Optometrist

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

Job summary

A healthcare provider in Darlington seeks an enthusiastic Optometrist to join their Orthoptic and Optometry team. The role focuses on providing high-quality care, primarily to paediatric patients, in collaboration with ophthalmologists. Candidates should have experience in paediatric refraction and possess relevant qualifications such as a Bsc Hon in Optometry. The position offers competitive salary and professional development opportunities.

Qualifications

• Experience in paediatric refraction.
• Enthusiastic and flexible team player.
• Skilled to work with patients of all ages.

Responsibilities

• Provide core optometry work to the Orthoptic and Ophthalmology departments.
• Conduct multi-disciplinary clinics with the consultant Paediatric Ophthalmologist.
• Collaborate with Orthoptists in mixed clinics for patient care.

Skills

Paediatric refraction

Communication skills

Organizational skills

IT skills

Experience in low vision aids

Interest in specialist contact lenses

Education

Bsc Hon (Optometry) MCOptom

Job description

Overview

Go back County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust

Optometrist

The closing date is 10 October 2025

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.

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.

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

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)

Qualifications and experience

• Experience in paediatric refraction
• Bsc Hon (Optometry) MCOptom

Special Skills & Knowledge

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

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

Experience

• Experience in paediatric refraction

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 CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust

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