County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust
Optometrist
The closing date is 29 July 2025
The Orthoptic and Optometry team at County Durham andDarlington NHS Foundation Trust consists of a team of seven Orthoptists andthree part time Optometrists working closely together with the ConsultantOphthalmologists to provide a high standard of care to our paediatric and adultpatients. We work to the Trusts ethos of providing the patient with safe,compassionate, joined-up care.
We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated Optometristto join our team working predominantly with paediatric patients but also somelow vision patients where service needs allow. You may be providingmulti-disciplinary clinics with the consultant Paediatric ophthalmologist,providing optometry paediatric review.Additionally there would be trainingopportunities to expand into medical contact lenses through formal training andclinical practice.
We require staff to cover the 3 main sites ofdarlington Memorial Hospital, Bishop Auckland General Hospital and UniversityHospital of North Durham.
Main duties of the job
Thisband 6 role is involved in the provision of core optometry work to theOrthoptic and Ophthalmology departments and patients; predominantly involvingthe core paediatric elements of hospital optometry. You will be providingmulti-disciplinary clinics with the consultant Paediatric Ophthalmologist,providing optometry paediatric review refraction clinics and also working in acollaborative clinic with the Orthoptist. All clinics involve a mix of new andreview patients of all ages and abilities, including children with learningdifficulties, and involve strong collaborative team working. In addition toskills with dilated retinoscopy you will be required to perform ophthalmoscopyon dilated paediatric patients and work closely with the other team members tomanage clinical care. This role gives a unique opportunity to use yourknowledge in strabismus and BSV and gain valuable experience in the managementof complex cases not available in the private setting. There would also be the opportunity toundertake some training for Low Visual Aid work if required and through formaltraining to expand into the area of 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 essential in the person specification or 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. We have a centre for planned care in Bishop Auckland and provide 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 providing 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
Over reliance onAI-generated content is discouraged and may diminish the applicant's chances ofsuccess
For the most up-to-date information on visa requirements and eligibility, please check online to determine whether you can apply.
From April 9th 2025 - Healthcare assistants - You must have a minimum of two yearsof experience working within the NHS as a HCA for the Trust to considersponsorship (we will only consider sponsorship if you meet this criteria andhave a current visa expiring within 3 months)
Job responsibilities
Thisband 6 role is involved in the provision of core optometry work to theOrthoptic and Ophthalmology departments and patients; predominantly involvingthe core paediatric elements of hospital optometry. You will be providingmulti-disciplinary clinics with the consultant Paediatric Ophthalmologist,providing optometry paediatric review refraction clinics and also working in acollaborative clinic with the Orthoptist. All clinics involve a mix of new andreview patients of all ages and abilities, including children with learningdifficulties, and involve strong collaborative team working. In addition toskills with dilated retinoscopy you will be required to perform ophthalmoscopyon dilated paediatric patients and work closely with the other team members tomanage clinical care. This role gives a unique opportunity to use yourknowledge in strabismus and BSV and gain valuable experience in the managementof complex cases not available in the private setting. There would also be the opportunity toundertake some training for Low Visual Aid work if required and through formaltraining to expand into the area of 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 Experience/interest in specialist contact lens work/ willingness to undertake additional training if required
Special Requirements
* Well developed hand/eye co-ordination, skilled 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 known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust
£37,338 to £44,962 a yearper annum, pro rata
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