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Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Medical Glaucoma Optometrist, Band 8a

Information:

This job is now closed

Job summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen at Gloucestershire Hospitals for a highly skilled optometrist with a specialist interest in Glaucoma.

A new role has been created for a Medical Optometrist to work in glaucoma clinics both as autonomous practitioner and working with consultants to see the most complex patients. In addition the post holder will work with glaucoma consultants in service development, audit and research as well as training optometrists working within the glaucoma service.

Main duties of the job

Previous hospital experience is essential as well as IP qualifications and the post holder is expected to have or be working toward diploma in Glaucoma and have experience working within a glaucoma service.

The post holder will work within glaucoma clinics assessing and managing patients of all complexity. In addition a key part of the role is to work with glaucoma consultants to develop the virtual glaucoma service, establish new community referral pathways and community management schemes for low risk patients and be the clinical lead for the optometry glaucoma service.

About us

The successful candidate will work within a friendly and progressive department of 25 Optometrists ranging from trainees to medical optometrists and will work with two full time Glaucoma Consultants. We work within two acute hospitals Cheltenham General and Gloucestershire Royal Hospitals with some additional clinical activity at community hospitals within the county. The Ophthalmology unit within Gloucestershire Hospitals is recognised nationally as being at the forefront of Ophthalmology within the UK. The unit is also highly regarded for clinical training and is active in research.

Details

Date posted

01 June 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8a

Salary

£57,528 to £64,750 a year (pa, pro rata if part-time)

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

318-26-T0293-A

Job locations

Optometry Department

Cheltenham General Hospital, Sandford Road

Cheltenham

GL53 7AN

United Kingdom


Job description

Job responsibilities

Working hours are 9 to 5.20 Monday to Friday with option of working additional Saturday clinics on occasion

Job description is attached

The role is clinical, working within glaucoma clinics at both Cheltenham and Gloucester sites, managing own patients and working within consultant led clinics but there is a significant expectation that service development will form a key part of the post as well as acting as clinical glaucoma lead, involved in audit and teaching of optometrists working within the glaucoma service.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Working hours are 9 to 5.20 Monday to Friday with option of working additional Saturday clinics on occasion

Job description is attached

The role is clinical, working within glaucoma clinics at both Cheltenham and Gloucester sites, managing own patients and working within consultant led clinics but there is a significant expectation that service development will form a key part of the post as well as acting as clinical glaucoma lead, involved in audit and teaching of optometrists working within the glaucoma service.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • BSc (Hons) in optometry or MOptom
  • GOC registered as qualified optometrist
  • Obtained IP qualification
  • Obtained or working towards post graduate glaucoma diploma
  • GOC registered as IP specialist qualification

Desirable

  • 2:1 or better
  • Member of College of Optometrists

Experience

Essential

  • Significant previous optometry experience in hospital setting
  • Experience working with multidisciplinary team
  • Experience working in environment with time pressure and busy setting
  • Experience in specialist glaucoma optometry or ophthalmology clinics

Desirable

  • Working with adults with complex requirements

Knowledge and Skills

Essential

  • Knowledge of relevant evidence based clinical optometric practice
  • Ability to analyse data and problem solve
  • Excellent Organisation Skills
  • Communicates complex information effectively and calmly
  • IT literate
  • Able to provide teaching and support to less experienced or more junior colleagues
  • High level of literacy

Desirable

  • Experience working with EPR/Medisight and spreadsheets
  • Good presentation skills working with Microsoft Powerpoint for teaching

Personal Attributes

Essential

  • Ability to work harmoniously in a team
  • Ability to adapt and work flexibly to suit the needs of the service
  • Works accurately with high attention to detail

Skill

Essential

  • Excellent interpersonal skills
  • Maintains a professional manner
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • BSc (Hons) in optometry or MOptom
  • GOC registered as qualified optometrist
  • Obtained IP qualification
  • Obtained or working towards post graduate glaucoma diploma
  • GOC registered as IP specialist qualification

Desirable

  • 2:1 or better
  • Member of College of Optometrists

Experience

Essential

  • Significant previous optometry experience in hospital setting
  • Experience working with multidisciplinary team
  • Experience working in environment with time pressure and busy setting
  • Experience in specialist glaucoma optometry or ophthalmology clinics

Desirable

  • Working with adults with complex requirements

Knowledge and Skills

Essential

  • Knowledge of relevant evidence based clinical optometric practice
  • Ability to analyse data and problem solve
  • Excellent Organisation Skills
  • Communicates complex information effectively and calmly
  • IT literate
  • Able to provide teaching and support to less experienced or more junior colleagues
  • High level of literacy

Desirable

  • Experience working with EPR/Medisight and spreadsheets
  • Good presentation skills working with Microsoft Powerpoint for teaching

Personal Attributes

Essential

  • Ability to work harmoniously in a team
  • Ability to adapt and work flexibly to suit the needs of the service
  • Works accurately with high attention to detail

Skill

Essential

  • Excellent interpersonal skills
  • Maintains a professional manner

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).

Employer details

Employer name

Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Optometry Department

Cheltenham General Hospital, Sandford Road

Cheltenham

GL53 7AN

United Kingdom


Employer's website

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

Employer details

Employer name

Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Optometry Department

Cheltenham General Hospital, Sandford Road

Cheltenham

GL53 7AN

United Kingdom


Employer's website

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

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Professional Lead for Optometry

Dr Anna Warner

anna.warner@nhs.net

07540391876

Details

Date posted

01 June 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8a

Salary

£57,528 to £64,750 a year (pa, pro rata if part-time)

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

318-26-T0293-A

Job locations

Optometry Department

Cheltenham General Hospital, Sandford Road

Cheltenham

GL53 7AN

United Kingdom


Supporting documents

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