Locum Specialist Doctor

Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust is seeking an experienced Specialty Doctor to join its Eye Emergency Department, based primarily at the Western Eye Hospital. The successful applicant will support the delivery of a busy emergency ophthalmology service, providing senior assessment, rapid treatment, emergency procedures and safe patient flow for adults and children.

This is a predominantly clinical service post requiring substantial prior ophthalmic emergency experience, independent decision-making and documented competence in a defined range of emergency surgical and laser procedures. The post-holder will undertake senior Eye Emergency Department sessions and participate in the senior ophthalmology rota within agreed clinical governance and escalation arrangements. They will be required to lead and manage flow through the ED effectively to support the delivery of our 4 hour standards and maintain safe and effective patient care.

The post is appointed at the Specialty Doctor grade. It is not a consultant appointment and does not require entry on the GMC Specialist Register, post CCT is desirable.

This role is a new addition to the Emergency Department and a fixed term contract of 1 year has been agreed.

The Western Eye Hospital provides emergency and specialist ophthalmic care, including acute referrals from community optometrists, general practitioners, NHS emergency departments and other ophthalmic services. The department works closely with cornea, glaucoma, vitreoretinal, medical retina, oculoplastic, uveitis, neuro-ophthalmology and paediatric teams. Cross-site coordination and timely escalation are essential to safe care. The selected candidate will primarily work within the Emergency Department at Western Eye and required to support out of hours demands, depending on service requirements. The candidate will be required to work in a faced pace environment, enjoy using their critical thinking and be solution focused, whilst supporting the wider team day to day.

At Imperial College Healthcare you can achieve extraordinary things with extraordinary people, working with leading clinicians pushing boundaries in patient care.

Become part of a vibrant team living our values - expert, kind, collaborative and aspirational. You'll get an experience like no other and will fast forward your career.

Benefits include career development, flexible working and wellbeing, staff recognition scheme. Make use of optional benefits including Cycle to Work, car lease schemes, season ticket loan or membership options for onsite leisure facilities.

We are committed to equal opportunities and improving the working lives of our staff and will consider applications to work flexibly, part time or job share. Please talk to us at interview.

Independently assess, prioritise and manage acute presentations including ocular trauma, red eye, painful visual loss, sudden visual disturbance, corneal infection, retinal and neuro-ophthalmic emergencies, raised intraocular pressure, uveitis and post-operative complications.

Lead senior clinical reviews where appropriate, make evidence-based decisions on urgent imaging and investigations, and determine safe discharge, emergency surgery, urgent follow-up or specialist referral.

Provide oversight and escalation support to ophthalmology resident doctors, fellows, specialty trainees, optometrists, advanced practitioners and nursing staff in the emergency pathway, in accordance with local clinical arrangements.

Recognise and act promptly on time-critical presentations such as suspected endophthalmitis, acute angle closure, chemical injury, sight-threatening trauma, orbital compartment syndrome, giant cell arteritis and suspected retinal detachment.

Ensure clear consent, contemporaneous records, accurate clinical correspondence, documented risk assessment, safety-netting and timely handover to relevant teams.