Leeds Teaching Hospitals

Pre-Registration Optometrist (XR04)

The closing date is 12 September 2025

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 2026 to September 2027.

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.

About us

The Optometry department is the largest in Yorkshire working with the Ophthalmology and Orthoptic teams at Leeds Teaching Hospitals to provide core optometry services for adult and paediatric patients including diagnostic refraction, low vision aid assessment and prescribing, medical contact lens assessment and aftercare, specialist visual assessment and specialist dispensing services. As well as enhanced optometric roles in joint orthoptic and optometry clinics, Acute referral clinics, Iritis, Medical retina, glaucoma, anterior segment clinics and YAG laser clinics. Optometry services are provided at present at in the 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.

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

22 August 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£27,485 to £30,162 a year

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

13 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

C9298-HAN-116

Job locations

St. James's University Hospital

Beckett Street

Leeds

LS9 7TF

Job description

Job responsibilities

1. JOB DETAILS

Job Title: Pre-registration Optometrist

Reports to: Head of Optometry Services

Accountable to: Head of Optometry and Principal Optometrist

Band: 4

Unit/Department: Optometry

Directorate: Head and Neck

Location Eye clinic, Level 04, Gledhow Wing, St Jamess University Hospital (SJUH)

AfC Job No: 208

2. JOB PURPOSE

1. To assist in the delivery of a broad range of core optometric services to the highest standards of quality and care for LTHT and its clinics under constant supervision by a registered optometrist.

2. To undertake delegated administrative responsibilities as determined by the Head of Optometry, Principal Optometrist or senior colleagues.

3. JOB DIMENSIONS

1. The jobholder may be required to examine and manage up to eight refraction patients a session.

2. The jobholder may be required to examine and manage up to five Low Vision or contact lens patients a session.

3. The jobholder may be required to attend at a community optometrist for refraction, dispensing and contact lens experience.

4. The jobholder may be required to sit in with other Eye care professionals as part of their training.

5. The jobholder may be required to contribute to administration and to the smooth running of the department.

4. ORGANISATIONAL CHART

5. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

ATTRIBUTES ESSENTIAL DESIRABLE

EXPERIENCE Simple refraction

Simple contact lenses

Working with the elderly

Complex refraction

Low Vision work

Working with children

QUALIFICATIONS Predicted 2:2 or higher BSc (Hons) degree in Optometry

Registered with GOC as student optometrist

TRAINING A willingness to undergo training to carry out the job.

SPECIAL KNOWLEDGE Practical theoretical knowledge of fitting rigid and soft contact lenses

Theoretical knowledge of low vision aids Experience of computer systems and keyboard skills.

CIRCUMSTANCES PERSONAL Ability to work in a busy environment. Flexibility with working hours, especially finishing time.

DISPOSITION ADJUSTMENT/

ATTITUDE Willingness to learn and work under supervision

Professional attitude to work.

Patient

Willingness to help others in a team.

PRACTICAL & INTELLECTUAL SKILLS Precise manual dexterity skills

Well developed interpersonal mental and emotional empathy skills where barriers exist because of age, special needs, physical or language difficulties

Good written and verbal communication skills

Refraction Contact lens fitting and aftercare

6. THE LEEDS WAY VALUES

Our values are part of what make us different from other trusts, so we see this as a strength, as well as a responsibility. They have been developed by our staff and set out what they see as important to how we work. Our five values are:

Patient-centred

Collaborative

Fair

Accountable

Empowered

All our actions and endeavours will be guided and evaluated through these values

Additionally the following are core values which relate specifically to this post:

Patient care

Team worker

Honesty

Integrity

7. WEST YORKSHIRE ASSOCIATION OF ACUTE TRUSTS (WYAAT)

Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is part of the West Yorkshire Association of Acute Trusts (WYAAT), a collaborative of the NHS hospital trusts from across West Yorkshire and Harrogate working together to provide the best possible care for our patients.

By bringing together the wide range of skills and expertise across West Yorkshire and Harrogate we are working differently, innovating and driving forward change to deliver the highest quality care. By working for Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust this is your opportunity to be a part of that change.

WYAAT is the acute sector arm of the West Yorkshire and Harrogate Health and Care Partnership, one of the largest integrated care systems in the country. The Partnerships ambition is for everyone to have the best possible health and wellbeing, and the work of WYAAT, and each individual trust, supports that ambition

8. CORE BEHAVIOURS AND SKILLS

Ability to learn

Help and support other team members

Flexibility to adjust to changing circumstances

Relate well to colleagues and service users

Promote the importance of service quality

9. CORE KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING

The jobholder will need to know about simple refraction of adults and children.

The jobholder will need to know about or be able to learn about complex refraction of adults and children.

The jobholder will need to know about or be able to learn about Low Vision assessment and prescribing for adults and children.

The jobholder will need to know about contact lens fitting and aftercare for adults and be able to learn about complex contact lens fitting and aftercare.

The jobholder will need to know or be able to learn about the optometry departments services.

9. PRINCIPAL DUTIES & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

DUTIES

Clinical

1. To undertake core optometry services at LTHT under clinical supervision. These include refraction, specialist medical contact lens management, corneal topography, visual impairment rehabilitation, toxic baseline ophthalmic screening and in-house spectacle dispensing.

2. To participate in a programme for the development of personal clinical expertise, in accordance with individual performance objectives which are agreed with the Head of Optometry, Principal Optometrist and Specialist Optometrists. This is with a view to developing clinical knowledge and skills in order to pass the College of Optometrists professional qualifying examinations. This is a requirement of the General Optical Council (GOC) for professional registration.

Administrative

1. To plan and prioritise individual workloads as delegated by the Head of Optometry, Principal Optometrist and Senior Optometrists.

2. Responsibility for routine administrative activities within the Optometry Department as delegated by senior members of staff.

3. To work with the Head of Optometry, Principal Optometrist and Specialist Optometrists to ensure professional standards are achieved and maintained at all times, for the provision of highest quality hospital optometry services.

4. To contribute to planning and organisation of straightforward tasks, activities or programmes, some of which may be on going.

5. Responsibility for the monitoring of certain information and information systems as delegated by the Head of Optometry, Principal Optometrist and Specialist Optometrists and to ensure the accuracy of collected data from these tasks.

6. The post holder will be guided by best practice and standard operating procedures as agreed by the Head of Optometry and Principal Optometrist. Work is always supervised and results/ outcomes are assessed at regular intervals. The post holder is guided by principles and broad occupational policies, regulations and guidance provided by the Head of Optometry or other senior members of staff.

7. To maintain harmonious working relationships and efficient communication with all staff throughout the CMT, LTH Trust and external agencies.

8. The post holder may be asked to comment on operational planning for the Optometry Department.

9. To abide by all Trust corporate policies including Health and Safety and COSHH regulations.

10. To maintain patient records to the highest standards at all times.

11. To supply accurate information to the Head of Optometry, Principal Optometrist and Specialist Optometrists when requested in order to deal with complaints at a departmental level.

Policy

1. To assist the Head of Optometry and Principal Optometrist in the development and implementation of policies and procedures within the department.

Delegated duties

To undertake other delegated duties from the Head of Optometry and Principal Optometrist commensurate with this post, following discussion with the post holder.

Weekly timetable

1. To personally provide up to five core optometry clinics per week.

2. To spend at least one clinical session a week in general ophthalmology or orthoptic clinic

3. To spend at least one clinical session a week in a dispensing clinic.

4. To spend at least one clinical session a week in private practice.

5. To attend departmental teaching

Research

1. To participate in original research projects and clinical trials in collaboration with other medical and research staff if required.

External commitments

To undertake delegated collaborative work with external agencies as required.

Other

1. To be registered as a student optometrist with the General Optical Council and to maintain at all times the professional and ethical standards laid down by these bodies.

2. To maintain membership of the Association of Optometrists or hold a certificate of adequate Professional Indemnity Insurance.

This job description contains the principal duties only. There are a range of other duties implicit in carrying out the principal ones. The duties and responsibilities of the post will be reviewed on a regular basis with the post holder and are subject to change according to the Department's priorities.

Health and Safety/Risk Management

All staff are responsible for working with their colleagues to maintain and improve the quality of services provided to our patients and other service users.

The jobholder must comply at all times with the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust Infection Control policies, in particular by practising Universal Infection Control Precautions. Hand hygiene must be performed before and after contact with patients and their environment.