Specialist Optometrist

NHS; Shoreham-by-Sea; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 50,000; Part time

Job summary

An established healthcare provider is seeking a dedicated Clinical Optometrist to join their friendly team. This part-time role supports a growing glaucoma service and offers opportunities in medical retina and cataract care. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in optometry and a passion for patient care. This role emphasizes teamwork, clinical leadership, and continuous professional development within a state-of-the-art facility. Join a community that values diversity and innovation, ensuring you feel included and supported in your career journey.

Benefits

Flexible Working Hours

Wellbeing Programme

Professional Development Opportunities

Qualifications

• 2 years post-registration clinical experience required.
• Postgraduate qualifications such as College of Optometrist certificates/diplomas are advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Provide clinical support to ophthalmology services as an autonomous practitioner.
• Communicate effectively with patients, families, and healthcare professionals.
• Identify opportunities for service and practice development.

Skills

Optometry

Patient Communication

Clinical Leadership

Teaching and Supervision

Education

BSc(Hons) Optometry

Postgraduate Qualifications

Job description

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)

Advert: Clinical Optometrist Band 7 Part-time 0.4WTE

We have an exciting opportunity for a Clinical Optometrist to join our hard working and friendly team based at Southlands and St Richards Hospital. This part-time role will be supporting the growing glaucoma service but there will also be opportunities to develop in other areas such as medical retina and cataract care.

The Ophthalmology service boasts a state of the art unit in Shoreham, developed in 2017. It comprises of 2 dedicated eye theatres, supported by a suite of diagnostic equipment. The service's vision is to be a world class eye care provider, widely recognised for providing safe, personal and effective care. Opportunities exist for candidates with previous hospital experience and for motivated individuals with a desire to gain experience working as a hospital optometrist. The ideal candidates will be expected to work effectively within a multidisciplinary team. Post-graduation experience of enhanced service delivery and College of Optometrist higher qualifications would be advantageous. Our team consists of 10 consultant ophthalmologists, optometrists, orthoptists, nursing and technical team. For an informal discussion please contact Karen French, Consultant Optometrist, via email on [e-mail].

Main duties of the job

This role will be to provide clinical support to the ophthalmology services, both as an autonomous practitioner and as a member of a team. The post holder may be expected to deliver a comprehensive range of core optometric services and extended role services to glaucoma, medical retina and other sub-specialities within the ophthalmology department as required. The post holder will be expected to work within a multi-disciplinary team, contributing to the supervision, teaching and training of staff, and participating in departmental research and audit activities.

About us

At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We're proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust.

We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We're here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in ourWellbeing Programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work life balance - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.

As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.

We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.

Job responsibilities

To communicate effectively with patients and their families

To communicate effectively with doctors, nurses and orthoptists

Communicate both verbally and in writing with GPs

Support verbal communication by providing written educational material to patients and carers if required

To identify opportunities for service, role and practice development within the Ophthalmic Service

To assist with the implementation and evaluation of areas of practice/service development

To review and develop written policies/protocols relevant to clinical procedures as necessary

To undertake specific projects as requested by the Consultant Optometrist, Ophthalmologist body & Department Manager

To participate in service reviews or improvement events and initiatives to drive improved patient experience, quality and productivity

Please see Job Description for more information

Person Specification

Professional Registration

• General Optical Council

Experience and Qualification

• BSc(Hons) Optometry or equivalent
• 2 years post-registration clinical experience.
• Post graduate qualifications such as College of Optometrist certificates / diplomas

People Management and Development

• Ability to act as a role model demonstrating high standards of care and providing clinical leadership in specialist area to others
• Teaching/supervision experience/ assessment skills

Equality Diversity and Inclusion

• Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
• Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).

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.

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)

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