Job summary
We are seeking an enthusiastic optometrist for maternity leave cover. This post is fixed term (ending August 2026) and part time (15 hours), we would consider applications from Optometrists looking for either 1 or 2 days employment.
This post offers an exciting opportunity to develop clinical skills and progress clinical interest in a hospital setting and will offer experienced optometrists without hospital experience a taster of working life in a busy, fast paced hospital clinic. It offers the ideal opportunity to gain clinical experience relevant to higher qualifications offered by the College of Optometrists.
- Interview Date Wednesday 03 September 2025
- 15 Hours/Week
- You will be redirected to Trac to apply for the vacancy. Please expand the job details section and read all of the information before applying for the vacancy.
NO AGENCIES PLEASE
Main duties of the job
The post holder will have the opportunity to gain experience in core optometry clinics, developing skills in low visual aid assessment, specialist contact lenses and paediatric assessment. There will also be the opportunity to develop skills in the eye emergency department and specialist ophthalmology clinics such as glaucoma, MR and anterior eye, depending on clinical interests, experience level and additional qualifications. You will be an integral member of the multi-disciplinary team, building excellent working relationships with the whole team including ophthalmologists, orthoptists, nursing and administrative staff.
A flexible approach is essential to working in fast paced and busy clinics and additional qualifications or previous experience are desirable.
If you are an experienced optometrist looking for the opportunity to develop your knowledge and clinical skills within hospital optometry, we strongly encourage you to apply.
About us
As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for us and for our patients, and for you. Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement. If it works for the service, we will do our best to make it work for you.
Our staff oversee over 6,500 patient contacts every day, delivering high standards of healthcare from the following sites:
Freeman Hospital
Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI)
Health Innovation Neighbourhood (on the former Newcastle General Hospital and Centre for Ageing and Vitality site)
Newcastle Dental Hospital
Newcastle Fertility Centre
Northern Centre for Cancer Care, North Cumbria
Northern Genetics Service
Cramlington Manor Walks
These include a range of flagship services which deliver cutting-edge care (supported by state-of-the-art diagnostic services in both radiology and pathology) and are a catalyst for innovation to support pioneering clinical practice in the NHS.
We also have offices at Regent Point in Gosforth and community sites.
Please see attached information on what Staff Benefits we have to offer at our Trust under 'Documents to download' or 'Supporting documents'.
For further information on The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust please visit:Careers | Newcastle Hospitals | NHS | Newcastle HospitalsandNewcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Job description
Job responsibilities
To deliver a quality of service matching clinical need to available resources within the focus of Specialist Optometrist practice
To take a lead role in extending Optometrists involvement in highly specialised clinics, for example:
- Highly specialised medically necessary contact lenses
- Low vision assessment
- To work as independent practitioner and to work as part of multi-disciplinary team, providing an extensive range of advanced Optometric services to the highest standards of quality and care
- To ensure that the patient is the central focus
- Working as a Specialist Optometrist, provide a prompt response to calls from colleagues, prioritising importance and clinical need
- Manage own caseload to include assessment, investigation, diagnosis and treatment within defined parameters and training
- Provide immediate care management of patients including communication of plan to patients and significant others
- Review and refer to appropriate person, e.g. Consultant Ophthalmologist
- Liaise with Eye Clinic Liaison Officer for patients with untreatable sight loss
- Provide specialist education and training at post-graduate level to qualified and pre-registration Optometrists and multiple disciplines in Ophthalmology
- To undertake administrative responsibilities as determined by the Head or Deputy Head of Optometry
Job description
Job responsibilities
To deliver a quality of service matching clinical need to available resources within the focus of Specialist Optometrist practice
To take a lead role in extending Optometrists involvement in highly specialised clinics, for example:
- Highly specialised medically necessary contact lenses
- Low vision assessment
- To work as independent practitioner and to work as part of multi-disciplinary team, providing an extensive range of advanced Optometric services to the highest standards of quality and care
- To ensure that the patient is the central focus
- Working as a Specialist Optometrist, provide a prompt response to calls from colleagues, prioritising importance and clinical need
- Manage own caseload to include assessment, investigation, diagnosis and treatment within defined parameters and training
- Provide immediate care management of patients including communication of plan to patients and significant others
- Review and refer to appropriate person, e.g. Consultant Ophthalmologist
- Liaise with Eye Clinic Liaison Officer for patients with untreatable sight loss
- Provide specialist education and training at post-graduate level to qualified and pre-registration Optometrists and multiple disciplines in Ophthalmology
- To undertake administrative responsibilities as determined by the Head or Deputy Head of Optometry
Person Specification
Qualifications & Education
Essential
- Registered Optometrist
- GOC registration requiring Post Graduate Qualification continuing Education and Training to Masters Level
- Further highly developed specialist knowledge including theoretical and clinical training. e.g. o College of Optometrists Diploma in Ocular Therapeutics o College of Optometrists Diploma in Glaucoma o Accredited Slit Lamp examiner under Diabetic Retinal Screening programme. o Highly specialised medically necessary contact lens fitting and after care
Desirable
- Management experience/qualification
- Full driving licence
Knowledge & Experience
Essential
- The ability to practice at a level comparable to a Specialist Registrar doctor including clinical history taking; ocular examination skills
- Extensive post registration experience, some of which will be at a senior level within the required specialist area of practice
- Evidence of ongoing continuous professional development
- Knowledge and understanding of relevant NHS policy or project specific policy context
- Knowledge and experience of adult/child safeguarding
- Research and audit experience
Desirable
- Experience of teaching
- Previous employment in Hospital Eye Service
Skills & Abilities
Essential
- Evidence of excellent communication and interpersonal skills including effective report writing
- Effective organisation and time management skills
- Change management skills and involvement in project work
- Excellent IT skills including word-processing, use of spreadsheets and databases
- Able to work independently and across disciplines as a member of a multi-disciplinary team
Desirable
Person Specification
Qualifications & Education
Essential
- Registered Optometrist
- GOC registration requiring Post Graduate Qualification continuing Education and Training to Masters Level
- Further highly developed specialist knowledge including theoretical and clinical training. e.g. o College of Optometrists Diploma in Ocular Therapeutics o College of Optometrists Diploma in Glaucoma o Accredited Slit Lamp examiner under Diabetic Retinal Screening programme. o Highly specialised medically necessary contact lens fitting and after care
Desirable
- Management experience/qualification
- Full driving licence
Knowledge & Experience
Essential
- The ability to practice at a level comparable to a Specialist Registrar doctor including clinical history taking; ocular examination skills
- Extensive post registration experience, some of which will be at a senior level within the required specialist area of practice
- Evidence of ongoing continuous professional development
- Knowledge and understanding of relevant NHS policy or project specific policy context
- Knowledge and experience of adult/child safeguarding
- Research and audit experience
Desirable
- Experience of teaching
- Previous employment in Hospital Eye Service
Skills & Abilities
Essential
- Evidence of excellent communication and interpersonal skills including effective report writing
- Effective organisation and time management skills
- Change management skills and involvement in project work
- Excellent IT skills including word-processing, use of spreadsheets and databases
- Able to work independently and across disciplines as a member of a multi-disciplinary team
Desirable
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).
