Locum Consultant Ophthalmologist

Countess of Chester NHS Foundation Trust; Chester; On-site; GBP 105,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is inviting applications for a 12-month fixed-term Locum Consultant Ophthalmologist. The post comprises 10 Programmed Activities per week and offers a dynamic team of ophthalmic professionals to join an established service.

The successful candidate will integrate into the consultant team, support service development, and participate in on-call and on-duty rotas.

Qualifications

• FRCOphth or equivalent
• On Specialist Register of the GMC or within six months of anticipated CCT date at date of interview
• MD/PhD and relevant ophthalmology qualifications

Responsibilities

• Integrate within the existing consultant team to provide a comprehensive ophthalmology service.
• Support the continued development of the Ophthalmology service.
• Participate in the general consultant on-call rota (1 in 16).
• Participate in the on-duty rota (1 in 16).
• Work primarily at Countess of Chester Hospital with outpatient, theatre, laser and injection-list activity.

Skills

FRCOphth

Specialist GMC registration

MD/PhD

Education

FRCOphth or equivalent

MD/PhD

Job description

Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, staff pride themselves on not only leading through clinical excellence, but also by creating an environment where all staff are valued and appreciated. To achieve this, the Trust has embarked on an exciting new strategy focused on continuous improvement.

Our vision is to improve the lives of our community and provide excellence in healthcare, through partnership and innovation

Our High Performance Culture will support everyone to be the best version of themselves by being true to our Trust vision, values and behaviours.
We welcome applications from colleagues from our local and neighbouring communities of all backgrounds and identities, who are currently under-represented within our region such as Black, Asian, Minority ethnic and those with disabilities.

As a region we are reviewing the way we work, and exploring how new working practices that support flexible working can create a positive work-life balance. As part of our recruitment process we will explore how our inclusive employment policies, flexible working, staff engagement forums, Trust facilities and services can be of mutual benefit.

Job overview

Applications are invited for a 12-month fixed-term Locum Consultant Ophthalmologist at the Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.

This post comprises 10 Programmed Activities (PAs) per week and presents an exciting opportunity for a dynamic and motivated individual to join our established team of ophthalmic professionals.

Main duties of the job

The successful candidate will be expected to integrate within the existing consultant team to provide a comprehensive ophthalmology service. Sub-specialty interests will be accommodated where possible, and the post holder will support the continued development of the Ophthalmology service. The successful candidate will also participate in the general consultant on-call rota.

The on-call commitment is shared with Arrowe Park Hospital and is currently 1 in 16. The post holder will also participate in the on-duty rota, which is currently 1 in 16.

You will be joining a team of 9 Consultants, 4 Specialty Doctors, 3 Specialty Trainees and 1 Trust Grade ST1/2 Doctor, supported by an established team of Ophthalmic Nurses, Optometrists and Orthoptists.

The post will be primarily based at the Countess of Chester Hospital and will include outpatient, theatre, laser and injection-list activity in accordance with the agreed job plan.

The Countess of Chester Hospital is situated in a beautiful location on the outskirts of the historic Roman City of Chester. We are within easy access of Liverpool, Manchester Airport, North Wales and the Lake District. The Trust is committed to continued professional development and to a culture of ongoing service improvement.

For further information, informal discussion or to arrange a departmental visit, please contact Mr C Parkes, Consultant Ophthalmologist and Clinical Lead.

Working for our organisation

The Trust’s services are provided from three locations:

• The Countess of Chester Hospital: providing 473 general and acute beds.
• Ellesmere Port Hospital: providing 60 beds as a rehabilitation, intermediate and outpatient facility.
• Tarporley War Memorial Hospital: a base for community services which serve the local rural population.

The Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust employs 5,964 staff (headcount) to provide care and treatment to a population of over 400,000 people living in Chester and West Cheshire which includes Ellesmere Port and Neston as well as the Deeside area of Flintshire.

The Trust works collaboratively within the wider Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care System. Due to its location on the border with North Wales, the Trust also works closely with the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board.

The Trust treats patients from England and some parts of Wales. During 2024/2025, there were approximately 643,000 patient attendances (inpatient, A&E, outpatient and diagnostic) ranging from a simple outpatient appointment to major cancer surgery

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

See Job Description for further details.

Recruitment selection processes are based on competence (see Person specification) and values. An applicant guide to help and support you through your recruitment journey can be accessed at the bottom of this page.

If you have a disability that meets the definition set out in the Equality Act 2010, and you can show that you meet the ‘essential’ criteria described in the person specification for an available position, please answer ‘YES’ to the question: ‘Do you wish to be considered under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme?’

Please inform the team if you have any special support needs to be considered as part of the interview and selection processes.

The trust offers a Guaranteed Interview Scheme to any armed forces community applicants who meet the essential criteria for the post.

If a DBS is required for your role, you are encouraged to enrol for the DBS Update Service. A small annual fee applies which is payable to the DBS Service.Please note applicants will be required to pay for their DBS check. Costswill be deducted from their salary over the first three months of employment.

New entrants to the NHS will commence on the minimum of the scale stated above.

Applicants requiring sponsorship may wish to determine the likelihood of obtaining sponsorship for this position by assessing themselves against the criteria on the gov.uk website - https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa.

The Trust will not sponsor where the starting salary does not meet immigration rules

Applicants are advised to apply early as if a large number of applications are received for this post, we reserve the right to close the vacancy prior to the advertised date.

Good luck with your application.

Person specification

Qualifications & Skills

• FRCOphth or equivalent
• On Specialist Register of the General Medical Council or within six months of anticipated CCT date on the date of interview
• MD/PhD

Clinical Experience and Effectiveness

• Experience in cataract surgery
• Participation in on-call

Teaching & Training Experience

• Experience / interest in teaching
• Attendance at teaching skills courses

Attendance at teaching skills courses

• Demonstrable use of Clinical Audit within a Service
• Demonstrable use of research and evidence base to practice
• Understanding of importance of management skills
• Relevant experience in undertaking and organisation of Audit
• Attendance at relevant courses

Personal Attributes

• Ability to integrate within, motivate, and provide professional leadership in a multi-disciplinary team

Disclosure and Barring Service Check
If the role is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 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.

Enhanced DBS check applications that are submitted with omitted or incorrect information will be withdrawn. In the event errors are identified on your original application, a new application will need to be submitted and you will be required to pay the DBS application fee again.

The cost of the DBS application will be deducted from your salary over the first three months of employment.

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. Applicants requiring sponsorship may wish to determine the likelihood of obtaining sponsorship for this position by assessing themselves against the criteria on the gov.uk website - Check if you need a UK visa - GOV.UK

The Trust will not sponsor where the starting salary does not meet these immigration rules

For further details on skilled worker sponsorship, please consult the UK Home Office guidance: Skilled Worker visa: Overview - GOV.UK. Additionally, the New guidance for overseas applicants | NHS Employers provides helpful information on the recruitment process for candidates applying for roles in the UK.

Overseas candidates are responsible for their travel expenses.

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have 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 dependent's (over 18 years old) will also be subject to this requirement.

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.

Name Mr Craig Parkes Job title Consultant Ophthalmologist and Clinical Lead Email address [e-mail] Telephone number 01244 362238