Consultant Ophthalmologist Medical Retina

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

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider is seeking an innovative Consultant in Ophthalmology at Watford General Hospital to provide expert clinical care, perform surgeries, and train others. This permanent, full-time role requires GMC registration and offers an annual salary ranging from £105,504 to £139,882. Join a friendly team in a dynamic environment focusing on excellent patient care and innovation.

Qualifications

• Full GMC Registration required.
• Entry on the GMC Specialist Register via CCT or CESR.
• Specialty specific exams are preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide dedicated clinical opinions on ophthalmic problems.
• Perform independent surgeries and teach cataract surgery.
• Supervise and lead clinical teams.

Skills

Expert clinical opinions on ophthalmic problems

Independent running of operating lists

Supervision of multi-disciplinary teams

Understanding of NHS structures

Education

MBBS or Basic Medical Degree

FRCOphth or equivalent

Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT)

Job description

Job summary

We are seeking to recruit an innovative, dynamic consultant to join our team. This would be an excellent opportunity for Higher Trainees who have completed their training or an established consultant seeking a career change. This is a substantive 10 PA post, with a specialist interest in medical retina and surgical experience required.

Successful appointee will join the Head & Neck directorate of ENT, Oral Surgery & Ophthalmology. You will be joining a friendly and welcoming team of 6 consultants and a wider multi-disciplinary team of 30 clinical staff. Services are delivered across all West Herts sites including Watford General and St Albans City Hospitals.

Main duties of the job

This is an appointment by West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (WHTH). The post involves cross-site working, with opportunities to join the wider team for educational and training purposes.

The indicative job plan is in the job description attached.

Job plans may be reviewed as service needs alter. The Trust has long day working and may consider weekend working in the future.

• Ability to offer expert clinical opinions on a range of ophthalmic problems, both emergency and elective.
• Independent running of operating lists and teaching cataract surgery.
• Ability to take full and independent responsibility for the clinical care of patients.
• Ability to prioritize clinical needs.
• Ability to supervise multi-disciplinary teams.
• Willingness to work according to guidelines and group decisions.
• Ability to demonstrate familiarity with and understanding of NHS structures, management, and current political issues, including awareness of national strategic plans and constraints.
• Ability to demonstrate a willingness to lead clinical teams.
• Effective specialist clinical service.

About us

With a new hospital planned for Watford and work underway to update theatres at St Albans City Hospital, this is an exciting time to join us.

We are building on the success of our award-winning virtual hospital and re-imaging models of care, working ever more closely with partners and making the most of advances in digital healthcare.

Staff wellbeing and development are a priority at our Trust, as is the role of innovation in improving clinical care, outcomes and patient experience.

Our vision is Excellent patient care, together and our values are to be empowered, compassionate, professional and inclusive. They capture an important balance across what we must all do as individuals and to support others.

At West Herts we offer a variety of flexible working options as we recognise the importance of a good work life balance and the ability to work flexibly. https://www.westhertshospitals.nhs.uk/flexibleworking/

We kindly invite you to consider submitting an application.

If you have a disability or long-term health condition and should you require support or guidance please contact [e-mail]

If you are a Service Leaver, Veteran, Military Reserve, Cadet Force Adult Volunteer, or partner/spouse of those serving please tick "Member of the Armed Forces Community" on the application form.

If you do not hear back within 3 weeks of your application, please assume you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.

Details Date posted

31 July 2025

Pay scheme

Hospital medical and dental staff

Grade

Consultant

Salary

£105,504 to £139,882 a year PA

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

360-B-1099-A

Job locations

Watford General Hospital

Watford General Hospital

Watford

WD18 0HB

Job description Job responsibilities

Please see attached job description for more information about this role and working at West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.

Prospective candidates will need to meet the following essential criteria:

- Full GMC Registration

- Entry on the GMC Specialist Register via:

CCT (proposed CCT date must be within 6 months of interview)

CESR or

European Community Rights

Please note, successful applicants will need to be available for interview on Weds 8th October 2025.

Job description Job responsibilities

Please see attached job description for more information about this role and working at West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.

Prospective candidates will need to meet the following essential criteria:

- Full GMC Registration

- Entry on the GMC Specialist Register via:

CCT (proposed CCT date must be within 6 months of interview)

CESR or

European Community Rights

Please note, successful applicants will need to be available for interview on Weds 8th October 2025.

Person Specification Essential Essential

• MBBS or Basic Medical Degree
• FRCOphth or equivalent
• Full GMC Registration
• Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) / CESR (The proposed CCT date must be within 6 months of the interview)

Desirable

• MD/MS
• Speciality specific exams

Person Specification Essential Essential

• MBBS or Basic Medical Degree
• FRCOphth or equivalent
• Full GMC Registration
• Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) / CESR (The proposed CCT date must be within 6 months of the interview)

Desirable

• MD/MS
• Speciality specific exams

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

West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

Address

Watford General Hospital

Watford General Hospital

Watford

WD18 0HB

Employer's website

http://www.westhertshospitals.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details Employer name

West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

Address

Watford General Hospital

Watford General Hospital

Watford

WD18 0HB

Employer's website

http://www.westhertshospitals.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)