Sessional Optometrist

SeeAbility; Leatherhead; On-site; GBP 125,000 - 150,000; Part time

Job summary

A leading charity in eye care seeks a Sessional Optometrist for its special school eye care team. In this role, you will deliver specialist eye care services within schools in London, supporting children with learning disabilities. Responsibilities include comprehensive eye assessments, clinical decision making, and effective communication with children and their families. This role offers competitive daily rates and various benefits, including a pension scheme and discounts.

Benefits

Discounts and cashback at various shops

Employer contributory pension scheme

Paid DBS checks

Season ticket loans

Referral bonus

Qualifications

• Experience providing eye care to children with complex needs.
• Ability to manage a caseload and make clinical decisions.
• Effective communication skills with children and families.

Responsibilities

• Provide specialized eye care services in schools.
• Liaise with parents, schools, and other agencies.
• Document interactions and maintain clinical records.

Skills

Clinical decision-making

Communication

Managing complex cases

Education

Optometry degree

Job description

Role Description

Sessional Optometrist

Location: London School or Schools

Salary: £250 per day + Benefits

Hours: 1 day a week (school term time only)

About SeeAbility

SeeAbility is established as the leading national eye care expert for people with learning disabilities. As a Specialist Registered Charity, it has over 220 years’ experience supporting people with visual impairments, learning disabilities, autism, or complex support needs.

What You Bring

To be part of SeeAbility’s NHS England commissioned Special School’s Eye Care team in a London school or schools. You will be responsible for regular visits to the same school(s) with a Dispensing Optician partner during school term times only. Training will be provided to all successful applicants.

Your Responsibilities

1. Provide specialist eye care and vision information in schools to meet NHS England’s Service Specification.
2. Undertake SeeAbility Special Schools Eye Care Team training.
3. Communicate appropriately with children who have complex needs and with their relatives or carers, often involving sensitive information and barriers to understanding.
4. Manage your caseload using evidence-based practices.
5. Make independent complex clinical decisions where opinions may differ.
6. Liaise directly with parents and schools, using secure NHS mail and GDPR-compliant methods. Support is available from the Service Manager and administrators.
7. Refer children needing spectacle correction to the Dispensing Optician and provide dispensing services when required.
8. Prescribe and advise on eye drops.
9. Manipulate and utilise complex diagnostic equipment skillfully.
10. Coordinate with other agencies such as social services, GPs, ophthalmologists, and therapists to ensure high-quality care.
11. Document all interactions accurately and produce clinical reports within 5 working days.
12. Share clinical information securely with relevant parties.
13. Refer children for further management as needed.
14. Transport equipment between sites as required.
15. Work independently, exercising initiative and judgment in patient management.
16. Maintain a safe, clean, and infection-controlled environment.
17. Participate in risk assessments and safety procedures.
18. Mentor new team members and attend team meetings.
19. Comply with health and safety regulations and report incidents promptly.
20. Engage in personal and professional development, including delivering training and undertaking clinical audits.
21. Maintain accurate records and stay updated on developments in eye health and learning disabilities.
22. Adhere to diversity, confidentiality, safeguarding, and ethical standards.
23. Perform other duties as instructed by the Service Manager and Clinical Lead.

Benefits

• Discounts and cashback at various shops and activities.
• Blue Light Card discounts.
• 10% discount on monthly bus travel.
• Competitive pay reviews.
• Employer contributory pension scheme.
• Referral bonus of £600.
• Paid DBS checks and renewals.
• Season ticket loans.

For extensive details, please see the attached document.