Optometrist Specialist

Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

The closing date is 09 May 2025

Job summary

Closing Date: 09/05/2025 (this may change dependent on response)

Shortlisting to take place in the week following closing date: commencing 12/05/2025

Interview expected to take place in the week following shortlisting: commencing 19/05/2025

We are looking for someone to join our growing Optometry department. This post specifically requires the post-holder to carry out paediatric refractions and fundoscopy to support our paediatric ophthalmology and orthoptic services. In addition to complex refractions, this role may require the management of patients with cerebral visual impairment (CVI) and other special educational needs.

The successful candidate will be confident in managing paediatric patients and carrying out complex refractions.

Main duties of the job

To support the Ophthalmology department by carrying out paediatric cycloplaegic and subjective refraction clinics

To work closely with the line manager to enable that Optometry services of the highest standard are delivered

In future, this role may extend to require the delivery of highly complex specialist Optometry services and a comprehensive range of core Optometry services that meet the changing needs of the Directorate and other outside agencies.

To provide teaching and training at post graduate level within Ophthalmology as needed.

About us

The Optometry team work within the ophthalmology department, supporting patients in various sub-speciality clinics.

Our People Charter outlines the behaviours we can expect from one another and what you can expect from Bradford Teaching Hospitals Foundation Trust:

  • We value people
  • We are one team
  • We care

We're keen to meet people who share these values and are passionate about delivering the highest quality of care to our patients.

Date posted

25 April 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£46,148 to £52,809 a year pa pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

389-25-7160447

Job locations

Ophthalmology Department, Bradford Royal Infirmary

Duckworth Lane

Bradford

BD96RJ


Job description

Job responsibilities

This current post specifically requires the post-holder to carry out paediatric refractions and fundoscopy to support paediatric ophthalmology. However, as the demands of the service change, the post holder may be required to support other core or specialist optometry clinics.

The paediatric clinics are held at Bradford Royal Infirmary (BRI), but this post may require flexibility of working patterns and clinical involvement, as and when the service requires. This may include working at sites across the Trust, including, but not exclusive to the Bradford Macula Centre (BMC), which is at the Trinity Centre, Trinity Road, BD5 0JD, as well as at the Ophthalmology Dept at BRI.

The principal areas of specialist involvement are as follows:

  • Core optometry skills in specialist refraction, paediatric cycloplegic refraction and fundoscopy, corneal topography, etc.
  • The Bradford Macula Centre provides a busy service for the treatment of patients with wet ARMD and macular oedema due to vein occlusions and diabetic retinopathy. The role of the optometrists in the BMC has developed over time into a co-management role, involving specialised clinical skills and opinion to a level equivalent to a consultant ophthalmologist
  • There has been a long history of optometry co-management clinics with an ever-increasing case load, which has necessitated expansion in this service. This involves specialised clinical skills and opinion to a level equivalent to a middle grade ophthalmologist. Areas include glaucoma, diabetic eye disease, acute referral clinic, cataract assessment and cataract post-operative review.

  • In recent years we have introduced a model of virtual clinics for monitoring of more stable diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and macula patients. The optometry team shares responsibility for the clinical reporting of the images and measures obtained and the on-going management of patients.

  • The corneal monitoring clinic (CMC) requires the monitoring of patients with keratoconus and other chronic corneal conditions,working closely with the Consultant. The optometrist would be involved in the decision making about a patients suitability for treatment and therapeutic management as required.

The post is an integral part of a multi-disciplinary team which contributes to the effective and economic use of available resource. It will be the optometrists responsibility to ensure that all their equipment is properly maintained, reporting any faults, losses or damages to the nursing lead or Head Optometrist.

Job description

Job responsibilities

This current post specifically requires the post-holder to carry out paediatric refractions and fundoscopy to support paediatric ophthalmology. However, as the demands of the service change, the post holder may be required to support other core or specialist optometry clinics.

The paediatric clinics are held at Bradford Royal Infirmary (BRI), but this post may require flexibility of working patterns and clinical involvement, as and when the service requires. This may include working at sites across the Trust, including, but not exclusive to the Bradford Macula Centre (BMC), which is at the Trinity Centre, Trinity Road, BD5 0JD, as well as at the Ophthalmology Dept at BRI.

The principal areas of specialist involvement are as follows:

  • Core optometry skills in specialist refraction, paediatric cycloplegic refraction and fundoscopy, corneal topography, etc.
  • The Bradford Macula Centre provides a busy service for the treatment of patients with wet ARMD and macular oedema due to vein occlusions and diabetic retinopathy. The role of the optometrists in the BMC has developed over time into a co-management role, involving specialised clinical skills and opinion to a level equivalent to a consultant ophthalmologist
  • There has been a long history of optometry co-management clinics with an ever-increasing case load, which has necessitated expansion in this service. This involves specialised clinical skills and opinion to a level equivalent to a middle grade ophthalmologist. Areas include glaucoma, diabetic eye disease, acute referral clinic, cataract assessment and cataract post-operative review.

  • In recent years we have introduced a model of virtual clinics for monitoring of more stable diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and macula patients. The optometry team shares responsibility for the clinical reporting of the images and measures obtained and the on-going management of patients.

  • The corneal monitoring clinic (CMC) requires the monitoring of patients with keratoconus and other chronic corneal conditions,working closely with the Consultant. The optometrist would be involved in the decision making about a patients suitability for treatment and therapeutic management as required.

The post is an integral part of a multi-disciplinary team which contributes to the effective and economic use of available resource. It will be the optometrists responsibility to ensure that all their equipment is properly maintained, reporting any faults, losses or damages to the nursing lead or Head Optometrist.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

  • Experience and interest in carrying out paediatric cycloplegic and subjective refractions and fundus examinations
  • Interest in paediatric ophthalmology and working with children

Desirable

  • Previous HES experience

Skills

Essential

  • Good verbal and written command of English
  • Effective listening, communication and interpersonal skills, with particularly good, sympathetic manner with patients
  • Ability to work as a team

Qualifications

Essential

  • BSc Optometry
  • GOC registered

Desirable

  • Independent Prescriber
  • College of Optometrists Higher Diplomas
Person Specification

Experience

Essential

  • Experience and interest in carrying out paediatric cycloplegic and subjective refractions and fundus examinations
  • Interest in paediatric ophthalmology and working with children

Desirable

  • Previous HES experience

Skills

Essential

  • Good verbal and written command of English
  • Effective listening, communication and interpersonal skills, with particularly good, sympathetic manner with patients
  • Ability to work as a team

Qualifications

Essential

  • BSc Optometry
  • GOC registered

Desirable

  • Independent Prescriber
  • College of Optometrists Higher Diplomas

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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

Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Ophthalmology Department, Bradford Royal Infirmary

Duckworth Lane

Bradford

BD96RJ


Employer's website

https://www.bradfordhospitals.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Ophthalmology Department, Bradford Royal Infirmary

Duckworth Lane

Bradford

BD96RJ


Employer's website

https://www.bradfordhospitals.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)

For questions about the job, contact:

Optometrist Specialist

Dr Charlotte Hazel

charlotte.hazel@bthft.nhs.uk

01274382521

Date posted

25 April 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£46,148 to £52,809 a year pa pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

389-25-7160447

Job locations

Ophthalmology Department, Bradford Royal Infirmary

Duckworth Lane

Bradford

BD96RJ


Supporting documents

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