Advanced Ocularist

Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, Fellowship; Greater London; On-site; GBP 37,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

NHS Pension Scheme

Flexible working

Career-long learning and development

Excellent transport connections

Blue Light/ NHS discount schemes

Free Pilates classes

Job summary

Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a skilled Ocularist prosthetics clinician to manufacture and fit artificial eyes for adults and children. You will design, fabricate and clinically fit prosthetics, assist in complex cases, and support rehabilitation after surgery within a multidisciplinary team.

The role demands precision, artistry in iris painting, and adherence to medical device standards.

Qualifications

• GCSE level education with English and Maths to GCSE level or equivalent.
• Desirable: degree or equivalent in Dental Technology or related field.
• DBS disclosure and two references required.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate patients for appropriate prosthetic rehabilitation.
• Clinically design, prescribe, fabricate and fit artificial eyes and facial prostheses.
• Analyse sockets and devise treatment plans for patients.
• Record treatment details in hospital records and assist in theatre as required.
• Provide counselling support and manage post-operative care instructions.

Skills

Manual dexterity

High precision

Customer facing

Strong communication

Education

GCSE English & Maths

Degree in Dental Technology (desirable)

Job description

YOU MAKE US MORE

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.

We're also a vibrant community where kindness, equity and excellence shape every aspect of our work. Whether it’s pioneering research through our partnership with UCL Institute of Ophthalmology and Moorfields Biomedical Research Centre or training the next generation of global eye care leaders, we’re united by one mission—delivering world‑class eye health, sustainably and at scale.

And we’re just getting started.

From 2027, we’ll move to our brand-new Oriel site in St Pancras, Camden—a state‑of‑the‑art centre that will unite eye care, research, and education under one roof. This groundbreaking facility, developed in partnership with UCL Institute of Ophthalmology and Moorfields Eye Charity, will enable transformative innovation and collaboration like never before.

Could you be part of this future? Make us more.

Job Overview

To undertake the manufacturing of ocular prosthetics for both Child and Adult patients.

To develop specialist skills to design, fabricate, clinically fit custom made ocular and facial prosthetics and other complex custom made medical devices.

To assist in provisions of rehabilitation of patients who have undergone radical surgery for disease, trauma and malignancy by means of highly specialised skill.

To develop skills and regularly be signed off by senior ocularists.

Main duties of the job

To evaluate patients for their appropriate prosthetic rehabilitation under supervision.

To develop skills to clinically design , prescribe, fabricate and fit custom made artificial eyes, cosmetic shells, facial prostheses, and other complex medical devices as required under supervision.

To develop skills to analyse complex sockets, devise and undertake an appropriate treatment plan for the patient.

To demonstrate high levels of artistic ability for iris painting in the patient’s presence. To develop skills and demonstrate an understanding of all prosthetic manufacturing techniques using specialised complex laboratory equipment. To fabricate medical devices that comply fully with medical device legislation.

To mould, fit and paint a definitive pattern prior to the manufacture and subsequent supply of a customised artificial eye. Advising on future treatments that may be required and the daily routine of inserting removing and cleansing on both Adults and paediatric patients.

Working for our organisation

What’s in it for You?

At Moorfields, we invest in you—your growth, your wellbeing, your future.

You’ll Join a Flexible, Supportive Organisation Offering

• Competitive salary (including high-cost area supplement)
• Membership of the NHS Pension Scheme
• 24/7 independent counselling support
• Career-long learning and development opportunities
• Excellent transport connections
• Access to NHS and Blue Light discount schemes
• Free Pilates classes
• Full support and training to develop your skills

And so much more! To see the full range of benefits we offer please view our Moorfields benefits leaflet.

Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities

To evaluate patients for their appropriate prosthetic rehabilitation under supervision.

To develop skills to clinically design, prescribe, fabricate and fit custom made artificial eyes, cosmetic shells, facial prostheses, and other complex medical devices as required under supervision.

To develop skills to analyse complex sockets, devise and undertake an appropriate treatment plan for the patient.

To demonstrate high levels of artistic ability for iris painting in the patient’s presence. To develop skills and demonstrate an understanding of all prosthetic manufacturing techniques using specialised complex laboratory equipment. To fabricate medical devices that comply fully with medical device legislation.

To mould, fit and paint a definitive pattern prior to the manufacture and subsequent supply of a customised artificial eye. Advising on future treatments that may be required and the daily routine of inserting removing and cleansing on both Adults and paediatric patients.

To create and produce customised conformers, which may or may not involve visiting the operating theatre or wards to mould and/or fit the ocular defect.

To instil anaesthetic drops, mould, fit and paint a definitive pattern prior to the manufacture and subsequent supply of a customised cosmetic shell (cosmetic scleral lens). Advise on the daily routine of inserting, removing, cleansing wearing times with further advice on follow up treatments and cleaning fluids.

To accurately record details of treatment and procedures carried out during an appointment in the patient’s hospital records.

To assist in counselling sessions provided by the team for emotional support pre and postoperatively to patients requiring radical disfiguring excisional surgery necessary for trauma, disease or malignancy and for those with terminal conditions.

To demonstrate empathy and persuasive skills especially when dealing with paediatric cases and patients with learning difficulties.

• To observe, assist and undertake prosthetic procedures within the operating theatre.
• To assist in the maintenance of the department’s quality control system by adherence to ISO13485:2016 standard and the requirements of the European Medical Devices Directive and the compilation of all appertaining records. Calibrate specialized equipment used within the department.
• To record and report risks to patients and staff to ocularists.
• To be computer competent and to carry out and assist the ocularists in administrative duties.
• To carry out and assist in research projects undertaken within the department and by the oculoplastic surgical teams and to assist in the preparation of articles for publication as required.
• To undertake internal and external training for continual professional development and to update knowledge as required by the obligations of the quality control system in place within the department. To communicate complex information to patients whilst overcoming barriers such as age, language, co-operation and understanding.
• To sit and stand for long periods
• To be carry out tasks for Quality Management Services and any other duties required outside your job role.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria

• Educated to GCSE level (Including English and Maths to GCSE A-C) or equivalent qualification

Desirable criteria

• Degree or equivalent in Dental Technology or other relevant subject.
• Master degree in Dental Technology

Experience

Essential criteria

• Working in customer facing roles
• Must have manual dexterity skills and be able to work to high precision.

Desirable criteria

• Working in a health care setting

Knowledge

Essential criteria

• Must have high communication skills to enable accurate explanations of complex surgical and technical procedures and advice to be imparted to professional colleagues and patients from all backgrounds.

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.

Applicant requirements

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Documents to download

• Advanced Ocularist (PDF, 360.6KB)
• MEH Staff Benefits (PDF, 919.1KB)
• MEH Privacy Notice (PDF, 138.0KB)

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.