Specialty Doctor in Ophthalmology

Countess of Chester; Chester; On-site; GBP 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust in Chester is seeking an enthusiastic Specialty Doctor to join the Ophthalmology Department for a 12-month fixed-term, full-time post. The role involves outpatient clinics, rapid-access and theatre work, with opportunities for surgery and injections depending on experience.

You'll join a multidisciplinary team, delivering high-quality eye care, teaching, and participating in audit and governance to continuously improve patient outcomes.

Qualifications

• Diploma in Ophthalmology.
• Full GMC registration with a license to practice.
• FRCOphth or equivalent.
• 4 years post graduate training (or equivalent).
• Experience in dealing with large numbers of outpatients.
• Experience / interest in Teaching.

Responsibilities

• Provide high-quality ophthalmology care across outpatient clinics, treatment services and theatre sessions, supporting timely access to specialist eye care.
• Undertake laser procedures and participate in rapid access and ophthalmic casualty services.
• Contribute to surgical activity where appropriate and maintain accurate clinical records.

Skills

Teaching

Education

Diploma in Ophthalmology

Full GMC registration

FRCOphth or equivalent

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

We are seeking an enthusiastic and committed Specialty Doctor to join the Ophthalmology Department.

This is a full-time, 12-month fixed-term opportunity within a supportive multidisciplinary team delivering comprehensive ophthalmology services across a range of subspecialties, including medical retina, glaucoma, cornea, oculoplastics and vitreoretinal surgery.

The role will involve outpatient clinics, rapid-access and casualty services, laser treatment and theatre activity, with potential opportunities to undertake surgery and intravitreal injections depending on the successful candidate’s experience and competence.

The post will support the department in providing timely, safe and effective care, while offering regular teaching, professional development and participation in clinical audit and evidence-based practice.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will provide high-quality ophthalmology care across a range of outpatient clinics, treatment services and theatre sessions, supporting the delivery of timely access to specialist eye care.

Duties will include assessing and managing patients in general and subspecialty clinics, undertaking laser procedures, participating in rapid access and ophthalmic casualty services, contributing to surgical activity where appropriate, and maintaining accurate clinical records.

The successful candidate will work closely with consultants, trainees, nurses, optometrists and orthoptists within a multidisciplinary team, while also participating in clinical governance, audit, teaching, service development and continuing professional development to ensure the highest standards of patient care.

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. Costs will be deducted from your 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

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.

Qualifications & Skills

• Diploma in Ophthalmology
• Full GMC registration with a license to practice
• FRCOphth or equivalent

Clinical Experience and Effectiveness

• 4 years full time post graduate training (or equivalent on a part-time or flexible basis), at least 2 of which will be in Ophthalmology
• Wide clinical experience in general ophthalmology
• Experience in dealing with large numbers of outpatients
• Experience / interest in Teaching