Consultant Paediatric OphthalmologistThe closing date is 17 August 2026Job summaryThe Chelsea and Westminster Hospital Foundation Trust wishes to appoint a Consultant in Paediatric Ophthalmology (substantive post). The appointment will be 10 PAs with a permanent contract.
The Paediatric Ophthalmology service is run within West London Children's Healthcare. The department has 2 Consultants, 2.2 WTE orthoptists (of which 1.8 WTE are Paediatric Orthoptists), and 0.8 Optometrists who provide a refraction and contact lens service for both paediatric and adult patients.
We work closely with the department of Adult Ophthalmology is part of the surgical directorate. There are 5 Consultants, one specialty doctor, and 1 Oculoplastics Fellow. The department is fully equipped with facilities for anterior and posterior segment laser, fluorescein and ICG angiography, Spectralis OCT, Zeiss Clarus fundus camera, minor ops and intraocular and extraocular surgery. The department has excellent multidisciplinary links with the HIV unit, the Craniofacial and Plastic Surgery Units and the Beta Cell unit for Diabetes and Endocrinology.
Main duties of the jobThis is a 10PA post for a Consultant in Paediatric Ophthalmology, to join the existing team of 1 Consultant Paediatric Ophthalmologist, 2.2 WTE Orthoptists and 0.8 WTE Paediatric Optometrists.
Candidates must have been trained in Paediatric Ophthalmology. The post holder will jointly supervise and support, and be responsible for maintaining and advancing the department's existing reputation for clinical excellence.
The aim is to provide patients and families with the highest possible standards of diagnosis, treatment and care. There is close collaboration with other paediatrician colleagues and other specialty teams, nursing and allied health professionals in caring for children and their families. This is to ensure we deliver a seamless and excellent multi-disciplinary service in a child and family centred way using all available expertise.
There is a regional on call commitment at Western Eye Hospital (1:30) with an on call supplement of 1%
About usWe provide services from two main hospitals, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital and West Middlesex University Hospital, and a number of clinics across London and the South-East. We have over 7,000 members of staff that are PROUD to Care for nearly one million people. Both hospitals provide full clinical services, including full maternity, emergency and children's, in addition to a range of community-based services across London, such as award-winning sexual health and HIV clinics.
We're one of the best preforming Trusts in the country. We're also one of the top trusts to work for - our staff say they're engaged, motivated, and would recommend us as a place to work and receive treatment.
Our Trust has been rated by the Care Quality Commission as 'Good' in all five of the main domains of safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led, giving an us overall rating of 'Good'. We've also been awarded an 'Outstanding' rating for 'use of resources' by an NHS Improvement inspection.
Person SpecificationTrust ValuesEssential- Putting patients first
- Responsive to, and supportive of, patients and staff
- Open, welcoming and honest
- Unfailingly kind, treating everyone with respect, compassion and dignity
- Determined to develop our skills and continuously improve the quality of care
Education and QualificationsEssential- Full GMC Registration MBBS or equivalent
- Higher degree
- FRCOphth or equivalent
- On GMC Specialist Register in Ophthalmology via one of the following: a.Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) (The proposed CCT date must be within 6 months of the interview) b.Certificate of Eligibility for specialist Registration (CESR) CCT in Ophthalmology with special interest in Paediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus
DesirableExperienceEssential- Subspecialist training in Paediatric Ophthalmology
- Wide range of experience including retinopathy of prematurity screening, paediatric ophthalmology and strabismus surgery
- Experience of teaching to meet the requirements of junior doctors and nurses
- Evidence of continuing medical education (existing consultants must demonstrate active participation in CPD)
Desirable- Specific area of interest within paediatric ophthalmology
Skills and KnowledgeEssential- Solid understanding of the Clinical Governance agenda
- IT proficiency including, email, Word, Excel, PowerPoint
- Evidence of effective audit leading to change
Desirable- Risk Management Course
- Evidence of significant contribution to the Clinical Governance Agenda particularly CNST preparation
- Advanced IT skills
- Coaching skills
ResearchEssential- Demonstrates an understanding of the principles and applications of clinical research
- Experience of implementing evidenced based changes in practice
Desirable- Evidence of recent or ongoing research
- Evidence of experience in supervising juniors doing research
- A higher research degree
- Peer reviewed publications
Other competenciesEssential- Understanding Self
- Excellent communication and influencing skills
- Ability to work effectively within a multi-disciplinary team.
- Managing self effectively
- Ability to plan ahead whilst being innovative and flexible in their approach.
- Demonstrable evidence of being able and willing to understand the Trust values of respect, kindness, excellence and safety with behaviour that reinforces these values.
Teaching, Training, ManagementEssential- Experience of undergraduate teaching and post graduate training
- A good understanding of the role of clinical management
Desirable- Evidence of contribution in the development of new clinical servicesr Adult Education Training
- Medical Education or Adult Education Training
- Evidence of contribution in the development of new clinical services
- Management Training Course
Disclosure and Barring Service CheckThis post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
UK RegistrationApplicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
