Job summary
** We are happy to support candidates who are either interested or have started their independent prescribers course. **
Job Title: Specialist Optometrist
Hours per week: 37.5 hours per week
Perm/Fixed Term: Permanent
Salary: £53,755 - £60,504 per annum
Closing Date: 5th January 2025
Interview Date: TBC
**This post may close early due to high numbers of applications, so you are advised to apply promptly. **
All correspondence for this vacancy will be sent by email; please check your account regularly including your Junk and SPAM areas.
A great and friendly place to work, so bring your passion, commitment and expertise and enjoy the opportunities to make a difference every day.
#JoinTeamEliot
The post holder will have clinical responsibility for the specialist paediatric and adult refraction clinics.
To be an autonomous practitioner providing highly skilled and specialised HES optometric services to George Eliot Hospital Nuneaton (GEH).
The post holder will participate in multi-disciplinary Glaucoma & Medical retina diagnosis and management clinics, working under the direction of the lead Consultants assessing both new and follow up patients.
To work closely with the Ophthalmology Management to deliver a comprehensive range of specialist optometric services to the highest standards of quality and patient care.
Main duties of the job
- To undertake full range of optometry services as required, providing expert treatment and advice.
- To appropriately assess, examine, investigate, diagnose and treat patients resulting in the safe management of patients, autonomously formulate appropriate management plans for patients.
- Demonstrate a critical understanding of own level of responsibility and autonomy and the limits of own competence and professional scope of practice, including when working with complexity, risk, uncertainty and incomplete information.
- Prescribe and review medication (as an independent prescriber) for therapeutic effectiveness appropriate to patient need and in accordance with best/evidence-based practice and national and local protocols and within the role's scope of practice and legal framework.
- Ability to order and interpret diagnostic pathological, microbial, and/or radiographic investigations (e.g. blood tests, ocular swabs, MRI etc) using findings to initiate treatment.
- To develop virtual clinics, within own advanced sub-specialty role, in line with the service demands. Developed scope of advanced clinical skills and practice to meet changing needs of service.
- Need for high levels of continuous concentration requiring working under significant pressure, with frequent interruptions from other clinical staff requiring advice.
- To support consultants on the day of surgery by conducting slit lamp examinations to ensure all patient history remains up to date.
About us
Here at George Eliot our vision to'excel at patient care' takes centre stage. An ever evolving clinically-led acute service provider we are on a journey to continually provide high quality, safe and responsive services delivered by inspiring, friendly and compassionate staff who share our corporate values which underpin everything we do. Our values are not just words on a piece of paper, they bond us together, reflect our ambition and shape who we are:
Effective Open Communication
excellence and safety in everything we do
Challenge but support
Expect respect and dignity
Local health that inspires confidence
Benefits: On-site nursery, 27 days minimum annual leave plus bank holidays, cycle to work scheme, flexible working, in house training and development, buying and selling of annual leave, subsidised restaurant, tranquillity garden and generous subsidised on-site parking.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- The post holder is required to contribute to the teaching, audit, and clinical governance requirements of the Ophthalmology service. Ophthalmology staff work as part of a multidisciplinary team and all members contribute to providing a high-quality service for its users.
- If the post holder is a registered independent non- medical prescriber, to prescribe medicines for patients, working within the GEH Policy and Procedure for Non- medical Prescribing and Directorates local guidelines/procedures.
- To ensure prescribing activities comply with legal requirements and HCPC guidance for non-medical prescribers. To maintain competence under the National Competency Framework for all Prescribers. To monitor own prescribing activities and participate in the evaluation of this service development.
- To be an autonomous practitioner providing highly skilled and specialised HES optometric services to George Eliot Hospital Nuneaton (GEH).
- To work closely with the Ophthalmology Management to deliver a comprehensive range of specialist optometric services to the highest standards of quality and patient care.
- The post holder will have clinical responsibility for the specialist paediatric and adult refraction clinics.
- Patients may have specific learning difficulties, special needs, various degrees of visual disability and varying communication skills.
- The post holder will participate in multi-disciplinary Glaucoma & Medical retina diagnosis and management clinics, working under the direction of the lead Consultants assessing both new and follow up patients.
- The post holder is required to contribute to the teaching, audit, and clinical governance requirements of the Ophthalmology service. Ophthalmology staff work as part of a multidisciplinary team and all members contribute to providing a high-quality service for its users.
- If the post holder is a registered independent non- medical prescriber, to prescribe medicines for patients, working within the GEH Policy and Procedure for Non- medical Prescribing and Directorates local guidelines/procedures.
- To ensure prescribing activities comply with legal requirements and HCPC guidance for non-medical prescribers. To maintain competence under the National Competency Framework for all Prescribers. To monitor own prescribing activities and participate in the evaluation of this service development.
For a full comprehensive list of main responsibilities and duties, please kindly refer to job description and personal specification attached.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- The post holder is required to contribute to the teaching, audit, and clinical governance requirements of the Ophthalmology service. Ophthalmology staff work as part of a multidisciplinary team and all members contribute to providing a high-quality service for its users.
- If the post holder is a registered independent non- medical prescriber, to prescribe medicines for patients, working within the GEH Policy and Procedure for Non- medical Prescribing and Directorates local guidelines/procedures.
- To ensure prescribing activities comply with legal requirements and HCPC guidance for non-medical prescribers. To maintain competence under the National Competency Framework for all Prescribers. To monitor own prescribing activities and participate in the evaluation of this service development.
- To be an autonomous practitioner providing highly skilled and specialised HES optometric services to George Eliot Hospital Nuneaton (GEH).
- To work closely with the Ophthalmology Management to deliver a comprehensive range of specialist optometric services to the highest standards of quality and patient care.
- The post holder will have clinical responsibility for the specialist paediatric and adult refraction clinics.
- Patients may have specific learning difficulties, special needs, various degrees of visual disability and varying communication skills.
- The post holder will participate in multi-disciplinary Glaucoma & Medical retina diagnosis and management clinics, working under the direction of the lead Consultants assessing both new and follow up patients.
- The post holder is required to contribute to the teaching, audit, and clinical governance requirements of the Ophthalmology service. Ophthalmology staff work as part of a multidisciplinary team and all members contribute to providing a high-quality service for its users.
- If the post holder is a registered independent non- medical prescriber, to prescribe medicines for patients, working within the GEH Policy and Procedure for Non- medical Prescribing and Directorates local guidelines/procedures.
- To ensure prescribing activities comply with legal requirements and HCPC guidance for non-medical prescribers. To maintain competence under the National Competency Framework for all Prescribers. To monitor own prescribing activities and participate in the evaluation of this service development.
For a full comprehensive list of main responsibilities and duties, please kindly refer to job description and personal specification attached.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Significant experience at Band 7 or above
- Highly developed Specialist experience across a wide range of Ophthalmic case mix
- Evidence of organisational and leadership skills
- Documented evidence of continuing professional development
- Experience in change management and problem solving
- Working across organisational boundaries
- Team building and staff development
- Experience of clinical leadership and operational management experience
- Portfolio of evidence showing A) Achievements in Specialist practice B) Research & audit experience C) Team leadership experience D) Financial awareness E) Experience of assessing mental capacity F) Experience of service development
Desirable
- Lead in audit or research projects
- Evidence of lecturing / presenting and clinical teaching experience
Qualifications / Training
Essential
- Registered Optometrist with General Optical Council (GOC)
- BSc in Optometry or equivalent qualification
- Higher degree or postgraduate qualification in Optometry
- Independent / non-medical prescriber qualification
- Management qualification completion of management programme
Desirable
- Teaching and assessing qualification
skills / Knowledge
Essential
- Detailed knowledge of current best practice in relevant clinical areas
- Knowledge of the principles of clinical governance and its application
- Understand team dynamics with an ability to influence the building of effective relationships between staff, lead and motivate the team
- Highly developed analytical and judgement skills
- Excellent written and oral communication skills
- Negotiation and diplomacy skills
- Ability to work autonomously, plan, organise, prioritise and delegate
- Ability to work under pressure and cope in a stressful environment and with emotional / aggressive patients / carers
- Ability to understand and analyse professional and ethical issues and apply them to service development
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Ability to work autonomously
- Practical and calm under pressure
- Motivated and enthusiastic
- Adaptable and flexible
- Innovate and intuitive
- Able to work as part of a multidisciplinary team
- Ability to manage and lead a team
- Excellent role model
- Able to express self clearly and confidently - verbal and written
- Demonstrates commitment and ability to teach others
- Able to work under pressure and adapt to changing circumstances
- Able to achieve personal objectives
Other
Essential
- Excellent communication skills - written and verbal
- Ability to influence and negotiate at all levels
- Independent means of transport
- Flexible to meet the needs of the service
- Aware of current NHS issues and priorities
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Significant experience at Band 7 or above
- Highly developed Specialist experience across a wide range of Ophthalmic case mix
- Evidence of organisational and leadership skills
- Documented evidence of continuing professional development
- Experience in change management and problem solving
- Working across organisational boundaries
- Team building and staff development
- Experience of clinical leadership and operational management experience
- Portfolio of evidence showing A) Achievements in Specialist practice B) Research & audit experience C) Team leadership experience D) Financial awareness E) Experience of assessing mental capacity F) Experience of service development
Desirable
- Lead in audit or research projects
- Evidence of lecturing / presenting and clinical teaching experience
Qualifications / Training
Essential
- Registered Optometrist with General Optical Council (GOC)
- BSc in Optometry or equivalent qualification
- Higher degree or postgraduate qualification in Optometry
- Independent / non-medical prescriber qualification
- Management qualification completion of management programme
Desirable
- Teaching and assessing qualification
skills / Knowledge
Essential
- Detailed knowledge of current best practice in relevant clinical areas
- Knowledge of the principles of clinical governance and its application
- Understand team dynamics with an ability to influence the building of effective relationships between staff, lead and motivate the team
- Highly developed analytical and judgement skills
- Excellent written and oral communication skills
- Negotiation and diplomacy skills
- Ability to work autonomously, plan, organise, prioritise and delegate
- Ability to work under pressure and cope in a stressful environment and with emotional / aggressive patients / carers
- Ability to understand and analyse professional and ethical issues and apply them to service development
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Ability to work autonomously
- Practical and calm under pressure
- Motivated and enthusiastic
- Adaptable and flexible
- Innovate and intuitive
- Able to work as part of a multidisciplinary team
- Ability to manage and lead a team
- Excellent role model
- Able to express self clearly and confidently - verbal and written
- Demonstrates commitment and ability to teach others
- Able to work under pressure and adapt to changing circumstances
- Able to achieve personal objectives
Other
Essential
- Excellent communication skills - written and verbal
- Ability to influence and negotiate at all levels
- Independent means of transport
- Flexible to meet the needs of the service
- Aware of current NHS issues and priorities
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
