Pre-Registration Optometrist (XR04)

Leeds Teaching Hospitals

This job is now closed

Job summary

This post is an ideal opportunity for a graduate optometrist to gain experience in a range of optometric techniques in preparation for the competency assessments and Observed Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs) of the Pre registration Period (PRP) of the College of Optometrists Scheme for Registration (SfR) as well as to develop the skills and knowledge to take up a role within hospital optometry after successfully completing the PRP. Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is one of the largest teaching hospitals in Europe, with the Ophthalmology and Optometry departments being regional centres for specialist treatment. Optometry services are provided in the new purpose built main eye clinic and Multi Speciality Outpatients (MSO) at St. Jamess University Hospital, the eye clinic at Seacroft hospital and Wharfedale General Hospital and our Community Childrens Eye clinics across Leeds. Previous experience in optometry in a hospital or community setting is desirable but not essential as we will provide in house training and supervision from our experienced optometry and dispensing team. You must be registered as a student optometrist with the General Optical Council (GOC) and hold a 2:2 BSc (Hons) degree or higher in Optometry by the time you take up the post in order to register for the PRP.

This is a full time position with a thirteen month fixed term contract from August 2024 to September 2025.

Main duties of the job

The successful applicant working under the supervision of members of the Optometry team will support the delivery of high quality optometric services within the Optometry department whilst working towards the competency assessments and OSCEs of the PRP of the College of Optometrists SfR.

They will personally undertake core optometry services for adult patients including diagnostic refraction, low vision aid assessment and prescribing, medical contact lens assessment and aftercare, specialist visual assessment and specialist dispensing services, whilst under the supervision of registered colleagues.

They will, under supervision, prescribe appropriate patient appliances (spectacles, contact lenses, low vision aids) and provide appropriate advice to patients on needs, treatment and corrective aids.

Opportunity will be given to attend weekly Orthoptic and Ophthalmology clinics, outside Private practice (where possible) and our own Dispensing section.

Tutorials are arranged as required and attendance at Ophthalmology teaching sessions is encouraged.

Full details are available in the job description and person specification.

About us

Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is one of the largest NHS Trusts in the UK and one of the largest teaching hospitals in Europe, a regional and national centre for specialist treatment and rated good by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). The Trust is comprised of five main hospitals, Chapel Allerton hospital, Leeds General Infirmary, Seacroft hospital, St. Jamess University hospital and Wharfedale Hospital. The Trust has a long-term vision to transform healthcare facilities across Leeds Teaching Hospitals through our Building the Leeds Way programme.

Leeds is a vibrant city in the centre of West Yorkshire with Leeds General Infirmary and St. Jamess University hospital based in close proximity to the centre of Leeds. A hub of shopping, hospitality, sport and nightlife, Leeds is a great city to work and live within.

Our Trust values are that we are patient-centred, empowered, collaborative, fair and accountable.

Leeds Teaching Hospitals is committed to our process of redeploying 'at risk' members of our existing workforce to new roles. As such, all our job adverts are subject to this policy and we reserve the right to close, delay or remove adverts while this process is completed. If you do experience a delay in the shortlisting stage of the recruitment cycle, please bear with us while this process is completed, and contact the named contact if you have any questions.

Date posted

01 August 2023

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£25,147 to £27,596 a year

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

13 months

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

C9298-HAN-052

Job locations

St. James's University Hospital

Beckett Street

Leeds

LS9 7TF

Job description

Job responsibilities

To find out more about the key responsibilities and the specific skills and experience you will need, take a look at the Job Description and Person Specification attachments under the Supporting Documents heading.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Person Specification

Skills and behaviours

Essential

Able to work independently under own initiative
Works well as part of a team
Reflective practitioner
Able to analyse clinical data
Information technology literate
Good organisational and time management skills

Qualifications

Essential

Predicted 2:2 BSc (Hons) degree or higher in Optometry or equivalent
Registered with the General Optical Council (GOC) as a student optometrist

Experience

Essential

Hospital experience
Practical and theoretical knowledge of fitting rigid and soft contact lenses
Theoretical knowledge of low vision aids

Desirable

Community Optometry experience
Teaching insertion and removal of contact lenses
Community dispensing experience

Other Criteria

Essential

Applicants must have current UK professional registration as a student optometrist with the General Optical Council.

Person Specification

Skills and behaviours

Essential

Able to work independently under own initiative
Works well as part of a team
Reflective practitioner
Able to analyse clinical data
Information technology literate
Good organisational and time management skills

Qualifications

Essential

Predicted 2:2 BSc (Hons) degree or higher in Optometry or equivalent
Registered with the General Optical Council (GOC) as a student optometrist

Experience

Essential

Hospital experience
Practical and theoretical knowledge of fitting rigid and soft contact lenses
Theoretical knowledge of low vision aids

Desirable

Community Optometry experience
Teaching insertion and removal of contact lenses
Community dispensing experience

Other Criteria

Essential

Applicants must have current UK professional registration as a student optometrist with the General Optical Council.

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.