Specialist Doctor – Cornea and Cataract

Specialist Doctor – Cornea and Cataract

The closing date is 24 March 2026

The Ophthalmology Department is seeking to appoint a full-time Associate Specialist with a specialist interest in Cornea and Cataract to support and further develop a comprehensive ophthalmology service. The post will contribute to the delivery of high-quality elective and emergency ophthalmic care for adult patients, with a primary focus on corneal disease, cataract management, and anterior segment surgery.

The post holder will be expected to participate fully in departmental activities, including outpatient clinics, day case and general theatre activity, and emergency care where appropriate. The successful applicant will work closely with consultant colleagues and the wider multidisciplinary team to deliver safe, effective, and patient‑centred care.

This is a 10 PA post comprising both face‑to‑face and virtual consultations, with a balance of clinical, surgical, and supporting professional activities. The post will consist of 8 DCC sessions and 2 SPA sessions.

Here at Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust, we are proud to provide expert, compassionate care for our local population. We are ranked as the third in the country for research, embedding education and training across the organisation. Our main hub is the Queen Alexandra Hospital, which is one of the largest hospitals on the south coast employing over 8,700 staff.

Our patients come from all walks of life and so do we. We hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds because it makes our hospital stronger. If you share our values and our enthusiasm for getting it right for patients, colleagues, and our community, you will find a home at Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust.

The department has a strong reputation for training, service development, and clinical governance. The post holder will be supported in maintaining and developing advanced skills in corneal and cataract care and surgery.

Key Responsibilities:

• To provide high-quality outpatient and emergency ophthalmology services for adult patients, with a focus on corneal and cataract conditions.
• To independently assess, diagnose, and manage patients with corneal disease, cataract, and anterior segment pathology within agreed protocols.
• To perform cataract surgery and anterior segment procedures including corneal graft surgery in accordance with experience, competence, and departmental guidelines.
• To contribute to corneal clinics, cataract assessment clinics, and post‑operative follow‑up services.
• To provide consultation and advisory support to medical colleagues in other specialties within the Trust when required.
• To supervise, support, and appraise junior medical staff and allied health professionals, in conjunction with consultant colleagues.
• To participate in the education and training of junior doctors, medical students, nurses, optometrists, orthoptists, and general practitioners.
• To maintain effective communication with general practitioners and community providers, including optometrists.
• To demonstrate a firm commitment to the principles of clinical governance, quality improvement, and patient safety.
• To participate in audit, service evaluation, and quality improvement projects.
• To engage with the Trust’s Safety Learning Event reporting system.
• To attend and contribute to multidisciplinary meetings relevant to ophthalmology and anterior segment services.

• Full GMC registration.
• MBBS or equivalent medical degree.
• Native English speaker or evidence of English language qualification.
• Higher degree (desirable).

• Experience in general ophthalmology, cornea, and cataract clinic‑based care.
• Experience and autonomy in cataract surgery and minor corneal surgery.
• Experience in corneal graft surgery.
• Fellowship training in anterior segment and cornea.
• Autonomy in performing corneal graft surgery.
• Experience of anterior segment referral screening.
• Involvement in clinical governance and audit processes.
• Research experience and relevant publications.
• Teaching experience.
• Evidence of presentations at national and international meetings.

This 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.

Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust