Optometrist

King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust; London; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading hospital in South East London seeks an enthusiastic optometrist to enhance its Optical Services team. The role involves collaborating with professionals to provide specialist care across various ophthalmology services while offering training and support. Ideal candidates will possess advanced skills and a commitment to patient care.

Qualifications

• The candidate should be an enthusiastic, dedicated, and motivated optometrist.
• Previous experience in a hospital setting is desirable.
• Advanced contact lens skills and independent prescribing qualifications are preferred.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with Optometrists, Orthoptists, and advanced clinical practitioners.
• Provide expert diagnostic assessments and specialist advice.
• Lead quality improvement initiatives and contribute to audits and teaching.

Skills

Enthusiasm

Dedication

Motivation

Advanced contact lens skills

Independent prescribing

Education

Degree in Optometry

Hospital experience

Job description

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King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Location:

London, United Kingdom

Job Category:

Other

EU work permit required:

Yes

Job Reference:

7a0e9dc5a801

Job Views:

4

Posted:

29.06.2025

Expiry Date:

13.08.2025

Job Description:

Job overview

Due to an internal promotion, we are now looking for an optometrist to join our team.

The successful candidate will join a team of 7 optometrists, 10 orthoptists, and 4 advanced clinical practitioners. Our recent NHS Staff Survey showed very positive scores regarding teamwork and staff support. We seek an optometrist who is enthusiastic, dedicated, motivated, and eager to learn.

Previous hospital experience, advanced contact lens skills, and independent prescribing are desirable. We welcome applications from community optometrists. Banding will depend on experience and successful completion of competencies.

Training and support will be provided to develop roles, including a wide range of extended practices.

We prefer Monday, Thursday, and Friday working days due to current demand; however, we are flexible. Denmark Hill will be your base, with clinics potentially at University Hospital Lewisham or Queen Mary's Sidcup.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will play a key role within the Optical Services team, collaborating with Optometrists, Orthoptists, and advanced clinical practitioners. They will work within an integrated team, contributing to a unified clinical approach while maintaining professional independence and scope of practice.

Operating at an advanced level, the post holder will provide expert diagnostic assessments and interventions, offering specialist advice within their field.

The role involves working across various ophthalmology services, including:

• Refraction, contact lens, low vision, and post-operative cataract clinics
• Consultant-led clinics such as glaucoma, retina, paediatrics, cornea, and emergency care

The post holder will also lead quality improvement initiatives, oversee audits, contribute to teaching, and ensure evidence-based practice is embedded in the service.

Working for our organization

King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of the UK’s largest teaching trusts, with a turnover of approximately £1 billion, millions of patient contacts annually, and around 15,000 staff across five main sites in South East London. The trust offers comprehensive hospital services and specialist services from its Denmark Hill and PRUH sites.

We are committed to Sustainable Healthcare for All through our Green Plan. In line with national Greener NHS goals, we aim for net zero carbon emissions by 2040 for our NHS Carbon Footprint and by 2045 for our NHS Carbon Footprint Plus.

Our values are to be a kind, respectful team:

• Kind: showing compassion, understanding, and a positive attitude
• Respectful: promoting equality, inclusiveness, honesty, and speaking up when needed
• Team: supporting each other, communicating openly, and maintaining professionalism

Our strategy, Strong Roots, Global Reach, aims to make us BOLD—Brilliant people, Outstanding care, Leaders in research, innovation, and education, with Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion at the core. We focus on being person-centred, digitally-enabled, and sustainable to elevate Team King’s further.