Optometrist

Location: On site / Newtown Blackrock, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland
job type: Fixed term / Part-time
Sector and subsector: Medical & Healthcare Paramedic
Salary: Competitive salary

Job Title: Optometrist Department: Eye Department Job Type: Specified Purpose Hours: (Part-Time)

Blackrock Clinic is the leading and longest established private hospital and clinic in Ireland. Since it opened in the mid-1980s, the clinic has consistently built an unparalleled reputation in new high-tech surgical procedures, medical treatments, and ground-breaking diagnostics.

Blackrock Clinic is now part of Blackrock Health private hospital group along with the Hermitage Clinic, Galway Clinic, and Limerick Clinic, some of the most advanced hospitals in Irish private healthcare. As a JCI accredited hospital, Blackrock Clinic is a progressive and pioneering hospital in which care for the patient is central to everything we do.

ROLE PURPOSE

The primary aim of the Eye Department is to promote good ophthalmic health. The unit is equipped with the latest in ophthalmic technology for diagnosing and treating a wide range of eye problems. The optometrist is responsible for the efficient running of the eye department and the co-ordination of clinics and surgical lists.

The optometrist is responsible for providing comprehensive eye care to patients and assessing and managing a diverse range of eye related conditions.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Registered as an Optometrist/Orthoptist
• At least 5 years post registration experience.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES 1. Professional

• Providing a high level of professional and clinical leadership.
• Manage patient care to ensure the highest professional standards.
• In the absence of the clinical lead, monitor complaints and work with quality and risk manager.
• Participate in quality improvement initiatives to improve patient satisfaction.

2. Management

• Promote and nurture a high level of staff morale.
• Encourage evidence-based practice.
• Collaborate with service users, family, carers, and other staff in treatment/care planning and in the provision of support and advice.
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of standards, protocols and guidelines consistent with the highest standards of patient care.
• Conduct diagnostic scans including A-Scans, Pentacam, IDesign, Immersion Biometry, Visual Fields, OCT and Fluorescein angiography
• Conduct eye examinations when requested by a consultant or when requested by an inpatient.
• Evaluate eye related symptoms of patients and determine what extra tests or investigations may be necessary
• Support and plan the introduction of new technologies and the implementations of new services within the department
• In the absence of the clinical lead, lead and educate the team on JCI standards
• In the absence of the clinical lead, develop and continuously revise protocols and procedures
• In the absence of the clinical lead, create and manage the weekly staff rota
• Support and motivate all team members and provide continuous Optometric training for all team members
• In the absence of the clinical lead, provide the necessary co-ordination and deployment of staff in designated area(s) of responsibility, ensuring that skill mix takes account of fluctuating workloads and ensuring maximisation of available resources.
• Collaborate with hospital personnel and other healthcare providers in planning care and making appropriate referrals.
• In the absence of the clinical lead, oversee high standard of record keeping by staff.
• Participate in regular unit meetings and team briefings.
• Actively support and comply with the infection control practices within the hospital.
• Maintain effective communication networks within the unit and departments throughout the hospital.
• Serve on committees within the hospital as appropriate.
• Ensure that equipment is maintained to an appropriate standard.
• Contribute to quality assurance by assisting in data collection as required.

3. Education and Self Development

• In the absence of the clinical lead, assessing and identifying training and development needs of the department staff.
• Identifying teaching and learning opportunities
• Contributing to and facilitating in the development of training programmes where appropriate.
• Contributing to clinical audit as required.

Why work at the Blackrock Clinic?

• Sports and Social club
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Discounted onsite pharmacy

Please Note:

Job descriptions are a reflection of the present service requirements and may be subject to review and amendments to meet the changing needs of the service. Please note that we reserve the right to close this vacancy early if sufficient applications are received.

Blackrock Clinic is an Equal Opportunities employer, and we are committed to creating an environment that promotes equality and dignity at work.

Blackrock Clinic is committed to providing reasonable accommodation when needed. Please advise if you have particular requirements, so that we can look into arranging reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process. You can contact us at

It is essential that you have valid work permission for the Republic of Ireland to take up employment for this position, or in the case of critical skills, you must be eligible for a work permit.