Optometry Clinical Advisor

NHS; Wakefield; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Part time

Job summary

A regional health authority in the United Kingdom is seeking an experienced Optometry Clinical Advisor. This role involves providing clinical leadership and guidance for NHS General Ophthalmic Services across Yorkshire and Humber. Responsibilities include advising on service quality, leading contract inspections, and contributing to service improvement initiatives. Candidates should possess a GOC registration, strong leadership skills, and experience in optometric services. This is an opportunity to influence the future of primary eye care in the region.

Benefits

Supports professional development

Carer-friendly environment

Mindful Employer status

Qualifications

• Registered optometrist with significant clinical leadership experience.
• Experience in leading optometric services and contract management.
• Evidence of ongoing professional development in eye health.

Responsibilities

• Provide clinical leadership for NHS General Ophthalmic Services.
• Advise on contract applications and monitor service quality.
• Contribute to commissioning decisions and policy implementation.

Skills

Clinical leadership

Good communication skills

Commitment to quality improvement

Education

Qualification recognized by the General Optical Council (GOC)

Current GOC registration

Formal managerial training or qualifications

Job description

Optometry Clinical Advisor

The closing date is 02 December 2025

NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) is seeking experienced GOC‑registered optometrists to join us as Optometry Clinical Advisors. We are recruiting up to two roles, totalling 6 hours per week (approximately 3 hours per ICB area), covering West Yorkshire and Humber & North Yorkshire ICB areas. Based within the Primary Care team, you will provide expert clinical advice and guidance to support NHS General Ophthalmic Services (GOS) across Yorkshire & the Humber, helping to ensure high‑quality, safe, and effective eye care for patients.

Working closely with NHS commissioners, optometrists, Local Optical Committees, provider organisations, and wider healthcare networks, you will contribute to service development, quality improvement, and innovation in primary care optometry. You will also support integration of optometry within neighbourhood health models, ensuring services align with national policy and local priorities.

This is a unique opportunity to influence the future of primary eye care across Yorkshire & the Humber, shaping integrated care pathways, driving system‑wide improvements, and building strong professional relationships. We are looking for passionate, experienced optometrists with leadership skills, excellent communication, and a commitment to improving patient outcomes.

This post may be subject to organisational change.

Main duties of the job

As an Optometry Clinical Advisor, you will provide expert clinical leadership and guidance across primary care optometry services, ensuring alignment with national policies, professional standards, and best practice. You will play a key role in supporting NHS General Ophthalmic Services (GOS) by advising on contract applications, monitoring quality, and championing continuous improvement across Yorkshire & the Humber.

You will lead practice inspections, oversee compliance with national regulations, and investigate concerns or complaints, helping to maintain high standards of patient care. You'll build strong working relationships with NHS commissioners, Local Optical Committees, provider organisations and system partners, working together to strengthen how optometry fits within integrated care. Your input will help services evolve, drive innovation, and ensure that local priorities align with the wider ambitions of the ICB.

The role provides the opportunity to influence system‑wide improvements in primary care optometry. You will support quality assurance, drive service development, and foster professional relationships that shape the future of optometry services. This is an opportunity to contribute strategically, improve patient outcomes, and be at the forefront of innovation in primary eye care across the region.

About us

NHS West Yorkshire ICB works to improve population health and reduce inequalities, addressing diverse community needs. As part of the West Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership, we collaborate with local councils, health providers and community organisations.

We value diversity as a strength that enhances creativity and patient outcomes. Committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive workplace, we prioritise wellbeing and encourage applications from all areas of the community, who meet the criteria for the role, regardless of their protected characteristics.

We support Carers with a Carer‑friendly environment and a working Carer passport. As a Mindful Employer, we support employees and applicants with mental health conditions. As a Disability Confident Employer, we guarantee interviews for suitable applicants meeting the essential criteria. Please let us know of any required adjustments.

Note: This advert may close early due to high application volume, or be paused or withdrawn in line with our policies if an applicant at risk or on pay protection applies.

Job responsibilities

The Optometry Clinical Advisor will provide expert clinical advice, leadership and strategic support to the NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) for the commissioning and quality assurance of General Ophthalmic Services (GOS) across Yorkshire and Humber. Working as part of the Primary Care Team within the Strategy and Partnerships Directorate, the post holder will support delivery of high‑quality, safe, and effective optometric services inline with national regulations and the NHS England Eye Health Policy Book.

The role will offer credible and objective clinical leadership, acting as the interface between the ICB, contractors and professional networks, supporting quality improvement, service development and patient safety. The post holder will contribute to commissioning decisions, contract assurance, and policy implementation to ensure high standards of service provision and patient experience.

Key responsibilities include advising on GOS contract applications and variations, leading contract and quality assurance visits, promoting Quality in Optometry (QiO), and supporting investigations, complaints and incidents. The post holder will contribute clinical input to procurement processes, improvement plans and policy development, ensuring alignment with national and local eye health priorities. The role will require close collaboration with Primary Care colleagues, the Medical Director, and Associate Director of Primary Care to promote integrated, patient‑centred eye‑care pathways.

The Clinical Advisor will provide leadership in clinical governance, supporting the development of audit frameworks, quality indicators and performance standards. They will guide the management of clinical incidents and concerns, ensuring lessons are learned and best practice is embedded. The post holder will review and interpret complex data and performance metrics, providing evidence‑based advice to inform commissioning and assurance decisions. They will also contribute to continuous quality improvement through peer review, professional development initiatives and engagement in education and training activities.

The role will involve representing the ICB at regional and local professional meetings, including Local Optical Committees, Local Professional Networks and other relevant forums, providing clinical insight and leadership. The post holder will build and maintain strong professional relationships across optometry and related sectors, ensuring effective communication and collaboration between primary, community and secondary care. The role requires handling complex, sensitive and sometimes contentious information with diplomacy and professionalism, particularly in relation to contractual or performance issues.

The post holder will play a key role in advancing equality, diversity and inclusion, upholding the organisation's values of dignity, respect and openness. They will foster a culture of transparency and continuous improvement, ensuring that all activities reflect the principles of patient safety, clinical excellence and value for money.

To be effective, the Clinical Advisor must have significant clinical leadership experience, be a registered optometrist with the General Optical Council, and possess an in‑depth understanding of GOS practice, regulation and quality improvement. They will be skilled at analysing complex data, managing professional relationships and influencing change across organisational boundaries.

The role requires the ability to travel across the West Yorkshire ICB area and wider region to support visits, meetings and collaborative work. The post holder must adhere to all relevant organisational policies including safeguarding, infection prevention, health and safety, and data protection. They are expected to maintain confidentiality, demonstrate professional conduct, and participate in ongoing appraisal and development to sustain clinical and leadership competence.

This job description outlines the main responsibilities and expectations of the role and is not exhaustive. Duties may be amended to meet evolving organisational needs following consultation with the post holder.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Qualification recognised by the General Optical Council (GOC) for registration as an optometrist.
• Current GOC registration without conditions, including meeting CPD requirements.
• Evidence of professional development and mandatory training completion.
• Formal managerial training or qualifications.

Skills & behaviours

• Ability to work with complex and sensitive contractual and quality issues relating to GOS contractors.
• Commitment to support delivery, as may be required, of agreed local or national priorities relevant to Primary and Community Care.
• Demonstrably involves patients and the public in their work.
• Good communication and leadership skills.
• Provides clinical leadership, direct advice and support to optometric contractors including quality assurance functions.
• Support professional development of contractors, contributing to education and workforce initiatives including materials for training and educational needs.

Experience

• Previous experience of leading and influencing the delivery of change.
• Evidence of ongoing up to date, personal and professional development in eye health.
• Experience and knowledge in leading optometric services, including contract management and pathway redesign.
• Understanding of Primary Care General Ophthalmic Services (GOS) practice together with contractual and professional requirements.
• Understanding of quality improvement to support improved patient care when accessing GOS services.
• Senior leadership experience in the NHS.

Employer name

NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board