Optometrist

NHS; Darlington; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 47,000; Part time

Job summary

A healthcare provider in Darlington seeks an enthusiastic Optometrist to join the Orthoptic and Optometry team. The role focuses on paediatric patients and includes opportunities to work with multidisciplinary clinics. Candidates should possess a BSc in Optometry and demonstrate strong communication and organisational skills. This permanent, part-time position offers a salary range of £38,682 to £46,580 per year pro rata.

Qualifications

• Current GOC Registration is essential.
• Well developed hand/eye coordination to work with all ages of patients.
• Experience in low vision aids is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Provide multi-disciplinary clinics with the consultant Paediatric Ophthalmologist.
• Conduct paediatric review refraction clinics.
• Manage clinical care for paediatric patients.

Skills

Experience in paediatric refraction

Good communication skills

Good organisational skills

IT skills

Education

BSc Hon (Optometry)

MCOptom

Job description

Job summary

The Orthoptic and Optometry team at County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust consists of a team of seven Orthoptists and three part time Optometrists working closely together with the Consultant Ophthalmologists to provide a high standard of care to our paediatric and adult patients. We work to the Trusts ethos of providing the patient with safe, compassionate, joined-up care.

We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated Optometrist to join our team working predominantly with paediatric patients but also some low vision patients where service needs allow. You may be providing multi-disciplinary clinics with the consultant Paediatric ophthalmologist, providing optometry paediatric review.Additionally there would be training opportunities to expand into medical contact lenses through formal training and clinical practice.

We require staff to cover the 3 main sites of darlington Memorial Hospital, Bishop Auckland General Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham.

Main duties of the job

This band 6 role is involved in the provision of core optometry work to the Orthoptic and Ophthalmology departments and patients; predominantly involving the core paediatric elements of hospital optometry. You will be providing multi-disciplinary clinics with the consultant Paediatric Ophthalmologist, providing optometry paediatric review refraction clinics and also working in a collaborative clinic with the Orthoptist. All clinics involve a mix of new and review patients of all ages and abilities, including children with learning difficulties, and involve strong collaborative team working. In addition to skills with dilated retinoscopy you will be required to perform ophthalmoscopy on dilated paediatric patients and work closely with the other team members to manage clinical care. This role gives a unique opportunity to use your knowledge in strabismus and BSV and gain valuable experience in the management of complex cases not available in the private setting. There would also be the opportunity to undertake some training for Low Visual Aid work if required and through formal training to expand into the area of medical contact lenses

About us

If you are being interviewed you must accept an interview slot in the system to continue, even if you have arranged with the manager

You must be able to produce ALL certificates stated essential in the person specification or you will not be able to complete pre-employment checks

We provide hospital services from two acute sites - Darlington Memorial Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham. We have a centre for planned care in Bishop Auckland and provide care from community hospitals in Chester-le-Street, Shotley Bridge, Barnard Castle, Sedgefield and Weardale as well as over 80 other community based settings and providing care in patients' homes.

We particularly welcome applications from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as BAME and disabled people are currently under-represented

Full Job Descriptions can be found in the adverts supporting documents

Over reliance on AI-generated content is discouraged and may diminish the applicant's chances of success

For the most up-to-date information on visa requirements and eligibility, please check online to determine whether you can apply.

From April 9th 2025 - Healthcare assistants - You must have a minimum of two years of experience working within the NHS as a HCA for the Trust to consider sponsorship (we will only consider sponsorship if you meet this criteria and have a current visa expiring within 3 months)

Details Date posted

31 July 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£38,682 to £46,580 a year per annum, pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

C9439-2526-0303-1

Job locations

Darlington Memorial Hospital NHS Trust

Hollyhurst Road

Darlington

County Durham

DL3 6HX

University Hospital Of North Durham

North Road

Durham

DH1 5TW

Bishop Auckland General Hospital

Cockton Hill Road

Bishop Auckland

County Durham

DL14 6AD

Job description Job responsibilities

This band 6 role is involved in the provision of core optometry work to the Orthoptic and Ophthalmology departments and patients; predominantly involving the core paediatric elements of hospital optometry. You will be providing multi-disciplinary clinics with the consultant Paediatric Ophthalmologist, providing optometry paediatric review refraction clinics and also working in a collaborative clinic with the Orthoptist. All clinics involve a mix of new and review patients of all ages and abilities, including children with learning difficulties, and involve strong collaborative team working. In addition to skills with dilated retinoscopy you will be required to perform ophthalmoscopy on dilated paediatric patients and work closely with the other team members to manage clinical care. This role gives a unique opportunity to use your knowledge in strabismus and BSV and gain valuable experience in the management of complex cases not available in the private setting. There would also be the opportunity to undertake some training for Low Visual Aid work if required and through formal training to expand into the area of medical contact lenses.

Job description Job responsibilities

This band 6 role is involved in the provision of core optometry work to the Orthoptic and Ophthalmology departments and patients; predominantly involving the core paediatric elements of hospital optometry. You will be providing multi-disciplinary clinics with the consultant Paediatric Ophthalmologist, providing optometry paediatric review refraction clinics and also working in a collaborative clinic with the Orthoptist. All clinics involve a mix of new and review patients of all ages and abilities, including children with learning difficulties, and involve strong collaborative team working. In addition to skills with dilated retinoscopy you will be required to perform ophthalmoscopy on dilated paediatric patients and work closely with the other team members to manage clinical care. This role gives a unique opportunity to use your knowledge in strabismus and BSV and gain valuable experience in the management of complex cases not available in the private setting. There would also be the opportunity to undertake some training for Low Visual Aid work if required and through formal training to expand into the area of medical contact lenses.

Person Specification Statutory Registration Essential

• Current GOC Registration

Special Skills & Knowledge Essential

• Experience in paediatric refraction Good communication and organisational skills. Good interpersonal skills. IT skills.

Desirable

• Experience in low vision aids / willingness to undertake additional training if required Experience/interest in specialist contact lens work/ willingness to undertake additional training if required

Special Requirements Essential

• Well developed hand/eye co-ordination, skilled to work with all ages of patients. Flexible. Enthusiastic.

Desirable

• Receptive to change

Experience Essential

• Experience in paediatric refraction

Qualifications Essential

• Bsc Hon (Optometry) MCOptom

Desirable

• Significant post graduate experience

Person Specification Statutory Registration Essential

• Current GOC Registration

Special Skills & Knowledge Essential

• Experience in paediatric refraction Good communication and organisational skills. Good interpersonal skills. IT skills.

Desirable

• Experience in low vision aids / willingness to undertake additional training if required Experience/interest in specialist contact lens work/ willingness to undertake additional training if required

Special Requirements Essential

• Well developed hand/eye co-ordination, skilled to work with all ages of patients. Flexible. Enthusiastic.

Desirable

• Receptive to change

Experience Essential

• Experience in paediatric refraction

Qualifications Essential

• Bsc Hon (Optometry) MCOptom

Desirable

• Significant post graduate experience

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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Additional 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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details Employer name

County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Darlington Memorial Hospital NHS Trust

Hollyhurst Road

Darlington

County Durham

DL3 6HX

Employer's website

https://www.cddft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details Employer name

County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Darlington Memorial Hospital NHS Trust

Hollyhurst Road

Darlington

County Durham

DL3 6HX

Employer's website

https://www.cddft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)