Specialist Optometrist

Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust; Bath; On-site; GBP 49,000 - 57,000; Full time

Job summary

Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Specialist Optometrist (Band 7) to join the Eye Unit in Bath. You will manage complex cases, provide expert opinion to colleagues, and contribute to teaching and supervision within a multidisciplinary team.

GOC registration and substantial post-registration hospital experience are essential; higher qualifications in glaucoma/independent prescribing are advantageous, with training support available.

Qualifications

• Must be registered Optometrist with GOC registration.
• Significant post-registration hospital optometry experience.
• Higher qualifications in glaucoma/independent prescribing advantageous with training supported.

Responsibilities

• Manage complex cases independently as a senior clinician.
• Provide clinical advice and expert opinion to optometric and medical colleagues.
• Teach and supervise students, optometry technicians, nursing and medical staff as needed.

Skills

Registered Optometrist

Higher Qualifications

Job description

Employer Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site Royal United Hospital Foundation Trust Town Bath Salary £49,387 - £56,515 per annum, pro rata Salary period Yearly Closing 20/10/2026 23:59

Specialist Optometrist

Band 7

Job overview

There is an exciting opportunity for an experienced Optometrist to join our friendly and innovative team within the Eye Unit in the beautiful city of Bath.

Our highly motivated department consists of 7 Ophthalmologists, 3 Associate Specialists, 6 Optometrists, 6 Optometry Technicians and 4 Orthoptists.

Our Optometrists provide a broad range of highly skilled core and specialised services including glaucoma and medical retina clinics. Higher qualifications in glaucoma and independent prescribing would be advantageous but optometrists can be supported with any necessary training.

You will be a qualified optometrist with significant post registration experience and GOC registration. Candidates who do not have the necessary post registration experience may be considered for a band 6 role.

There is potential for this role to include clinics at Frome Medical Practice.

Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, team focus, initiative and the ability to deliver a high standard of patient care are key attributes for the role.

You may occasionally be required to deputise for the Head Optometrist in their absence.

Main duties of the job

As a senior clinician you will be responsible for managing complex cases independently. You will provide clinical advice and expert opinion to optometric and medical colleagues along with teaching and supervision of students, optometry technicians, nursing and medical staff where necessary. As a specialist optometrist you will play a pivotal role in the delivery of optometry services across the Trust.

Working for our organisation

At the RUH we’re proud to put people at the heart of what we do, working together as one team to make a difference for our patients, each other, and our community. No matter what your role is, we value everyone’s contribution in supporting the exceptional, person-centred care we pride ourselves on.

We are committed to creating a compassionate and inclusive environment. This can be seen in our growing community of staff networks – celebrating successes and creating opportunities to listen and learn. We value our differences, champion kindness and civility, and truly believe that diversity makes us stronger.

A culture of learning, developing and innovating is the thread that runs throughout our whole organisation. We want to support you to thrive, taking your career to its full potential.

We value staff wellbeing, with a well-established programme of support. We believe in a holistic approach spanning all aspects of living a healthy life, including physical, emotional, spiritual and financial wellbeing. We’ve even got a pool!

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please find attached to the vacancy a detailed person specification and job description for further information about this role.

Person specification

Skills

• Registered Optometrist
• Higher Qualifications

Experience

• Hospital Experience

Please note - Due to recent changes in UK immigration and visa rules applicants who do not currently have the right to work in the UK may not be considered unless an alternative right to work solution can be provided. Candidates requiring sponsorship (or will need sponsorship at the end of a current visa e.g. those with graduate visa's) should reviewthe eligibility criteria on the gov.uk website before applying: Prove your right to work to an employer: Overview - GOV.UK

Employer certification / accreditation badges

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Name Helen Broadbent Job title Lead for Optometry and Orthoptics Email address [e-mail] Telephone number 01225824609 Additional information

Helen Broadbent, Lead for Optometry and Orthoptics on 01225 824609 or email:[e-mail]