Cataract Surgeon Job Lions SightFirst Eye Hospital

Job Purpose

To lead and deliver high-quality, high-volume cataract surgical services while ensuring optimal patient outcomes, operational efficiency, and adherence to international clinical standards. The role also supports training, outreach programs, and continuous quality improvement within the ophthalmology department.

Job Summary

The Cataract Surgeon is a highly skilled ophthalmologist or ophthalmic clinical officer with subspecialty training and extensive experience in cataract surgery. The role is responsible for leading the cataract service, performing a wide range of surgical procedures including SICS/MSICS, phacoemulsification, complex cataract surgeries, and secondary intraocular lens (IOL) procedures. The position focuses on achieving excellent visual outcomes in line with WHO benchmarks, improving theatre efficiency, supporting outreach conversion, and contributing to monitoring and evaluation (M&E) targets related to surgical volume and quality. The Cataract Surgeon also plays a key role in training clinical teams and driving continuous service improvement.

Key Responsibilities

Surgical Services

• Perform high-volume cataract surgeries including SICS, MSICS, phacoemulsification, ECCE, and ICCE
• Manage complex cataract cases including traumatic, pediatric, pseudoexfoliation, post-vitrectomy, and subluxated lenses
• Perform secondary procedures such as IOL exchange, scleral-fixated IOL, and anterior vitrectomy
• Conduct YAG laser capsulotomy and other anterior segment laser procedures
• Make clinical decisions on IOL power selection, surgical approach, and complication management
• Lead daily theatre lists and ensure timely starts and efficient workflow in line with WHO productivity standards

Clinical Care

• Conduct dedicated cataract clinics including patient screening, counselling, and surgical listing
• Perform pre-operative assessments including biometry, A-scan, keratometry, and IOL calculations
• Carry out post-operative reviews (Day 1, Week 6) and manage complications effectively
• Diagnose and appropriately refer non-cataract ocular conditions such as glaucoma, retinal, and corneal diseases
• Accurately document clinical findings, surgical notes, and patient outcomes in the electronic medical records (EMR) system

Outreach and Community Engagement

• Lead surgical outreach camps and eye screening programs as the lead surgeon
• Supervise outreach teams to ensure accurate case identification and effective patient conversion for surgery
• Train ophthalmic clinical officers (OCOs), ophthalmic nurses, and optometrists in cataract detection and referral pathways
• Collaborate with partners and donors in cataract prevention and treatment initiatives

Quality Improvement and Monitoring

• Chair surgical audit and morbidity & mortality (M&M) meetings on a monthly basis
• Monitor personal and team surgical outcomes against WHO benchmarks
• Ensure full compliance with the WHO Surgical Safety Checklist for all procedures
• Implement quality improvement initiatives to reduce complications such as posterior capsule rupture (PCR), endophthalmitis, and suboptimal visual outcomes
• Maintain an accurate surgical logbook and contribute to national cataract registries

Training and Leadership

• Train and mentor ophthalmology residents, fellows, and cataract surgeons
• Guide theatre teams on sterile techniques, instrument handling, and workflow efficiency
• Participate in continuous medical education (CME), research activities, and professional conferences
• Provide input to hospital management on equipment procurement, consumables, and service development

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) with Master of Medicine (MMed) in Ophthalmology from a recognized institution
• Registered as a Specialist Ophthalmologist with the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council
• High National Diploma in Clinical Medicine and Surgery (Ophthalmology and Cataract Surgery)
• Bachelor of Science in Comprehensive Ophthalmology and Cataract Surgery
• Fellowship or certified training in SICS/MSICS/Phaco with a minimum of 1,000 cataract surgeries logged
• Minimum of 3 years post-MMed experience (Preferred)
• Demonstrated experience performing at least 500 cataract surgeries per year over the past 2 years (Preferred)
• Valid Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification

How to Apply

Click here to apply