Specialist Optometrist

Job description

Job responsibilities

To provide a wide range of optometric services, which can include:

Working in an 'extended role' capacity in a variety of ophthalmology clinics which can include Medical Retina, Glaucoma, Cataract or External Disease.

Working in extended role outside ophthalmology clinics, i.e. without medical support in clinic, e.g. Childrens Vision Clinic.Refraction, including adult and paediatric; diagnostic and post-operative cases,Medical Contact Lenses,Low Vision Clinics, adult and paediatric.

Refracting patients to specific protocols as part of studies.

Supervising junior staff in their clinical roles

To undertake specialist clinical activity; this activity requires regular use of a range of advanced clinical techniques requiring dexterity and concentration. These clinics involve responsibility for clinical decision-making with support from consultants and the provision of specialised diagnosis, management, care and education of patients.

To provide a clinical opinion or obtain a clinical opinion from consultant colleagues to optometric and non-optometric colleagues on the management of patients.

Person Specification

Qualification

Essential

• BSC Optometry and registration
• Specialist College of Optometrist Prof Cert Qualifications (1)

Desirable

• Specialist College of Optometrist Higher Qualifications
• Specialist College of Optometrist Diploma in Independent Prescribing
• MSc in Optometry/Ophthalmology

Experience

Essential

• Post-qualification Hospital experience >3 years
• Experience of examining vulnerable groups of patients e.g. CYP / additional needs

Desirable

• Hospital extended role experience
• Community shared care experience
• Experience with clinical teaching
• Experience in audit/research
• Experience of dealing with quality and safety issues e.g. complaints, incidents, risk assessment

Knowledge & Skills

Essential

• Competent use of a slit-lamp to examine the anterior and posterior eye with specialist lenses
• AuditCompetent performance of retinoscopy
• TeachingAbility to analyse and interpret ocular imaging e.g. OCT, visual fields, topography to an advanced clinical level e.g diagnosis
• Ability to use Electronic patient record systems
• Excellent written and verbal communication

Desirable

• Excellent written communication skills including the ability to write clinical summaries, referral letters, reports, papers
• Ability to identify service improvement needs
• Ability to sensitively communicate complex information in a range of situations e.g. clinical information to patients, unwelcome & bad news.

Registration

Essential

• GOC registration

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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).