¹û¶³´«Ã½APP

Skip to main content

This site is independent of the NHS and the Department of Health.

Please wait, loading

Job summary

Main area
Ophthalmology
Grade
NHS AfC: Band 8a
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week
Job ref
230-50493889-SURG-SO-A
Employer
George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
George Eliot Hospital
Town
Nuneaton
Salary
£53,755 - £60,504 per annum
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
05/01/2025 23:59

Employer heading

George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust logo

Specialist Optometrist

NHS AfC: Band 8a

George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust opened in 1948 and provides a range of elective, non-elective, surgical, medical, women’s, children’s, diagnostic and therapeutic services to a population of more than 350,000 people.

The hub of the Trust is located on the outskirts of Nuneaton and its services cover a large footprint, including north Warwickshire, south west Leicestershire, and north Coventry. We also provide primary and community services across Coventry, Warwickshire and Leicestershire.

Our vision isÌý"to EXCEL at patient care". If you think you've got what it takes, help us realise this and joinÌý#TeamEliot.

Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of colour aren’t as likely to apply unless they meet every qualification of non specialist roles.

We’re dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive workplace, so if you’re excited about this role and meet our values, but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with everything in the Job Description or Person Specification– apply anyway or email the Recruiting Manager to discuss the role furtherÌý

We are proud to support the Armed Forces community. We are a Veteran Aware and Reservist Friendly organisation and welcome applications from Veterans, Reservists, Cadet Instructors, and family members of serving personnel.Ìý

Ìý

Job overview

** We are happy to support candidates who are either interested or have started their independent prescribers course. **

Job Title: Specialist Optometrist

Hours per week: 37.5 hours per week

Perm/Fixed Term: Permanent

Salary: £53,755 - £60,504 per annumÌý

Closing Date: 5th January 2025

Interview Date: TBC

**This post may close early due to high numbers of applications, so you are advised to apply promptly. **

All correspondence for this vacancy will be sent by email; please check your account regularly including your Junk and SPAM areas.

A great and friendly place to work, so bring your passion, commitment and expertise and enjoy the opportunities to make a difference every day.Ìý

#JoinTeamEliot

The post holder will have clinical responsibility for the specialist paediatric and adult refraction clinics.

To be an autonomous practitioner providing highly skilled and specialised HES optometric services to George Eliot Hospital Nuneaton (GEH).

The post holder will participate in multi-disciplinary Glaucoma & Medical retina diagnosis and management clinics, working under the direction of the lead Consultants assessing both new and follow up patients.

To work closely with the Ophthalmology Management to deliver a comprehensive range of specialist optometric services to the highest standards of quality and patient care.Ìý

Main duties of the job

  • To undertake full range of optometry services as required, providing expert treatment and advice.
  • To appropriately assess, examine, investigate, diagnose and treat patients resulting in the safe management of patients, autonomously formulate appropriate management plans for patients.Ìý
  • Demonstrate a critical understanding of own level of responsibility and autonomy and the limits of own competence and professional scope of practice, including when working with complexity, risk, uncertainty and incomplete information.
  • Prescribe and review medication (as an independent prescriber) for therapeutic effectiveness appropriate to patient need and in accordance with best/evidence-based practice and national and local protocols and within the role’s scope of practice and legal framework.
  • Ability to order and interpret diagnostic pathological, microbial, and/or radiographic investigations (e.g. blood tests, ocular swabs, MRI etc) using findings to initiate treatment.
  • To develop virtual clinics, within own advanced sub-specialty role, in line with the service demands. Developed scope of advanced clinical skills and practice to meet changing needs of service.
  • Need for high levels of continuous concentration requiring working under significant pressure, with frequent interruptions from other clinical staff requiring advice.Ìý
  • To support consultants on the day of surgery by conducting slit lamp examinations to ensure all patient history remains up to date.

Working for our organisation

Here at George Eliot our vision toÌý‘excel at patient care’Ìý takes centre stage.Ìý An ever evolving clinically-led acute service provider we are on a journey to continually provide high quality, safe and responsive services delivered by inspiring, friendly and compassionate staff who share our corporate values which underpin everything we do.Ìý Our values are not just words on a piece of paper, they bond us together, reflect our ambition and shape who we are:

Effective Open Communication

excellence and safety in everything we do

Challenge but support

Expect respect and dignity

Local health that inspires confidence

Benefits:Ìý On-site nursery, 27 days minimum annual leave plusÌý bank holidays, cycle to work scheme, flexible working, in house training and development, buying and selling of annual leave, subsidised restaurant, tranquillity garden and generous subsidised on-site parking.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

  • The post holder is required to contribute to the teaching, audit, and clinical governance requirements of the Ophthalmology service. Ophthalmology staff work as part of a multidisciplinary team and all members contribute to providing a high-quality service for its users.
  • If the post holder is a registered independent non- medical prescriber, to prescribe medicines for patients, working within the GEH Policy and Procedure for Non- medical Prescribing and Directorate’s local guidelines/procedures.
  • To ensure prescribing activities comply with legal requirements and HCPC guidance for non-medical prescribers. To maintain competence under the National Competency Framework for all Prescribers. To monitor own prescribing activities and participate in the evaluation of this service development.
  • To be an autonomous practitioner providing highly skilled and specialised HES optometric services to George Eliot Hospital Nuneaton (GEH).
  • To work closely with the Ophthalmology Management to deliver a comprehensive range of specialist optometric services to the highest standards of quality and patient care.
  • The post holder will have clinical responsibility for the specialist paediatric and adult refraction clinics.
  • Patients may have specific learning difficulties, special needs, various degrees of visual disability and varying communication skills.
  • The post holder will participate in multi-disciplinary Glaucoma & Medical retina diagnosis and management clinics, working under the direction of the lead Consultants assessing both new and follow up patients.
  • The post holder is required to contribute to the teaching, audit, and clinical governance requirements of the Ophthalmology service. Ophthalmology staff work as part of a multidisciplinary team and all members contribute to providing a high-quality service for its users.
  • If the post holder is a registered independent non- medical prescriber, to prescribe medicines for patients, working within the GEH Policy and Procedure for Non- medical Prescribing and Directorate’s local guidelines/procedures.
  • To ensure prescribing activities comply with legal requirements and HCPC guidance for non-medical prescribers. To maintain competence under the National Competency Framework for all Prescribers. To monitor own prescribing activities and participate in the evaluation of this service development.

For a full comprehensive list of main responsibilities and duties, please kindly refer to job description and personal specification attached.

Person specification

Experience

Essential criteria
  • Significant experience at Band 7 or above
  • Highly developed Specialist experience across a wide range of Ophthalmic case mix
  • Evidence of organisational and leadership skills
  • Documented evidence of continuing professional development
  • Experience in change management and problem solving
  • Working across organisational boundaries
  • Team building and staff development
  • Experience of clinical leadership and operational management experience
  • Portfolio of evidence showing A) Achievements in Specialist practice B) Research & audit experience C) Team leadership experience D) Financial awareness E) Experience of assessing mental capacity F) Experience of service development
Desirable criteria
  • Lead in audit or research projects
  • Evidence of lecturing / presenting and clinical teaching experience

Qualifications / Training

Essential criteria
  • Registered Optometrist with General Optical Council (GOC)
  • BSc in Optometry or equivalent qualification
  • Higher degree or postgraduate qualification in Optometry
  • Independent / non-medical prescriber qualification
  • Management qualification completion of management programme
Desirable criteria
  • Teaching and assessing qualification

skills / Knowledge

Essential criteria
  • Detailed knowledge of current best practice in relevant clinical areas
  • Knowledge of the principles of clinical governance and its application
  • Understand team dynamics with an ability to influence the building of effective relationships between staff, lead and motivate the team
  • Highly developed analytical and judgement skills
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills
  • Negotiation and diplomacy skills
  • Ability to work autonomously, plan, organise, prioritise and delegate
  • Ability to work under pressure and cope in a stressful environment and with emotional / aggressive patients / carers
  • Ability to understand and analyse professional and ethical issues and apply them to service development

Personal Qualities

Essential criteria
  • Ability to work autonomously
  • Practical and calm under pressure
  • Motivated and enthusiastic
  • Adaptable and flexible
  • Innovate and intuitive
  • Able to work as part of a multidisciplinary team
  • Ability to manage and lead a team
  • Excellent role model
  • Able to express self clearly and confidently – verbal and written
  • Demonstrates commitment and ability to teach others
  • Able to work under pressure and adapt to changing circumstances
  • Able to achieve personal objectives

Other

Essential criteria
  • Excellent communication skills – written and verbal
  • Ability to influence and negotiate at all levels
  • Independent means of transport
  • Flexible to meet the needs of the service
  • Aware of current NHS issues and priorities

Employer certification / accreditation badges

NHS Pastoral Care Quality AwardPride In Veterans

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Documents to download

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Afnan Akhtar
Job title
Operational Manager
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
07392194746