Advanced Clinical Optometrist - Head of Specialist Optometry

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust; Lewes; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading NHS healthcare trust is seeking a Head of Specialist Optometry to provide clinical leadership and expert optometric care. The role involves managing optometry services, delivering teaching and training, and overseeing clinical and financial aspects of the department. The ideal candidate will have significant experience in clinical practice and a strong commitment to education and patient care.

Qualifications

• Experience teaching or supervising others.
• Awareness of national guidelines in optometric practice.
• Evidence of championing diversity in previous roles.

Responsibilities

• Provide clinical leadership for optometry services.
• Deliver expert optometric and ophthalmic care.
• Manage departmental budget and provide training.

Skills

Clinical leadership

Expert optometric care

Teaching and training

Complex clinical decision-making

Education

BSc(Hons) in Optometry

MSc in Optometry or equivalent

Job description

Overview

About our Trust: At UHSussex we're proud to be at the heart of the NHS. As one of the UK's largest acute Trusts, we're a leading example of the excellence, the ambition and the values that have embodied the NHS for over 70 years. Our staff work together towards a common goal - to always put our Patient First. Our mission is summed up by our 'where better never stops' motto.

At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We're proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust. We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves, with a Wellbeing Programme for staff that supports you, including where possible flexible working to support work life balance.

As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.

As part of our commitment to access for all, please see the different ways you can access the application form. Accessibility information is available via our recruitment platforms.

We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.

Job overview

The Head of Specialist Optometry is expected to provide clinical leadership for all optometry services, while personally delivering expert optometric and clinical care. They will be responsible for clinical, managerial and financial aspects of specialist optometry, acting as line manager for all optometrists working in the department. It is expected that the postholder will provide teaching and training on a range of optometric and clinical subjects and they will be responsible for teaching and training within specialist optometry. They will have a senior role in the co-ordination of research and development activity within the department.

Main duties of the job

The Head of Specialist Optometry will provide expert optometric and ophthalmic care to patients at Sussex Eye Hospital. This will be in the form of face-to-face clinical encounters and virtual review of ophthalmic imaging. They are expected to develop a comprehensive range of clinical skills relevant to their practice (e.g. intravitreal injections, laser treatment) and to practice independently with the support of consultants within the relevant subspecialty.

As head of department, the postholder will provide clinical, managerial and financial leadership and act as line manager for all optometrists working in the department with regular participation in the appraisal process. They will be responsible for providing teaching and training directly as well as facilitating attendance at external teaching/courses and encouraging acquisition of advanced skills and qualifications. It is expected that they will arrange and deliver teaching/training as per the needs of the specialist optometrists under their supervision and, where appropriate, other members of the healthcare team including nurses and imaging technicians. They will attend departmental teaching and take part in the teaching rota for resident doctors in training. They will organise and provide training for community optometrists requiring hospital placements (e.g. for independent prescribing qualification) and liaise with practices regarding governance and financial aspects.

Working for our organisation

At UHSussex (UHSx), diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We are a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust.

We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. This can be seen in our candidate information pack & wellbeing programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it, including flexible working to support work life balance. As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope you are choosing UHSx for a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do. We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSx.

Candidate Information Pack: https://www.uhsussex.nhs.uk/resources/candidate-information-pack/

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Provide and receive highly complex, highly sensitive information; present complex, sensitive or contentious information to large groups. Communicates, explains highly complex, sensitive condition related information to patients and others; there may be barriers to understanding. Includes skills for delivering specialist training and presenting scientific papers to large groups.

Advanced theoretical and practical knowledge: Professional knowledge acquired through degree, advanced clinical training, management knowledge, experience to Master’s equivalent level plus further specialist training.

Range of highly complex facts, requiring analysis; interpretation and comparison of range of options: Provides expert interpretation of highly complex clinical issues.

Plan, organise a broad range of complex activities; formulates and adjusts plans and strategies: Plans and organises orthoptic/optometry service, adapts to conflicting service requirements as necessary.

Highly developed skills; accuracy important; manipulation of fine tools and materials: Use of specialist ophthalmic instrumentation for measurement purposes.

Develop specialised programmes of care; accountable for direct delivery of a subdivision of a clinical/clinical technical or social care science service: Provides specialist clinical service, including use of advanced clinical techniques; provides advice to patients on needs, treatment & corrective aids; responsible for provision of specialist Orthoptic/optometry service.

Responsible for policy implementation and development for a service: Responsible for development and implementation of orthoptic/optometry service policies.

Budget holder for department or service: Holds departmental budget.

Day-to-day management; teach/deliver specialist training; line manager for a single function or department; teach and develop training: Day to day management of staff; trains staff; develops and delivers training in a clinical and academic setting.

Records personally generated information: Updates patient records, compiles audit data.

Coordinate and implement R&D activity; initiates R&D activity: Co-ordinates departmental research; initiates and secures funding for research projects.

General policies and interpretation: Guided by NHS, organisational and occupational policies; determines interpretation for orthoptic/optometry service.

Work patterns and conditions: Frequent sitting in restricted positions; concentration; occasional/frequent distressing or emotional circumstances; occasional unpleasant working conditions.

Person specification

Experience

Essential criteria

• BSc(Hons). Optom. MSc Optom or equivalent experience
• Experience of teaching or supervising others
• Awareness of national guidelines in the optometric practice

Desirable criteria

• Higher qualification in medical retina or OPT L3 medical retina
• Evidence of organising and/or delivering teaching / training with GOC accreditation (CPD points)
• Extensive NHS experience (> 5 years)

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

Essential criteria

• Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
• Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles

Important information for applicants

A Note on AI Use in Applications: We discourage use of AI tools in completing your application. Your responses should reflect your own voice, experiences, and motivations.

Closing Adverts Early: We may close adverts earlier than specified in case of exceptional interest.

Flexible Working: If you would like to explore flexible working options please speak with the appropriate recruiting/line manager.

DBS Checks: We undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check for new employees where eligible. Offers are made with reference to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

Skilled Worker Visa: Applications for Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome for roles that meet visa eligibility. Check gov.uk for details. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure criteria are met.

Closing note: UHSussex reserves the right to close the role early if we receive a high volume of applications.

Further Information

For help with the application process for Nursing vacancies, email [e-mail]. For Non-Nursing vacancies, email [e-mail].

Documents to download: Job Description and Person Specification (PDF); Our Trust at a glance (PDF); All Staff Networks About Us Flyer (PDF); Guide to completing an application form (PDF); Candidate Information Pack (PDF).