Job summary
- Main area
- Ophthalmology
- Grade
- NHS AfC: Band 7
- Contract
- Fixed term: 12 months (Maternity cover)
- Hours
- Part time
- Flexible working
- Job ref
- 374-SR3682
- Employer
- East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust - cross site
- Town
- Bexhill-on-Sea
- Salary
- £46,148 - £52,809 per annum, pro rata
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 24/03/2025 23:59
Employer heading
Specialist Optometrist
NHS AfC: Band 7
We are proud to provide ‘Outstanding’ care and be a great place to work.
East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust provides safe, compassionate and high quality hospital and community care to the half a million people living in East Sussex and those who visit our local area.
We are one of the largest organisations in East Sussex with an annual income of £568 million and we are the only integrated provider of acute and community care in Sussex.
Our extensive health services are provided by over 8,000+ dedicated members of staff working from two acute hospitals in Hastings and Eastbourne, three community hospitals in Bexhill, Rye and Uckfield, over 100 community sites across East Sussex, and in people’s own homes.
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) rated us as ‘Good’ overall, and ‘Outstanding’ for being Caring and Effective. The Conquest Hospital in Hastings and our Community Services were rated ‘Outstanding’ and Eastbourne DGH was rated ‘Good’ Our two acute hospitals have Emergency Departments and provide 24 hour a day care, offering a comprehensive range of surgical, medical, outpatient and maternity services, supported by a full range of diagnostic and therapy services.
Recently the Trust launched its ambitious ‘Building for our Future’ (BFF) programme. This once in a lifetime programme aims to redevelop and expand our hospitals at Eastbourne, Hastings and Bexhill, transforming the environment in which we provide care for generations to come.
Job overview
We are seeking to appoint a Specialist Optometrist to work in both specialist optometric clinics and extended roles within ophthalmology clinics. The successful candidate will provide a broad range of highly skilled core & specialised services.
This specific post is one year fixed contract, part time post, for maternity cover.
We are excited to offer opportunities for optometrists to join our friendly Optometry Team in East Sussex, enjoying the benefits of a forward thinking department & the delights of living on the south coast with beaches & countryside on the doorstep, but just over an hour from London. Our team strives to support training & development to optometrists through all levels of their career from pre-registration up to advanced practitioner levels. Our team consists of 13 optometrists, with budget of 10 full time equivalent. The team provides services at Eastbourne District General Hospital, Bexhill Hospital & Conquest Hospital.
Our department has a large involvement with ophthalmology clinics but with a strong background in specialist optometry roles. The team works closely alongside consultant ophthalmologists, associate specialists, junior doctors, orthoptists, ophthalmic technicians, ophthalmology trained nurses & dispensing optician. Our team provides a range of highly skilled specialised services such as low vision, complex adult & paediatric refraction & medical contact lenses.
Main duties of the job
The role involves a varied work load with a mixture of specialist optometry clinics (medical contact lenses, refraction and low vision) and extended ophthalmology roles (for example AMD, glaucoma, cataract, intravitreal injections). The specific post vacant currently is for AMD, glaucoma and medical contact lenses, but there are opportunities to have a slight variation and flexibility both ways.
We are looking for someone with excellent interpersonal skills, team focus and the drive to deliver a high standard of patient care. You must have current GOC registration and be qualified optometrist with post registration experience.
Training and support can be provided in the role as required and we welcome optometrists from the community setting who may be interested in training into hospital work.
Working for our organisation
A wide range of staff benefits are available to our staff including staff development, enrolment in the NHS pension scheme, auto-enrolment to our Temporary Workforce Service, access to nurseries at Conquest Hospital and Eastbourne District General Hospital, staff restaurants and on-site staff accommodation.
In addition to an internal Occupational Health department, all staff also have access to free psychological support through our confidential Employee Assistance Programme which is available to staff 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Onsite parking is available for a small administration fee.
There has never been a better time to join East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust, submit your application today.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Full details found in job description attached.
Specialist optometrists are likely to develop to an autonomous level with specialist optometry clinics as well as work in consultant led ophthalmology clinics with some supervision.
They are also expected to help teach and train other staff members including pre-registration optometrists and junior doctors.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- Qualified Optometrist
- GOC Registered
- Evidence of CPD/CET in accordance with GOC regulations
- Evidence of additional specialist knowledge through training/extended study to post graduate level e.g. College of Optometrists higher qualifications or modular MSc
Knowledge & Experience
Essential criteria
- Minimum of 3 years post registration experience
- Previous experience of working in specialist clinical areas, providing expert opinion and making contribution to service development
- Basic level IT skills including knowledge of Microsoft Office Word, Excel and Outlook
Desirable criteria
- Experience of working in a hospital setting
Specific Skills
Essential criteria
- Excellent interpersonal skills
Desirable criteria
- Previous experience of working in or observing specialist optometric clinics
Employer certification / accreditation badges
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Applicant requirements
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Application numbers
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Helen Peregrine
- Job title
- Principal Optometrist
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 0300 131 4402
- Additional information
If you require further information regarding this post or to arrange an informal visit please feel free to get in contact via email
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