Locum Ophthalmologist with a special interest in Glaucoma with certificate of sponsorship to the UK
Visa note
While this position offers a certificate of sponsorship for UK work visas, applicants must verify their eligibility directly with the employer. The certificate of sponsorship does not guarantee visa approval, and applicants are responsible for ensuring they meet all UK immigration requirements before applying.
Job details
Job title: Locum Ophthalmologist with a special interest in Glaucoma
Company: University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
Location: Royal Eye Infirmary, Plymouth, PL6 5ZF
Salary: £109,725 to £145,478 a year pro rata per annum
Contract type: Fixed term (12 months)
Working pattern: Full-time with flexible working options
Closing date: 13 February 2026
Reference number: 216-G1-OPH7668495
About the role
The Royal Eye Infirmary is seeking a highly skilled and motivated Consultant Ophthalmologist with a subspecialty interest in Glaucoma to join its expanding medical and surgical ophthalmology team. This locum position offers an excellent opportunity for international medical professionals to gain valuable experience within the NHS while contributing to specialized patient care.
Key responsibilities
The post holder will be expected to provide comprehensive glaucoma assessment, diagnosis, and management, including complex and tertiary-level cases. You will deliver a full range of surgical treatments such as trabeculectomy, shunt surgery, minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS), and laser procedures including SLT, YAG PI, and cyclodiode.
You will lead consultant-led glaucoma clinics and contribute to shared-care pathways with optometrists and specialist nurses. Participation in multidisciplinary team meetings and case discussions will be a key part of your role, along with providing on-call ophthalmology cover as per departmental rota.
Service development
In this position, you’ll have the opportunity to support the service line director and Glaucoma lead in shaping and expanding the glaucoma service. You’ll develop and implement evidence-based patient care pathways and protocols, contribute to outpatient optimization, surgical efficiency, and community integration. You’ll also champion diagnostic and virtual review models while advancing imaging technologies.
Teaching and training
The Royal Eye Infirmary values teaching and mentorship. As part of your role, you’ll participate in teaching and training of allied health professionals, medical trainees, and fellows. The department has a scheduled teaching program for junior staff consisting of one-half day weekly, including regular subregional and regional Southwestern Ophthalmological Society meetings.
About the department
The Glaucoma service is set up as multidisciplinary clinics with ophthalmologists, optometrists, ACPs, and imaging support. The Royal Eye Infirmary is served by sixteen consultants and an increasing number of supporting medical and ancillary staff. There are five associate/specialty doctors supporting general clinics, urgent care, and subspecialty clinics.
The department has strong connections with Plymouth University Peninsula Schools of Medicine and Dentistry, providing regular teaching and research opportunities. The Trust Research and Development Department offers support for setting up research projects, providing access to national and international studies.
Person specification
Essential qualifications
- FRCOphth, MRCOphth or equivalent
- Full GMC registration
- Entry on GMC specialist register
- Ability to work the hours of the job and participate in the 2nd on-call rota
Essential experience
- Subspecialty training (fellowship level or equivalent) in glaucoma
- Evidence of ability to perform advanced glaucoma surgery including trabeculectomy and presserflo MMC
- Ability to lead and work with a multidisciplinary team
- Ability to delegate appropriately
- Willingness to become part of existing ophthalmology team
- Communication skills, particularly in dealing with other medical teams
- Prepared to put patients’ interests above all others
Desirable qualifications
- Fellowship-level training in glaucoma
- Higher level degree
- Postgraduate prizes and awards
- Other medical qualifications
- Experience outside speciality
- Attended appropriate courses/meetings in the last 3 years relevant to the speciality
- Understanding of NHS
Personal attributes
- Enthusiastic and approachable
- Commitment to continuing personal professional development
- Flexible/adaptable with any reasonable adjustment to take account of local requirements or disability
- Native English speaker or relevant language qualification
Research interests
Interest in clinical research evidenced by publications and participation in research projects is desirable. The Trust has active research programs and encourages participation in both clinical and academic research activities.
Working environment
Full-time consultants are contracted to 10 Programmed Activities (PAs). The offered job plan comprises 8.5 Direct Clinical Care (DCC), including 1 PA of patient-related admin and 1.5 Supporting Professional Activities (SPA). Generic SPA is allocated for CPD, audit, revalidation, and personal research. Additional SPAs based on your interests are available upon discussion.
You’ll have office accommodation separate from the main department and access to secretarial support. The department values work-life balance and is open to discussing flexible working arrangements.
Sponsorship information
University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust offers a certificate of sponsorship for eligible international candidates. From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants must present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement.
How to apply
To apply for this position, please follow these steps:
- Verify your eligibility for UK work visas with the employer before applying
- Prepare your CV and all required professional documentation
- Apply via the NHS Jobs website using the reference number 216-G1-OPH7668495
- For questions about the job, contact Mr Kleonikos Tsakiris (Consultant Ophthalmologist) at kleonikos.tsakiris@nhs.net or 01752439355
Additional support
If you have issues with applying online and need additional support including reasonable adjustments with the application process, please contact the recruitment manager for this post who will put you in touch with the recruitment team.
About University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
We are a people business where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining our trust means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence, and great customer care.
The Trust offers great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment. We provide all of this in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, as diversity strengthens our teams.
Further information
Please note that all communication will be electronic, so please check your email account regularly. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted. It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date.
For more information about the trust, please visit our website at https://www.plymouthhospitals.nhs.uk/ or refer to our privacy notice at https://www.plymouthhospitals.nhs.uk/privacy-notice
Equal opportunities
We are committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation, or age. We are a Disability Confident employer and encourage applications from disabled candidates.