At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic improvement projects and gain hands-on experience in healthcare transformation.
- Company: Join Health Education and Improvement Wales, a key player in NHS workforce development.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working hours, and a rich academic curriculum.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth and networking with senior leaders in healthcare.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on health services while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Must be an Optometrist in NHS Wales or primary care with relevant experience.
The predicted salary is between 58379 - 65723 € per year.
Main area: Welsh Clinical Leadership Training Fellow. Grade Band 8A. Contract: 12 months (secondment/fixed term). Hours: 37.5 per week with flexible working model. Full time. Flexible working.
Employer: Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW). Location: Nantgarw. Salary: £58,379 - £65,723 per annum.
We are committed to promoting inclusion at HEIW and welcome applications from all who value diversity. Candidates who are not UK or Republic of Ireland nationals require sponsorship via a Skilled Worker Visa, unless they have permission to work via another route. HEIW does not hold a licence to sponsor skilled workers from overseas. If successful, applicants from outside the UK or ROI must obtain their own sponsorship or visa.
This vacancy may close early if it receives a high number of applications. Please apply in good time to avoid disappointment.
Job overview: This exciting opportunity is open to Optometrists working in NHS Wales or within the primary care setting in Wales. The Welsh Clinical Leadership Fellowship (WCLF) is a prestigious year-long programme that develops aspiring clinical leaders through immersive training and practical management experience. Fellows help drive improvement across NHS Wales, working with senior leaders at local, regional, and national levels to influence change and build strong professional networks.
This post is fixed term/secondment for 12 months due to meeting the needs of the service. If you are interested in applying for the secondment position, you must obtain permission from your current line manager prior to applying.
Main duties of the job: Each Fellow leads a strategic improvement project selected from proposals submitted by healthcare organisations across Wales, gaining hands-on experience in delivering meaningful transformation with support from supervisors and colleagues. Alongside project work, the Fellowship offers a rich academic and development curriculum—including a Postgraduate Certificate, workshops, site visits, expert-led sessions, and formal teaching—to equip Fellows with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to become credible, influential leaders in a modern NHS. If you are motivated, forward-thinking, and eager to contribute to transformative change, we encourage you to apply. Assessment centre will be held on 15 June 2026.
To learn more about the Fellowship, prospective candidates are invited to join a virtual drop-in session from 12:30–13:30 on 22/05/2026 or 12:30–13:30 on 29/05/2026. To receive the link, email heiw.wcltf@wales.nhs.uk.
Working for our organisation: Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW) is the strategic workforce body for NHS Wales with statutory functions that include education and training, workforce planning, workforce development and transformation, leadership and succession planning, and careers. Our purpose is to develop a workforce that delivers excellent care to patients/service users and population health. We are a Special Health Authority working closely with partners such as Social Care Wales, education providers, professional and regulatory bodies, and the Welsh Government.
HEIW is committed to developing an internal culture of choice. Our values are: Respect for All in every contact we have with others; Ideas that Improve: harnessing creativity and continuously innovating, evaluating, and improving; Together as a Team: working with colleagues across NHS Wales and with partner organisations. HEIW received the HPMA Award for Employee Engagement in 2019.
What you can expect: A corporate induction and 90-day Welcome itinerary; A meaningful values-based performance appraisal process; The opportunity to impact upon health and social care services and the lives and wellbeing of the people of Wales.
Person specification:
- Qualifications and/or Knowledge: Employed in a clinical role in NHS Wales or working within primary care at A4C Band 7-8A or equivalent; ST3 or above (medical trainees), GPST2 or above (GP trainees), DCT2 or above (dental trainees) at time of application.
- Demonstrates clear understanding of the purpose of the programme and commitment to maximise this development opportunity.
- Demonstrates knowledge of effective problem-solving approaches when plans do not go as expected.
- Evidence of reflective practice, including understanding of personal strengths and how these have been used to achieve positive results.
Experience:
- Evidence of involvement and engagement in leadership and management development commensurate with grade and experience.
- Ability to reflect on personal impact and influence others.
- Demonstrable ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary settings and manage or motivate both in-person and virtual teams.
- Understanding of the background to and aims of current healthcare policies with evidence of implementation.
- Managing teams through change.
- Positively contributes to team culture, helping create an environment where people feel valued, supported, and empowered to deliver high-quality care.
Aptitude and Abilities:
- Ability to provide and receive complex, sensitive, or contentious information with the ability to negotiate with stakeholders on difficult and controversial issues.
- Demonstrates a strong desire to improve performance and make a difference.
- Ability to prioritise own work effectively with the ability to produce results without continuous direct supervision.
- Ability to build, develop, and nurture key relationships and networks, showing adaptability in approach.
- Ability to speak Welsh.
- Reflects on past performance, seeks out feedback and applies learning to current practice.
Values:
- Demonstrates integrity and ethical practice, including transparency, accountability, and patient-centred decision-making.
- Demonstrates a consistent commitment to compassionate and inclusive leadership, fostering psychological safety and respect within multi-professional teams, and a strong commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.
- Actively role-models NHS Wales values, contributing to a culture of kindness, openness, continuous improvement and shared purpose.
- Committed to collaborative, whole-system working, engaging constructively with colleagues across professions, services and organisational boundaries.
Other: Ability to travel to suit the requirements of the role. It is essential that your application demonstrates how you meet the job description and person specification for this post.
Employer certification / accreditation badges: You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
Name: Moya Jenkins. Job title: NHS Wales Clinical Leadership Programme Manager. Email address: heiw.wcltf@wales.nhs.uk
Welsh Clinical Leadership Fellow - Optometrist employer: Health Education and Improvement Wales
Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW) is an exceptional employer that prioritises the development of its workforce through a supportive and inclusive culture. With a commitment to flexible working, comprehensive training programmes, and opportunities for meaningful impact in healthcare, HEIW fosters an environment where employees can thrive as leaders while contributing to the wellbeing of the people of Wales. The Fellowship offers not only professional growth but also the chance to engage with a network of dedicated professionals across NHS Wales, making it a truly rewarding place to work.
Contact Detail:
Health Education and Improvement Wales Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Welsh Clinical Leadership Fellow - Optometrist
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or past fellows and connect with professionals in the field. They can provide insider info about the role and might even give you a heads-up on what the interviewers are looking for.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the assessment centre by practising your presentation skills. You’ll likely need to showcase your project ideas, so make sure you can communicate them clearly and confidently. We recommend doing mock presentations with friends or colleagues.
✨Tip Number 3
Show your passion for leadership! During interviews, share specific examples of how you've led projects or teams in the past. Highlight your problem-solving skills and how you’ve made a positive impact in your previous roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, you’ll find all the latest updates and resources to help you along the way.
We think you need these skills to ace Welsh Clinical Leadership Fellow - Optometrist
Some tips for your application 🫡
Know the Job Inside Out:Before you start writing, make sure you really understand what the Welsh Clinical Leadership Fellow role is all about. Dive into the job description and person specification to see what they're looking for. This will help us tailor your application to show how you fit the bill!
Show Off Your Experience:When you're detailing your experience, be specific! Highlight any leadership roles or projects you've been involved in that relate to the fellowship. We want to see how you've made a difference in your previous roles, so don’t hold back on those achievements!
Be Authentic:Let your personality shine through in your application. We’re looking for motivated and forward-thinking individuals, so share your passion for transformative change and how you embody the values of HEIW. Authenticity goes a long way in making your application stand out!
Apply Early!:This position might close early if we get a lot of applications, so don’t wait until the last minute. Get your application in as soon as you can through our website to avoid disappointment. We can’t wait to see what you bring to the table!
How to prepare for a job interview at Health Education and Improvement Wales
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you understand the Welsh Clinical Leadership Fellowship inside out. Familiarise yourself with the programme's goals, the kind of projects you'll be leading, and how it fits into the broader NHS Wales framework. This will show your genuine interest and commitment.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've demonstrated leadership and management skills. Think about times when you've influenced change or motivated a team, as these are key qualities they’re looking for in a Fellow.
✨Reflect on Your Experiences
Be ready to discuss your reflective practice. They want to see how you've learned from past experiences and how you can apply that knowledge moving forward. Think about your strengths and how they've helped you achieve positive results in your career.
✨Engage with the Values
Familiarise yourself with HEIW's values: Respect for All, Ideas that Improve, and Together as a Team. Be prepared to discuss how you embody these values in your work and how you can contribute to fostering a positive team culture.
