Speciality Lead Consultant - Ophthalmology

The Methodist Church in Britain; Wales; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Powys Teaching Health Board is seeking a senior consultant in ophthalmology to lead medical governance and service transformation. The role combines clinical practice with management, including supervising in-reach colleagues for one session weekly where allocated.

Applicants should hold FRCS or equivalent with full GMC registration and be on or eligible for the GMC specialist register, with proposed CCT within six months of interview. Strong teaching and audit experience are desirable.

Qualifications

• FRCS or equivalent required.
• Full GMC registration.
• Entry on the GMC specialist register via CCT, CESR or European Rights with CCT due within six months of interview.
• Experience leading ophthalmology services and teaching.

Responsibilities

• Provide medical leadership of the ophthalmology service, including audit, research and service management.
• Oversee governance, clinical effectiveness and productivity across the service.
• Lead development of clinical strategy supporting health transformation workstreams.
• Chair ophthalmology clinical groups and represent the specialty on the Powys Eyecare Collaborative Group.
• Oversee continual improvement against national standards and service accreditation.
• Oversee development of clinical policies and protocols.
• Oversee a rolling audit programme with timelines and named contributors.
• Ensure safety and quality KPIs for provider and commissioned services are reviewed and acted on.
• Oversee governance review and trend analysis of incidents, and advise on complaints and investigations.
• Provide support and expertise in managing underperformance where identified.
• Oversee competency assessment and training in ophthalmology.
• Clinical supervision of in-reach ophthalmology consultants and other staff, one session per week if allocated.

Skills

Clinical excellence

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Decision making

Workload management

Empathy

Education

FRCS or equivalent

Job description

This consultant post leads the ophthalmology service at Powys Teaching Health Board, combining clinical practice with management across the board's own and commissioned services. The core is medical leadership of the service, covering governance, audit, incident review, clinical policy and clinical strategy. It suits a senior consultant with proven management as well as clinical experience, and may include supervising in-reach colleagues for one session a week. Fit depends on full GMC registration and a specialist register entry, with CCT due within six months of interview.

What the job involves

• Provide medical leadership of the ophthalmology service, including audit, research and service management
• Oversee governance, clinical effectiveness and productivity across the service
• Lead development of clinical strategy supporting health transformation workstreams
• Chair ophthalmology clinical groups and represent the speciality on the Powys Eyecare Collaborative Group
• Oversee continual improvement against National Planned Care Programme and speciality standards, and preparation for service accreditation
• Oversee development of clinical policies and protocols
• Oversee a rolling audit programme with timelines and named contributors
• Ensure safety and quality KPIs for provider and commissioned services are reviewed and acted on
• Oversee governance review and trend analysis of reported incidents, and advise on complaints and investigations
• Provide support and expertise in managing underperformance where identified
• Oversee competency assessment and the provision of training in ophthalmology
• Clinical supervision of in-reach ophthalmology consultants and other clinical staff, one session per week, if allocated

Qualifications

• FRCS or equivalent

Registration & licences

• Full registration with the General Medical Council
• Entry on the GMC specialist register via CCT, CESR or European Community Rights, with proposed CCT within six months of interview

Experience

• Independent practice in ophthalmology, offering expert clinical opinion
• Leadership of service development and transformation, with success in both management and clinical roles
• Experience of undergraduate and postgraduate teaching, and a commitment to it
• Experience of medical audit, research and clinical governance
• Taking full and independent responsibility for patient clinical care

Skills & knowledge

• Excellent clinical skills
• Excellent communication with patients, colleagues, managers and staff
• Approachable and effective multidisciplinary team member with strong interpersonal skills
• Leading, making decisions and responding to service need
• Organising and managing own workload efficiently
• Empathetic and sensitive approach to patient needs

Other

• Demonstrable evidence of lifelong learning
• Reflective approach to personal development, including managing poor performance

Nice to have

• Higher degree (MD, PhD or similar)
• Experience of medical workforce management
• Experience of digital transformation
• Experience of audit management, and supervising postgraduate research and audit
• Publications in peer reviewed journals
• Management training course
• Some ability to speak, read or write Welsh, or an eagerness to learn
• IT and presentation skills

What’s offered

• Range of development pathways
• Prioritised staff well-being
• Focus on a healthy work-life balance