Job Summary
We are recruiting for a Highly Specialist Optometrist who shares our vision to be trusted to provide consistently outstanding care and exemplary service to our patients.
You will work closely with the line manager to deliver a comprehensive range of core optometric services to the highest standards of quality and care. You will participate in the delivery of certain highly complex specialist optometric services that meet the changing needs of the Trust and other outside agencies.
You will need a BSc in Optometry, GOC registration and be able to demonstrate post-registration experience. You will also be supporting specialist services in paediatric ophthalmology, glaucoma, medical retina and emergency eye care; therefore, postgraduate qualifications and/or experience in these areas would be advantageous. We promote continuous professional development; training and development will be supported in these specialist areas. Ideally, the post will be held by a single candidate; however, sessional appointments would also be considered.
At the heart of everything we do are our core values: Include, Respect, and Improve. We encourage you to embrace these values throughout the recruitment process and in your role with us.
Main Duties of the Job
Cover general optometry practice and the opportunity for an extended role in the Ophthalmology Service providing clinics in the Paediatric Ophthalmology, Glaucoma, Medical Retina, and Urgent Eye Clinics.
To undertake administrative duties as agreed with the line manager.
To undertake clinical audit as agreed with the line manager.
To provide teaching and training at postgraduate level for multiple disciplines within ophthalmology both internally and externally.
About Us
At East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust, we are proud of the range of general & specialist services we provide, and our 6,000 or so dedicated staff ensure our patients get the best care. Our ability to be flexible & innovative in the way we work and deliver our services to our catchment has never been more important than it is now.
We run the following hospitals:
* The Lister Hospital, Stevenage
* New Queen Elizabeth II (New QEII), Welwyn Garden City
* Hertford County, Hertford
* Mount Vernon Cancer Centre (MVCC), Northwood
We have ambitious plans to become an outstanding, patient-led Trust where dedicated staff provide high-quality, compassionate care to our patients. We continue to undergo significant transformation; our staff & patients are at the heart of delivering this ambitious agenda.
We understand that finding and starting a new job is an important life decision. If you need reasonable adjustments for a disability or a life event, such as menopause, so that we can consider your application fairly & get the best out of you during the selection process, please let us know.
We are committed to a positive work-life balance for our employees. Employees are entitled to seek to work flexible working patterns & we are committed to listening and considering all requests. Such requests, of course, have to be made & considered formally, & will need to be balanced against service needs, but our starting point will always be to find ways to support making them happen.
Date Posted: 13 February 2025
Pay Scheme: Agenda for Change
Band: Band 7
Salary: £46,148 to £52,809 a year per annum pro rata
Contract: Permanent
Working Pattern: Full-time
Reference Number: 361-6676794-A
Job Responsibilities
Please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification applicant pack for further detailed information regarding this role.
Person Specification
Qualifications / Training
Essential:
* Optometry qualification recognised for State Registration
* State registration with the GOC
Desirable:
* Further specialist qualification for example Certificate in medical retina, glaucoma, emergency eye care and/or contact lens practice
Previous Experience
Essential:
* Proven post-qualification experience, Experience of assessment of patients with special needs and/or learning difficulties
* Clinical audit experience
Desirable:
* Single-handed vision screening
* Experience of clinical supervision of students
* Previous experience of Clinical Audit
* Previous experience in hospital optometry services
Skills & Knowledge
Essential:
* Evidence of extensive optometry knowledge
* Ability to maintain clear & accurate patient records
* Well-developed organisational skills
* Good administrative skills
* Well-developed interpersonal skills; ability to communicate with a wide range of staff, patients, and the public
* Ability to work under pressure and self-motivate
* Awareness of strengths and weaknesses
Desirable:
* Well-developed skills in working with children
* Well-developed skills in working with patients with special educational needs and patients with learning difficulties
Other Requirements
Essential:
* Experience and evidence of engagement around equality, diversity, and inclusion issues in relation to policy, service development, and service delivery in respect of both services to users and the management of staff
* Role model our Trust values every day
Desirable:
* Ability to travel easily between trust sites
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.
Employer Details
Employer Name: East and North Herts NHS Trust
Address:
Lister Hospital
Corys Mill Lane
Stevenage
SG1 4AB
Employer's Website: East and North Herts NHS Trust
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