Ophthalmology ST3

Applicants must have:

• MBBS or equivalent medical qualification
• success in the Part 1 FRCOphth examination by offer dateⁱ

When is this evaluated?ⁱⁱ

• Application form

ⁱ The 'published deadline’ refers to a deadline date set in each recruitment round; Round 1 (26/03/2024) Round 2 (18/04/2024) Round 3 (22/10/2024). 

ⁱⁱ  ‘When is this evaluated’ is indicative but may be carried out at any time throughout the selection process.

Applicants must

• be eligible for full registration with, and hold a current licence to practiseⁱⁱⁱ from, the GMC at intended start date^iv 
• have evidence of achievement of ST1 competences in Ophthalmology at time of application and ST2 competences in Ophthalmology by time of appointment. Candidates will need to be able to demonstrate that they meet, or will meet, the OST2 to OST3 criteria for progression, evidenced by ARCP outcome 1, or
• have evidence of achievement of ST1 and ST2 competences at time of application. Acceptable evidence is only permitted via the standard Alternative Certificate of Competences achieved within 3.5 years of the start date of the post
• be eligible to work in the UK

When is this evaluated?

• Application form
• Interview/selection centre^vi

ⁱⁱⁱ  The GMC introduced the licence to practise in 2009. Any doctor wishing to practise in the UK after this date must be both registered with and hold a licence to practise from the GMC at time of appointment.

^iv  ‘Intended start date’ refers to the date at which the post commences, not (necessarily) the time an offer is accepted.

^v  Time of appointment refers to the date on which the post commences.

^vi  ‘Selection centre’ refers to a process, not a place. It involves a number of selection activities which may be delivered within the unit of application.

Applicant is up to date and fit to practise safely and is aware of own training needs.

When is this evaluated?

• Application form
• References

Applicants must have demonstrable skills in written and spoken English, adequate to enable effective communication about medical topics with patients and colleagues as assessed by the General Medical Council^vii.

When is this evaluated?

• Application form
• Pre-employment health screening

^vii  Applicants are advised to visit the GMC website which gives details of evidence accepted for registration.

Applicants must meet professional health requirements (in line with GMC standards/Good Medical Practice).

When is this evaluated?

• Application form
• Pre-employment health screening

Applicants must:

• be able to provide complete details of their employment history
• have evidence that their career progression is consistent with their personal circumstances
• have evidence that their present level of achievement and performance is commensurate with the totality of their period of training
• have at least 24 months’ experience^viii in Ophthalmology^ix including Medical Ophthalmology (not including Foundation modules) by time of appointment
• have notified the Training Programme Director of the specialty training programme they are currently training in if applying to continue training in the same specialty in another region^x 
• not have previously relinquished or been released or removed from a training programme in this specialty, except if they have received an ARCP outcome 1 or under exceptional circumstances^xi 
• not already hold, nor be eligible to hold, a CCT/CESR in the specialty they are applying for and/or must not currently be eligible for the specialist register for the specialty to which they are applying
• for those wishing to be considered for Locum Appointment for Training (LAT) posts (where available): no more than 24 months' experience in LAT posts in the specialty by intended start date

When is this evaluated?

• Application form
• Interview/selection centre

^viii  Any time periods specified in this person specification refer to full-time equivalent.

^ix  All experience in posts at any level in this specialty count, irrespective of the country in which the experience is gained.

^x  The Support for Application to another region form, signed by the Training Programme Director of their current specialty training programme confirming satisfactory progress must be submitted to the recruitment office at time of application.

^xi  Exceptional circumstances may be defined as a demonstrated change in circumstances, which can be shown on the ability to train at that time and may include severe personal illness or family caring responsibility incompatible with continuing to train. Applicants will only be considered if they provide a ‘support for reapplication to a specialty training programme’ form signed by both the Training Programme Director or Head of School and the Postgraduate Dean in the local office or Deanery that the training took place. No other evidence will be accepted.

All sections of application form completed fully according to written guidelines.

When is this evaluated?

• Application form

Essential

• Clinical knowledge base and capacity to apply sound clinical judgement.
• To have independently performed 40 completed phacoemulsification procedures under supervision by date of interview and 50 independently performed under supervision by the start date of the post.

Desirable

• Evidence of range of knowledge, for example, documented competences.
• Evidence of ability to perform ophthalmic procedures other than cataract surgery.

When is this evaluted?

• Interview/selection centre
• References

Essential

Research, audit and quality improvement skills

• Active participation in research project, either within or outside the field of ophthalmology.
• Evidence of active participation in at least one ophthalmic audit.

Teaching

• Evidence of interest and experience in teaching.

Desirable

Research, audit and quality improvement skills

• Evidence of relevant academic and research achievements such as degrees (not including intercalated BSc or ‘Honorary’ MA), prizes, awards, distinctions, publications, presentations, other achievements.
• Evidence of active participation in one ophthalmic audit where the audit loop has been completed.

Teaching.

• Able to demonstrate evidence of delivery of teaching, including feedback.

When is this evaluated?

• Interview/selection centre

Essential

Communication skills

• Capacity to adapt language as appropriate to the situation, open and non-defensive.

Problem solving and decision making

• Capacity to use logical and lateral thinking to solve problems and make decisions.

Empathy and sensitivity

• Capacity to take in others’ perspectives, see patients as people and able to develop rapport

Managing others and team involvement

• Capacity to work cooperatively with others and show leadership and authority where appropriate.

Organisation and planning

• Capacity to manage time and information effectively.
• Capacity to prioritise clinical tasks.

Coping with pressure and managing uncertainty

• Capacity to operate under pressure.
• Demonstrates initiative and resilience to cope with setbacks and adapt to rapidly changing circumstances.

Values

• Understands, respects and demonstrates the values of the NHS (such as everyone counts, improving lives, commitment to quality of care, respect and dignity, working together for patients, compassion).

When is this evaluated?

• Interview/selection centre
• References

Essential

• Demonstrates probity (as outlined by the GMC).

When is this evaluated?

• Interview/selection centre
• References

Essential

• Realistic insight into specialty.
• Demonstrates self-awareness and commitment to personal and professional development.

Desirable

• Attendance at training course specific to Ophthalmology.
• Extracurricular activities and achievements relevant to Ophthalmology.
• Evidence of understanding of developments in ophthalmic services.

When is this evaluated?

• Interview/selection centre
• References