Job summary Principal Optometrists have the highest level of advanced clinical training, knowledge, skill and experience within the Hospital Eye Service. The post-holder will, wherever possible autonomously deliver a wide range of advanced complex and non-routine work with responsibility for patient examination and complex clinical decision making regarding ongoing management and treatment of sight threatening eye disease and understand the interface between medical and surgical management of conditions. Job plan: Day AM PM Monday Glaucoma Virtual Review Injection St Ann's Tuesday Consultant Led Glaucoma St Ann's Consultant Led Glaucoma St Ann's Wednesday External Consultant led St Ann's External Consultant led St Ann's Thursday SPA SPA Friday Glaucoma Optom-led clinic Stratford Glaucoma Optom-led clinic Stratford Main duties of the job Summary of duties: To be responsible for and personally delivering a wide range of highly specialised optometric care in an advanced extended role requiring extensive knowledge, experience and expertise in management of conditions across the 3 elements of service delivery model: Consultant-Led Clinic Optometrist - Led Clinic Remote review (Virtual) Clinic To be able to be the Clinical Lead Optometrist in the designated clinic and to have overall responsibility for the clinical care of the patients seen in the clinic. To participate in clinical audit, teaching, research as required To provide teaching and supervision to registered Optometrists / other clinical staff if required, supporting the Consultant in the supervision and training of junior staff as required. About us At Moorfields, we provide more than just an excellent career and great colleagues to work with. We also offer: Salary including High-Cost Area Supplement Opportunity to join the NHS Pension Scheme Free 24/7 independent counselling service Learning and development opportunities Easy and quick transport links A range of attractive benefits and discounts Access to Blue Light Card and other NHS Discount Schemes Free Pilates classes Full support and training to develop your skills Flexible working friendly organisation And so much more To see the full range of benefits we offer please see our Moorfields benefits document. Date posted 17 February 2025 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 8a Salary £61,927 to £68,676 a year incl. HCAS Contract Permanent Working pattern Full-time Reference number 273-DN-6952924 Job locations Stratford and St Ann's Hospital London E15 4BQ Job description Job responsibilities Clinical 1. To deliver highly specialist clinical patient care requiring extensive knowledge, experience and expertise in management that includes a high proportion of tertiary referrals. This activity requires regular use of a wide range of advanced clinical techniques requiring dexterity, precision and intense concentration; and the judgement, analysis and interpretation of the complex clinical findings with a range of management options. 2. Patient examinations will be comprehensive and commensurate with clinical experience beyond Masters Level (i.e. College of Optometrists Higher Qualifications such as Higher certificate or Diploma in Glaucoma, College of Optometrists Diploma in Independent Prescribing). Skills and knowledge are commensurate with those of sub-specialty medical ophthalmology staff. 3. To make independent, patient-centred clinical decisions on management in the presence of uncertainty (for example where patients are unable to cooperate fully in clinical assessments or the evidence for management options is unclear). 4. To be autonomously responsible for medical treatment (including prescribing) and management of patients. To recognise when patient clinical findings require Consultant Ophthalmic opinions (eg regarding surgery). To refer patients with ocular comorbidity to other ophthalmological services appropriately. 5. As Clinic Lead in Optometrist-Led clinics, to supervise all patient examinations carried out by the support/resident/placement/new to clinic Optometrist unless/until such time that the support/resident/new to clinic Optometrist has attained the appropriate College of Optometrists certificate or completed their competency sign off. To review all prescribing decisions unless the prescribing optometrist has the correct qualifications together with The College of Optometrists Diploma in Independent Prescribing and their scope of practice /area of prescribing is in that service. 6. To organise the session by reviewing all clinical records at the start of an Optometrist-led clinic to determine necessary additional clinical tests (eg: visual fields, imaging, auto-refraction) utilising the different staff groups efficiently (admin, technical, optometric). 7. To provide expert opinion to optometric and non-optometric colleagues on the management of complex cases within the designated Clinics and the Optometry Department. 8. To undertake a comprehensive range of complex optometry services at Moorfields and out-reach clinics (as required). These include refraction (complex, diagnostic and paediatric), low vision clinics (paediatric, complex, employment). The post holder maintains a personal clinical workload within these services. 9. To refer patients for appropriate appliances (contact lenses, spectacles, low vision aids) and provide appropriate advice to patients on needs, treatment and corrective aids. 2. Communication 1. To communicate and interact effectively and empathetically with all patients and carers independent of level of patient understanding and in spite of any communication barriers. 2. To routinely convey highly sensitive, highly complex & emotionally distressing information regarding loss of sight, risk of sight loss or risks to general health from systemic diseases presenting with ocular and visual symptoms. 3. To routinely discuss risks & benefits of possible management options, explaining highly complex, multi-factorial and potentially conflicting information in a manner to allow informed patient choice and with potential for significant hostility towards the delivered message. 4. To regularly communicate with patients GP and other relevant stakeholders in the patients care. 5. To respond to clinical queries outside timetabled clinical sessions. Job description Job responsibilities Clinical 1. To deliver highly specialist clinical patient care requiring extensive knowledge, experience and expertise in management that includes a high proportion of tertiary referrals. This activity requires regular use of a wide range of advanced clinical techniques requiring dexterity, precision and intense concentration; and the judgement, analysis and interpretation of the complex clinical findings with a range of management options. 2. Patient examinations will be comprehensive and commensurate with clinical experience beyond Masters Level (i.e. College of Optometrists Higher Qualifications such as Higher certificate or Diploma in Glaucoma, College of Optometrists Diploma in Independent Prescribing). Skills and knowledge are commensurate with those of sub-specialty medical ophthalmology staff. 3. To make independent, patient-centred clinical decisions on management in the presence of uncertainty (for example where patients are unable to cooperate fully in clinical assessments or the evidence for management options is unclear). 4. To be autonomously responsible for medical treatment (including prescribing) and management of patients. To recognise when patient clinical findings require Consultant Ophthalmic opinions (eg regarding surgery). To refer patients with ocular comorbidity to other ophthalmological services appropriately. 5. As Clinic Lead in Optometrist-Led clinics, to supervise all patient examinations carried out by the support/resident/placement/new to clinic Optometrist unless/until such time that the support/resident/new to clinic Optometrist has attained the appropriate College of Optometrists certificate or completed their competency sign off. To review all prescribing decisions unless the prescribing optometrist has the correct qualifications together with The College of Optometrists Diploma in Independent Prescribing and their scope of practice /area of prescribing is in that service. 6. To organise the session by reviewing all clinical records at the start of an Optometrist-led clinic to determine necessary additional clinical tests (eg: visual fields, imaging, auto-refraction) utilising the different staff groups efficiently (admin, technical, optometric). 7. To provide expert opinion to optometric and non-optometric colleagues on the management of complex cases within the designated Clinics and the Optometry Department. 8. To undertake a comprehensive range of complex optometry services at Moorfields and out-reach clinics (as required). These include refraction (complex, diagnostic and paediatric), low vision clinics (paediatric, complex, employment). The post holder maintains a personal clinical workload within these services. 9. To refer patients for appropriate appliances (contact lenses, spectacles, low vision aids) and provide appropriate advice to patients on needs, treatment and corrective aids. 2. Communication 1. To communicate and interact effectively and empathetically with all patients and carers independent of level of patient understanding and in spite of any communication barriers. 2. To routinely convey highly sensitive, highly complex & emotionally distressing information regarding loss of sight, risk of sight loss or risks to general health from systemic diseases presenting with ocular and visual symptoms. 3. To routinely discuss risks & benefits of possible management options, explaining highly complex, multi-factorial and potentially conflicting information in a manner to allow informed patient choice and with potential for significant hostility towards the delivered message. 4. To regularly communicate with patients GP and other relevant stakeholders in the patients care. 5. To respond to clinical queries outside timetabled clinical sessions. Person Specification Qualifications Essential BSc (Hons) Optometry Specialist College of Optometrist Prof Cert Qualifications Desirable Specialist College of Optometrist Prof Cert Qualifications o Specialist College of Optometrist Higher Qualifications o Specialist College of Optometrist Diploma in Independent Prescribing o MSc/PhD in Optometry/Ophthalmology Professional registration Essential General Optical Council Registration Experience Essential Post-qualification Hospital experience > 5 years o Hospital extended role experience >3 years o Experience of examining vulnerable groups of patients e.g. CYP / additional needs o Experience with clinical teaching o Experience with supervision of junior staff o Experience in audit Desirable Hospital extended role experience o Experience with line management and appraisal o Experience in research o Experience of dealing with quality and safety issues e.g. complaints, incidents, risk assessment o Experience of formal undergraduate/postgraduate teaching o Experience of presenting at national and international meetings and conferences o Experience of writing protocols, competencies and Standard Operating Procedures Skills Essential Competent use of a slit-lamp to examine the anterior and posterior eye with specialist lenses o Competent performance of retinoscopy o Ability to analyse and interpret ocular imaging e.g. OCT, visual fields, topography to an expert clinical level e.g diagnosis and formulate management plans o Ability to use Electronic patient record systems o Excellent written and verbal communication Desirable Ability to write detailed clinical summaries o Excellent interpersonal skills highlighting the complexity of multidisciplinary team working, in challenging work environments, and the overall needs of the service. multidisciplinary working o Advanced planning and organisational skills o Ability to sensitively manage staff and patients with respect to their emotional well being o Expertly and effectively communicate sensitive and complex information in a range of situations e.g. clinical information to patients, unwelcome & bad news, or where there may be barriers to understanding e.g. patients with additional needs and other sensory impairments. o Ability to identify service improvement needs and innovate solutions Person Specification Qualifications Essential BSc (Hons) Optometry Specialist College of Optometrist Prof Cert Qualifications Desirable Specialist College of Optometrist Prof Cert Qualifications o Specialist College of Optometrist Higher Qualifications o Specialist College of Optometrist Diploma in Independent Prescribing o MSc/PhD in Optometry/Ophthalmology Professional registration Essential General Optical Council Registration Experience Essential Post-qualification Hospital experience > 5 years o Hospital extended role experience >3 years o Experience of examining vulnerable groups of patients e.g. CYP / additional needs o Experience with clinical teaching o Experience with supervision of junior staff o Experience in audit Desirable Hospital extended role experience o Experience with line management and appraisal o Experience in research o Experience of dealing with quality and safety issues e.g. complaints, incidents, risk assessment o Experience of formal undergraduate/postgraduate teaching o Experience of presenting at national and international meetings and conferences o Experience of writing protocols, competencies and Standard Operating Procedures Skills Essential Competent use of a slit-lamp to examine the anterior and posterior eye with specialist lenses o Competent performance of retinoscopy o Ability to analyse and interpret ocular imaging e.g. OCT, visual fields, topography to an expert clinical level e.g diagnosis and formulate management plans o Ability to use Electronic patient record systems o Excellent written and verbal communication Desirable Ability to write detailed clinical summaries o Excellent interpersonal skills highlighting the complexity of multidisciplinary team working, in challenging work environments, and the overall needs of the service. multidisciplinary working o Advanced planning and organisational skills o Ability to sensitively manage staff and patients with respect to their emotional well being o Expertly and effectively communicate sensitive and complex information in a range of situations e.g. clinical information to patients, unwelcome & bad news, or where there may be barriers to understanding e.g. patients with additional needs and other sensory impairments. o Ability to identify service improvement needs and innovate solutions 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 (opens in a new window). Additional information 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 (opens in a new window). Employer details Employer name Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust Address Stratford and St Ann's Hospital London E15 4BQ Employer's website https://www.moorfields.nhs.uk/work-for-us (Opens in a new tab)