Medical Optometrist

NHS; Bristol; On-site; GBP 47,000 - 63,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare provider in Bristol is seeking a Specialist Optometrist to deliver advanced care in a multidisciplinary environment. You will support the management of sight-threatening conditions and require post-graduate qualifications. Exceptional communication skills and the ability to work autonomously are essential. The role offers a diverse working experience and the chance to contribute to clinical innovation.

Qualifications

• Significant specialist clinical experience in assessment & management of patients with active and sight-threatening disease.
• Advanced understanding of relevant national clinical guidance.
• Ability to teach or supervise trainees and address queries.

Responsibilities

• Plan and deliver advanced specialist clinical examinations tailored to individual patient requirements.
• Utilise highly developed physical skills for complex medical procedures.
• Communicate highly sensitive prognostic information about loss of sight.

Skills

Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills

Complex clinical decision making

Ability to work in a multidisciplinary team

Education

Registration with the General Optical Council

BSc Hons Optometry or equivalent

Professional post-graduate qualification(s)

Job description

Overview

Job summary

If you're an experienced Specialist Optometrist keen to expand your scope of practice, the prestigious Bristol Eye Hospital is seeking Medical Optometrists to support our expanding services.

At our research-active teaching hospital, you will deliver advanced, highly specialised, non-routine care in an inspiring, multidisciplinary environment known for clinical innovation. Working collaboratively alongside our Consultant Ophthalmology and experienced optometry teams, you will support the medical and surgical management of sight-threatening eye disease. With significant evidence of autonomous practice, you will evaluate highly complex and potentially conflicting high-stakes cases, determining the most appropriate treatment options for patient-centred care.

You should hold post-graduate professional qualifications or demonstrable training & experience in subspecialty clinics. Skills should be on par with the level of sub-specialty trained Ophthalmologists, though access to additional training can be provided. You should possess clear evidence of leadership and extended clinical responsibility to support the teaching and supervision of trainees as part of our commitment to the professional and personal development of our staff.

Arrange an informal visit to see the exceptional care at BEH or find out more about the team: See yourself at Bristol Eye Hospital

Candidates not meeting the post-graduate qualification level could be considered for a Band 7 Specialist Optometrist role.

Responsibilities

• plan and deliver advanced specialist clinical examinations tailored to individual patient requirements;
• utilise highly developed physical skills for complex medical procedures;
• analyse, interpret and act upon highly complex multifactorial and potentially conflicting patient-related information for the purpose of high-stakes clinical decision making, in order to determine the most appropriate action where multiple clinical management options exist;
• work in a fast paced and changing clinical environment without compromising clinical care;
• be responsible for autonomous independent prescribing or supply of topical investigational drugs and where appropriate, to seek guidance from Consultant Ophthalmologists with respect to the requirement for ocular surgery, or where medical management requirements may be unclear;
• communicate and interact effectively, routinely discussing the risks and benefits of management options, explaining highly complex, multi-stranded and potentially conflicting information in a manner that enables patients to make informed choices;
• communicate highly sensitive prognostic and emotionally distressing information about loss of sight and risk of further loss of sight;
• keep full and complete patient records, of each patient's examination results, diagnosis and management/treatment and to verify successful data entry of ancillary clinical information entered by supporting technical staff.

About us

University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) is one of the largest acute Trusts in the country, bringing together a combined workforce of over 13,000 staff across 10 hospital sites, delivering over 100 clinical services to more than 500,000 people in the South-west.

UHBW has been rated by the CQC as Good overall, and our staff are proud to deliver excellent care to the people of Bristol, Weston, and beyond. As a forward-thinking multi-award-winning Trust and digital exemplar committed to improving patient outcomes, our world-leading research and innovation have a positive local and global impact.

With hospitals based in both vibrant Bristol and coastal Weston-super-Mare, we offer the best of city and seaside living with easy access to countryside, national parks, and the wider Southwest.

UHBW is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. As an equal opportunities employer working towards a diverse workforce, we aim to recruit and retain staff that reflect the communities we serve, and we actively support inclusive recruitment and working practices.

Details

Date posted: 10 October 2025

Pay scheme: Agenda for change

Band: Band 7

Salary: £47,810 to £62,682 a year Dependant on experience and post graduate qualifications

Contract: Permanent

Working pattern: Full-time, Part-time

Reference number: 387-S6789-LH

Job locations: Bristol Eye Hospital, Lower Maudlin Street, Bristol, BS1 2LX

Qualifications

Essential

• Registration with the General Optical Council
• BSc Hons Optometry or equivalent
• Professional post-graduate specialist qualification(s) at masters level or higher, relevant to job plan (e.g. College of Optometrists DipGlauc, Higher Prof Cert Med Ret)
• GOC Speciality Registration in Independent Prescribing
• Postgraduate masters (or higher) level clinical audit or research experience relevant to sub-specialist practice

Knowledge and Experience

• Highly developed and proven specialist knowledge, at Masters level or above, across multiple areas of specialist clinical practice beyond conventional hospital or community optometry
• Significant specialist clinical experience in assessment & management of patients with active and sight-threatening disease across multiple areas of specialist clinical practice
• Advanced understanding of all relevant national clinical guidance (e.g. NICE guidelines; College of Optometrists Clinical Management Guidelines; Royal College of Ophthalmologists guidelines)
• Significant specialist clinical experience in management of patients with ocular/visual manifestations of systemic disease that may threaten general health
• Previous hospital eye service experience
• Multidisciplinary team working

Skills and Abilities

• Specialist clinical practice beyond conventional hospital or community
• Specialist clinical assessment skills for patients with active and sight-threatening disease across multiple of areas of sub-specialist clinical practice
• Can teach or supervise trainees and address queries from support staff whilst performing clinical duties
• Ability to quickly interpret complex and potentially conflicting clinical information

Aptitudes

• Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills; ability to communicate complex, sensitive and potentially conflicting information to patients and other stakeholders in an appropriate manner independent of their level of understanding
• Ability to empathise regarding loss of sight and prognoses including blindness and threats to general health from systemic disease with ocular/visual manifestations
• Able to work within a multidisciplinary team and gain credibility with all staff
• Capable of performing sustained high intensity work in a pressurised clinical environment

Important information

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship: Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.

UK Registration: Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.

Employer details: University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW); Bristol Eye Hospital, Lower Maudlin Street, Bristol, BS1 2LX. Website: https://www.uhbw.nhs.uk/