Specialty Doctor In Ophthalmology

This post will support the existing ophthalmic team by undertaking general ophthalmic duties in an outpatient and theatre setting. The post holder is expected to contribute to the ophthalmology out-patient and surgical activities. The starting salary will be commensurate with experience. There will be the opportunity for training in vitreoretinal surgery for interested candidates already proficient in cataract surgery. Duties and Responsibilities The Ophthalmology Service is based at St Helens Hospital and undertakes the whole range of ophthalmic work. The Ophthalmology Department provides support to the community childrens screening clinics as well as the provision of an orthoptic service. The Speciality Doctor post will be a middle grade post. The job will involve handling out-patient clinics and undertaking theatre sessions. It will involve 1 in 8 1st on-call duties. The on-call rota is shared with Warrington Hospital. It is hoped that the successful candidate will maintain an active interest in the speciality and take part in teaching and audit sessions. This is a non-training post but will provide good ab initio training in cataract or vitreoretinal surgery depending on the successful candidates preference and past experience. The service is based in the new St Helens Hospital DTC with state of the art ophthalmic equipment. Facilities of the department currently are:- a) In-Patient Facilities There is a Day Surgery Unit within the St Helens Hospital where the majority of ophthalmic surgery is undertaken. The Trust has a dedicated eye theatre team within the Hospital. All current adult ophthalmic surgical work is undertaken in the main theatre, and the following is available:- 2 ceiling mounted Leica operating microscopes with video facilities 3 Phaco-emulsification/ vitrectomy machines (1 Alcon constellation + 2 Infinity) Foldable intraocular lenses are used routinely and an assortment of accessories for safe and state of the art phacoemulsification procedures. Children are operated on at the Whiston Hospital Main Theatre Suite. b) Out-Patient Facilities The main Ophthalmology Out-Patient Services are provided from the Eye Clinic at St Helens. The full range of equipment in clinic includes:- Yag Laser - Zeiss Argon laser HGM PC EDO with indirect facility Humphrey field analyser x 2 New digitised Fundus camera (Heidelberg HRA2) Zeiss IOL Master Auto Refractor/Keratomater (Canon) B Scanner Biovision SLT Coherent SD - OCT Heidelberg new generation Colour camera Canon In addition to the out-patient clinics there are also:- 2 Contact lens clinics per month 2 outreach clinics at Newton Community Hospital: further additional sessions envisaged Nurse led pre-operative assessment clinic Nurse-led intravitreal injection sessions. Nurses are being increasingly deployed to carry out other tasks eg OCT/FFA capture, post-op care etc c) Staffing Of The Department 7 Consultants 1 Associate Specialist 6 Speciality Doctors (F/T) including this post The clinics are supported by Orthoptists who work as an integral part of the team. The Hospital has a clearly defined programme of medical audit. All specialities spend 8 sessions on audit annually. Ophthalmology audit meetings are held usually on a Wednesday pm . A medical audit information system has been installed. THE NATURE OF THE JOB Title - Speciality Doctor in Ophthalmology The post is full-time, 10 PAs per week with 1 in 8 on-call. Working Relationships The employer is Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospital NHS Trust Managerial accountability is to the Clinical Director. The work of the post-holder will be supervised by a Consultant. Timetable The timetable will be in line with the new SAS contract. It is envisaged that the programme will be divided into the following activities (PAs). 6 Out-patient clinics. These can be flexible according to departmental needs. 2 Theatre sessions depending on surgical experience and interest. 1 SPA (CPD/Audit, Wednesday pm) 1 Admin/ management She/he will participate in the regular in-house educational programme. The time table may include some evening sessions. Surgical training in phacoemulsification / VR will be provided for interested and suitable candidates. The job plan will be reviewed after two years and may change depending on the needs of the unit / other doctors at the time. Principal Accountabilities The post holder will: Contribute to the care of both out-patients and in-patients Help with emergency work during normal hours Undertake on-call on 1 in 8 rota basis Assist in the compilation and organisation of audit sessions at St Helens Hospital Deputise during the daytime for absent colleagues within the agreed rota Assist with duties outside those normally rostered but which are judged to be essential for patient care under exceptional circumstances. Flexibility in working pattern is desirable and expected. For more information regarding the main responsibilities and requirements essential for this role please refer to the supporting documents heading and review the job description and person specification which will outline the duties of the role including a proposed job plan.