Job summary
NHS
West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) is seeking experienced
GOC-registered optometrists to join us as Optometry Clinical Advisors. We are
recruiting up to two roles, totalling 6 hours per week (approximately 3 hours
per ICB area), covering West Yorkshire and Humber & North Yorkshire ICB
areas. Based within the Primary Care team, you will provide expert clinical
advice and guidance to support NHS General Ophthalmic Services (GOS) across
Yorkshire & the Humber, helping to ensure high-quality, safe, and
effective eye care for patients.
Working
closely with NHS commissioners, optometrists, Local Optical Committees,
provider organisations, and wider healthcare networks, you will contribute to
service development, quality improvement, and innovation in primary care
optometry. You will also support integration of optometry within
neighbourhood health models, ensuring services align with national policy and
local priorities.
This
is a unique opportunity to influence the future of primary eye care across
Yorkshire & the Humber, shaping integrated care pathways, driving
system-wide improvements, and building strong professional relationships. We
are looking for passionate, experienced optometrists with leadership skills,
excellent communication, and a commitment to improving patient outcomes.
This
post may be subject to organisational change
Provisional
Interview Date: Wednesday 10 December
Main duties of the job
As
an Optometry Clinical Advisor, you will provide expert clinical leadership
and guidance across primary care optometry services, ensuring alignment with
national policies, professional standards, and best practice. You will play a
key role in supporting NHS General Ophthalmic Services (GOS) by advising on
contract applications, monitoring quality, and championing continuous
improvement across Yorkshire & the Humber.
You
will lead practice inspections, oversee compliance with national regulations,
and investigate concerns or complaints, helping to maintain high standards of
patient care. Youll build strong working relationships with NHS
commissioners, Local Optical Committees, provider organisations and system
partners, working together to strengthen how optometry fits within integrated
care. Your input will help services evolve, drive innovation, and ensure that
local priorities align with the wider ambitions of the ICB.
The
role provides the opportunity to influence system-wide improvements in
primary care optometry. You will support quality assurance, drive service
development, and foster professional relationships that shape the future of
optometry services. This is an opportunity to contribute strategically,
improve patient outcomes, and be at the forefront of innovation in primary
eye care across the region.
About us
NHS West Yorkshire ICB works to improve population health
and reduce inequalities, addressing diverse community needs. As part of the
West Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership, we collaborate with local councils,
health providers and community organisations.
We value diversity as a strength that enhances creativity
and patient outcomes. Committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive
workplace, we prioritise wellbeing and encourage applications from all areas of
the community, who meet the criteria for the role, regardless of their
protected characteristics.
We support Carers with a Carer friendly environment and a
working Carer passport. As a Mindful Employer, we support employees and
applicants with mental health conditions. As a Disability Confident Employer,
we guarantee interviews for suitable applicants meeting the essential criteria.
Please let us know of any required adjustments.
Note:This advert may close
early due to high application volume, or be paused or withdrawn in line with
our policies if an applicant at risk or on pay protection applies.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The
Optometry Clinical Advisor will provide expert clinical advice, leadership
and strategic support to the NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board (ICB)
for the commissioning and quality assurance of General Ophthalmic Services
(GOS) across Yorkshire and Humber. Working as part of the Primary Care Team
within the Strategy and Partnerships Directorate, the post holder will
support delivery of high-quality, safe, and effective optometric services in
line with national regulations and the NHS England Eye Health Policy Book.
The
role will offer credible and objective clinical leadership, acting as the
interface between the ICB, contractors and professional networks, supporting
quality improvement, service development and patient safety. The post holder
will contribute to commissioning decisions, contract assurance, and policy
implementation to ensure high standards of service provision and patient
experience.
Key
responsibilities include advising on GOS contract applications and
variations, leading contract and quality assurance visits, promoting Quality
in Optometry (QiO), and supporting investigations, complaints and incidents.
The post holder will contribute clinical input to procurement processes,
improvement plans and policy development, ensuring alignment with national
and local eye health priorities. The role will require close collaboration
with Primary Care colleagues, the Medical Director, and Associate Director of
Primary Care to promote integrated, patient-centred eye care pathways.
The
Clinical Advisor will provide leadership in clinical governance, supporting
the development of audit frameworks, quality indicators and performance
standards. They will guide the management of clinical incidents and concerns,
ensuring lessons are learned and best practice is embedded. The post holder
will review and interpret complex data and performance metrics, providing
evidence-based advice to inform commissioning and assurance decisions. They
will also contribute to continuous quality improvement through peer review,
professional development initiatives and engagement in education and training
activities.
The
role will involve representing the ICB at regional and local professional
meetings, including Local Optical Committees, Local Professional Networks and
other relevant forums, providing clinical insight and leadership. The post
holder will build and maintain strong professional relationships across
optometry and related sectors, ensuring effective communication and
collaboration between primary, community and secondary care. The role
requires handling complex, sensitive and sometimes contentious information
with diplomacy and professionalism, particularly in relation to contractual
or performance issues.
The
post holder will play a key role in advancing equality, diversity and
inclusion, upholding the organisations values of dignity, respect and
openness. They will foster a culture of transparency and continuous
improvement, ensuring that all activities reflect the principles of patient
safety, clinical excellence and value for money.
To
be effective, the Clinical Advisor must have significant clinical leadership
experience, be a registered optometrist with the General Optical Council, and
possess an in-depth understanding of GOS practice, regulation and quality
improvement. They will be skilled at analysing complex data, managing
professional relationships and influencing change across organisational
boundaries.
The
role requires the ability to travel across the West Yorkshire ICB area and
wider region to support visits, meetings and collaborative work. The post
holder must adhere to all relevant organisational policies including
safeguarding, infection prevention, health and safety, and data protection.
They are expected to maintain confidentiality, demonstrate professional
conduct, and participate in ongoing appraisal and development to sustain
clinical and leadership competence.
This
job description outlines the main responsibilities and expectations of the
role and is not exhaustive. Duties may be amended to meet evolving
organisational needs following consultation with the post holder.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The
Optometry Clinical Advisor will provide expert clinical advice, leadership
and strategic support to the NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board (ICB)
for the commissioning and quality assurance of General Ophthalmic Services
(GOS) across Yorkshire and Humber. Working as part of the Primary Care Team
within the Strategy and Partnerships Directorate, the post holder will
support delivery of high-quality, safe, and effective optometric services in
line with national regulations and the NHS England Eye Health Policy Book.
The
role will offer credible and objective clinical leadership, acting as the
interface between the ICB, contractors and professional networks, supporting
quality improvement, service development and patient safety. The post holder
will contribute to commissioning decisions, contract assurance, and policy
implementation to ensure high standards of service provision and patient
experience.
Key
responsibilities include advising on GOS contract applications and
variations, leading contract and quality assurance visits, promoting Quality
in Optometry (QiO), and supporting investigations, complaints and incidents.
The post holder will contribute clinical input to procurement processes,
improvement plans and policy development, ensuring alignment with national
and local eye health priorities. The role will require close collaboration
with Primary Care colleagues, the Medical Director, and Associate Director of
Primary Care to promote integrated, patient-centred eye care pathways.
The
Clinical Advisor will provide leadership in clinical governance, supporting
the development of audit frameworks, quality indicators and performance
standards. They will guide the management of clinical incidents and concerns,
ensuring lessons are learned and best practice is embedded. The post holder
will review and interpret complex data and performance metrics, providing
evidence-based advice to inform commissioning and assurance decisions. They
will also contribute to continuous quality improvement through peer review,
professional development initiatives and engagement in education and training
activities.
The
role will involve representing the ICB at regional and local professional
meetings, including Local Optical Committees, Local Professional Networks and
other relevant forums, providing clinical insight and leadership. The post
holder will build and maintain strong professional relationships across
optometry and related sectors, ensuring effective communication and
collaboration between primary, community and secondary care. The role
requires handling complex, sensitive and sometimes contentious information
with diplomacy and professionalism, particularly in relation to contractual
or performance issues.
The
post holder will play a key role in advancing equality, diversity and
inclusion, upholding the organisations values of dignity, respect and
openness. They will foster a culture of transparency and continuous
improvement, ensuring that all activities reflect the principles of patient
safety, clinical excellence and value for money.
To
be effective, the Clinical Advisor must have significant clinical leadership
experience, be a registered optometrist with the General Optical Council, and
possess an in-depth understanding of GOS practice, regulation and quality
improvement. They will be skilled at analysing complex data, managing
professional relationships and influencing change across organisational
boundaries.
The
role requires the ability to travel across the West Yorkshire ICB area and
wider region to support visits, meetings and collaborative work. The post
holder must adhere to all relevant organisational policies including
safeguarding, infection prevention, health and safety, and data protection.
They are expected to maintain confidentiality, demonstrate professional
conduct, and participate in ongoing appraisal and development to sustain
clinical and leadership competence.
This
job description outlines the main responsibilities and expectations of the
role and is not exhaustive. Duties may be amended to meet evolving
organisational needs following consultation with the post holder.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Qualification recognised by the General Optical Council (GOC) for registration as an optometrist.
- Current GOC registration without conditions, including meeting CPD requirements.
- Evidence of professional development and mandatory training completion.
Desirable
- Formal managerial training or qualifications.
Skills & behaviours
Essential
- Ability to work with complex and sensitive contractual and quality issues relating to GOS contractors .
- Commitment to support delivery, as may be required, of agreed local or national priorities relevant to Primary and Community Care.
- Demonstrably involves patients and the public in their work.
- Good communication and leadership skills.
- Provides clinical leadership, direct advice and support to optometric contractors including quality assurance functions.
- Support professional development of contractors, contributing to education and workforce initiatives including materials for training and educational needs.
Experience
Essential
- Previous experience of leading and influencing the delivery of change.
- Evidence of ongoing up to date, personal and professional development in eye health.
- Experience and knowledge in leading optometric services, including contract management and pathway redesign.
- Understanding of Primary Care General Ophthalmic Services (GOS) practice together with contractual and professional requirements.
- Understanding of quality improvement to support improved patient care when accessing GOS services.
Desirable
- Senior leadership experience in the NHS.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Qualification recognised by the General Optical Council (GOC) for registration as an optometrist.
- Current GOC registration without conditions, including meeting CPD requirements.
- Evidence of professional development and mandatory training completion.
Desirable
- Formal managerial training or qualifications.
Skills & behaviours
Essential
- Ability to work with complex and sensitive contractual and quality issues relating to GOS contractors .
- Commitment to support delivery, as may be required, of agreed local or national priorities relevant to Primary and Community Care.
- Demonstrably involves patients and the public in their work.
- Good communication and leadership skills.
- Provides clinical leadership, direct advice and support to optometric contractors including quality assurance functions.
- Support professional development of contractors, contributing to education and workforce initiatives including materials for training and educational needs.
Experience
Essential
- Previous experience of leading and influencing the delivery of change.
- Evidence of ongoing up to date, personal and professional development in eye health.
- Experience and knowledge in leading optometric services, including contract management and pathway redesign.
- Understanding of Primary Care General Ophthalmic Services (GOS) practice together with contractual and professional requirements.
- Understanding of quality improvement to support improved patient care when accessing GOS services.
Desirable
- Senior leadership experience in the NHS.
