Advanced Community Optometrist

NHS; Chesterfield; On-site; GBP 33,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare organization in Chesterfield seeks an experienced Advanced Community Optometrist to enhance local eye care by delivering high-quality, patient-centered services. You will work closely with GPs and other healthcare professionals while leading clinical practices and mentoring junior staff. This role offers a competitive salary and excellent benefits including generous annual leave and NHS pension contributions.

Benefits

NHS Pension with employer contributions

30 days plus 8 Bank Holiday annual leave entitlement

Access to Well-Being Support

Qualifications

• Evidence of extensive post-registration experience in community optometry.
• Proven experience in delivering education sessions.
• Demonstrated ability to make autonomous clinical decisions.

Responsibilities

• Deliver high-quality assessment and treatment for ophthalmic conditions.
• Ensure integration of services and improve patient care pathways.
• Provide clinical leadership and mentorship to junior staff.

Skills

Advanced clinical skills in assessment and management of ophthalmic conditions

Excellent communication skills

Good IT skills including use of electronic patient records

Education

Registered Optometrist with the UK General Optical Council

PEARS or MECS or CUES accreditation

Professional Diploma in Glaucoma

Job description

We are looking for a qualified and motivated AdvancedCommunity Optometrist to join the Community Eye Service commissioned by NHSDerby & Derbyshire ICB.

This is an excellent opportunity for an Advanced Community Optometrist who is passionate about community-based care, integrated working, and delivering an efficient service that improves patient experience and access to timely eye health services closer to home.

We are looking to recruit up to 22.5 hours on a fixed term post until 30 September 2026.

Main duties of the job

As a senior clinician, you will provide clinical expertise and leadership, contribute to the development of clinical pathways, and promote high standards of practice in line with NICE guidance and Royal College standards. You will work closely with GPs, local Optometrists and Consultant Ophthalmologists to ensure care is integrated, accessible and responsive to local population needs

About us

Arc Primary Care is the umbrella organisation of the Primary Care Network (PCN) in Chesterfield and Dronfield. Arc Primary Care is an alliance of GP Practices.

Our members consist of 10 GP practices which cover a population of over 110,000 patients. At Arc we are committed to ensuring the sustainability of General Practice (and the time honoured valued of list-based general practice model) and realising the benefits of working together.

We deliver enhanced services within the PCN designed to support and enhance the services offered by our member GP Practices within Chesterfield. We do this by employing staff to work through the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme and finding innovative and sustainable solutions to the changing needs of the Practices; we bid for contracts to help tackle health inequalities and drive up standards of care within the Chesterfield and Dronfield locality.

Our mission: Committed to high quality collaborative person-centred care. Delivered with integrity and transparency, improving health and wellbeing for all.

Benefits of working with us:

• NHS Pension with employer contributions
• On appointment 30 days plus 8 Bank Holiday annual leave entitlement which rises annually with length of service up to 33 days (pro rata for part time staff)
• Entitlement of up to 5 days professional/study leave per annum, pro rata.
• Access to Well-Being Support
• Blue light Card Discount

Job responsibilities

Clinical Practice

• Deliver high-quality, evidence-based assessment, diagnosis, treatment and management for a range of ophthalmic conditions presenting in primary care.
• Work autonomously within scope of practice, including use of independent prescribing where accredited.
• Undertake triage of referrals within 2 working days and ensure timely patient appointments in line with service standards.
• Provide a comprehensive management plan for each patient and communicate outcomes promptly to the referring GP within 2 working days.
• Manage and monitor follow-up appointments in line with service requirements, ensuring the ratio of new to follow-up is efficient and clinically appropriate.
• Use appropriate diagnostic equipment safely and effectively, in accordance with training and protocols.

Leadership & Service Development

• Provide clinical leadership within the Community Eye Service, supporting service development and implementation of evidence-based pathways.
• Contribute to policy and protocol development to ensure the service aligns with national and local guidelines (NICE, Royal Colleges, NHSE).
• Work in partnership with stakeholders to reduce unnecessary secondary care referrals and improve patient pathways.
• Support the implementation of new models of care, including integration with other services such as CUES and glaucoma monitoring.

Education & Supervision

• Provide clinical supervision, mentorship and guidance to Optometrists within the team
• Organise and lead departmental team meetings as required
• Offer educational support and feedback to GPs and referring Optometrists to improve referral quality and appropriateness.
• Support delivery of education sessions for primary care colleagues, sharing specialist knowledge and promoting best practice.
• Organise and participate in mentorship from Consultant Ophthalmology Mentor
• Contribute to patient education and the development of accessible patient information resources.

Quality, Governance & Audit

• Adhere to local safeguarding policies for children and adults and act as a source of advice on safeguarding matters within the service.
• Contribute to service audits, data collection, outcomes reporting and quality improvement initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with infection prevention and control standards.
• Maintain accurate clinical records in line with data protection and confidentiality requirements.
• Report incidents, complaints and patient feedback in line with organisational policies and contribute to learning and service development.

Key Working Relationships

• Local GP practices and referring Optometrists
• Consultant Ophthalmologists (for advice, mentoring and complex case discussion)
• Chesterfield Health Provider Ltd Clinical Leadership Team
• Wider Primary Care Networks and community services

KEY EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL EMPLOYEES

Data and confidentiality

Work in line with GDPR principles at all times, keeping up to date with training and identifying any potential breeches quickly and appropriately.

Keeping patient confidentiality at the heart of what we do only access a persons information in the legitimate execution of your duties.

Undertake GDPR risk assessments for new data sharing activities, where appropriate

Work with your line manager to undertake continual personal and professional development.

Undertake relevant training as required.Continually update own knowledge and skills within the job role.

Maintain any professional accreditation as necessary for your role.

Demonstrate advanced clinical practice skills, including independent prescribing where relevant

Engage in reflective practice and demonstrate a commitment to lifelong learning.

Team working and policies

Work as part of the ARC team to seek feedback, develop and maintain effective working relationships and improve the service.

Adhere to organisational policies and procedures, including confidentiality, safeguarding, lone working, information governance, health and safety, discipline, grievance and whistleblowing.

Act at all times in a manner consistentwith legislation, policy and procedures in respect of Equality and Diversity, and safeguarding.

Person Specification

Other

• Flexible and adaptable to meet service needs
• Access to vehicle to travel for work purposes
• Willingness to complete an Enhanced DBS Check
• Appropriate Immunisation Status

Skills, knowledge & Abilities

• Advanced clinical skills in assessment and management of acute and chronic ophthalmic conditions
• Ability to lead service improvement, quality assurance and audit
• Excellent communication, negotiation and influencing skills
• Good IT skills including use of electronic patient records
• Awareness of local healthcare system and pathways
• Experience in delivering education sessions

Qualifications

• Registered Optometrist with the UK General Optical Council
• PEARS (Primary Eyecare and Assessment Referral Service), MECS (Minor Eyecare Conditions Service) or CUES (Community Urgent Eyecare Service) accreditation
• Professional Diploma in Glaucoma (or working towards)
• Evidence of Advanced Level Practice (MSC or equivalent experience)
• Ability to use and interpret a range of diagnostic equipment as required
• Further postgraduate qualifications in glaucoma or medical retina

Experience

• Extensive post-registration experience of community or primary care optometry.
• Evidence of autonomous clinical decision-making at an advanced level
• Experience of multi-professional working
• Experience delivering or developing Community Eye Services (e.g. CUES, MECS)
• Experience supervising junior staff or students
• Experience contributing to service redesign

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.

Arc Primary Care/Chesterfield & Dronfield PCN

£55,690 to £62,682 a yearActual salary £33414.00-£37403.32 (depending on experience)