Optometrist

We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Band 7 Optometrist to join our dynamic ophthalmology team. In this role, you will work closely with orthoptists and the wider multidisciplinary team to deliver a comprehensive range of high-quality optometric services, including extended roles depending on your experience. You will practise autonomously, providing expert assessment, diagnosis, and management of patients across all age groups, from infants to older adults, including those with complex clinical needs. The role also offers the opportunity to contribute to specialist optometric services and support the ongoing development of innovative patient pathways. In addition to clinical duties, you will play an active role in clinical audit, research, and service improvement initiatives. You will also contribute to teaching and training across a range of professional groups, supporting the development of future ophthalmic practitioners. This is an excellent opportunity for an optometrist looking to further develop their clinical expertise, leadership skills, and involvement in education and service development within a supportive and forward-thinking team.

Main duties of the job:

• Providing a comprehensive range of core optometric services, including complex refraction (particularly in paediatric patients).
• Undertaking autonomous assessment, diagnosis, and management of patients across all age groups, including children and individuals with complex communication or additional needs.
• Developing and implementing individualised management and treatment plans, including prescribing spectacles and making appropriate referrals or discharging patients.
• Delivering care within paediatric clinics, working collaboratively with orthoptists and ophthalmologists to diagnose and manage a wide range of conditions.
• Communicating effectively with patients, families, and carers, including explaining sensitive information such as diagnosis and prognosis in a clear and supportive manner.
• Maintaining accurate clinical records and ensuring patients are managed within appropriate care pathways, including timely follow-up and discharge planning.
• Contributing to clinical governance through participation in audit, service evaluation, and continuous professional development.
• Supporting service development by reviewing policies, identifying improvements, and ensuring adherence to Trust protocols.
• Maintaining and monitoring clinical equipment, reporting faults, and ensuring efficient use of resources.
• Actively contributing to education and training by supervising students, teaching multidisciplinary staff, and supporting clinical observers.

Person Specification

Skills & Knowledge:

• High level of literacy
• IT literate
• Ability to demonstrate professional knowledge and skills (able to access, appraise and apply evidence in practice).
• Teaching/Supervisory skills
• Excellent communication skills (verbal and written)
• Multidisciplinary teamwork in a multicultural framework

Education/Qualification:

• BSc (Hons) Optometry (or equivalent).
• Registration with General Optical Council.
• Further/higher professional qualifications or an interest in gaining further/higher professional qualifications.
• Evidence of ongoing continuing education and training as required by the General Optical Council.
• Minimum of 1-2 years post-registration experience.

Experience:

• Evidence of post-registration experience.
• Evidence of continuing professional development.
• Previous hospital optometry experience, beneficial not essential.
• Accurate paediatric refractions (cyclopentolate and non-cyclopentolate) with an understanding of appropriate prescribing.
• Good understanding of professional issues and NHS policy initiatives (e.g. voucher regulations).
• A portfolio of career-long learning, experience and education.
• Primary research skills.
• Presentations to colleagues/peers.
• Teaching to fellow health professionals.
• Interest in clinical research and audit.

Key Attributes:

• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to work within a multidisciplinary team – willing to seek advice from colleagues.
• Maintain a professional manner at all times.
• Sensitivity to an individual's needs – able to communicate complex, sensitive, condition-related information to a patient.
• Punctual, reliable and flexible.
• Self-motivated and able to work on own initiative; receptive to further training and development.
• Able to organise and prioritise own workload.
• Openness – shares information and good practice appropriately.
• Mutual respect – treats others with courtesy and respect at all times.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check:

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

£55,524 to £62,652 a year, Per Annum, inclusive of HCAS pro rata (part time)