Specialist Optometrist

Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust

We have a number of exciting opportunities for both part-time and full-time skilled Optometrists from Band 6 to 8a to undertake enhanced role clinics in a busy ophthalmic unit.

Available extended roles include Glaucoma, Medical Retina, Cornea, Casualty and Cataract clinics.

To provide core and extended role optometric services as an autonomous practitioner at Mid and South Essex NHS Trust, including hospital sites, Southend, Orsett, and Broomfield.

To deliver effectively, individually and as part of a team, specialist levels of clinical investigation and assessment. To use analytical skills to diagnose and treat a range of conditions as necessary. To work as an active member of a multi-disciplinary team. To undertake clinical audit and to take responsibility for own continuing professional development.

Main duties of the job

1. To carry out specialised visual and ocular assessment on patients referred to the department from GPs, Optometrists, Community Screening service and various other hospital departments.
2. To work clinically to deliver a comprehensive range of core optometric service and extended services to the highest standards of quality and care including both face-to-face and virtual clinics.
3. To take responsibility to formulate relevant discharge plans and onward referral.
4. To be responsible as an autonomous practitioner for the evaluation of visual acuity and visual behaviour in referrals from specialist services. This includes patients of all ages, from infants to the elderly with varying communication skills.
5. To be responsible for planning, implementing and monitoring individual treatment plans/care pathways for patients of all ages using advanced clinical reasoning and evidence based practice.

About us

Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust is now one of the largest in the country, with a workforce of approximately 17,000 who serve a population of 1.2 million people. We work together, and in conjunction with MSE Health and Care Partnership, to deliver excellent local and specialist services, to improve the health and wellbeing of our patients in a compassionate way, and provide a respectful, but vibrant place for staff to develop, innovate and build careers.

We not only offer you a good working environment with flexible working opportunities, but also the opportunity to develop your career with access to appropriate training for your job and the support to succeed and progress.

Job responsibilities

For full details about this varied and rewarding role, please see attached job description.

This vacancy is for full-time and part-time candidates.

Person Specification Additional Skills

• Previous experience of OCT and VF.
• Previous experience as a sole practitioner.
• UK Driving licence.

Education and Training

• GOC registration.
• BSc Optometry or equivalent.
• Previous hospital optometry experience.

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.

Salary: £46,148 a year (Pro Rata for Part Time)