Overview
County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust – Optometrist position. The closing date is 10 October 2025.
The Orthoptic and Optometry team at County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust consists of seven Orthoptists and three part-time Optometrists working closely with Consultant Ophthalmologists to provide a high standard of care to paediatric and adult patients. We work to the Trust’s ethos of providing safe, compassionate, joined-up care.
We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated Optometrist to join our team, predominantly working with paediatric patients but also with some low vision patients where service needs allow. You may be providing multi-disciplinary clinics with the consultant Paediatric Ophthalmologist, providing optometry paediatric review. There are opportunities to expand into medical contact lenses through formal training and clinical practice.
We require staff to cover the three main sites: Darlington Memorial Hospital, Bishop Auckland General Hospital, and University Hospital of North Durham.
Main duties of the job
This band 6 role involves core optometry work within the Orthoptic and Ophthalmology departments and with patients, predominantly the paediatric elements of hospital optometry. You will be providing multi-disciplinary clinics with the consultant Paediatric Ophthalmologist, providing paediatric optometry reviews (refractive clinics) and working in a collaborative clinic with the Orthoptist. All clinics involve a mix of new and review patients of all ages and abilities, including children with learning difficulties, and require strong teamwork. You will perform dilated retinoscopy and ophthalmoscopy on dilated paediatric patients, and work closely with other team members to manage clinical care. This role offers the opportunity to use knowledge in strabismus and binocular vision (BSV) and gain experience in managing complex cases not available in the private sector. There is potential to undertake training for Low Visual Aid work if required and, through formal training, to expand into medical contact lenses.
About us
If you are being interviewed you must accept an interview slot in the system to continue, even if you have arranged with the manager.
You must be able to produce ALL certificates stated as essential in the person specification; otherwise you will not be able to complete pre-employment checks.
We provide hospital services from two acute sites – Darlington Memorial Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham, with a centre for planned care in Bishop Auckland and care from community hospitals in Chester-le-Street, Shotley Bridge, Barnard Castle, Sedgefield and Weardale, as well as over 80 other community-based settings and care in patients’ homes.
We particularly welcome applications from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as BAME and disabled people are currently under-represented.
Full Job Descriptions can be found in the adverts supporting documents.
For the most up-to-date information on visa requirements and eligibility, please check online to determine whether you can apply.
Job responsibilities
This band 6 role involves core optometry work within the Orthoptic and Ophthalmology departments and with patients, predominantly the paediatric elements of hospital optometry. You will be providing multi-disciplinary clinics with the consultant Paediatric Ophthalmologist, providing paediatric optometry reviews (refractive clinics) and working in a collaborative clinic with the Orthoptist. All clinics involve a mix of new and review patients of all ages and abilities, including children with learning difficulties, and require strong teamwork. You will perform dilated retinoscopy and ophthalmoscopy on dilated paediatric patients, and work closely with other team members to manage clinical care. This role offers a unique opportunity to use your knowledge in strabismus and BSV and gain experience in managing complex cases not available in the private sector. There is potential to undertake some training for Low Visual Aid work if required and, through formal training, to expand into medical contact lenses.
Person Specification
Statutory Registration
* Current GOC Registration
Special Skills & Knowledge
* Experience in paediatric refraction; good communication and organisational skills; good interpersonal skills; IT skills.
* Experience in low vision aids; willingness to undertake additional training if required; interest in specialist contact lens work; willingness to undertake additional training if required.
Special Requirements
* Well developed hand/eye coordination; able to work with all ages of patients; flexible; enthusiastic.
* Receptive to change.
Experience
* Experience in paediatric refraction.
Qualifications
* Bsc Hon (Optometry); MCOptom
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 CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust
£38,682 to £46,580 per annum, pro rata
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