Specialist Optometrist

East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust; Colchester; On-site; GBP 47,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare organization in Colchester is seeking a motivated Specialist Optometrist to join its Optometry service. The role involves undertaking a range of specialist optometry services, including refraction and collaboration with Consultants. This position offers comprehensive training and development opportunities, flexible working options, and a salary range of £47,810 to £54,710 annually, pro rata.

Benefits

Generous pension scheme

27 days annual leave on commencement

NHS discounts

Staff health and wellbeing program

Qualifications

• GOC registration is required for this position.
• Candidates should be educated to a Master's level or equivalent.
• Higher qualifications in optometry are preferred.

Responsibilities

• Undertake a range of optometry services including refraction and management.
• Provide extended specialist role services in collaboration with Consultants.
• Partner with the orthotic department for pediatric care.

Skills

Clinical techniques relevant to hospital optometry services

Understanding of the roles of the ophthalmic professions

General ophthalmic knowledge and understanding of ocular disease

Understanding of community ophthalmology management schemes

Specialist knowledge of investigation and imaging techniques

Education

GOC registered

Educated to Masters level

Working towards higher qualification

Job description

East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust

Specialist Optometrist

The closing date is 07 December 2025

We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated optometrist to join the Optometry service.

You will work within core optometry clinics and extended scope roles in the ophthalmology sub‑speciality clinics (medical retina).

This presents an ideal opportunity for experienced community optometrists who wish to expand their knowledge base further; previous hospital experience is not essential.

You will be offered comprehensive training in hospital clinical work including paediatric refraction, specialist contact lens, and low vision plus development of clinical experience in an extended role.

Main duties of the job

• To undertake a range of optometry services as required, including adult and paediatric refraction, partial sight management, ultrasound biometry and specialist contact lens fitting and management providing specialist treatment and advice.
• To provide a range of extended specialist role services, working in association with Consultant Ophthalmologists. Examining, diagnosing and independently managing patients (including prescribing medication) in the sub‑specialty services.
• To work in partnership with the orthotic department to provide a paediatric service.

About us

We are ESNEFT and we provide hospital and community health services to almost one million people across east Suffolk and north Essex. Our dedicated staff deliver care from acute hospitals in Colchester and Ipswich, community hospitals, surgeries, community clinics and in patients' own homes.

We are one of the largest NHS organisations in England, employing more than 12,000 staff.

We pride ourselves on supporting our staff. We offer a wide range of training and development opportunities, as well as flexible working options.

Along with supporting you to achieve your career goals we offer a generous pension scheme, unsocial hours payments (where applicable), 27 days annual leave on commencement (pro rata) and access to a range of NHS discounts. Our Staff Health and Wellbeing programme offer a variety of services.

Our philosophy is that Time Matters to everyone. Across the Trust, we concentrate on improving the things we do and removing those which cause time delays for our staff and patients.

We are investing in our commitment to Time Matters with a partnership with leading electronic patient record (EPR) supplier Epic. This digital transformation will bring what's widely regarded as the world's best EPR system to ESNEFT, transforming life in hospital for staff and patients.

If you are passionate about patient care and want to develop your skills and knowledge, then we want to hear from you.

Find out about living and working here - www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkPu7HphU8A

Job responsibilities

For full details of the responsibilities and duties of this role please see the attached job description.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• GOC registered
• Educated to Masters level
• Working towards or achievement of a higher degree or College of Optometrists' higher qualification

Experience

• Significant post‑registration or hospital experience
• Experience of working in a multi‑disciplinary team
• Be able to demonstrate professional experience dealing with people of all ages and with a range of vision problems
• Previous experience in community minor eye conditions scheme (MECS)
• Previous experience in ophthalmic sub‑specialty clinics

Skills

• Be able to demonstrate an ability to undertake clinical techniques relevant to hospital optometry services e.g. refraction and contact lens fitting
• Broad understanding of the developing roles of the ophthalmic professions, within primary, secondary & tertiary care
• General ophthalmic knowledge and understanding of ocular disease and management
• Broad understanding of community ophthalmology and optometry management schemes
• Specialist knowledge of investigation & imaging techniques

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.

East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust

£47,810 to £54,710 a year per annum pro rata