Optometrist - Band 6

A vacancy has arisen for a part time (30 hours per week) band 6 optometrist to join the optometry team at Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS foundation trust. We are seeking an enthusiastic optometrist who is keen to develop their clinical skills and progress their specialist clinical interests. This role would suit any practitioner who is keen to explore a career in hospital optometry or wanting to extend their clinical skills with more complex optometry patients and we welcome applications from newly qualified optometrists or those in the final stages of their pre-registration year., The post holder will have the opportunity to work in a wide range of optometry and ophthalmology clinics including specialist medical contact lenses, low vision assessment, cataract post operative management and complex adult and paediatric refraction, along with paediatric dispensing. A flexible approach is essential so as well as working independently the post holder will support ophthalmology clinics with diagnostic tests and imaging and play a role in training and teaching of pre-registration or student optometrists who visit the department as well as medical students and trainee nurses., We are a friendly and progressive optometry team consisting of 20 optometrist and 8 optometry technicians. The department works closely with the ophthalmology team and run joint paediatric clinics with orthoptists. Although a large department that works across several sites we are still a cohesive and supportive team. We encourage optometrists to pursue their clinical interests and gain further post graduate qualifications to progress their career.

We have a part time post available and we will consider applications from candidates who have a specialist interest for example low vision assessments or those looking to manage the complex post cataract refractions of patients with co-morbidities. If we have a number of applicants who wish to work fewer days then we can split the 30 hours between two candidates.
Our normal working hours are 9.00am to 5.15pm Monday to Friday but may also include the option of occasional weekend clinics. The post holder will be based between Cheltenham General and Gloucestershire Royal Hospitals and there may be an option to work at community hospital sites across the county.
The post holder will work independently in core hospital optometry clinics. Full training will be given especially for more specialist hospital work such as complex contact lens fitting and low vision. This role is suitable for newly qualified optometrists or an optometrist without previous hospital experience who wishes to develop their clinical optometry skills. The post holder will be expected to contribute to clinical audit for effective clinical governance and take on roles to support the clinical lead optometrists and training and teaching within the department

Band 6
Join us at an exciting time for Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust! We have an ambitious plan for our journey to Outstanding and are looking for aspirational, committed individuals to join us, making a real difference to both staff and patients.
As a former winner of England for excellence award: Tourism destination of the year, the beautiful city of Gloucester and the scenic regency spa town of Cheltenham are fantastic places to work and live.
As a hospital Trust we are currently involved in over 100 clinical trials and studies, whilst also providing acute elective and specialist services to a population of over 620,000.
By joining Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust new colleagues can look forward to a warm welcome and a future full of opportunities and support.