Job summary
We are looking for a qualified and motivated Optometrist to
join the Community Eye Service commissioned by NHS Derby & Derbyshire ICB.
This is an excellent opportunity for an Optometrist who is
passionate about community-based care, integrated working, and delivering an
efficient service that improves patient experience and access to timely eye
health services closer to home
We are looking to recruit up to 22.5 hours on a
fixed term post until 30 September 2026
Please note we are not an Agenda for Change organisation
Main duties of the job
The Community Optometrist will play a vital role in delivering high-quality, patient-centred eyecare within the Chesterfield and wider North Derbyshire locality. Working as part of the Community Eye Service, you will provide timely and accessible assessment, diagnosis, treatment and management of a wide range of acute and chronic eye conditions that would otherwise be referred to hospital ophthalmology services.
About us
Arc Primary Care is the umbrella organisation of the Primary Care Network (PCN) in Chesterfield and Dronfield. Arc Primary Care is an alliance of GP Practices.
Our members consist of 10 GP practices which cover a population of over 110,000 patients. At Arc we are committed to ensuring the sustainability of General Practice (and the time honoured valued of list-based general practice model) and realising the benefits of working together.
We deliver enhanced services within the PCN designed to support and enhance the services offered by our member GP Practices within Chesterfield. We do this by employing staff to work through the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme and finding innovative and sustainable solutions to the changing needs of the Practices; we bid for contracts to help tackle health inequalities and drive up standards of care within the Chesterfield and Dronfield locality.
Our mission: Committed to high quality collaborative person-centred care. Delivered with integrity and transparency, improving health and wellbeing for all.
Benefits of working with us:
- NHS Pension with employer contributions
- On appointment 30 days plus 8 Bank Holiday annual leave entitlement which rises annually with length of service up to 33 days (pro rata for part time staff)
- Entitlement of up to 5 days professional/study leave per annum, pro rata.
- Access to Well-Being Support
- Blue light Card Discount
Job description
Job responsibilities
Clinical Care
- Undertake comprehensive eye assessments for patients referred by GPs and Optometrists for chronic and acute conditions (e.g. red eye, flashers & floaters, dry/watery eyes, lumps & bumps, diplopia, suspected glaucoma, cataracts).
- Provide evidence-based diagnosis, treatment plans and onward referral to secondary care if required.
- Deliver care in line with NICE guidelines and Royal College standards, including Glaucoma: Diagnosis & Management (NG81).
- Maintain accurate clinical records and ensure timely reporting back to GPs (within 2 working days of each consultation).
- Acute conditions: red eye, flashers/floaters, dry/watery eyes, lumps/bumps, diplopia, suspected glaucoma, foreign body, vision loss.
- Chronic conditions: suspected glaucoma, ocular hypertension, low vision, cataracts.
- May include Glaucoma Level 1 (Repeat Readings) and Level 2 (OHT/COAG monitoring) under separate contracts
Service Delivery
- Manage referrals from GPs and Optometrists using the Eyecare e-Referral Service.
- Ensure patients are triaged within 2 working days and appointments are offered within 1 week of triage.
- Support a one-stop service with evidence-based assessment and management plans.
- Minimise unnecessary follow-ups; maintain an average follow-up ratio of 1:1.
- Use approved diagnostic equipment safely and effectively.
Professional Standards
- Participate in mentoring sessions with a Consultant Ophthalmologist as part of professional development.
Collaboration & Education
- Liaise with referrers to provide feedback on referral quality and appropriateness.
- Support patient education through provision of information and advice.
- Contribute to training sessions for local GPs and Optometry practices.
- Provide telephone triage and advice where appropriate.
Quality & Governance
- Support infection prevention and control requirements.
- Comply with data protection and information governance protocols
- Contribute to service audit and data collection, including outcomes, patient satisfaction, and quality standards.
- Support equity of access and reduce health inequalities
KEY EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL EMPLOYEES
Data and confidentiality
Work in line with GDPR principles at all times, keeping up to date with training and identifying any potential breeches quickly and appropriately.
Keeping patient confidentiality at the heart of what we do only access a persons information in the legitimate execution of your duties.
Undertake GDPR risk assessments for new data sharing activities, where appropriate
Professional development
Work with your line manager to undertake continual personal and professional development.
Undertake relevant training as required.Continually update own knowledge and skills within the job role.
Maintain any professional accreditation as necessary for your role.
Team working and policies
Work as part of the ARC team to seek feedback, develop and maintain effective working relationships and improve the service.
Adhere to organisational policies and procedures, including confidentiality, safeguarding, lone working, information governance, health and safety, discipline, grievance and whistleblowing.
Act at all times in a manner consistent with legislation, policy and procedures in respect of Equality and Diversity, and safeguarding.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Clinical Care
- Undertake comprehensive eye assessments for patients referred by GPs and Optometrists for chronic and acute conditions (e.g. red eye, flashers & floaters, dry/watery eyes, lumps & bumps, diplopia, suspected glaucoma, cataracts).
- Provide evidence-based diagnosis, treatment plans and onward referral to secondary care if required.
- Deliver care in line with NICE guidelines and Royal College standards, including Glaucoma: Diagnosis & Management (NG81).
- Maintain accurate clinical records and ensure timely reporting back to GPs (within 2 working days of each consultation).
- Acute conditions: red eye, flashers/floaters, dry/watery eyes, lumps/bumps, diplopia, suspected glaucoma, foreign body, vision loss.
- Chronic conditions: suspected glaucoma, ocular hypertension, low vision, cataracts.
- May include Glaucoma Level 1 (Repeat Readings) and Level 2 (OHT/COAG monitoring) under separate contracts
Service Delivery
- Manage referrals from GPs and Optometrists using the Eyecare e-Referral Service.
- Ensure patients are triaged within 2 working days and appointments are offered within 1 week of triage.
- Support a one-stop service with evidence-based assessment and management plans.
- Minimise unnecessary follow-ups; maintain an average follow-up ratio of 1:1.
- Use approved diagnostic equipment safely and effectively.
Professional Standards
- Participate in mentoring sessions with a Consultant Ophthalmologist as part of professional development.
Collaboration & Education
- Liaise with referrers to provide feedback on referral quality and appropriateness.
- Support patient education through provision of information and advice.
- Contribute to training sessions for local GPs and Optometry practices.
- Provide telephone triage and advice where appropriate.
Quality & Governance
- Support infection prevention and control requirements.
- Comply with data protection and information governance protocols
- Contribute to service audit and data collection, including outcomes, patient satisfaction, and quality standards.
- Support equity of access and reduce health inequalities
KEY EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL EMPLOYEES
Data and confidentiality
Work in line with GDPR principles at all times, keeping up to date with training and identifying any potential breeches quickly and appropriately.
Keeping patient confidentiality at the heart of what we do only access a persons information in the legitimate execution of your duties.
Undertake GDPR risk assessments for new data sharing activities, where appropriate
Professional development
Work with your line manager to undertake continual personal and professional development.
Undertake relevant training as required.Continually update own knowledge and skills within the job role.
Maintain any professional accreditation as necessary for your role.
Team working and policies
Work as part of the ARC team to seek feedback, develop and maintain effective working relationships and improve the service.
Adhere to organisational policies and procedures, including confidentiality, safeguarding, lone working, information governance, health and safety, discipline, grievance and whistleblowing.
Act at all times in a manner consistent with legislation, policy and procedures in respect of Equality and Diversity, and safeguarding.
Person Specification
Skills, knowledge and abilities
Essential
- Up-to-date knowledge of NICE guidelines and national clinical standards for eyecare.
- Excellent communication skills to liaise with patients, GPs, Ophthalmologists, and other professionals.
- Commitment to continuing professional development.
- Familiarity with NHS e-Referral systems
Desirable
- Experience of working within a Community Eyecare Service (CUES/MECS).
- Knowledge of local referral pathways in Derbyshire.
Experience
Essential
- Demonstrable experience of community or primary care optometry.
Qualifications
Essential
- Registered Optometrist with the UK General Optical Council
- PEARS (Primary Eyecare and Assessment Referral Service), MECS (Minor Eyecare Conditions Service) or CUES (Community Urgent Eyecare Service) accreditation
- Professional Higher Certificate in Glaucoma (Level 2) (or working towards)
- Ability to use and interpret a range of diagnostic equipment as required
Desirable
- Independent Prescribing qualification
Other
Essential
- Flexible and adaptable to meet service needs Access to vehicle to travel for work purposes
- Willingness to complete an Enhanced DBS Check
- Appropriate Immunisation Status
Person Specification
Skills, knowledge and abilities
Essential
- Up-to-date knowledge of NICE guidelines and national clinical standards for eyecare.
- Excellent communication skills to liaise with patients, GPs, Ophthalmologists, and other professionals.
- Commitment to continuing professional development.
- Familiarity with NHS e-Referral systems
Desirable
- Experience of working within a Community Eyecare Service (CUES/MECS).
- Knowledge of local referral pathways in Derbyshire.
Experience
Essential
- Demonstrable experience of community or primary care optometry.
Qualifications
Essential
- Registered Optometrist with the UK General Optical Council
- PEARS (Primary Eyecare and Assessment Referral Service), MECS (Minor Eyecare Conditions Service) or CUES (Community Urgent Eyecare Service) accreditation
- Professional Higher Certificate in Glaucoma (Level 2) (or working towards)
- Ability to use and interpret a range of diagnostic equipment as required
Desirable
- Independent Prescribing qualification
Other
Essential
- Flexible and adaptable to meet service needs Access to vehicle to travel for work purposes
- Willingness to complete an Enhanced DBS Check
- Appropriate Immunisation Status
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).
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).
