Job summary
If you're an experienced Specialist Optometrist keen to expand your scope of practice, the prestigious Bristol Eye Hospital is seeking Medical Optometrists to support our expanding services.
At our research-active teaching hospital, you will deliver advanced, highly specialised, non-routine care in an inspiring, multidisciplinary environment known for clinical innovation. Working collaboratively alongside our Consultant Ophthalmology and experienced optometry teams, you will support the medical and surgical management of sight-threatening eye disease. With significant evidence of autonomous practice, you will evaluate highly complex and potentially conflicting 'high stakes' cases, determining the most appropriate treatment options for patient-centred care.
You should hold post-graduate professional qualifications or demonstrable training & experience in subspecialty clinics. Skills should be on par with the level of sub-specialty trained Ophthalmologists, though access to additional training can be provided. You should possess clear evidence of leadership and extended clinical responsibility to support the teaching and supervision of trainees as part of our commitment to the professional and personal development of our staff.
Arrange an informal visit to see the exceptional care at BEH or find out more about the team:See yourself at Bristol Eye Hospital
Candidates not meeting the post-graduate qualification level could be considered for a Band 7 Specialist Optometrist role.
Main duties of the job
As a Medical Optometrist you will:
- plan and deliver advanced specialist clinical examinations tailored to individual patient requirements;
- utilise highly developed physical skills for complex medical procedures ;
- analyse, interpret and act upon highly complex multifactorial and potentially conflicting patient-related information for the purpose of 'high stakes' clinical decision making, in order to determine the most appropriate action where multiple clinical management options exist;
- work in a fast paced and changing clinical environment without compromising clinical care;
- be responsible for autonomous independent prescribing or supply of topical investigational drugs and where appropriate, to seek guidance from Consultant Ophthalmologists with respect to the requirement for ocular surgery, or where medical management requirements may be unclear;
- communicate and interact effectively, routinely discussing the risks and benefits of management options, explaining highly complex, multi-stranded and potentially conflicting information in a manner that enables patients to make informed choices;
- communicate highly sensitive prognostic and emotionally distressing information about loss of sight and risk of further loss of sight;
- keep full and complete patient records, of each patient's examination results, diagnosis and management/treatment and to verify successful data entry of ancillary clinical information entered by supporting technical staff.
About us
University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) is one of the largest acute Trusts in the country, bringing together a combined workforce of over 13,000 staff across 10 hospital sites, delivering over 100 clinical services to more than 500,000 people in the South-west.
UHBW has been rated by the CQC as 'Good' overall, and our staff are proud to deliver excellent care to the people of Bristol, Weston, and beyond. As a forward-thinking multi-award-winning Trust and digital exemplar committed to improving patient outcomes, our world-leading research and innovation have a positive local and global impact.
With hospitals based in both vibrant Bristol and coastal Weston-super-Mare, we offer the best of city and seaside living with easy access to countryside, national parks, and the wider Southwest.
UHBW is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. As an equal opportunities employer working towards a diverse workforce, we aim to recruit and retain staff that reflect the communities we serve, and we actively support inclusive recruitment and working practices.
Job description
Job responsibilities
For a detailed job description, main responsibilities, and Person Specification, please refer to the PDF job description documents attached to this vacancy.
Job description
Job responsibilities
For a detailed job description, main responsibilities, and Person Specification, please refer to the PDF job description documents attached to this vacancy.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Registration with the General Optical Council
- BSc Hons Optometry or equivalent
- Professional post-graduate specialist qualification(s) at masters level or higher, relevant to job plan (eg College of Optometrists DipGlauc, Higher Prof Cert Med Ret)
- GOC Speciality Registration in Independent Prescribing
- Postgraduate masters (or higher) level clinical audit or research experience relevant to sub-specialist practice
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Highly developed and proven specialist knowledge, at Masters level or above, across multiple areas of specialist clinical practice beyond conventional hospital or community optometry
- Significant specialist clinical experience in assessment & management of patients with active and sight-threatening disease across multiple of areas of-specialist clinical practice
- Advanced understanding of all relevant national clinical guidance (e.g. NICE guidelines; College of Optometrists Clinical Management Guidelines; Royal College of Ophthalmologists guidelines
- Significant specialist clinical experience in management of patients with ocular/visual manifestations of systemic disease that may threaten general health
- Previous hospital eye service experience
- Multidisciplinary team working
Skills and Abilities
Essential
- Specialist clinical practice beyond conventional hospital or community
- Specialist clinical assessment skills for patients with active and sight-threatening disease across multiple of areas of sub-specialist clinical practice
- Can teach or; supervise trainees; & address queries from support staff whilst performing clinical duties
- Ability to quickly interpret complex and potentially conflicting clinical information
Aptitudes
Essential
- Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills; ability to communicate complex, sensitive and potentially conflicting information to patients and other stakeholders in an appropriate manner independent of their level of understanding
- Ability to empathise regarding loss of sight and prognoses including blindness and threats to general health from systemic disease with ocular/visual manifestations
- Able to work within a multidisciplinary team & gain credibility with all staff
- Capable of performing sustained high intensity work in a pressurised clinical environment
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Registration with the General Optical Council
- BSc Hons Optometry or equivalent
- Professional post-graduate specialist qualification(s) at masters level or higher, relevant to job plan (eg College of Optometrists DipGlauc, Higher Prof Cert Med Ret)
- GOC Speciality Registration in Independent Prescribing
- Postgraduate masters (or higher) level clinical audit or research experience relevant to sub-specialist practice
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Highly developed and proven specialist knowledge, at Masters level or above, across multiple areas of specialist clinical practice beyond conventional hospital or community optometry
- Significant specialist clinical experience in assessment & management of patients with active and sight-threatening disease across multiple of areas of-specialist clinical practice
- Advanced understanding of all relevant national clinical guidance (e.g. NICE guidelines; College of Optometrists Clinical Management Guidelines; Royal College of Ophthalmologists guidelines
- Significant specialist clinical experience in management of patients with ocular/visual manifestations of systemic disease that may threaten general health
- Previous hospital eye service experience
- Multidisciplinary team working
Skills and Abilities
Essential
- Specialist clinical practice beyond conventional hospital or community
- Specialist clinical assessment skills for patients with active and sight-threatening disease across multiple of areas of sub-specialist clinical practice
- Can teach or; supervise trainees; & address queries from support staff whilst performing clinical duties
- Ability to quickly interpret complex and potentially conflicting clinical information
Aptitudes
Essential
- Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills; ability to communicate complex, sensitive and potentially conflicting information to patients and other stakeholders in an appropriate manner independent of their level of understanding
- Ability to empathise regarding loss of sight and prognoses including blindness and threats to general health from systemic disease with ocular/visual manifestations
- Able to work within a multidisciplinary team & gain credibility with all staff
- Capable of performing sustained high intensity work in a pressurised clinical environment
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).
Employer details
Employer name
University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW)
Address
Bristol Eye Hospital
Lower Maudlin Street
Bristol
BS1 2LX
Employer's website
https://www.uhbw.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)
