Job summary
Fixed Term Contract until October 2025 - 7.5 hours per week
We have a fantastic opportunity at The Great Western Hospitals (GWH) NHS Foundation Trust for an experienced Optometrist looking for a fresh challenge within our busy Ophthalmology department. GWH is located next to the A419 and M4 providing quick commuting links to London, Reading, Bristol, Cheltenham and Gloucestershire. It is in the midst of beautiful countryside sitting at the foot of the Marlborough Downs and just south of the Cotswolds.
You would be working in a friendly environment where staff pride themselves on supporting each other and delivering the highest quality of service and care. This is a great opportunity to join a highly regarded organisation who can offer very competitive pay rates, training and development opportunities, and benefits. At GWH, we are focused on providing the best possible, personalised care to the people of Swindon, Wiltshire and within close proximity to our borders as well as to the wider community. We believe in treating patients as quickly as possible, helping them to get better faster by offering a range of; outpatient clinics, day case, and in-patient surgery across the whole Ophthalmology arena. This is a fixed term contract.
Main duties of the job
The role is to provide core (complex refraction for adults and paediatrics, low vision assessment, medical contact lens management) and extended role (glaucoma, AMD, pre/post operative assessment) optometry services contributing to the clinical management of patients in collaboration with the ophthalmology team in order to improve patient care.
The successful candidate will be proactive in involvement with teaching, research and audit programmes as well as providing operational leadership within the department.
About us
"Our STAR values - Service, Teamwork, Ambition and Respect - are a golden thread running through everything we do. These values serve as a guiding principle, driving us towards our vision of delivering great joined up services to our local community. Whether at home, in the community, or within the hospital, our goal is to empower individuals to lead independent and healthier lives."
Job description
Job responsibilities
1. To undertake refractive assessment and ocular examination for paediatric and adult patients including those with significant visual loss and/or communication difficulties.2. To assess for and dispense low vision aids and contact lenses to patients of all ages.3. To work in an extended role capacity in the Glaucoma, AMD and other ophthalmology clinics alongside medical staff.4. To work closely with colleagues in optometry, orthoptics and ophthalmology for the best management ofthe patient.5. To undertake other clinical duties fundamental to the running of the service.6. To appropriately explain, instruct, motivate and manage patients and the carers during examination and treatment.7. To provide advice and support to patients and those clinical and non-clinical parties affected by the diagnosis and management.
Job description
Job responsibilities
1. To undertake refractive assessment and ocular examination for paediatric and adult patients including those with significant visual loss and/or communication difficulties.2. To assess for and dispense low vision aids and contact lenses to patients of all ages.3. To work in an extended role capacity in the Glaucoma, AMD and other ophthalmology clinics alongside medical staff.4. To work closely with colleagues in optometry, orthoptics and ophthalmology for the best management ofthe patient.5. To undertake other clinical duties fundamental to the running of the service.6. To appropriately explain, instruct, motivate and manage patients and the carers during examination and treatment.7. To provide advice and support to patients and those clinical and non-clinical parties affected by the diagnosis and management.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- BSc or equivalent in Optometry.
- Completion of pre-registration year.
- Evidence of appropriate on going professional development.
- Professional registration with the General Optical Council (GOC).
Experience
Essential
- Minimum of 3 years post qualification experience
- Evidence of ability to work alone and prioritise workload.
- Use of a wide range of optometric skills in clinical practice
Desirable
- Post qualification experience in hospital optometry
- Previous involvement in clinical audit
Knowledge
Essential
- Ability to apply specialist knowledge in a variety of healthcare settings
- Excellent written and verbal communication
- Excellent interpersonal skills
- Evidence of flexibility and dealing with difficult situations
Desirable
- Experience of teaching in practice
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- BSc or equivalent in Optometry.
- Completion of pre-registration year.
- Evidence of appropriate on going professional development.
- Professional registration with the General Optical Council (GOC).
Experience
Essential
- Minimum of 3 years post qualification experience
- Evidence of ability to work alone and prioritise workload.
- Use of a wide range of optometric skills in clinical practice
Desirable
- Post qualification experience in hospital optometry
- Previous involvement in clinical audit
Knowledge
Essential
- Ability to apply specialist knowledge in a variety of healthcare settings
- Excellent written and verbal communication
- Excellent interpersonal skills
- Evidence of flexibility and dealing with difficult situations
Desirable
- Experience of teaching in practice
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).
