Vitreo Retina Consultant

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Job overview Love Life, Love Bristol and Weston.

The Bristol Eye Hospital (BEH) at University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) is inviting applications for a consultant in vitreoretinal (VR) surgery. This is a substantive post to provide continuity following the departure of a consultant colleague. It responds to ongoing demand for tertiary-level vitreoretinal surgery and supports a high-performing, integrated retina service.

The successful candidate will join a dynamic consultant team delivering care across both BEH and Weston General Hospital (WGH).

BEH is a nationally recognised centre for training, teaching, and subspecialty ophthalmic care. It is a key part of the Division of Surgery at UHBW, which was recently rated Outstanding by the CQC. The hospital delivers a regional tertiary retina service, integrating vitreoretinal, uveitis, and medical retina care, and benefits from close collaboration with a dedicated Clinical Research Unit and an excellent ophthalmic imaging department.

Main duties of the job The successful applicant will be expected to play an active role in service delivery, run independent clinics, provide training for VR surgery fellows, and participate in the 1-in-4 on-call rota for VR emergencies

Working for our organisation University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) is one of the largest acute Trusts in the country, bringing together a combined workforce of over 13,000 staff and over 100 different clinical services across 10 different sites, serving a core population of more than 500,000 people across South West England. UHBW has been rated by the CQC as 'Good' overall and our staff are proud to deliver excellent care to the people of Bristol, Weston and beyond. As a forward- thinking multi-award winning Trust and a digital exemplar committed to improving patient care, our world-leading research and innovations are having a positive local and global impact. Our hospitals are spread across Bristol and Weston, join us and you can enjoy the very best of both worlds; city living within a stone's throw of the countryside or beside the seaside, both with easy access to all that the South West has to offer. UHBW is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application in order to ensure we're meeting our pledge.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities Please see attached job description and person specification for further details.

Unless there are exceptional circumstances the interviews will be face to face

Person specification Qualifications & Training

• Full registration with the GMC and eligibility for the Specialist Register in Ophthalmology (or within six months at interview) Please note, this does not apply to CESR applications.
• FRCOphth (or equivalent)
• Evidence of ongoing CPD and revalidation
• Higher academic qualification (MD, PhD, MSc or equivalent

Clinical Expertise and Readiness for Independent Practice

• Evidence of broad and robust training in vitreo-retinal surgery, sufficient to practise independently as a consultant
• Demonstrated ability to deliver safe, high-quality VR care without direct supervision
• Experience managing complex and emergency VR cases, including on-call decision-making
• Clear understanding of personal limitations and appropriate escalation
• A defined area of subspecialty interest that complements the existing consultant group and service strategy

Sustained Service Contribution and Professional Maturity

• Evidence of sustained contribution to a vitreo-retinal service over a meaningful period, including clinical delivery, teamwork, and service reliability
• Demonstrated ability to embed within an established multidisciplinary team and contribute positively to its function
• Evidence of reliability, continuity, and professional accountability in previous roles
• Experience contributing to service development or stabilisation over time

Clinical Governance, Quality Improvement and Insight

• Clear understanding of clinical governance and personal consultant-level responsibility
• Evidence of meaningful participation in audit or quality improvement, with reflection on outcomes and learning
• Demonstrated insight into errors, complications, or adverse events, and learning derived from them
• Leadership of completed QI projects resulting in measurable service improvement

Teaching, Supervision and Development of Others

• Experience teaching and supervising trainees or fellows in a structured, supportive manner
• Evidence of balancing trainee autonomy with patient safety
• Ability to provide constructive feedback and support trainees in difficulty
• Formal training in medical education
• Contribution to regional or national training initiatives

Teamwork, Interpersonal Behaviour and Professional Conduct

• Evidence of effective, respectful, and collaborative working within multidisciplinary teams
• Demonstrated ability to manage disagreement or conflict constructively
• Consistent professional behaviour that promotes psychological safety, trust, and mutual respect
• Ability to contribute as a reliable team member rather than operating in isolation
• Examples of leadership that enhances team function rather than personal profile

Leadership, Organisation and Service Responsibility

• Ability to manage consultant-level workload efficiently and calmly
• Evidence of sound organisational skills and prioritisation in high-pressure environments
• Demonstrated ability to take responsibility for service delivery, including rota, theatre efficiency, and patient flow
• Formal leadership or management training
• Experience contributing to departmental or Trust-level initiatives

Personal Attributes and Values

• Demonstrates the Trust values of being Supportive, Respectful, Innovative and Collaborative
• Shows self-awareness, emotional maturity, and openness to feedback
• Adaptable, dependable, and resilient in a demanding clinical environment
• Evidence of long-term commitment to service improvement and professional development

We hope that you will decide to join us and become part of this exciting journey, helping us to shape our future together.

As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application to ensure we're meeting our pledge.

The Trust is committed to investing in and caring for all our staff. We will support you in maintaining and improving your health and wellbeing, as well as your career development through management and training support - developing exceptional people for exceptional careers.

UHBW is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults.

To comply with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016 all applicants must be able to speak fluent English to an appropriate standard which will be assessed at Interview.

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The Trust uses electronic new starter forms on Trac to collect personal details. Information collected is securely stored and used to set up the employee record on the ESR HR system.

By applying for this post, you are agreeing to University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust transferring the information contained in this application to its preferred applicant management system. If you are offered a job, information will also be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records system.

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IMPORTANT:

Please note that if you apply for a position with this Trust, you may be contacted via Trac or via email. This includes invites for job interviews. We therefore recommend that you regularly check your Trac account and email accounts. We may also contact you by texting the mobile number, if provided, on the application form.
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