Consultant Paediatric Ophthalmologist Job Description 1. Introduction This post sits in the Department of Ophthalmology, within Surgery al Business Unit (CBU). The successful candidate will be encouraged to develop a sub-specialty interest complimentary to that of the current consultants. It is likely that some adult sessions in an adult eye department in the region are negotiated if the successful applicant so wishes. 2. Alder Hey Children s NHS Foundation Trust Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust is one of Europe s biggest and busiest children s hospitals providing care for over 200,000 children and young people each year. It is one of only four stand-alone paediatric trusts in the UK and is staffed by 2,800 employees. The Trust provides a range of community services including school nursing, home carers and a child development centre. A child and adolescent mental health service is also provided with an inpatient unit based at the Trust. The hospital has approximately 270 beds, including day beds for surgery. The paediatric services and expertise within the hospital are considerable and in addition to Ophthalmology include the Supra-Regional Craniofacial Service, Plastic and Burns Surgery, Congenital Hand Anomaly Service, Trauma & Orthopaedics, Cardiology, Cardio-thoracic Surgery, Neonatology, Neurology, Neurosurgery, Maxillofacial Surgery, Orthodontics, Dentistry, Audiology, Nephrology, Respiratory, Oncology, General Surgery, Urology and General Medicine. The Radiology department provides both a CT and MRI scanning service. A purpose built Education Centre is situated on the hospital site and is available for all postgraduate educational activity. The hospital moved to its new site the Children s Health Park - in October 2015, providing a unique state of the art children s hospital, and will serve as a platform for the delivery of world class children s care 3. Ophthalmology Department A purpose built paediatric out-patient facility is in place to accommodate with integral examination suites, optical and contact lens service and orthoptic suites. There are currently 2 substantive Consultants and 2 honorary Consultants: Mr Jose Gonzalez-Martin Consultant and al Director Mr Nikos Vryonis Consultant Mr Harish Nayak Visiting Consultant Mr Arvind Chandna Visiting Consultant 2 Specialist Trainees (Mersey Rotation) 2 al Fellows (one post vacant) 1
There is full support with optometrists ( 3.0 wte); orthoptist (5.2 wte) and trained paediatric ophthalmic nurses; (all hospital and community based). There is a dedicated ophthalmic clinical electrophysiology service provided by consultant clinical scientist, Mr Richard Hagan, for one and a half days a week within the department. The clinicians are supported by three pathway coordinators (medical secretaries). Emergencies are seen initially in the accident and emergency department and there are primary care clinics during the week for ongoing management of emergency problems. In-patient facilities are within a 32 bed surgical ward (Ward 3a). There is a purpose built surgical daycase unit with 4 dedicated day case theatres including an ophthalmic theatre and 2 treatment rooms. The Ophthalmic theatre is staffed by experienced ophthalmic theatre nurses. The emphasis is on quality of care in a team approach to problem solving and developing services, which complement the interests of existing staff. There is an active audit programme within the department. The interests of the present consultants are comprehensive with regard to paediatric ophthalmology with special interests in strabismus, visual development of infants, congenital cataract, congenital glaucoma, retinal dystrophies, neuro-ophthalmology and cerebral visual impairment. There is a monthly meeting of the Vision Development Team co-chaired with Dr Bassi, consultant in Paediatric Neuro-disability. The department has close links with the craniofacial, neurosurgery and neurology departments and Mr Vryonis is part of the Supra- Regional Craniofacial Service. Complicated vitreoretinal disorders are co-managed with the vitreoretinal service at St Paul s Eye Unit. The department will in the future be transitioning to become the lead for the ROP service which is currently provided by Aintree University Hospitals and Liverpool Women s Hospital. School of Orthoptics, University of Liverpool The paediatric ophthalmology department has close links with the University department taking an active part in the teaching of orthoptic students. 4. Duties of the Post This is a new post in an expanding department. The current consultants work closely together in the management of primary, secondary and tertiary care which includes joint clinics with colleagues to ensure good continuity of care. There are joint clinics in ophthalmology and: Craniofacial Surgery Uveitis and ocular inflammatory disease with rheumatology Vision Development with the developmental paediatrician team. Programmed Activities The post contains 10 programmed activities, a provisional timetable is included below. On Call There is currently no out of hours on-call requirement for this role although this is under regular review PROVISIONAL TIMETABLE 2
The timetable will include 4.5 clinics, 1.5 Paediatric Theatre, 1 clinical admin session and 1.5 SPA s. This job plan schedule is provisional and subject to change and agreement with the successful candidate. Day and Session Activity Category al Admin Number of Programmed Activities 1.0 Mon Tue SPA (alt weeks) SPA 0.5 Theatre/ (alt weeks) Wed SPA/Teaching SPA 1.0 Nil Thu Theatre Fri 8.5 SPA 1.5 TOTAL 10 The job plan is subject to annual review with the Service Group Lead or al Director, with any changes being agreed within the department. 5. RESEARCH This post offers an exciting opportunity to work in a dynamic research programme developing a robust NHS/academic partnership to drive forward clinical research that has a direct positive impact on children with ophthalmic needs. The National Co-ordinating Centre of NIHR Medicines for Children Research Network is based in Alder Hey and there is also the Local Research Network (LRN). There is close collaboration between all of these and with many other stakeholders. The Trust has a comprehensive research programme and all consultants are encouraged to be involved. The overall responsibility for the Trust's Research Strategy lies with Mr Rick Turnock in 3
his role as Medical Director, with Professor Matthew Peak as Director of Research. The Research and Development Directorate ensures that research is incorporated into the management infrastructure and is part of the Trust's overall service plan and strategy. The Trust's Research and Development Manager, along with research group leaders, promote research within the overall strategic aims. A number of operational groups and key individuals facilitate the planning coordination and support of research. Areas of direct relevance to child health in which there exists a critical mass of expertise are focused around research subject groups. The Research and Development Manager, research group leaders and a nurse lecturer practitioner also provide support to new initiatives which fall outside the strategic focus, especially those with potential to develop into programmes of research. Quality assurance of all Trust-based research is achieved through peer review of all proposals by the Research Committee. Ophthalmic Research There is an active research facility in the department, the Vision Assessment Unit under the supervision of Mr A Chandna which is mainly concerned with research in normal and abnormal visual development of vision in infants. The unit employs research fellows and there has been successful completion of postgraduate work (including 2 Ph.D. theses; supervisor A Chandna) from this unit. Research work has focused on developing novel methods in assessment and investigation of infant vision such as LogMAR charts; Steady State Visual Evoked Potential for motion, grating, vernier, contrast and contour integration visual functions. There is active collaboration with Smith Kettlewell Eye Research Institute (SKERI), San Francisco, USA for ongoing projects. The unit has attracted grants from Guide Dogs for the Blind Association; the R and D Division of the Trust and SKERI. Multicentre research trials are actively encouraged and the department has successfully participated in and future participation is planned. 6. TEACHING The Trust provides a significant number of placements for Undergraduate Medical Students from the University of Liverpool: in excess of 600 are placed with the Trust each year. A problembased curriculum is in place and students from years 2, 3, 4 and 5 attend placements. The Trust also offers a wide range of special study modules for students. Postgraduate teaching is co-ordinated by the Postgraduate Tutor, his/her deputies and the staff in the Education Centre. There is a curriculum for all grades of doctors in training. There is also a large amount of multidisciplinary teaching and individual clinical teams provide teaching for their juniors. The post holder will be expected to be involved in the teaching of undergraduate students in clinics, on ward rounds and in problem based-learning sessions, and to contribute to postgraduate teaching to specialist trainees in the Mersey region. Teaching of postgraduate doctors takes place one afternoon each week throughout the year. There are regular guest speakers and audit activities included. The successful candidate would be expected to attend and participate in this activity. 7. AUDIT AND CLINICAL GOVERNANCE The appointee will be expected to participate in audits and the development of protocols and care pathways specific to the service. 4
Consultants are expected to be aware of the principles of clinical governance and to contribute to the aims of the Trust in achieving a continuing improvement in all aspects of delivery of the service. All the clinical staff are expected to participate in the regular departmental meetings, audit, teaching and al Case Reviews of difficult cases (M&M reviews). 8. CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOENT Consultants are expected to maintain their personal portfolios in accordance with the requirements of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists including the acquisition of the appropriate CPD points. The Trust has introduced an Appraisal system for all consultants which includes a review of Continuing Professional Development. 9. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE This post is subject to the current Terms and Conditions of Service of Hospital, Medical and Dental staff (England and Wales) and to the Conditions of Service of the NHS Staff Council, as amended from time to time and any reference in those Terms and Conditions to an employing Authority shall be construed as if it were to include a reference to Alder Hey Children s NHS Foundation Trust. The post will be offered on a whole time or maximum part time basis. The post holder must be a medical practitioner fully registered with the General Medical Council. The appointment is subject to clearance by the Criminal Records Bureau and satisfactory medical screening results, including where appropriate, verification of hepatitis B status. Further Information Further information concerning the post is available from: Mr. Jose Gonzalez-Martin Consultant Paediatric Ophthalmologist and al Director Tel: 0151 252 5839 Jose.gonzalez-martin@alderhey.nhs.uk 5
PERSON SPECIFICATION POST: Consultant Paediatric Ophthalmologist DEPT: Ophthalmology Department ESSENTIAL CRITERIA DESIRABLE CRITERIA HOW THIS WILL BE ASSESSED 1. Qualifications/Training/Education Higher postgraduate qualification 1. Qualifications/Training/Education 1.1 Full GMC registration. 1.2 On Specialist Register (plus sub-specialty if required) or expected date of award of CCST (or recognised equivalent if outside the UK) falls no more than 6 months after the date of interview for this post). (Applicants must provide a suitable letter from their Regional Adviser to confirm this) 1.3 FRCOpth or accepted equivalent Sight of original certificates / letter from Regional Adviser 2. Specialty Experience and Knowledge 2.1 al training and experience equivalent to that required for gaining UK CCST in relevant specialty 2.2 Subspecialty training in paediatric ophthalmology 2.3 Ability to offer expert clinical opinion on a range of problems both emergency and elective within speciality 2.4 Ability to take full and independent responsibility for clinical care of patients. 3. Skills and Abilities 1.1. Teaching skills and experience 2.1. Ability to supervise the clinical work of doctors in training and other staff 3.1. Oral and written communication skills in English 4.1. Ability to organise and prioritise personal workload and that of others 5.1. Ability to build effective relationships and work collaboratively with staff at all levels of the organisation 2.Specialty Experience and Knowledge Experience in the screening and management of Retinopathy of Prematurity. Develop a special interest in paediatric ophthalmology complimentary to present interests 3. Skills and Abilities Ability to lead and manage specialist unit and working parties as appropriate. Experience of audit management. Attendance at Teach the teacher course. Ability to supervise postgraduate research. 6
6.1. Ability to relate to patients and carers from a wide range of backgrounds and to empathise with their needs and concerns 7.1. Commitment to continuing medical education 8.1. Ability to apply research outcomes to clinical and surgical problems 9.1. Ability to manage and lead a surgical firm. 10.1. Ability to organise and management outpatient priorities, surgical waiting lists and operating lists. Publications in referred journals ESSENTIAL CRITERIA DESIRABLE CRITERIA HOW THIS WILL BE ASSESSED 4. Personal Qualities 4.1. Self-motivated to set and achieve targets 4.2. Flexible with regards to teamwork 4.3. Effective member of multidisciplinary team 4.4. Reliable work record with regards to attendance/punctuality 4.5. Demonstrable evidence of ongoing commitment to personal and professional development 4.6. Demonstrable evidence of ongoing commitment to the development of a high quality service 4.7. Demonstrable evidence of ongoing commitment to clinical governance 5. Leadership-specific Competencies Applicants should be able to demonstrate developed competence across a number of the following 5 qualities contained in the Delivering the Service cluster of the NHS Leadership Qualities Framework (LQF). 5.1. Leading change through people 5.2. Holding to account 5.3. Empowering others 5.4. Effective and strategic influencing 5.5. Collaborative working Further information on the NHS LQF is available on http://www.nhsleadershipqualities.nhs.uk/ 7