Optometrist

Putting community at the heart of everything we do.

Proud to be a prospective advanced foundation trust, CLCH is one of the largest community healthcare providers in the country, employing more than 4,500 staff and caring for more than four million people across London and Hertfordshire. We believe in working together to give children a better start and adults greater independence. Our diverse team of professionals supports patients at every stage of their lives, from health visiting for newborn babies to community nursing, stroke rehabilitation, and palliative care.

By joining CLCH, you will be part of a dynamic and supportive team that values innovation, compassion, and excellence. We offer a range of exciting career opportunities and are committed to your professional development and well‑being.

To join us and help make a real difference in the communities we work in, browse our latest jobs and opportunities below.

Site Vale Drive Community Eye Clinic Town Barnet Salary £55,524 - £62,652 Per Annum, inclusive of HCAS pro rata (part time) Salary period Yearly Closing 05/07/2026 23:59

At CLCH, we proudly serve as a beacon of compassionate community healthcare across 14 vibrant London boroughs — Barnet, Brent, Ealing, Hammersmith & Fulham, Harrow, Hounslow, Kensington and Chelsea, Merton, Richmond, Wandsworth, Westminster, Hillingdon, Sutton, and Kingston — as well as Hertfordshire. We bring care closer to home, embracing the rich diversity of these communities with dedication and heart.

Recognised as a Good provider by the Care Quality Commission and celebrated among the top NHS employers, we are united by a shared passion: empowering our community health professionals to deliver care that truly makes a difference.

We are deeply committed to fostering an environment where every member of our team feels respected, valued, and inspired—a place where fairness, kindness, and inclusion blossom. Our culture is rooted in the principles of the NHS People Plan, Our NHS People Promise, and our own strategic Equality values and objectives, guiding us to create a truly supportive and inclusive workplace.

Together, we build a caring community where the warmth we show one another shines through in every life we touch.

Job overview

We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Band 7 Optometrist to join our dynamic ophthalmology team. In this role, you will work closely with orthoptists and the wider multidisciplinary team to deliver a comprehensive range of high‑quality optometric services, including extended roles depending on your experience.

You will practise autonomously, providing expert assessment, diagnosis, and management of patients across all age groups, from infants to older adults, including those with complex clinical needs. The role also offers the opportunity to contribute to specialist optometric services and support the ongoing development of innovative patient pathways.

In addition to clinical duties, you will play an active role in clinical audit, research, and service improvement initiatives. You will also contribute to teaching and training across a range of professional groups, supporting the development of future ophthalmic practitioners.

This is an excellent opportunity for an optometrist looking to further develop their clinical expertise, leadership skills, and involvement in education and service development within a supportive and forward‑thinking team.

Main duties of the job

• Providing a comprehensive range of core optometric services, including complex refraction (particularly in paediatric patients).
• Undertaking autonomous assessment, diagnosis, and management of patients across all age groups, including children and individuals with complex communication or additional needs.
• Developing and implementing individualised management and treatment plans, including prescribing spectacles and making appropriate referrals or discharging patients.
• Delivering care within paediatric clinics, working collaboratively with orthoptists and ophthalmologists to diagnose and manage a wide range of conditions.
• Communicating effectively with patients, families, and carers, including explaining sensitive information such as diagnosis and prognosis in a clear and supportive manner.
• Maintaining accurate clinical records and ensuring patients are managed within appropriate care pathways, including timely follow‑up and discharge planning.
• Contributing to clinical governance through participation in audit, service evaluation, and continuous professional development.
• Supporting service development by reviewing policies, identifying improvements, and ensuring adherence to Trust protocols.
• Maintaining and monitoring clinical equipment, reporting faults, and ensuring efficient use of resources.
• Actively contributing to education and training by supervising students, teaching multidisciplinary staff, and supporting clinical observers.

Working for our organisation

We are proud to be one of the largest community healthcare providers in the country, with more than 4,500 colleagues caring for over four million people across London and Hertfordshire. Every day, our teams bring their skill, compassion, and determination to the people who depend on us.

What inspires us is at the heart of who we are: when we work together, we can help people move forward in ways that truly matter. Our teams support children as they take their first steps in life, and they stand beside adults as they rebuild strength, confidence, and independence. From newborn health visiting to community nursing, stroke rehabilitation, and palliative care, we are there for people through some of life’s most important moments.

Joining Central London Community Healthcare means becoming part of a community that lifts each other up. It means working in an organisation that values compassion, welcomes new ideas, and believes in the potential of every colleague. Your development matters here. Your wellbeing matters. Your voice helps shape the future of the care we provide.

We offer a competitive employment package because the work you do matters. At Central London Community Healthcare, you will join an inclusive organisation that invests in its people, supports development, and helps you thrive while delivering high‑quality care.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Applicants are expected to present clear and relevant evidence of the competencies and responsibilities detailed in the attached Job Description and Person Specification, together with a demonstrated commitment to the Trust’s values of Accountability, Inclusion, Compassion, and Empowerment.

Person specification

Skills & Knowledge

• High level of literacy
• IT literate
• Ability to demonstrate professional knowledge and skills (able to access, appraise and apply evidence in practice.
• Teaching/Supervisory skills
• Excellent communication skills (verbal and written)
• Multidisciplinary teamwork in a multicultural framework

Education/Qualification

• BSc (Hons) Optometry (or equivalent).
• Registration with General Optical Council.
• Further/ higher professional qualifications or an interest in gaining further/ higher professional qualifications.
• Evidence of on‑going continuing education and training as required by the General Optical Council
• Minimum of 1‑2 years post registration experience

Experience

• Evidence of post registration experience.
• Evidence of continuing professional development.
• Previous hospital optometry experience, beneficial not essential
• Accurate paediatric refractions (cyclopentolate and non‑cyclopentolate) with an understanding of appropriate prescribing.
• Good understanding of professional issues and NHS policy initiatives e.g. voucher regulations.
• A portfolio of career long learning, experience and education.
• Primary research skills.
• Presentations to colleagues/ peers.
• Teaching to fellow health professionals.
• Interest in clinical research and audit

Key Attributes

• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to work within a multi‑disciplinary team- willing to seek advice from colleagues.
• Maintain a professional manner at all times.
• Sensitivity to an individual’s needs – able to communicate complex, sensitive, condition – related information to a patient.
• Punctual, reliable and flexible.
• Self‑motivated and able to work on own initiative Receptive to further training and development.
• Able to organise and prioritize own workload.
• Openness – Shares information and good practice appropriately
• Mutual Respect – Treats others with courtesy and respect at all times

CLCH Commitment to Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

CLCH is proud to be a Disability Confident Committed employer. We believe that a diverse and inclusive workforce is essential for providing exceptional patient care. We are dedicated to attracting and retaining talent from all backgrounds, including ethnic minorities, the LGBTQ+ community, and people with disabilities.

As a Disability Confident employer, we pledge to:

• Guarantee an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for a role.
• Provide reasonable adjustments to support diverse needs throughout the recruitment and employment process.
• Challenge misconceptions about disability and foster an inclusive culture for everyone.

We are committed to building a workplace where all staff feel valued and have the opportunity to thrive. Simply let us know how we can support you.

Learn more about our equal opportunities policy on our website: Equal opportunities: Central London Community Healthcare NHS Trust clch.nhs.uk

Employer certification / accreditation badges

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.