Specialist Optometrist, Band 7

Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; Gloucester; On-site; GBP 49,000 - 57,000; Part time

Job summary

Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust seeks a Specialist Optometrist, Band 7, for 30 hours per week as maternity cover. The role focuses on glaucoma and medical retina within hospital clinics, with opportunities to develop specialist clinical interests.

The post supports training in core and advanced clinics, and offers a path to post-graduate qualifications while working in a friendly optometry team across Gloucestershire Royal and Cheltenham General hospitals.

Qualifications

• BSc (Hons) Optometry or MSc Optometry.
• GOC registered as qualified Optometrist.
• 2:1 or higher.
• Post graduate clinical qualification (s) or working towards further qualifications.
• Member of College of Optometrists.

Responsibilities

• Work in a variety of clinics including medical retina clinics, glaucoma clinics and other hospital clinics such as specialist contact lens fitting and paediatric assessment.
• Maintain a flexible approach to work in a fast paced and busy clinics environment.
• Work in both optometry and ophthalmology clinics with full training provided.
• Contribute to clinical audit for effective governance and support training.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Clear communication

Attention to detail

Flexible working

Electronic records experience

Education

BSc (Hons) Optometry or MSc Optometry

GOC registered as qualified Optometrist

2:1 or higher

Post graduate clinical qualification(s) or working towards

Member of College of Optometrists

Job description

Current jobs at Gloucestershire Hospitals

Main area Optometry Grade Band 7 Contract Fixed term: 12 months (Maternity cover- 12 months) Hours Part time - 30 hours per week (Monday to Friday) Job ref 318-26-T0665

Site Trustwide Town Gloucestershire (Gloucester, Cheltenham) Salary £49,387 - £56,515 (pa, pro rata if part-time) Salary period Yearly Closing 27/10/2026 23:59

At Gloucestershire Hospitals, our people are at the heart of everything we do. As the county’s largest employer, we are proud to provide high-quality acute, elective, and specialist services to more than 650,000 people across our county. Our care is delivered across Gloucestershire Royal, Cheltenham General and Stroud Maternity Hospital.

With over 9,000 employees representing more than 95 nationalities, bringing together a mix of cultures and experiences to the care that we deliver. Whether you’re beginning your NHS journey or looking to take the next step in your career, this is an exciting time to join us. We’re investing heavily in innovation, research, and transformation, with more than 100 active clinical studies and major developments underway across our hospitals.

We take pride in working as one team, driven by a shared ambition to grow, develop, and continually improve. Every contribution is valued and by combining our collective strengths, we support not only our diverse communities but one another. You can expect a warm, supportive culture and colleagues who are passionate about teamwork, professional development and delivering exceptional care. We offer structured development programmes, mentoring and leadership opportunities to help you progress in your career.

We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where everyone feels they belong. By joining our Trust, you will benefit from a comprehensive package that includes flexible working opportunities, generous annual leave, the NHS pension scheme, competitive bank rates, local discounts, access to on-site nurseries, reduced public transport costs, reward and recognition schemes and a wide range of health and wellbeing initiatives.

Be part of Gloucestershire Hospitals, explore your future with us today.

Job overview

Specialist Optometrist, Band 7 (30 hours per week)

A post has arisen for maternity cover, specialist optometrist to join the optometry team at Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS foundation trust. We are seeking an enthusiastic and experienced optometrist who is keen to develop their clinical skills and progress their specialist clinical interest in a hospital setting. This post would suit someone who wishes to receive training and experience in both core and advanced hospital clinics with an emphasis on glaucoma and medical retina.

Additional working pattern details: Monday to Friday

Main duties of the job

The post holder will have the opportunity to work in a variety of clinics including medical retina clinics working alongside consultant ophthalmologists assessing and managing patients presenting with a range of conditions, glaucoma clinics, cataract clinics and other hospital clinics such as specialist contact lens fitting and paediatric assessment. The role can be adapted to the key clinics interests of the successful applicant.

A flexible approach is essential to work in a fast paced and busy clinics. The successful post holder will need to be familiar with OCT and although full training and support is provided, additional qualifications or previous experience in similar clinics is desirable.

Working for our organisation

We are a friendly and progressive optometry team consisting of over 20 optometrist, ranging from newly qualified to experienced Medical Optometrists. The department works closely with the ophthalmology team and run joint clinics with orthoptists. Although a large department that works across several sites we are still a cohesive and supportive team. We encourage optometrists to pursue their clinical interests and gain further post graduate qualifications to progress their career.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

We have a fixed term part time post available (30 hours per week) and are looking for applications from candidates who are looking to develop into a hospital optometry role.

Our normal working hours are 9.00am to 5.15pm Monday to Friday but may also include the option of occasional weekend clinics. The post holder will be based either in Cheltenham General or Gloucestershire Royal Hospitals and there may be an option to work at other hospital sites across the county as we develop these clinics in community hospitals.

The post holder will work in both optometry and ophthalmology clinics. Full training will be given for the role. This post is therefore suitable for experienced optometrists without previous hospital experience who wishes to develop their clinical skills as well as optometrists currently working in hospital. The post holder will be expected to contribute to clinical audit for effective clinical governance and take on roles to support clinical lead optometrists and training and teaching within the department. Additional post graduate qualifications are not essential but if successful we would encourage and support the post holder to undertaken further training in their specialist area.

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
• Member of College of Optometrists

Knowledge / Skills

• Excellent interpersonal skills and professional manner
• Able to communicate complex clinical information with empathy to patients
• Attention to detail and accurate clinical record keeping
• Ability to adapt and work flexibly to suit needs of the service
• Experience working with electronic patient records and databases

Knowledge/skills

• Experience working in ophthalmology or extended role optometry clinics

We reserve the right to expire vacancies prior to the advertised closing date once a sufficient number of applications have been received.

You will only be contacted by the Recruitment Team via email if you are shortlisted for this post. Please ensure therefore that you check your e‑mail account regularly.

IMPORTANT: If you require sponsorship in order to apply for this role, eligibility is subject to your individual circumstances ie. current/previous visa status and the relevant salary threshold. We cannot make that assessment for each individual at this stage, therefore we advise those that may require sponsorship to ensure they have self assessed and thoroughly understood their eligibility using the Home Office guidance here - UK Visas and Immigration - 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.