Speciality Lead Consultant – Ophthalmology: Sponsorship Available

Job summary

The post holder is expected to be an excellent communicator with good interpersonal skills and a wide knowledge of ophthalmology services and will work in collaboration with senior leaders from a variety of clinical disciplines within Powys.

The postholder will demonstrable success in a management and a clinical role and have established credibility with multiple stakeholders. The postholder will be required to motivate and engage others to ensure that the services PTHB provide and commission supports the Powys Health Board values, as well as having a pioneering approach that is not afraid to challenge convention and traditional ways of working.

The ophthalmology speciality lead will provide medical leadership to the ophthalmology/ophthalmic service to oversee governance and ensure clinical effectiveness and productivity.

This post holder will oversee the deliver high quality ophthalmic/ophthalmology services for Powys Teaching Health Board. They will also be required to provide medical leadership in audit, research and management of the ophthalmology service. The post holder will be required to build a close working relations with other colleagues as part of the multidisciplinary team across both PTHB and commissioned services.

The post holder may be allocated responsibility for clinical supervision directly or indirectly of in reach ophthalmology consultant services and other clinical staff. This will equate to one session per week.

Main duties of the job

• Chair any ophthalmology clinical groups established within the health board and provide speciality leadership representation to the Powys Eyecare Collaborative Group.
• Oversee the continual improvement of the ophthalmology service measured by the standards of the National Planned Care Programme and associated speciality level groups e.g. Clinical Implementation Network for Ophthalmology. Ensure the service is prepared to gain and maintain any relevant service accreditations
• Oversee the development of clinical policies and protocols within the ophthalmology service
• Oversee rolling audit programme for the ophthalmology service with timelines and responsible contributors.
• Ensure safety and quality KPIs for ophthalmology as are reviewed and acted on Provider and commissioned services
• Provide support and expertise in managing Opthalmology underperformance where identified
• Oversee governance review of reported ophthalmology incidents and trend analysis
• Provide subject expert support to operational team in terms of complaints and investigations of incidents within the ophthalmology service as required
• Oversee the competency assessment and appropriate provision of training in ophthalmology.Lead the development of clinical strategy for ophthalmology supporting health transformation workstreams with speciality leadership

Person Specification

Qualifications and/or Knowledge

Essential

• Full Registration with the General Medical Council
• FRCS or equivalent
• Entry on the GMC specialist register via CCT (proposed CCT date must be within 6 months of interview), relevant CESR or European Community Rights

Desirable

• Higher degree (MD, PhD, etc)

Experience

Essential

• Ability to practice independently in ophthalmology and offer expert clinical opinion in ophthalmology
• Experience of leadership of service developments and transformation
• Excellent clinical skills
• Ability to take full and independent responsibility for clinical care of patients

Desirable

• Experience of medical workforce management
• Experience of digital transformation

Teaching

Essential

• Experience of and commitment to teaching undergraduate and postgraduate medical staff.

Research, Audit and Clinical Governance

Essential

• Experience of and commitment to medical audit.
• Experience of research and Clinical Governance

Desirable

• Ability to supervise postgraduate research and audit
• Publications in peer reviewed journals

Continued Professional / Personal Development

Essential

• Demonstrable evidence of lifelong learning.
• Reflective approach to personal development with an ability to acknowledge and effectively manage poor performance.
• Participation in appropriate peer review processes.

Desirable

• Continued Professional / Personal Development

Aptitude and Abilities

Essential

• Ability to take responsibility, lead, make decisions and respond appropriately to service need.
• Ability to organise and manage own workload efficiently
• Excellent communication skills with patients, colleagues, managers and other staff.
• Empathetic and sensitive approach to patient needs.
• Approachable and effective Multi-disciplinary team member with excellent interpersonal skills.
• Positive approach to lessons learnt.
• Confident approach

Desirable

• Experience of audit management
• Undertaken management training course
• Some ability to speak, read and/or write Welsh, or an eagerness to learn.
• IT Skills
• Presentation skills

Closing Date: 4 October 2026