Job summary
- Main area
- Ophthalmology
- Grade
- NHS Medical & Dental Locum Consultant
- Contract
- 9 months (Fixed Term)
- Hours
- Part time - 7 sessions per week
- Job ref
- 188-MB61225
- Employer
- University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Southampton General Hospital
- Town
- Southampton
- Salary
- £109,725 - £145,478 Pro Rota
- Closing
- 04/01/2026 23:59
- Interview date
- 14/01/2026
Employer heading
Locum Vitreoretinal Consultant
NHS Medical & Dental Locum Consultant
Job overview
University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust is delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity to work with us.
Please see below for detailed job description of the role.
Main duties of the job
We are seeking a motivated Locum Consultant Ophthalmologist to join our Vitreoretinal and Medical Retina teams on a fixed‑term contract. This role provides essential cover for a VR consultant sabbatical. with additional MR clinic capacity to support service demand.
About the Team
You will join a large, supportive and highly specialised Ophthalmology service at University Hospital Southampton, home to one of the region’s busiest Vitreoretinal units and a major Medical Retina hub. Our VR service provides 24/7 emergency cover for a wide geographical region, performing high-volume retinal detachment and macular surgery, supported by skilled nursing, theatre, and imaging teams. The MR service treats a wide spectrum of macular and diabetic eye disease and is nationally recognised for high patient volumes, strong multidisciplinary pathways, and excellent clinical outcomes.
Working for our organisation
As one of the largest acute teaching Trusts in England, we offer learning and development opportunities to help you achieve the career you aspire to. UHS is rated ‘Good’ by the CQC and in the latest national NHS Staff Survey, we were in the top 10 acute trusts for staff engagement and for staff recommending the hospital as a place to work or receive care.
We support flexible working and will consider requests taking into account the needs of the service. UHS employees are able to access a range of NHS discounts, are entitled to a minimum of 35 days paid holiday (pro rata), and we offer a generous pension scheme.
Southampton is an attractive place to live and work situated on the south coast, with an international airport and direct trains to London. The New Forest National Park and beaches of the Jurassic coast are also right on our doorstep. The city offers living costs 20% lower than London and 14 schools rated outstanding by Ofsted.
We believe that using technology wisely shows strong time management and commitment to innovation. However, personalising your recruitment application to highlight your unique skills and experiences is crucial. Relying too heavily on generic, AI-generated content instead of drawing from your own strengths and accomplishments may lead to your application being rejected if multiple candidates present identical or similar information.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
What You’ll Do
• Provide 5 PAs of Vitreoretinal activity, including outpatient clinics, VR theatre lists, and participation in the VR on‑call rota (1 in 3 weekends / Friday rota pattern alongside 1 in 12 general on‑call).
• Deliver 2 PAs of Medical Retina activity, supporting diabetic, AMD and macular clinics to enhance capacity and maintain timely patient pathways.
• Undertake clinical administration, MDT decision‑making, and effective communication with patients and colleagues across VR and MR services.
• Participate in teaching and supervision of trainees and fellows, clinical governance, audit and service improvement.
WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR
• Essential: Competence in VR emergency and elective care, including retinal detachment and macular surgery
• Desirable: Previous experience as Vitreoretinal Consultant (Locum or Substantive)
• Experience in Medical Retina pathways (diabetic eye disease, AMD, macular pathology).
• Strong teamwork, adaptability and commitment to training, audit and safe clinical practice.
Additional Information
• This post provides nine‑month cover for sabbatical leave cover.
• 7PA structure: 5PA VR + 2PA MR.
• On‑call commitments: VR rota (1 in 3 weekends) and general ophthalmology rota (1 in 12).
For an overview of the position, please refer to the attached Job Description and Person Specification document. This includes a detailed breakdown of the key responsibilities, role expectations, and the qualifications we are looking for. It outlines the essential criteria for the role and is designed to support you in preparing your application by helping you evaluate how your skills, experience, and professional background align with the requirements of the role.
The successful candidate will be employed under the terms and conditions of service for Consultants (England) 2003.
Proposed interview date: 14th January 2026
This vacancy closes on or before 29th December 2025
Person specification
Aptitudes and skills
Essential criteria
- Evidence and ability to work effectively in multi-professional teams
- Understanding of equality and diversity and how this affects patients, visitors and staff
- Evidence and ability to communicate and liaise effectively with patients and colleagues (verbal and written communication skills in English).
- Demonstrate good organisational skills including ability to prioritise effectively and meet deadlines
- Demonstrate the ability to be calm, compassionate, and able to respond efficiently to various circumstances, which may change rapidly
- Evidence of participation in undergraduate and postgraduate teaching
Desirable criteria
- Ability to travel between hospital sites or for necessary patient visits
Qualifications, Training & Experience
Essential criteria
- MBBS or equivalent medical qualification
- GMC registration with a licence to practis
- Appropriate knowledge base, and ability to apply sound clinical judgement to problems
- Experience in Medical Retina pathways (diabetic eye disease, AMD, macular pathology)
Desirable criteria
- CT in Ophthalmology with subspecialty fellowship training in Vitreoretinal surgery
- Previous experience as Vitreoretinal Consultant (Locum or Substantive)
- MD or PhD
- Publications in Ophthalmology
- Publication in high impact journals
Living Trust Values
Essential criteria
- Patients First
- Always Improving
- Working Together
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements
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.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Serafeim Antonakis
- Job title
- Lead Vitreo Retinal Consultant
- Email address
- [email protected]
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