At a Glance
- Tasks: Deliver specialised optometric care and support paediatric patients in a community setting.
- Company: Join Moorfields Eye Hospital, a leader in eye care and research.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, NHS pension, flexible working, and free Pilates classes.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with opportunities for professional growth and development.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's eye health while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: GOC Registration and experience in managing complex paediatric patients required.
The predicted salary is between 49387 - 56515 £ per year.
We're proud of our team and recognise the significant contributions they make to patients here in the UK and globally. When you join Moorfields Eye Hospital you can help us continue to deliver excellence and equity in patient care through kindness and compassion for all.
Main area: Optometry
Grade: Band 7
Contract: Permanent: Subject to successful completion of probationary period
Hours: Part time - 7.5 hours per week
Job ref: 273-DN-8195428
Site: Kempston Health Centre Community Paediatric Clinic
Town: Kempston, Bedford
Salary: £49,387 - £56,515 pro rata per annum
Salary period: Yearly
Closing: 20/08/2026 23:59
Join Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. At Moorfields, people’s sight matters—and so do the people who make it possible. For over 200 years, Moorfields has been at the forefront of ophthalmic care, research, and education. With more than 2,300 dedicated team members and over 700,000 patients seen annually across our City Road site and 22 networked sites, we are proud to be a global centre of excellence.
Job overview: An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Hospital Optometrist working with Moorfields Eye Hospital, Bedford. The role involves working exclusively within the paediatric community eye service at a number of sites in Bedfordshire, including but not limited to Kempston and Biggleswade.
Main duties of the job:
- To personally deliver a range of specialised face to face and optometric care and extended role optometric care, clinical audit & teaching.
- To support the development of extended roles for optometrists within Moorfields.
- In conjunction with the medical staff to support the development of, and to help deliver, shared care for ophthalmic conditions.
Working for our organisation: This post is primarily based at our Kempston health centre clinic associated with our Bedford site, working in the paediatric eye clinic. At Moorfields, we provide more than just an excellent career and great colleagues to work with. We also offer:
- Opportunity to join the NHS Pension Scheme
- Free 24/7 independent counselling service
- Learning and development opportunities
- Easy and quick transport links
- A range of attractive benefits and discounts
- Access to Blue Light Card and other NHS Discount Schemes
- Free Pilates classes
- Full support and training to develop your skills
- Flexible working friendly organisation
Detailed job description and main responsibilities:
MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Leadership: To personally deliver a range of specialised and extended optometric care, clinical audit and teaching.
- Clinical: To provide a wide range of optometric services, which can include:
- Working closely with the optometry team to provide a wide range of optometric services, at a hospital or community site, which may include:
- Working in an 'extended role' capacity in a variety of ophthalmology clinics which can include Medical Retina, Glaucoma, Cataract or Acute Services.
- Working in extended role outside ophthalmology clinics, i.e. without medical support in clinic, e.g. Diabetic slit lamp clinics, Children’s Vision Clinics.
- Triage of referral letters both routine and urgent and management of shared care cataract referral.
- Supervising junior staff in their clinical roles.
- To undertake specialist clinical activity; this activity requires regular use of a range of advanced clinical techniques requiring dexterity and concentration. These clinics involve responsibility for clinical decision‑making with support from consultants and the provision of specialised diagnosis, management, care and education of patients.
- To provide a clinical opinion or obtain a clinical opinion from consultant colleagues to optometric and non‑optometric colleagues on the management of patients.
- Clinical Governance: Responsibility in conjunction with the consultants for the systematic and critical analysis of the quality of work carried by optometrists. To initiate and participate in clinical audit. To help identify and develop service standards and audit for optometrists. To personally participate in continuing professional education and development (as required by the General Optical Council and through appraisal as part of role).
- Management: To assist the Lead Optometrist to manage Optometry Services. To help develop systems, clinical governance, processes, guidelines and training to establish and maintain extended role clinics & shared care services. To be able to use appropriate IT including electronic patient records for benchmarking, audit and clinical uses.
- Teaching and Development: Contribute to the delivery of optometric teaching and supervision to other ophthalmic professionals.
- Research and Development: To contribute to clinical research or assessment programmes. To present audit/research findings at relevant scientific meetings. To contribute to publishing research/audit findings in peer‑reviewed journals.
- Policy: To support the Clinical Director, the Principal Optometrist & the Head of Optometry in the development and implementation of policies and procedures for Optometrists.
Person specification:
- GOC Registration
- BSc(Hons) Optometry or equivalent
- FCOptom, MSc, Independent prescribing or other Diploma, MOptom, equivalent specialist higher qualifications
- Experience of managing complex paediatric patients
- Previous experience working in a hospital paediatric clinic
- Knowledge and experience of clinical governance
Due to the nature of this position, employment is subject to proof of eligibility to work in the UK, completion of a satisfactory DBS disclosure and two references. We do not offer visa sponsorship for roles unless clearly stated in our adverts, so please consider this before applying.
Our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion is at the heart of our organisational culture. As part of our pledge to take positive action in recruitment we encourage applications from under‑represented candidates including BAME (Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic) and Disabled candidates as we work towards a representative workforce that is able to provide the quality, the dignity and respect and to deliver above and beyond.
Moorfields is a flexible working friendly organisation, and we are committed to helping our employees achieve a work‑life balance that is beneficial for health and wellbeing, motivation levels and job satisfaction. Every employee of the Trust has the right to request to work flexibly. Please speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement. If it works for the service, we will do our best to make it work for you.
If we receive sufficient applications, we will close this ad prior to the closing date. You are advised not to delay submitting your completed application. Moorfields Eye Hospital does not charge applicants any recruitment or sponsorship fees. Our website and published contact details are the only authorised channels for applications and verification of job offers.
Specialist Optometrist - Bedford (CCS) in Kempston employer: Moorfields Eye Hospital, London
Moorfields Eye Hospital is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in the heart of London where innovation meets compassionate care. With a strong commitment to employee development and wellbeing, we provide ample opportunities for professional growth while fostering a collaborative culture that values strategic thinking and change management. Join us to be part of a forward-thinking team dedicated to delivering outstanding private eye care and making a meaningful impact in the community.
Contact Details:
Moorfields Eye Hospital, London Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Specialist Optometrist - Bedford (CCS) in Kempston
✨Connect with Local Healthcare Communities
Dive into local healthcare communities and networks. Join meetups or workshops relevant to human medicine in your area, where you can chat with professionals and fellow students. Getting to know people in these spaces often leads to part-time opportunities that aren’t advertised!
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We think you need these skills to ace Specialist Optometrist - Bedford (CCS) in Kempston
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Healthcare:When applying for a part-time role in human medicine, it’s important to express why you’re passionate about the healthcare field. Convey your interest through your CV and cover letter — highlight any relevant volunteer work, clinical experiences, or coursework that showcases your commitment to improving patient care.
Include Relevant Certifications:If you have any certifications related to healthcare, like Basic Life Support (BLS) or First Aid, make sure to include these in your CV. They not only boost your credibility but also demonstrate that you’re prepared for the demands of the job, which is super important in human medicine.
Be Clear About Your Availability:Since this is a part-time role, employers will want to know when you can work. In your cover letter, specify your availability and any flexibility you might have. Showing that you’re accommodating with your hours can make a big difference!
Tailor Your Application for Moorfields Eye Hospital, London:Lastly, tailor your CV and cover letter specifically for Moorfields Eye Hospital, London. Research their mission, values, and recent achievements in human medicine. This personal touch shows you’ve done your homework and genuinely want to be part of their team, which resonates well in the healthcare field.
How to prepare for a job interview at Moorfields Eye Hospital, London
✨Brush Up on Medical Knowledge
Since we're diving into human medicine, it's essential to have your medical theories and practices fresh in your mind. Be prepared to discuss relevant case studies or experiences, and don’t shy away from some light medical jargon that shows you’re grounded in the field.
✨Emphasise Your People Skills
Part-time roles in medicine often mean interacting with patients and staff. We need to showcase our ability to communicate clearly and compassionately. Think of examples that highlight your interpersonal skills—maybe a time you helped a patient or resolved a conflict within a team.
✨Get Ready for Scenario-Based Questions
In human medicine, they might throw some hypothetical scenarios your way during the interview. Prepare to think on your feet! Consider common patient situations or ethical dilemmas that could arise. Practising how you'd handle these could set you apart.
✨Discuss Your Availability and Flexibility
For a part-time position, it's key to talk about your availability. Let’s be honest about when you can work and how you can flexibly fit your shifts around any studies or other commitments. This shows you're reliable and genuinely interested in fitting into the team at Moorfields Eye Hospital, London.
