Head of Ophthalmology - lead ophthalmology referral service | clinical autonomy | varied and growing

Head of Ophthalmology

Lead Veterinary Ophthalmologist | Colchester Referral Hospital, Essex

ECVO/ACVO Diplomate • Residency-trained • RCVS Specialist • RCVS Advanced Practitioner • Certificate holder

£80,000–£130,000 (negotiable depending on qualifications and experience)  |  Full-time or part-time  |  Flexible working

Part of the VetsforPets / Pets at Home Vet Group

Build something exceptional. Colchester Referral Hospital is entering an exciting new phase of growth. We are looking for an experienced ophthalmologist to lead our rapidly expanding ophthalmology referral service, with real clinical autonomy and a genuine say in where it goes next.

This is far more than a clinical post. You will shape an ambitious department inside a modern multidisciplinary referral hospital, backed by Advanced Practitioners and an experienced nursing team.

Why this role

• Clinical autonomy: shape the service around your interests and expertise.
• Leadership: set the direction of the department and help guide future investment in equipment and service growth.
• Caseload: a varied and growing medical and surgical referral caseload, including cataract surgery (support available).
• Teaching: mentor junior ophthalmologists, vets and nurses with an interest in ophthalmology, and run CPD events for referring practices.

Equipment and facilities

• Zeiss OPMI Visu 200 operating microscope
• Alexos 3 phacoemulsification system
• On-site CT and high-quality ultrasonography
• Comprehensive ophthalmic diagnostic equipment
• Dedicated ophthalmology RVNs and surgical facilities 

As the department grows, you will have real influence over future equipment purchases. 

Your team and support

• Daily collaboration with surgery, internal medicine, diagnostic imaging and emergency & critical care colleagues available on site, 24hrs a day.
• An experienced nursing team, including dedicated ophthalmology RVNs
• A culture where clinicians discuss cases together and support one another

Rota and working pattern

• Full-time or part-time, with flexible working arrangements to suit individual circumstances
• No out-of-hours or on-call: our night ECC team provides 24/7 inpatient care

CPD, research and development

• Excellent uncapped CPD and career development opportunities
• Opportunity to develop education and CPD for referring vets

Our vision

We want to become the ophthalmology partner of choice for practices across Essex and East Anglia, through exceptional patient care, collaboration, education and genuine support for our referring colleagues. We are building a service founded on relationships: helping primary care practices grow in confidence, raising clinical standards and delivering outstanding outcomes for patients and owners.

Who we are looking for

• ECVO/ACVO Diplomate or RCVS/EBVS Specialist in veterinary ophthalmology
• ECVO/ACVO residency-trained clinician
• RCVS Advanced Practitioner (or experienced certificate holder) in veterinary ophthalmology with significant referral experience

You combine excellent clinical standards with enthusiasm, curiosity and a collaborative approach, and you enjoy teaching and building lasting relationships with referring practices.

What we offer

• £80,000–£130,000 salary, negotiable according to experience
• Genuine autonomy to develop and expand the service, and influence over its future direction
• Flexible working and a supportive multidisciplinary referral environment
• A growing, varied referral caseload
• Excellent CPD and career development

Life in Colchester

Colchester gives you the best of both worlds: under an hour travel to London Liverpool Street or Stansted Airport, with the Essex and Suffolk coast, Mersea Island and the Dedham Vale countryside on your doorstep. 

Interested?

If you are excited by the chance to build one of the region’s leading ophthalmology services and leave your mark on how referral ophthalmology is delivered, we would love to hear from you. Informal, confidential conversations are welcome.

Send your CV and references to JF Nell: colchester.vetreferrals@vetsforpets.com