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East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust

Specialist Optometrist Band 7

The closing date is 30 June 2025

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Job summary

We are seeking to appoint a Specialist Optometrist to work in both specialist optometric clinics and extended roles within ophthalmology clinics. The successful candidate will provide a broad range of highly skilled core & specialised services.

We are excited to offer opportunities for optometrists to join our friendly Optometry Team in East Sussex, enjoying the benefits of a forward thinking department & the delights of living on the south coast with beaches & countryside on the doorstep, but just over an hour from London. Our team strives to support training & development to optometrists through all levels of their career from newly qualified up to advanced practitioner levels.Our team consists of 12 optometrists, 2 dispensing opticians, with budget of 10 full time equivalent. The team provides services at Eastbourne District General Hospital, Bexhill Hospital & Conquest Hospital.

The team works closely alongside consultant ophthalmologists, associate specialists, junior doctors, orthoptists, ophthalmic technicians, ophthalmology trained nurses & dispensing opticians. Our team provides a range of highly skilled specialised services such as low vision, complex adult & paediatric refraction & medical contact lenses. In addition we provide extended roles including medical retina, glaucoma, eye casualty, IVT injections, cataract, YAG laser, cornea & diabetic services.

Main duties of the job

The role involves a varied work load with a mixture of specialist optometry clinics (medical contact lenses, refraction and low vision) and extended ophthalmology roles (for example AMD, glaucoma, cataract, intravitreal injections).

We are looking for someone with excellent interpersonal skills, team focus and the drive to deliver a high standard of patient care. You must have current GOC registration and be qualified optometrist.

Training and support can be provided in the role as required and we welcome optometrists from the community setting who may be interested in training into hospital work. Whether you fancy a full time role within hospital optometry or part-time sessions to complement your community practice we would be very interested to hear from you.

About us

A wide range of staff benefits are available to our staff including staff development, enrolment in the NHS pension scheme, auto-enrolment to our Temporary Workforce Service, access to onsite nurseries. staff restaurants and accommodation.

In addition to an internal Occupational Health department, all staff also have access to free psychological support through our confidential Employee Assistance Programme. Onsite parking is available from only £50 a year.

There has never been a better time to join East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust, submit your application today.

Statement on the Use of AI

We value the individuality that each candidate brings to the application process. While we understand that AI tools are widely available, we strongly discourage applicants from using AI-generated content when applying for jobs with us. We believe that your application should reflect your true skills, experiences, and motivations, which are best conveyed through your own words and unique perspective.

Using AI for your application may not accurately represent your knowledge, skills, and experience and may result in a disconnect between your qualifications and our assessment of your application.

We encourage applicants to take the time to thoughtfully complete their applications; by doing so, you allow us to better understand your true potential and ensure a fair and transparent evaluation of your application. Over reliance on AI-generated content may diminish your chance of success.

Details

Date posted

16 June 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£46,148 to £52,809 a year per annum, pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Flexible working

Reference number

374-SR3733

Job locations

East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust - cross site

Bexhill Hospital

Bexhill-on-Sea

TN40 2DZ


Job description

Job responsibilities

Full details found in job description attached.

Specialist optometrists are likely to develop to an autonomous level with specialist optometry clinics as well as work in consultant led ophthalmology clinics with some supervision.

They are also expected to help teach and train other staff members including pre-registration optometrists and junior doctors.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Full details found in job description attached.

Specialist optometrists are likely to develop to an autonomous level with specialist optometry clinics as well as work in consultant led ophthalmology clinics with some supervision.

They are also expected to help teach and train other staff members including pre-registration optometrists and junior doctors.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Qualified Optometrist
  • GOC Registered
  • Evidence of CPD/CET in accordance with GOC regulations
  • Evidence of additional specialist knowledge through training/extended study to post graduate level e.g. College of Optometrists higher qualifications or modular MSc

Knowledge & Experience

Essential

  • Minimum of 3 years post registration experience
  • Previous experience of working in specialist clinical areas, providing expert opinion and making contribution to service development
  • Basic level IT skills including knowledge of Microsoft Office Word, Excel and Outlook

Desirable

  • Experience of working in a hospital setting

Specific Skills

Essential

  • Excellent interpersonal skills

Desirable

  • Previous experience of working in or observing specialist optometric clinics
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Qualified Optometrist
  • GOC Registered
  • Evidence of CPD/CET in accordance with GOC regulations
  • Evidence of additional specialist knowledge through training/extended study to post graduate level e.g. College of Optometrists higher qualifications or modular MSc

Knowledge & Experience

Essential

  • Minimum of 3 years post registration experience
  • Previous experience of working in specialist clinical areas, providing expert opinion and making contribution to service development
  • Basic level IT skills including knowledge of Microsoft Office Word, Excel and Outlook

Desirable

  • Experience of working in a hospital setting

Specific Skills

Essential

  • Excellent interpersonal skills

Desirable

  • Previous experience of working in or observing specialist optometric clinics

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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).

Employer details

Employer name

East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust

Address

East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust - cross site

Bexhill Hospital

Bexhill-on-Sea

TN40 2DZ


Employer's website

http://jobs.esht.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust

Address

East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust - cross site

Bexhill Hospital

Bexhill-on-Sea

TN40 2DZ


Employer's website

http://jobs.esht.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Principal Optometrist

Helen Peregrine

helen.peregrine@nhs.net

03001314402

Details

Date posted

16 June 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£46,148 to £52,809 a year per annum, pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Flexible working

Reference number

374-SR3733

Job locations

East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust - cross site

Bexhill Hospital

Bexhill-on-Sea

TN40 2DZ


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)