Would you like to join a centre of excellence in rural and remote healthcare?
Site Cumberland Infirmary/West Cumberland Hospital Town Carlisle/Whitehaven Salary £39,959 - £48,117 pa pro rata Salary period Yearly Closing 15/06/2026 23:59
Job overview
Optometrist Band 6
The Ophthalmology department provides a range of services for patients of North Cumbria. We are looking for an Optometrist to join the team, working alongside fellow Orthoptists, Optometrists, Ophthalmic Consultants and Ophthalmology nursing teams. The post is based at Cumberland Infirmary, Carlisle or West Cumberland Hospital, Whitehaven, with occasional travel to other Ophthalmology departments within the service.
Main duties of the job
* Provide services as an autonomous practitioner to assess, diagnose and manage patients referred to the orthoptic department
* Determine the clinical diagnosis, develop treatment plans, discharge plans and make appropriate onward referrals to Ophthalmology or other health professionals
* Perform low‑vision clinical work (training will be provided)
* Cover Cumberland Infirmary (Carlisle), West Cumberland Hospital (Whitehaven), Workington Community Hospital and peripheral clinics
* Liaise with other professionals and colleagues as appropriate
Benefits
* 27‑day holiday scheme rising to 33 after 10 years
* NHS discounts*
* Salary sacrifice schemes including lease cars and Cycle to Work*
* Vivup: free, confidential counselling and information service*
*Subject to eligibility
Person specification
Qualifications
* BSc (Hons) Optometry or equivalent
* 2:1 degree or better
* Member of the College of Optometrists
Skills and Aptitudes
* Experience in contact lens fitting
* Ability to undertake contact tonometry, binocular indirect ophthalmoscopy and slit lamp biomicroscopy
* Ability to effectively communicate complex information in a range of situations, e.g. clinical information to patients
* Ability to communicate when there are barriers to understanding, e.g. young children, patients with learning disabilities and other sensory impairments
* Ability to operate a range of complex ophthalmic instruments
* Ability to independently assess and make clinical decisions
* Advanced written communication skills
* IT skills – use of Word, Excel and databases
* Experience in specialist contact lens fitting
* Ability to convey unwelcome or bad news in a sensitive manner
Other requirements
* Effective organisation and time management skills
* Flexible approach to working patterns
* Ability to travel independently across sites
* Highly motivated and enthusiastic
* Full driving licence with access to a car
Knowledge and Experience
* Experience of working with visually impaired patients and those with learning disabilities
* Experience in working with young children
* Theoretical knowledge in a range of clinical areas, including specialist contact lenses and complex refraction management
* Knowledge and experience of clinical matters beyond the direct clinical role, e.g. surgical techniques and management
* Broad understanding of the optometry profession, including primary and secondary care interface and NHS service provision
* Knowledge of governance issues, particularly clinical audit
* Previous clinical experience in a hospital or other specialist setting
* Experience working with children and adults with complex requirements
* Experience of working in a multidisciplinary team
Employer certification / accreditation
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and requires submission for Disclosure to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
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