.
• Ability to take full and independent responsibility for the clinical care of patients.

Desirable

• Experience of Independent practice

Additional Criteria Essential

• Understanding of clinical risk management.
• Clear, logical thinking showing an analytical/scientific approach.
• Ability to mentor staff both medical and nursing.
• Ability to offer expert clinical opinion on a wide range of problems both emergency & elective within the Specialty.
• Ability to take full, independent responsibility for the clinical care of patients.

Desirable

• Experience of clinical risk management
• Ability to independently provide safe cataract surgery and surgery for general ophthalmic emergency work.
• Demonstrate a high degree of competence in phacoemulsification.
• To be able to demonstrate with audited results a high level of attainment in ophthalmic surgery

Person Specification Qualifications Essential

• Medical Degree.
• FRCOphth, or FRCS (Ophth) or equivalent.
• Full GMC Registration with an active license to practice at time of applying.
• Entry on the GMC Specialist Register in Ophthalmology via CCT (proposed CCT date must be within 6 months of the interview date), CESR or European Community Rights
• Recognised higher degree/fellowship training in paediatric-ophthalmology.

Desirable

• An appropriate higher degree or qualification (MD, PhD or equivalent).

Experience Essential

• Clinical training and breadth of experience equivalent to that required for gaining UK CCT in Ophthalmology.
• SPR or ST approved training programme or equivalent.
• ASTO/TSC training.
• Ability to offer expert clinical opinion on a wide range of problems, both emergency and elective within the Subspecialty, at a consultant level.
• Ability to take full and independent responsibility for the clinical care of patients.

Desirable

• Experience of Independent practice

Additional Criteria Essential

• Understanding of clinical risk management.
• Clear, logical thinking showing an analytical/scientific approach.
• Ability to mentor staff both medical and nursing.
• Ability to offer expert clinical opinion on a wide range of problems both emergency & elective within the Specialty.
• Ability to take full, independent responsibility for the clinical care of patients.

Desirable

• Experience of clinical risk management
• Ability to independently provide safe cataract surgery and surgery for general ophthalmic emergency work.
• Demonstrate a high degree of competence in phacoemulsification.
• To be able to demonstrate with audited results a high level of attainment in ophthalmic surgery

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

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Musgrove Park Hospital

Musgrove Road

Taunton

Somerset

TA1 5DA

Employer's website

https://www.somersetft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details Employer name

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Musgrove Park Hospital

Musgrove Road

Taunton

Somerset

TA1 5DA

Employer's website

https://www.somersetft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)