Job overview

This new post is for an additional consultant paediatric ophthalmologist (locum, with a view to substantive) with a skill set to complement the existing team. Our theatre capacity is expanding and we are in a position to support additional theatre and clinical activity.

We are looking for a colleague to add vivacity, resilience and bring new perspectives to further enhance children’s eye care at Birmingham Women’s and Children’s Hospital.

The department comprises four full-time consultants, one part-time and a number of visiting consultants who deliver the full range of children’s eye care services. Supra-regional ophthalmic services include complex paediatric cataract, glaucoma, oculoplastics, neuro-ophthalmology, medical and surgical retina, retinopathy of prematurity, genetic eye disease, uveitis, and one of two national retinoblastoma treatment services. We contribute to many multidisciplinary supra-regional services including craniofacial, metabolic, Bardet-Biedl, Behcet’s, Von Hippel Lindau and epidermolysis bullosa.  We have a thriving international fellowship programme with four post-CCT fellows and two deanery trainees. Our orthoptic and optometry departments are also expanding in staff numbers, and reaching beyond our footrpint and into the community. They work innovatively, contributing high levels of expertise in both core and extended roles.

Main duties of the job

There are core clinical responsibilities and duties which will be expected to be fulfilled following appointment including:

·         Shared core clinical activities: triaging referrals, liaising with colleagues around the trust, communicating with families, GPs, social services. Managing out-patient clinics, in-patient review clinics and operating lists in conjunction with administrative team.

·         Delivery of the following services: secondary care ophthalmology, strabismus service, paediatric cataract, non-complex paediatric oculoplastics, retinopathy of prematurity screening and treatments

·         Working collaboratively with administrative team to deliver high quality care.

·         Supervision of resident and fellow doctors in clinic, in theatre and in the delivery of care for inpatients.

·         Full participation in processes which will steer the future direction of the department including attendance at departmental meetings, clinical governance events, ‘away days’, GP-educational events etc.

·         Cover for colleagues in their absence, with reciprocal cover in return.

·         Deliver education for deanery and post-CCT fellows including in-post and patient-centred education, didactic teaching and appraisal/assessment of trainees as guided by West Midlands School of ophthalmology and BWCH Fellowship Director.

·         Continued professional development with attendance at conferences, research meetings and independent learning.

Working for our organisation

Birmingham Women's and Children's NHS Foundation Trust is the first of its type in the UK. Our Trust was formed in February 2017 to drive forward our commitment to provide the highest quality, world-class physical and mental health care for our women, children and families. Uniting our hospitals means more seamless care; more investment to make greater advances in our specialist treatment and world-leading neo-natal and fetal work. Importantly, it also gives us a greater voice in shaping the future of family-centred care.

Birmingham Children's Hospital is a UK leading specialist paediatric centre with an international reputation in several areas.

Birmingham Women's Hospital is one of two dedicated women's hospitals in the UK, with the busiest single site maternity unit, delivering more than 8,200 babies a year offering a full range of gynaecological, maternity and neonatal care.

Forward Thinking Birmingham (FTB) Mental Health Services are a unique, innovative community and inpatient mental health partnership. Alongside partners FTB offers care pathways of mental health assessment and treatment for young people aged 0-25 years old.

Our Trust is committed to creating the best place to work. We believe in promoting and enhancing inclusion, diversity and equality and encourage applications from all areas of the community, who meet the criteria for the role, regardless of age, gender identity, disability, race, religion or sexual orientation.