Job summary
We are looking for an innovative, self-motivated and enthusiastic Optometrist to join our friendly and dynamic team and provide clinical professional leadership to our Optometrists. Our cross site department consists of Orthoptists and Optometrists and we work closely with a large extended team.
The caseload is extremely varied and will include core Optometry clinics, contact lens and Ophthalmology clinics.
We also currently have a number of trainee ACPs working directly within Ophthalmology and are very supportive in developing ACP roles to support and develop a sustainable service for the future.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will play a pivotal role within the Optical Services team consisting of both Optometrists and Orthoptists. They will work collaboratively as part of an integrated team, contributing to a unified clinical approach while maintaining professional identity and working within own scope of practice. Operating at an advanced level, the post holder will provide expert diagnostic assessment and intervention, offering specialist advice within their field.
The post holder will be responsible for the professional leadership of optometry staff working across an extensive range of specialist services in Ophthalmology, including:
Independent clinics such as paediatrics, refraction, contact lens, low vision, post-op cataract within consultant led clinics such as glaucoma, retina, paediatrics, neuro-ophthalmology, cornea, acute/emergency care.
This role encompasses both managerial and clinical responsibilities, ensuring professional leadership and robust support for Optometrists to uphold high-quality clinical practice in Optical Services. Additionally, the post holder will serve as a subject matter expert, providing teaching and training to registered and pre-registration Optometrists, as well as the wider ophthalmology team, including trainees and students where appropriate.
The post holder will also drive continuous quality improvement initiatives, oversee audits, and ensure that evidence-based practice is embedded in the service.
About us
King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of the UK's largest and busiest teaching Trusts with a turnover of c£1 billion, 1.5 million patient contacts a year and more than 15,000 staff based across South East London. The Trust provides a full range of local and specialist services across its five sites. The trust-wide strategy of Strong Roots, Global Reach is our Vision to be BOLD, Brilliant people, Outstanding care, Leaders in Research, Innovation and Education, Diversity, Equality and Inclusion at the heart of everything we do. By being person-centred, digitally-enabled, and focused on sustainability, we aim to take Team King's to another level.
We are at a pivotal point in our history and we require individuals who are ready to join a highly professional team and make a real, lasting difference to our patients and our people.
King's is committed to delivering Sustainable Healthcare for All via our Green Plan. In line with national Greener NHS ambitions, we have set net zero carbon targets of 2040 for our NHS Carbon Footprint and 2045 for our NHS Carbon Footprint Plus. Everyone's contribution is required in order to meet the goals set out in our Green Plan and we encourage all staff to work responsibly, minimising their contributions to the Trust's carbon emissions, waste and pollution wherever possible.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Clinical Responsibilities
To deliver core and specialist clinical care in a range of ophthalmic sub-specialty clinical services including advanced optometric extended roles and non-medical prescribing.
Provide highly specialised optometric services to a diverse patient population including eye care advice, and ocular health management.
To independently manage and deliver highly specialised therapeutic contact lens fitting and aftercare for paediatric, keratoconus, traumatic injury, post-graft, and post-operative patients.
Support the development of co-managed care models to reduce pressure on Consultant Ophthalmologist clinic capacity and meet the evolving needs of the Ophthalmology service.
To work collaboratively with the multidisciplinary team to ensure seamless patient care, addressing and resolving issues as they arise.
To work as an autonomous practitioner, proactively managing your own caseload.
To act as an expert resource within Optometry as well as with the wider clinical team.
To set and adhere to evidence-based standards of care.
To be competent in the use of complex optical and ophthalmic equipment ensuring it is properly tested and calibrated.
To ensure accurate and appropriate onward referrals and clinical escalations through the correct route.
To demonstrate strong referral management skills, using advanced triage, and prioritisation based on clinical urgency combined with an understanding of capacity and available resource.
To provide advanced clinical assessment using strong clinical reasoning and problem-solving skills, applying advanced analytical approaches.
To offer guidance and support to patients and carers, enabling informed decisions about their future care.
To ensure effective care pathways are in place within the service for patient referral, diagnosis, ongoing management and for discharge as appropriate.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Clinical Responsibilities
To deliver core and specialist clinical care in a range of ophthalmic sub-specialty clinical services including advanced optometric extended roles and non-medical prescribing.
Provide highly specialised optometric services to a diverse patient population including eye care advice, and ocular health management.
To independently manage and deliver highly specialised therapeutic contact lens fitting and aftercare for paediatric, keratoconus, traumatic injury, post-graft, and post-operative patients.
Support the development of co-managed care models to reduce pressure on Consultant Ophthalmologist clinic capacity and meet the evolving needs of the Ophthalmology service.
To work collaboratively with the multidisciplinary team to ensure seamless patient care, addressing and resolving issues as they arise.
To work as an autonomous practitioner, proactively managing your own caseload.
To act as an expert resource within Optometry as well as with the wider clinical team.
To set and adhere to evidence-based standards of care.
To be competent in the use of complex optical and ophthalmic equipment ensuring it is properly tested and calibrated.
To ensure accurate and appropriate onward referrals and clinical escalations through the correct route.
To demonstrate strong referral management skills, using advanced triage, and prioritisation based on clinical urgency combined with an understanding of capacity and available resource.
To provide advanced clinical assessment using strong clinical reasoning and problem-solving skills, applying advanced analytical approaches.
To offer guidance and support to patients and carers, enabling informed decisions about their future care.
To ensure effective care pathways are in place within the service for patient referral, diagnosis, ongoing management and for discharge as appropriate.
Person Specification
Education and qualifications
Essential
- Degree in Optometry
- GOC Registration
- Postgraduate study (MSc level or equivalent):
- teaching qualification
Desirable
- Qualification in an extended role (e.g. ACP, Prof Cert Glaucoma)
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Relevant post-registration clinical experience in managing a broad range of core complex optometric cases in a hospital setting
- Experience of the development of policies/protocols/SOPs/guidelines
- Demonstrable experience of delivering quality/service improvement
Desirable
- Strategic planning, workforce analysis and service improvement experience.
Person Specification
Education and qualifications
Essential
- Degree in Optometry
- GOC Registration
- Postgraduate study (MSc level or equivalent):
- teaching qualification
Desirable
- Qualification in an extended role (e.g. ACP, Prof Cert Glaucoma)
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Relevant post-registration clinical experience in managing a broad range of core complex optometric cases in a hospital setting
- Experience of the development of policies/protocols/SOPs/guidelines
- Demonstrable experience of delivering quality/service improvement
Desirable
- Strategic planning, workforce analysis and service improvement experience.
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).
