Job summary
If you do not meet the essential requirements for a Band 7 Special Optometrist, we will consider appointing a band 6 Optometrist and uplifting to a Band 7 upon completion of competencies.
The Optometry Department offers an extensive range of services across South Tees Hospitals Ophthalmology Outpatient clinics. As an autonomous practitioner, the post holder will provide high-quality, optometric assessment, diagnosis, and treatment as part of a busy multidisciplinary ophthalmology team across South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
The post holder will be required to provide autonomous practice and sole handed clinics across hospital sites across South Tees Hospitals, including James Cook, University Hospital of North Tees, Low Grange Health Village and Friarage hospital and therefore candidates must have access to a vehicle for work purposes to meet the requirements of the role.
Optometrists provide highly specialist core optometric services (including refraction, specialist medical contact lenses and low visual aids.
Successful candidate must have access to a vehicle for work purposes to meet the requirements of the role.
Main duties of the job
As a Band 7 Specialist Optometrist the post holder will spend the majority of their time in the Core Optometry Services (paediatrics and adults). The post holder will also be expected to undertake a caseload involving advanced specialist extended clinical roles which may include Glaucoma, Medical Retina, Cataract, and/or Emergency Department. These are all recognised as key clinical areas by the Royal College of Ophthalmologists Ophthalmic Practitioner Training (OPT) framework and College of Optometrists Postgraduate Higher Qualifications.
As a Band 6 Optometrist the post holder will spend the majority of their time in the Core Optometry Services (paediatrics and adults).
To undertake a lead role in the delivery of a broad range of highly specialist core optometric services to the highest standards of quality and care for South Tees Hospitals and its outreach clinics. This would include diagnostic refraction, independent management of highly complex specialist medical contact lenses and low vision rehabilitation.
To work as independent practitioner and to work autonomously as part of multi-disciplinary team, providing an extensive range of advanced optometric services to the highest standards of quality and care.
About us
South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust offers leadership and improvement training to all new staff. This training programme has been designed to support our leaders in developing their understanding of leadership and management skills. You will be expected to attend the following training sessions:
o Your Leadership Impacto Leading your Team to Successo Leading Into the Futureo Service Improvement for Beginnerso Developing your Service Improvement Skillso Lean Practitioner
The leadership and improvement programme aims to:
o Explore leadership within the NHSo Promote Trust values and behaviourso Develop your leadership effectiveness and skillso Equip staff with the necessary knowledge and skills to lead and complete service improvements within the scope of your role.
After you complete these six and a half days of training you will be able to explore further leadership and improvement training opportunities. We also offer a range of additional in-house and externally provided courses and bitesize programmes through our Leadership and Improvement Team.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see both full job description and person specification document(s) for band 6 and band 7 attached for main responsibilities of the role.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see both full job description and person specification document(s) for band 6 and band 7 attached for main responsibilities of the role.
Person Specification
Knowledge and Skills
Essential
- Able to work independently and across disciplines as a member of a multidisciplinary team undertaking a comprehensive range of complex hospital optometry core specialist services including diagnostic refraction, specialist medical contact lens, low visual aids for patients of all ages (including those with a wide range of learning disabilities). (B6/7)
- Ability to undertake audit of personal and other's data. (B7)
- Competent IT Skills - e.g. use of Microsoft office (including Access, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint & Word). (B6/7)
- Ability to undertake extended role in specialist areas such as cataract, glaucoma, paediatrics, medical retina, acute and emergency eye care. (B7)
- Evidence of excellent communication and interpersonal skills including effective report writing. (B6/7)
- Able to work under pressure. (B6/7)
- Ability to use own initiative and make independent clinical decisions.(B6/7)
- Good organisational skills and time management skills. (B6/7)
- Ability to work with patients of all ages but in particular children (often with learning disabilities) and the elderly. (B7)
- Courteous at all times with patients with excellent chairside manner. (B6/7)
- Change management skills and involvement in project work with the willingness to implement and lead change where necessary. (B7)
- Ability to undertake audit. (B6)
- Ability to work with patients of all ages and abilities. (B6)
Qualifications and Training
Essential
- Degree in Optometry (BSc or MSc). (B6/7)
- Registered Optometrist with the General Optical Council (GOC).(B6/7)
- Evidence of ongoing continuing professional development (CPD) in line with GOC registration requirements. (B6/7)
- Ability to work independently and as part of a multi-disciplinary team. (B6)
- Further highly developed specialist knowledge including theoretical and clinical training e.g. oCollege of Optometrists' Post-Graduate Professional Qualification (such as the Diploma in Ocular Therapeutics). oAccredited slit lamp examiner under Diabetic Retinal Screening programme. oHighly specialised medically necessary contact lens fitting and after care.(B7)
Experience
Essential
- Post registration optometrist experience - which does not have to be Hospital Eye Service (HES) based. (B6/7)
- Experience working in a multidisciplinary team. (B6/7)
- Experience of shared care/ extended role in one or more of: glaucoma, cataract, medical retina, complex refraction, low vision, medical contact lenses or clinical trials. (B7)
- Experience of undertaking research and audit.(B7)
- Broad understanding of the developing roles of the ophthalmic professions, within primary, secondary & tertiary care. (B6/7)
- Knowledge and experience of clinical governance. (B6/7)
- Evidence of ongoing continuous professional development. (B6/7)
- Knowledge and experience of adult/child safeguarding. (B6/7)
- Able to work independently and across disciplines as a member of a multi-disciplinary team. (B6/7)
Person Specification
Knowledge and Skills
Essential
- Able to work independently and across disciplines as a member of a multidisciplinary team undertaking a comprehensive range of complex hospital optometry core specialist services including diagnostic refraction, specialist medical contact lens, low visual aids for patients of all ages (including those with a wide range of learning disabilities). (B6/7)
- Ability to undertake audit of personal and other's data. (B7)
- Competent IT Skills - e.g. use of Microsoft office (including Access, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint & Word). (B6/7)
- Ability to undertake extended role in specialist areas such as cataract, glaucoma, paediatrics, medical retina, acute and emergency eye care. (B7)
- Evidence of excellent communication and interpersonal skills including effective report writing. (B6/7)
- Able to work under pressure. (B6/7)
- Ability to use own initiative and make independent clinical decisions.(B6/7)
- Good organisational skills and time management skills. (B6/7)
- Ability to work with patients of all ages but in particular children (often with learning disabilities) and the elderly. (B7)
- Courteous at all times with patients with excellent chairside manner. (B6/7)
- Change management skills and involvement in project work with the willingness to implement and lead change where necessary. (B7)
- Ability to undertake audit. (B6)
- Ability to work with patients of all ages and abilities. (B6)
Qualifications and Training
Essential
- Degree in Optometry (BSc or MSc). (B6/7)
- Registered Optometrist with the General Optical Council (GOC).(B6/7)
- Evidence of ongoing continuing professional development (CPD) in line with GOC registration requirements. (B6/7)
- Ability to work independently and as part of a multi-disciplinary team. (B6)
- Further highly developed specialist knowledge including theoretical and clinical training e.g. oCollege of Optometrists' Post-Graduate Professional Qualification (such as the Diploma in Ocular Therapeutics). oAccredited slit lamp examiner under Diabetic Retinal Screening programme. oHighly specialised medically necessary contact lens fitting and after care.(B7)
Experience
Essential
- Post registration optometrist experience - which does not have to be Hospital Eye Service (HES) based. (B6/7)
- Experience working in a multidisciplinary team. (B6/7)
- Experience of shared care/ extended role in one or more of: glaucoma, cataract, medical retina, complex refraction, low vision, medical contact lenses or clinical trials. (B7)
- Experience of undertaking research and audit.(B7)
- Broad understanding of the developing roles of the ophthalmic professions, within primary, secondary & tertiary care. (B6/7)
- Knowledge and experience of clinical governance. (B6/7)
- Evidence of ongoing continuous professional development. (B6/7)
- Knowledge and experience of adult/child safeguarding. (B6/7)
- Able to work independently and across disciplines as a member of a multi-disciplinary team. (B6/7)
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).
