Specialist Optometrist

Specialist Optometrist

The closing date is 27 April 2026

We have an opportunity for a six month fixed term Specialist Optometrist (Band 7) up to 30 hours per week. This role is to cover a career break.

St Paul's Eye Unit is the largest eye care provider in Cheshire and Merseyside and is a long-established centre of excellence for ophthalmic care serving the North West and beyond. We provide the full range of eye services with hospital optometrists involved in most of the services.

We work with a collaborative and multidisciplinary approach to deliver the full range of ophthalmology services. We support and encourage career development and the attainment of higher professional qualifications and IP qualifications. The successful applicant will be based in purpose built facilities at the new Royal Liverpool University Hospital, which opened in October 2022.

Job responsibilities

• Work closely with the Head of Department to deliver a comprehensive range of specialist optometric services to the highest standards of quality and patient care.
• Operate as an autonomous practitioner in providing optometric assessment, diagnosis and management of patients of all ages, including the elderly, those with visual disability and those with varying communication skills.
• Personal delivery of complex specialist optometric services that meet the changing needs of the Directorate and other outside agencies.
• Serve as lead clinician for at least one specific optometric service (e.g., contact lens service, low vision service, or ultrasound biometry service).
• Coordinate and ensure the appropriate deployment of staff and evaluate service delivery, liaising with the Head of Optometry Department regarding changes to the service.
• Act as an independent practitioner and be a source of clinical expertise for junior staff in the assessment and practice of these clinical specialties.
• Carry out specific administrative duties as agreed with the Head of Optometry Department, including tasks associated with lead role for a specific optometric service and other delegated administrative tasks.
• Undertake clinical audit and research as agreed with the Head of Optometry Department.
• Participate in an audit team, coordinating and advising within the service as necessary.
• Be a registered supervisor with the College of Optometrists for Preregistration Optometrists.
• Provide teaching and training at undergraduate and postgraduate levels for various disciplines within ophthalmology (ophthalmologists, medical students, ophthalmic nurses, orthoptists and other health professionals) visiting the Optometry Department.
• Take a major role in the preparation, organisation and delivery of teaching programmes provided by the Optometry Department.

Qualifications

• Registered as an Optometrist with the General Optical Council.
• Specialist knowledge across a range of optometric procedures and practices, supported by theoretical knowledge and relevant practical experience.

Experience

• Record and analyse own clinical data in a range of activities and take responsibility at service level for the operation of information systems in relation to one service.
• Regularly carry out a range of formal Research & Development activities as a significant job requirement.
• Act as an independent practitioner guided by broad occupational policies/regulations and interpret policy, advise and guide others.
• Physical ability to move major clinical equipment (usually on wheels) throughout the working day.
• Perform frequent concentration determining appropriate clinical decisions at regular intervals whilst managing parallel activities and with frequent interruptions.
• Work with patients, carers and colleagues in highly distressing or emotional circumstances, including ocular injury, trauma, and irreversible loss of sight.
• Work in an indoor confined environment largely in semi darkness for prolonged periods with some exposure to hazards.

Knowledge

• Responsible for specialist equipment and any physical stock held in the optometry department associated with the specialist service managed.
• Responsible for day to day management of junior staff, including specialist training in a range of optometry subjects.

Skills

• Communicate complex and sensitive information with professionals, patients, carers and others both within and without the organisation where empathy or reassurance skills are required.
• Manage and resolve routine enquiries and complaints within Directorate and Trust operating procedures.
• Make judgements involving complex facts or situations requiring analysis, interpretation and comparison of a range of options and determine appropriate outcomes.
• Organisational ability to plan and organise a number of complex activities/programmes which require formulation and adjustment of plans.
• Perform highly developed physical skills with high precision & speed, including performing stereo bio microscopy, positioning ultrasound probes/tonometers on the eye and making measurements to 0.01mm.
• Personally deliver a range of specialist clinical technical services directly to patients and be accountable for the management of one of the specialist services provided by the Optometry Department.
• Implement policies for own work area and contribute to policy and service reviews which impact upon the Optometry Department and beyond.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and requires a submission for Disclosure to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

6 months

Working pattern

Part-time

Address

St Paul's Eye Unit, Royal Liverpool University Hospital

Salary

£49,387 to £56,515 per annum, pro rata

Reference number

287-OPHT-65-25-B

Job locations

St Paul's Eye Unit, Royal Liverpool University Hospital