Optometrist

University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust

Optometrist

The closing date is 12 April 2026

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a enthusiastic and motivated part-time Optometrist to join our friendly Ophthalmology department based mainly at Royal Bournemouth Hospital.

Part time applications will be considered for a minimum of 1 day per week , so if you would like the challenge of Hospital Optometry and the support of the consultant ophthalmologists to improve your clinical practice this is the role for you.

The clinical workload will involve core clinics including the assessment of new and current patients attending the contact lens optometry service where we provide therapeutic contact lens fittings and aftercare for a wide variety of patients, and include paediatric refraction (both with and without cycloplegia) at RBH and possibly also off-site at our other local hospitals. On the job training and supervision will be provided. Specialist clinics utilising IP include Glaucoma clinics, macula clinics and working in the Eye Emergency Department.

Support to those wanting to undertake their IP qualification will also be considered.

This role requires GOC Registration

Base location: Royal Bournemouth Hospital

Main duties of the job

You will be working as part of a multi-disciplinary team, liaising closely with a team of six Optometrists, 14 Consultant Ophthalmologists, 7 Orthoptists, Ophthalmic Nurses, Ophthalmic technicians and other support staff.

The successful post holder should have a BSc in Optometry and be registered with the General Optical Council. Experience in contact lens practice is desirable, and previous hospital optometry experience would be advantageous but not essential. An Independent prescribing qualification is again advantageous, but not essential.

About us

UHD are investing, developing and transforming Trust services in line with the New Hospital Programme. As part of this, some services may move site this year or next, either temporarily or permanently. Recruiting Managers will be happy to answer any service-specific questions at interview. If a role or service relocates as part of a planned move, excess mileage will not be reimbursed. Travel from home to the new work base will be classed as a normal commute. Any other changes will be managed under Trust or national terms and conditions. UHD has active networks including Women's, BAME, Pride, EU, Pro Ability, and Armed Forces. We support Disability Confident and Armed Forces Covenant interview schemes.

AI tools may be used, but applications must honestly reflect your own skills and experience. Integrity is key to our recruitment process.

Job responsibilities

To understand the role in more detail please read the full job description and person specification documents which are attached to this advert.

Person Specification Qualifications

• GOC Registration
• Experience with Contact lens - competent in soft and RGP fitting and aftercare
• Experience in complex contact lens work in hospital contact lens clinics
• Experience in scleral contact lenses

Experience

• Experience in paediatric eye care - competent in cycloplegic and non-cycloplegic retinoscopy
• Experience in hospital paediatric ophthalmology clinics
• Extended role skills, examples as appropriate to role
• Planning and prioritisation skills
• Computer literacy particularly working with e.g. excel spreadsheets and access databases including IT Systems

Knowledge

• Experience in full range of optometry roles
• Qualifications in extended roles - glaucoma, macula, IP

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.

University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust