Hospital Optometrist Head of Service

NHS National Services Scotland; Inverness; On-site; GBP 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare organization is looking for a motivated Band 8C Optometrist to join the Optometry Team at the National Treatment Centre in Inverness, Scotland. This role involves delivering specialist clinics and providing leadership within the department. Candidates should have significant clinical experience and managerial skills, along with a registration as an Optometrist. The new facility offers advanced equipment and serves various communities in the Highlands. This is a unique opportunity to make a significant impact on eye care in the region.

Qualifications

• At least 4 years post-qualification experience.
• Minimum of 2 years within the Hospital Eye Service.
• Active post-graduate activities are required.

Responsibilities

• Work within the Optometry team to deliver specialist clinics.
• Provide joint leadership of the department.
• Travel to peripheral areas for patient care.

Skills

Managerial skills

Leadership

Clinical experience

Education

Registered as an Optometrist with the General Optical Council

Independent prescriber qualification

Job description

NHS Scotland is committed to encouraging equality and diversity among our workforce and eliminating unlawful discrimination. The aim is for our workforce to be truly representative and for each employee to feel respected and able to give their best. To this end, NHS Scotland welcomes applications from all sections of society.

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Band 8C (0.55wte) Optometrist to join the Optometry Team awakere working at the Hospital Eye Service at The National Treatment Centre – Highland in Inverness.

The successful candidate would work within the Optometry team to deliver a range of specialist clinics in the National Treatment Centre and across Highland, Orkney and Western Isles in conjunction with our ophthalmology, orthoptic and nursing colleagues whilst providing joint leadership of the department with the existing Head of Service (Band 8C 0.45wte).

The candidate ideally should be at least 4 years post qualification experience and a minimum of 2 years within the Hospital Eye Service with proven managerial and leadership skills alongside a broad clinical experience. The candidate should demonstrate active post‑graduate activities, be a qualified independent prescriber (IP бумагиര), hold relevant post‑graduate qualifications and be registered with the General Optical Council as an Optometrist.

The Hospital Eye Service is based at the National Treatment Centre–Highland which is a new purpose built facility for Ophthalmology and Orthopaedics, opened in April 2023. This is a great opportunity to work in new facility with high‑spec equipment and to help make the next generation of eye care in Highland a success.

The role also reaches peripheral parts of the Highlands such as Wick, Portree and Fort William as well as island communities in the Western Isles and Orkney. The successful candidate will travel to these areas, which may involve an overnight stay, and destruir licence is required.

This role is for היית motivated and enthusiastic optometrist who wishes to further develop their scope of clinical practice and provide leadership within the Optometry Department.

The Scottish Highlands is a fantastic region to live in, with abundant sporting, outdoor and cultural activities to enjoy.

For informal enquiries please contact [e-mail] كلها

PLANNED INTERVIEW DATE: Monday 2nd of February 2026.

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