Specialist Optometrist, Band 7

NHS; Gloucester; On-site; GBP 46,000 - 53,000; Part time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider is seeking a Specialist Optometrist to join their team in Gloucester. This role involves providing expert optometric support to diabetic retinopathy education and screening programs, ensuring high standards of patient care and research support. The ideal candidate will hold a master's degree in Optometry and have substantial experience in NHS settings. As a key player in our specialized team, you will be responsible for grading imaging and assisting in clinical research activities.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Optometry or related science, registration with the General Optical Council required.
• Experience working in the NHS in a senior optometric position.
• Ability to grade OCT images with high sensitivity and specificity.

Responsibilities

• Provide optometric-related advice and information for diabetic retinopathy programs.
• Grading support for diabetic screening and digital surveillance teams.
• Undertake optometric examinations when needed to support research groups.

Skills

Grading imagesets

Optometric examinations

Knowledge of diabetic retinopathy

Public health understanding

Presentation skills

Education

Master's degree in Optometry

General Optical Council registration

Certificate in Diabetic Retinopathy Screening

Job description

Job summary

Specialist Optometrist, Band 7 (7.5 hours a week)

Gloucestershire Research & Education Group became established in 2006, and since then we have supported a large number of students through our various courses.

The Specialist Optometrist is responsible for providing specialist optometry support to research, audit and optometric related advice and information to the Gloucestershire Diabetic Retinopathy Education and Research Groups and grading for the Gloucestershire Diabetic Eye Screening Programme. They are also responsible for undertaking digital surveillance grading within the Gloucestershire Diabetic Eye Screening Programme and examining patients in research clinics and in slit lamp bio-microscopy clinics when needed.

Additional Contact: Professor Scanlon's PA Liyan on 03004 222851 can arrange a discussion with Prof Scanlon.

Main duties of the job

Responsible for research, audit and optometric related advice and information to the Gloucestershire Diabetic Retinopathy Education and Research Groups and the Gloucestershire Diabetic Eye Screening Programme.

To provide grading support for relevant teams, particularly the digital surveillance team.

To intermittently undertake optometric and grading reviews as part of the Quality Assurance process to a selection of diabetic retinopathy screening programmes. Assist the Gloucestershire Diabetic Retinopathy Education Group to ensure that national standards, performance targets are met. Monitor and advise on the development and implementation of safe systems of work.

To assist with the on-going requirement to provide grading support for diabetic eye screening images and surveillance OCT images for both the Gloucestershire Diabetic Eye Screening Programme and other contracts.

To undertake optometric examinations to support the Gloucestershire Retinal Research Group if there is a shortage of optometrists available on a research day or slit lamp biomicroscopy clinics for the Gloucestershire Diabetic Eye Screening Programme.

About us

Gloucestershire Retinal Education Group (GREG) became established in 2006 with the development of the City and Guilds Level 3 Certificate in Diabetic Retinopathy Screening for the new workforce in the NHS Diabetic Eye Screening Programme. Since then we have implemented monthly test and training sets (TAT) to improve grading quality, and supported a large number of students through various courses, and were finalists in the Royal College of Physician's international 'Excellence in Patient Care Awards' in 2019

Details Date posted

29 May 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£46,148 to £52,809 a year (pro rata if part time)

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

318-25-T0393

Job locations

The Orchard Centre, Gloucestershire Royal Hospital

Great Western Road

Gloucester

GL1 3NN

Job description Job responsibilities

Responsible for research, audit and optometric related advice and information to the Gloucestershire Diabetic Retinopathy Education and Research Groups and the Gloucestershire Diabetic Eye Screening Programme.

To provide grading support for relevant teams, particularly the digital surveillance team.

To intermittently undertake optometric and grading reviews as part of the Quality Assurance process to a selection of diabetic retinopathy screening programmes. Assist the Gloucestershire Diabetic Retinopathy Education Group to ensure that national standards, performance targets are met. Monitor and advise on the development and implementation of safe systems of work.

To assist with the on-going requirement to provide grading support for diabetic eye screening images and surveillance OCT images for both the Gloucestershire Diabetic Eye Screening Programme and other contracts.

To undertake optometric examinations to support the Gloucestershire Retinal Research Group if there is a shortage of optometrists available on a research day or slit lamp biomicroscopy clinics for the Gloucestershire Diabetic Eye Screening Programme.

To act autonomously and with authority to influence organisations and individuals within and the NHS at every level, to maintain meticulous records. The role involves, assimilating and assessing highly complex information, the review and investigation of working standards, negotiating and mediating with senior professionals including senior managers, Public Health and clinical consultants and skilfully communicating at all levels with members of the public, screeners and administrators and optometry educators.

To lead and support the development of research projects for the Gloucestershire Diabetic Retinopathy Research Group, particularly where there is optometric involvement. The current projects of interest for involvement of this post are:

The development of courses for Community Optometrists to fulfill their Continuous Professional Development requirements and

Assisting with data and image collection for the relevant courses

Develop an ongoing income stream from these courses

Job description Job responsibilities

Responsible for research, audit and optometric related advice and information to the Gloucestershire Diabetic Retinopathy Education and Research Groups and the Gloucestershire Diabetic Eye Screening Programme.

To provide grading support for relevant teams, particularly the digital surveillance team.

To intermittently undertake optometric and grading reviews as part of the Quality Assurance process to a selection of diabetic retinopathy screening programmes. Assist the Gloucestershire Diabetic Retinopathy Education Group to ensure that national standards, performance targets are met. Monitor and advise on the development and implementation of safe systems of work.

To assist with the on-going requirement to provide grading support for diabetic eye screening images and surveillance OCT images for both the Gloucestershire Diabetic Eye Screening Programme and other contracts.

To undertake optometric examinations to support the Gloucestershire Retinal Research Group if there is a shortage of optometrists available on a research day or slit lamp biomicroscopy clinics for the Gloucestershire Diabetic Eye Screening Programme.

To act autonomously and with authority to influence organisations and individuals within and the NHS at every level, to maintain meticulous records. The role involves, assimilating and assessing highly complex information, the review and investigation of working standards, negotiating and mediating with senior professionals including senior managers, Public Health and clinical consultants and skilfully communicating at all levels with members of the public, screeners and administrators and optometry educators.

To lead and support the development of research projects for the Gloucestershire Diabetic Retinopathy Research Group, particularly where there is optometric involvement. The current projects of interest for involvement of this post are:

The development of courses for Community Optometrists to fulfill their Continuous Professional Development requirements and

Assisting with data and image collection for the relevant courses

Develop an ongoing income stream from these courses

Person Specification Qualifications Essential

• Education to master's degree level in Optometry or a related science, registration with the General Optical Council
• Experience working in the NHS in a senior optometric position, and performance management;
• An ability to grade imagesets to a high level of sensitivity and specificity including OCT images and the Certificate or Diploma in Diabetic Retinopathy Screening,
• Experience of community optometry services at community and corporate body level preferred
• Extensive knowledge and experience of all aspects of diabetic retinopathy disease sufficient to enable post holder to make accurate diagnosis both of the presence of disease and the level and adjudicate on differences of opinion between other graders.
• A developed and highly specialized knowledge of the complex components of diabetic retinopathy, age related macular degeneration, other retinal diseases and glaucoma.

Desirable

• A developed and demonstrable understanding of public health/ quality assurance
• Effective presentations to groups in order to lead change and development of national protocols.

Person Specification Qualifications Essential

• Education to master's degree level in Optometry or a related science, registration with the General Optical Council
• Experience working in the NHS in a senior optometric position, and performance management;
• An ability to grade imagesets to a high level of sensitivity and specificity including OCT images and the Certificate or Diploma in Diabetic Retinopathy Screening,
• Experience of community optometry services at community and corporate body level preferred
• Extensive knowledge and experience of all aspects of diabetic retinopathy disease sufficient to enable post holder to make accurate diagnosis both of the presence of disease and the level and adjudicate on differences of opinion between other graders.
• A developed and highly specialized knowledge of the complex components of diabetic retinopathy, age related macular degeneration, other retinal diseases and glaucoma.

Desirable

• A developed and demonstrable understanding of public health/ quality assurance
• Effective presentations to groups in order to lead change and development of national protocols.

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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Additional information 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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details Employer name

Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

The Orchard Centre, Gloucestershire Royal Hospital

Great Western Road

Gloucester

GL1 3NN

Employer's website

https://www.gloshospitals.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details Employer name

Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

The Orchard Centre, Gloucestershire Royal Hospital

Great Western Road

Gloucester

GL1 3NN

Employer's website

https://www.gloshospitals.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)