Optometrist (Specialist)

The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; Newcastle upon Tyne; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in Newcastle is seeking an enthusiastic Optometrist to join their busy Newcastle Eye Centre. This role includes developing clinical skills, managing a varied caseload, and participating in specialized clinics. The ideal candidate should have a BSc in Optometry and experience within a hospital setting. There are opportunities for progression to Specialist Optometrist and a structured career path is offered. The position involves both clinical and teaching responsibilities, contributing to high-quality patient care.

Qualifications

• Registered Optometrist with GOC registration.
• Extensive post-registration experience and specialist training.
• Evidence of ongoing professional development.

Responsibilities

• Deliver quality optometry service to meet clinical needs.
• Lead role in specialised clinics and emergency department.
• Manage own caseload and provide patient care.

Skills

Excellent communication skills

IT skills including databases

Time management skills

Teamwork

Flexibility

Education

BSc in Optometry

Postgraduate qualification

Job description

Optometrist (Specialist)

Closing date: 11 January 2026

We are seeking 1.2 WTE motivated and enthusiastic optometrists to join our dedicated team at Newcastle Eye Centre. The posts offer an exciting opportunity to develop clinical skills and progress clinical interest in a hospital setting and will offer experienced optometrists without hospital experience, the opportunity to experience working life in a busy, fast paced hospital clinic and to gain clinical experience relevant to the higher qualifications offered by the College of Optometrists.

We are also keen to hear from newly qualified optometrists (including those who are anticipated to qualify in Summer 2026) with a genuine interest in hospital optometry. We will offer you a structured career path, commencing at Band 6 with progression to Specialist Optometrist (Band 7) upon successful completion of a residency period, expected within 2 years.

You will be actively involved in the core optometry service and undertake rotations through our glaucoma, medical retina and cataract services, along with regular sessions in the eye emergency department. You will join the trust's preceptorship scheme which will support you with the challenges that the newly qualified health professional can meet.

• Interview Date: 21 January 2026
• You will be redirected to Trac to apply for the vacancy. Please expand the job details section and read all of the information before applying for the vacancy.

NO AGENCIES PLEASE

Main duties of the job

Successful candidates will have the opportunity to gain experience in core optometry clinics, developing skills in low visual aid assessment, specialist contact lenses and paediatric assessment. There will also be the opportunity to develop skills in the eye emergency department and specialist ophthalmology clinics such as YAG capsulotomy, glaucoma, medical retina and anterior eye, depending on clinical interests, experience level, and additional qualifications. We are heavily involved in research providing assessments for patients' participating in ophthalmology and non-ophthalmology research trials and have a strong working relationship with our colleagues in the Sir Bobby Robson Oncology Unit. Non-clinical activities include audit, quality improvement and teaching a variety of staff including resident doctors, nurses, and optometrists.

A flexible approach is essential to working in fast paced and busy clinics and additional qualifications or previous experience are essential to be appointed to Band 7. Candidates without the necessary qualifications or experience may be appointed as Band 6 and progress to Band 7 on attainment of the required qualifications/experience. Full support will be given, and this will be expected to be achieved within 2 years.

If you are an optometrist looking for the opportunity to develop your knowledge and clinical skills within hospital optometry, we strongly encourage you to apply.

About us

As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for us and for our patients, and for you. Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement. If it works for the service, we will do our best to make it work for you.

With around 2 million contacts with patients every year, we deliver care from:

• Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI)
• Freeman Hospital
• Newcastle Dental Hospital
• Newcastle Fertility Centre
• Northern Centre for Cancer Care, North Cumbria
• Northern Genetics Service

These include a range of flagship services which deliver cutting-edge care (supported by state-of-the-art diagnostic services in both radiology and pathology) and are a catalyst for innovation to support pioneering clinical practice in the NHS.

We also have offices at Regent Point in Gosforth and community sites.

Job responsibilities

To deliver a quality of service matching clinical need to available resources within the focus of Specialist Optometrist practice.

To take a lead role in extending Optometrists involvement in highly-specialised clinics, for example:

• Highly specialised medically necessary contact lenses.
• Low vision assessment.
• To work as an independent practitioner and to work as part of a multidisciplinary team, providing an extensive range of advanced Optometric services to the highest standards of quality and care.
• To ensure that the patient is the central focus.
• Working as a Specialist Optometrist, provide a prompt response to calls from colleagues, prioritising importance and clinical need.
• Manage own caseload to include assessment, investigation, diagnosis and treatment within defined parameters and training.
• Provide immediate care management of patients including communication of plan to patients and significant others.
• Review and refer to appropriate person, e.g. Consultant Ophthalmologist.
• Liaise with Eye Clinic Liaison Officer for patients with untreatable sight loss.
• Provide specialist education and training at post-graduate level to qualified and pre-registration Optometrists and multiple disciplines in Ophthalmology.
• To undertake administrative responsibilities as determined by the Head or Deputy Head of Optometry.

Person Specification

Band 7

• Registered Optometrist
• GOC registration requiring Post Graduate Qualification continuing Education and Training to Masters Level
• Further highly developed specialist knowledge including theoretical and clinical training. e.g. O College of Optometrists Diploma in Ocular Therapeutics O College of Optometrists Diploma in Glaucoma O Accredited Slit Lamp examiner under Diabetic Retinal Screening programme. O Highly specialised medically necessary contact lens fitting and after care
• The ability to practice at a level comparable to a Specialist Registrar doctor including clinical history taking; ocular examination skills.
• Extensive post registration experience, some of which will be at a senior level within the required specialist area of practice
• Evidence of ongoing continuous professional development
• Knowledge and understanding of relevant NHS policy or project specific policy context.
• Knowledge and experience of adult/child safeguarding.
• Research and audit experience
• Evidence of excellent communication and interpersonal skills including effective report writing
• Effective organisation and time management skills
• Change management skills and involvement in project work
• Excellent IT skills including word-processing, use of spreadsheets and databases
• Able to work independently and across disciplines as a member of a multidisciplinary team
• Full driving licence
• Experience of teaching
• Previous employment in Hospital Eye Service
• Counselling skills

Band 6

• BSc in Optometry plus postgraduate qualification Continuing Education and Training (CET)
• Registered with General Optical Council
• General appearance to be business-like and professional
• Good written and verbal communication skills
• Flexible approach to working patterns
• Ability to work independently and also as part of a multidisciplinary team
• Physical ability to perform all necessary Optometric duties
• Well motivated and enthusiastic
• IT skills including word-processing, use of spreadsheets and databases
• BSc in Optometry plus postgraduate qualification Continuing Education and Training (CET)
• Registered with GOC
• Member of the College of Optometrists
• Comply with annual re-registration requirements by taking ownership of own development, identifying training needs, maintaining CET accreditation, 6-monthly re-accreditation in specialist refraction procedures, updating Personal Development Plan
• Advanced knowledge of legal aspects of Optometry
• Demonstrates Optometric techniques to pre-registration Optometrists, junior medial staff, nurses and support workers
• Communicates effectively with all members of the multi disciplinary team, requires concise and accurate verbal and written reports
• Communicates condition related information, breaking bad news on a daily basis that has life changing consequences e.g. untreatable sight loss/blindness, loss of driving licence due to sight loss. Patients are frequently elderly.
• Work closely with all members of the multi disciplinary team to ensure an efficient service and high level of patient care in line with Trust policy
• Acknowledge and accommodate barriers to communication and understanding, works with elderly patients and carers on a daily basis. Patients frequently have other sensory loss and/or special needs
• Liaise with appropriate support services particularly in patients with substantial visual loss.
• Liaise with and give detailed medial information to all members of the Ophthalmology team
• Previous work in hospital eye service
• Experience of teaching
• Previous involvement in clinical/medical audit
• Full clean driving licence

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.

The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trustp>