Job summary
- Main area
- Ophthalmology
- Grade
- Clinical Fellow
- Contract
- 12 months (fixed term)
- Hours
- Full time - 40 hours per week
- Job ref
- 432-MC2873
- Employer
- East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Colchester Hospital
- Town
- Colchester
- Salary
- £67,325 per annum
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 19/06/2026 23:59
Employer heading
Vitreoretinal Clinical Fellow
Clinical Fellow
We are one of the largest NHS organisation in England. Our scale provides exciting opportunities for development, innovation, research, education and training.
Talk to us about our range of flexible working opportunities, apprenticeships and staff benefits
Equality Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) is at the heart of all we do; and it forms part of ESNEFT’s core activities. The Trust operates and relies on everyone treating each other with dignity and respect, to receive equitable and fair treatment in the implementation of Policies, Procedures and in its Practices, to foster positive work relationships, and finally to act with integrity as a professional within ESNEFT as well as a representative of the NHS as a whole. The EDI Agenda reflects the Trust values such as Optimistic, Appreciative and Kind. In line with the NHS Long Term Plan, People Plan, People Promise and a Model Employer intrinsic in the Equality Diversity and Inclusion Agenda, we consistently strive to improve, to take the learning into Action for a better ESNEFT.
If you are passionate about patient care and want to develop your skills and knowledge then we are keen to hear from you.
Job overview
An opportunity has arisen to join our team at Colchester Hospital within Ophthalmology as a Clinical Fellow in Surgical Retina.
The successful applicant will be expected to participate actively in the diagnosis, management and follow-up of patients with retinal diseases both under supervision and on his/her own. This is a full-time clinical fellowship post for a fixed term period of 12 months with possibility to extend.
Post to start 1st December 2026.
Main duties of the job
This post will give the opportunity of extensive clinical and surgical exposure to the diagnosis and management of retinal conditions and vitreoretinal pathology. The post may allow the post holder to develop essential competences to progress towards Article 14. We are committed to provide experience in specialist clinics and surgery according to a personal development plan. These include Medical and Surgical Retina, Uveitis, Diabetic Eye disease, Age Related Macular Degeneration with particular emphasis on Surgical Retina management.
Duties will include:
- Management of urgent cases presented during the clinical session.
- Participation in informal and formal teaching.
- Management of patients referred to the Primary Retina Care service
- There is a NO on-call commitment BUT you will be expected to see acute VR emergencies and help with the management and give advice as appropriate when requested by the acute emergency service.
Working for our organisation
At ESNEFT we provide hospital and community health services to almost one million people across east Suffolk and north Essex. Our dedicated staff deliver care from acute hospitals in Colchester and Ipswich, community hospitals, surgeries, community clinics and in patients’ own homes.
We are one of the largest NHS organisation in England, employing more than 12,000 staff.
We pride ourselves on supporting our staff. We offer a wide range of training and development opportunities. Flexible working options will be considered for all roles in line with service needs.
Along with supporting you to achieve your career goals we offer a generous pension scheme, unsocial hours payments (where applicable), 27 days annual leave on commencement (pro rata) and access to a range of NHS discounts. Our Staff Health and Wellbeing programme offer a variety of services.
Our philosophy is that Time Matters. Across the Trust, we concentrate on improving the things we do and removing those which cause delays for our staff and patients.
We have invested in our commitment to Time Matters with a partnership with leading electronic patient record (EPR) supplier Epic. This will transform life at ESNEFT for staff and patients.
If you are passionate about patient care and want to develop your skills and knowledge, then we want to hear from you.
Find out about living and working here - www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkPu7HphU8A
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The post-holder will:
- Work with colleagues to provide a service with the highest standard of care
- Work with the multi-professional team to develop care pathways and clinical guidelines
- Develop and maintain good working practices within wards, outpatients and A&E
- Collaborate and promote close working links with colleagues in tertiary centres, community services and primary care
- Offer support and leadership to junior medical colleagues, nursing colleagues and other members of the multi-disciplinary team
Person specification
Essential
Essential criteria
- Full GMC registration with a license to practice
- MBBS or equivalent
- Experience and broad knowledge of General Ophthalmology and Retina
- Experience in Cataract Surgery
- Three years of experience in Ophthalmology
- Minimum 30-60 pars plana vitrectomy
- Competency and proficiency in cataract surgery
- Potential to cope with stressful situations & undertake responsibility
- Good communication & organisational skills
Desirable criteria
- FRCOphth Or MRCOphth or equivalent
- Experience in Retinal Imaging
- Experience and management of Retinal diseases
- Use of Database Systems and Electronic Patient Records (i.e. Medisoft)
- Demonstrated commitment to specialise in Surgical Retina
- Be near to or completed Higher Specialist Training in Ophthalmology
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
- Jignesh Patel
- Job title
- Consultant
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 01206 747474
List jobs with East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust in Medical and Dental or all sectors




