Advisory appointments committees and job planning

We support trusts and ophthalmologists with job descriptions, job planning and Advisory Appointments Committees (AACs).

Use this page if you are recruiting a consultant, specialist or specialty doctor in ophthalmology, or would like to volunteer as an AAC adviser.

Recruiting an ophthalmologist

If you are recruiting a consultant, specialist or specialty doctor, contact us as early as possible, whether the post is new or a replacement.

Prepare your documents

Use the relevant College guidance to prepare:

  • the job description
  • the person specification
  • the RCOphth checklist for the post.

 

How to request approval

Email the following documents to [email protected]:

  • the job description
  • the person specification
  • the completed RCOphth checklist.

Each advertised post needs its own checklist.

After approval

Once we have confirmed the approval outcome, we will ask for:

  • the AAC date
  • the time
  • the location.

Please give us 12 weeks’ notice. We need this time to identify a suitable RCOphth AAC adviser.

We do not provide a list of assessors. Instead, we work with you to find an appropriate individual for the panel.

Submit a job description for approval

Volunteer as an AAC adviser

We rely on ophthalmologists who volunteer to act as AAC representatives. AAC advisers support organisations by attending recruitment interviews and advising on the suitability of applicants.

Who can volunteer

You should normally:

  • be a member of The Royal College of Ophthalmologists
  • be on the General Medical Council specialist register, unless an exemption applies or you are a SAS doctor representing on a SAS AAC
  • have practised in the NHS within the past two years
  • have completed Trust-approved equality and diversity training within the past three years.
How to volunteer

Email us to volunteer or ask for more information.

Volunteer to be an AAC advisor

 Job planning guidance

Good job planning helps create posts that are safe, sustainable and realistic. Job plans should reflect the full scope of an ophthalmologist’s work, not just face-to-face clinical activity.

What a job plan should consider

A realistic ophthalmology job plan should consider:

  • direct clinical care, including clinics, procedures, emergency work and referral management
  • clinical care outside consultations, such as reviewing results and remote decision-making
  • supporting professional activities, including continuing professional development, governance, appraisal, teaching, research and service improvement
  • the workforce, facilities, equipment and administrative support needed to deliver agreed activity
  • travel and coordination time for cross-site, regional or specialist services.

Job planning should also take account of subspecialty variation, career stage and service configuration.

Guidance for effective job planning

Contact us

For general questions about AACs or job planning, contact the team.

Contact us