The role of Training Programme Director is to work with and support the Postgraduate Dean in leading the delivery of a wide range of functions within their specialty, aligned to the NHS England mandate.
The demands on TPDs are likely to vary at times and the guidance below should be interpreted flexibly.
Ophthalmic Practitioner Training (OPT) is a competency-based training programme founded on the Ophthalmic Common Clinical Competency Framework (OCCCF). It develops non- medical ophthalmic practitioners in secondary care, enabling them to take on extended roles to support the delivery of ophthalmology.
The Ophthalmology Practitioner Programme (OPP) TPD will be responsible for the quality control of the award of the OPT Certificates. They will oversee the OPT Programme and the quality of assessment of its Learners in the East of England in association with the evolving Norfolk Academy for Ophthalmology (being designed to create a seamless blended Ophthalmic Training Program for all those involved in ophthalmic care in the region).
• Support the enrolment of Learners onto the Programme
• Help to deliver OPT teaching according to the OCCCF Curriculum
• Quality control the assessment of Learners to uniform standards
• Supervise the Ophthalmic Practitioner Training Fellow in each of the 4 key areas (Acute and Emergency Ophthalmology, Glaucoma, Medical Retina and Cataract)
The OPP TPD will have oversight of 4 specialist trainee OPT fellows, who will help to deliver the training and learning opportunities for the OPT program.
The OPP TPD will also work closely with the TPD for ophthalmic specialist training program to help deliver a portfolio of learning opportunities that will complement both programs e.g. simulation and other training days.
Our staff bring expertise across clinical, operational, commissioning, technology, data science, cyber security, software engineering, education, and commercial specialisms — enabling us to design and deliver high-quality NHS services.
We lead the NHS in England by:
• Enabling local systems and providers to improve the health of their people and patients and reduce health inequalities
• Making the NHS a great place to work, where people can develop and make a difference
• Working collaboratively to ensure our healthcare workforce has the right knowledge, skills, values and behaviours to deliver accessible, compassionate care
• Optimising the use of digital technology, research, and innovation
• Delivering value for money
Earlier this year, the Government announced that NHS England will gradually merge with the Department of Health and Social Care, to create a smaller, more strategic centre that reduces duplication and waste.
If successful at interview, we will initiate an Inter Authority Transfer (IAT) via the Electronic Staff Record (ESR). This retrieves key data from your current or previous NHS employer to support onboarding, including competency status, Continuous Service Dates (CSD), and annual leave entitlement. You may opt out at any stage of the process.
Colleagues with a contractual office base are expected to spend, on average, at least 40% of their time working in-person.
You can find further details about the role, including key responsibilities and accountabilities, alongside the organisational structure and person specification in the attached Job Description and other supporting documents.
Secondments
Applicants from within the NHS will be offered on a secondment basis only, agreement should be obtained from their employer prior to submitting the application.
This advert closes on Wednesday 4 Mar 2026