Specialist Optometrist

Transformationunitgm; Shrewsbury; On-site; GBP 46,000 - 53,000; Part time

Job summary

An exciting opportunity awaits for a Specialist Optometrist to join a dedicated team at a leading NHS Trust. This fixed-term role offers the chance to develop clinical skills in core and specialist areas, including Medical Retina and Glaucoma, while working alongside experienced professionals. The position emphasizes a commitment to high-quality patient care and provides a supportive environment for continuous professional development. If you're passionate about optometry and eager to make a difference, this is the perfect role for you.

Qualifications

• GOC registered Optometrist with a BSc or MSc in Optometry.
• Experience managing minor eye conditions and in a surgical setting.

Responsibilities

• Provide core and specialized services in Orthoptic and Ophthalmology departments.
• Manage complex cases and contribute to teaching and clinical governance.

Skills

Interpersonal Skills

Problem Solving

Clinical Skills

Electronic Health Records

Education

BSc (Hons) Optometry or equivalent

GOC registered as qualified Optometrist

Post graduate clinical qualification(s)

Job description

Main area Optometry Grade NHS AfC: Band 7 Contract Fixed term: 12 months (maternity cover) Hours Part time - 30 hours per week (Monday to Friday) Job ref 223-SOP-283

Employer The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust Employer type NHS Site The Royal Shrewsbury Hospital Town Shrewsbury Salary £46,148 - £52,809 per annum/pro rata Salary period Yearly Closing 21/05/2025 23:59

Specialist Optometrist

NHS AfC: Band 7

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Specialist Optometrist to join the Optometry team at The Shrewsbury & Telford Hospital NHS Trust.

This post is a 12 month fixed term post to cover maternity leave. We are seeking an enthusiastic and experienced Optometrist who is keen to develop their clinical skills in core Optometry and progress their specialist clinical interest in areas such as Medical Retina, Glaucoma, Intravitreal injections & Laser. Hospital experience is desirable but not essential as full training will be given.

The successful applicant will have the opportunity to work in a range of core and specialist clinics, working alongside Consultant Ophthalmologists and other Specialist Optometrists & Orthoptists.

The job role will develop around the specific skills and interests of the successful candidate. There are opportunities to work in Paediatric, Cataract, Urgent Eye Care, Glaucoma, Medical Retina Clinics.

Main duties of the job

The post holder is an autonomous practitioner who will provide a broad range of core and highly specialised services to support the Orthoptic and Ophthalmology departments. Procedures involve the use of specialist ophthalmic instrumentation to a high degree of accuracy. Analysis and
interpretation of specialist test results will be necessary to prescribe the appropriate optical appliances and plan or revise individual programmes of patient care.

As a senior clinician, the post holder is expected to be capable of managing complex cases independently and to provide clinical advice and expert opinion to colleagues as necessary. The post holder will be required to actively contribute to teaching, audit, clinical governance, and
departmental administration.

Working for our organisation

As an organisation we strive to provide high quality, safe care for our patients in an environment which our staff are proud to work in. We believe that by adhering to our Vision (“To provide excellent care for the communities we serve”) and working with our Trust Values in mind (Partnering, Ambitious, Caring, Trusted) we can achieve the right results for the people that matter most – our patients and their families.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

For full duties and responsibilities please refer to the attached document entitled Job Description.

Person specification

Qualifications

• BSc (Hons) Optometry or equivalent or MSc Optometry
• GOC registered as qualified Optometrist
• 2.1 or higher
• Post graduate clinical qualification(s) or working towards further qualifications
• Participation in local eye health shared care scheme such as MECS/OHT monitoring/pre & post cataract assessments

Skills & Knowledge

• Excellent interpersonal & sensitive communication skills.
• Flexible approach to working practices including problem solving skills.
• Excellent clinical skills including competent use of highly complex equipment.
• Significant further training and clinical experience in specialist area.
• Evidence of CPD/audit/research

Experience

• Evidence of on-going continuous professional development in accordance with GOC requirements
• Experience managing minor eye conditions
• Experience in paediatric eye care
• Confident using electronic health records
• Significant post registration with the GOC
• Experience in a surgical setting or hospital work environment
• Working in a multidisciplinary team

By submitting your application to Trac, you are giving your consent for parts of your application data to be transferred to the NHS Electronic Staff Record (ESR) and other secure, internal NHS Workforce systems. This is to support and manage your recruitment and employment within your employing organisation.

If successful, by completing your application form you authorise the Trust to obtain any previous NHS service details including all electronically held sickness information, via the Inter Authority Transfer process on the national ESR.

If the role requires a qualification/professional registration, you will need to provide proof during the recruitment process. By submitting your application you are giving the Trust permission to check the qualification certificates provided back to the source provider. Please note that a sample of all applicant’s qualifications will be checked with the educational institution or provider.

If you require the application form in an alternative format, please contact the Recruitment Team on 01743 492402.

In the event of a high response to this advertisement, this post will be closed. Early applications are advised.

Unfortunately we do not accept CVs or keep them on file. If you are unable to apply online please contact the person named in the advertisement for the post you are interested in.

We commit to removing barriers for people with disabilities or long-term health conditions in recruitment, training, and career progression. We will offer an interview to all applicants with a disability who meet the minimum criteria for the above position and will support reasonable adjustments wherever possible. In addition, whilst all applicants will be judged on merit alone, we particularly welcome applications from candidates who are male, from black and minority ethnic backgrounds or who have a disability, as these are currently under-represented in our workforce.

We are committed to offering an interview to applicants from the Armed Forces community who meet the minimum criteria for the position. In addition, for those who are successfully appointed from the Armed Forces community, the Trust are committed to recognising previous service and rank in terms of pay, annual leave and other terms and conditions.

We are committed to equal opportunities in employment. The policies and practices of the Trust aim to promote an environment that is free from all forms of unlawful or unfair discrimination and values the diversity of all people. At the heart of our policy, we seek to treat people fairly, flexibly and with dignity and respect.

We are committed to making the Trust a great place to work, where all staff can reach their full potential and bring their whole self to work. We believe in promoting and enhancing inclusion, diversity and equality and welcome and encourage applications from all areas of the community, who meet the criteria for the role, regardless of age, gender, disability, race, religion or sexual orientation.

Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people from an Ethnic minority background are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

We aim to create a trusting, flexible workplace, that attracts talent and enables everyone to be their best working self. Many of our colleagues work flexibly in many different ways, including part-time. Please talk to us at interview about the flexibility you need. We can’t promise to give you exactly what you want, but we do promise a fair and equitable process that balances your needs, the needs of our patients and service delivery.

Thank you for your interest in The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust, we look forward to receiving your application for employment.

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.

Application numbers

In the event of a high response to this advertisement, this post will be closed. Early applications are advised.

Name Kate Williams Job title Head of Optometry Email address [e-mail] Telephone number 0174326100 Additional information

Email contact preferred.

Kate Williams
Head of Optometry
[e-mail]

If you have problems applying, contact

Address The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust
Shrewsbury Business Park
1 Douglas Court
Shrewsbury
Shropshire
SY2 6LG
Telephone [phone]