Hospital Optometrist – Head of Service

NHS National Services Scotland; Inverness; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare organization in Scotland is seeking a Band 8C Optometrist to join its Optometry Team at The National Treatment Centre in Inverness. The role involves delivering specialist clinics and providing leadership within the department. Ideal candidates will have a minimum of four years of experience post-qualification and hold relevant qualifications. This position offers the unique opportunity to travel across the Highlands, contributing to eye care services. Applicants should be independent prescribers and demonstrate strong managerial skills.

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• Deliver specialist clinics in conjunction with colleagues.
• Provide joint leadership of the department.
• Travel to various locations for clinical services.

Skills

Managerial skills

Leadership skills

Independent prescribing

Clinical experience

Education

Relevant post-graduate qualifications

Registration with the General Optical Council

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 within 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 experience within the Hospital Eye Service with proven managerial and leadership skills alongside a broad clinical experience. The candidate should be able to demonstrate active post‑graduate activities, be a qualified independent prescriber (IP), 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 based in a new purpose built facility for Ophthalmology and Orthopaedics at the National Treatment Centre in Inverness, which opened in April 2023. This is a great opportunity to work in new facility with high spec equipment and to help make this next generation of eye care in Highland a success.

The role is also quite unique, as the department delivers clinical services to peripheral parts of the Highlands such as Wick, Portree and Fort William as well as Island communities in Western Isles and Orkney. The successful candidate would gain the experience of travelling to some of these areas, which can entail an overnight stay and therefore a driving licence is required.

This role would suit a motivated and enthusiastic optometrist who is keen to further develop their own scope of clinical practice but also provide leadership within the Optometry Department.

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

For informal enquiries please contact [e-mail]

PLANNED INTERVIEW DATE: Monday 2nd of February 2026.

Additional Information for Candidates

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NHS Highland is geographically the largest of the 14 regional boards of NHS Scotland, covering an area of 12,500 square miles, across Highland and Argyll & Bute.

We employ over 10,700 people, making us one of the biggest employers in the area. As an organisation, we make a very significant contribution to the local economy.

Our staff are also important members of our communities. Our greatest asset is our workforce, and the way we go about our work comes from the values and behaviours we demonstrate on a daily basis. As a board we strive to ensure the environment is conducive to nurturing a positive culture, supported and delivered through our NHS and social care values.