Job summary
- Main area
- Principle Optometrist
- Grade
- NHS AfC: Band 8a
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time
- Job share
- Flexible working
- Compressed hours
- Job ref
- 216-NB-DD7707780
- Employer
- University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Royal Eye Infirmary
- Town
- Plymouth
- Salary
- £55,690 - £62,682 £55,690 - £62,682 per annum
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 16/02/2026 23:59
- Interview date
- 23/02/2026
Employer heading
Principal Optometrist
NHS AfC: Band 8a
Job overview
We are looking for a talented and committed Optometrist to join our growing team at the Royal Eye Infirmary (REI) in Plymouth. This post is full time, the post is suitable for an Optometrist experienced in Hospital Optometry.
This role involves extended practice in the cornea, cataract, and ectasia monitoring clinics.
We are a collaborative team of Optometrists, and work closely with our colleagues in orthoptics, imaging, advanced clinical practitioners, nurse practitioners, and ophthalmologists. We are also very fortunate to have our own dispensing service and team of excellent dispensing opticians.
It may be possible for this post to be a band 7 training role for a suitable candidate if not all the essential criteria are met.
Plymouth is a vibrant city with easy access to both coast and moors and there are excellent heath and leisure services at our main site.
Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as ‘Priority’ and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon who are able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification.
Main duties of the job
As a department, we are dedicated to the development of a strong optometry team ready for the future. The post holder will ensure that the care provided is consistent and of a high standard throughout the patient care pathway.
The post holder will be autonomously managing a cohort of patients in the cornea, cataract, and ectasia monitoring clinics. They will work alongside the Head Optometrist to develop these services.
Working for our organisation
We are a people business – where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff, who are committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence and great customer care. The Trust has great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment. We offer all of this in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure. PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION WILL BE ELECTRONIC, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY. If you have any issues with applying online and need additional support including reasonable adjustments with the application process please contact the recruitment manager for this post who will put you in touch with the recruitment team. We recognise that work life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants around less than full time/flexible working for our advertised roles. Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss this prior to your application submission. We commit to giving this full consideration in each case. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, as diversity strengthens our teams. It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
- To initiate, evaluate and independently plan the management and discharge of individual patients (glaucoma, A&E), based on evidence.
- To manage independently sight threatening conditions such as glaucoma and wet macular degeneration.
- To be able to prescribe independently (IP), or be able to work towards this qualification.
- To independently interpret various imaging tests (e.g. visual fields, OCT, OCTa).
- To provide highly skilled refraction data necessary to improve vision by means of spectacles and/or highly specialised contact lenses, low vision aids, etc.
- To provide highly skilled pre and post-operative refractions, topographic and biometric data aimed at the measurement, assessment and evaluation necessary to prioritise surgery.
- To coordinate and supervise the activities of other departmental members, imaging technicians, pre-registration optometrists, trainee ACPs, and dispensing opticians.
- To help and advise other hospital staff in the correct use and calibration of complex machineries.
- To act as a valuable link between the trust and other organisations with regards to delicate issues.
- Demonstrate a commitment to evidence based practice and clinical excellence and play an active role in the introduction of this evidence to improve patient centered care.
- Maintain personal and professional development to meet the changing demands of the job, participate and initiate appropriate training activities and encourage and support staff development and training.
- Proactively and positively contribute to the achievement of clinical outcomes through individual and team effort.
- Ensure that resources are used effectively and in accordance with agreed procedures.
- Promote health education both within and outside the Trust and advise patient, family, and others in health promotion issues.
- Report and manage untoward incidents such as complaints, clinical emergencies, and injury or drug administration errors as detailed in Trust-wide and local protocols and procedures.
- For further details please see attached JD and PS
Person specification
Knowledge and experience
Essential criteria
- Theoretical and demonstrable practical demonstrable experience with a broad range of optometric skills, including managing glaucoma and wAMD.
- Highly developed specialist proven knowledge, acquired through degree, preceptorship or advanced clinical training equivalent to Masters level
- Demonstrable management experience
- Proven evidence of recent continuous professional development /training
Desirable criteria
- Previous demonstrable experience of working with patients with special needs, children and others, requiring high levels of communication skills and use of special techniques.
- Previous demonstrable experience of working with the severely visually impaired
- Proven knowledge of networking across other professional agencies within the area
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- BSc (Hons) Optometry or equivalent degree
- Higher College of Optometrists qualification (eg. Glaucoma, Medical retina) – or working towards
- Independent prescribing qualification (IP)
- GOC Registration (General Optical Council)
Desirable criteria
- Member British College of Optometrists
Aptitude and abilities
Essential criteria
- Highly developed written and verbal communication skills, necessary to provide, receive and present complex, sensitive or contentious information to peers, public or staff or in situations where there may be significant barriers to acceptance (e.g. in a hostile or antagonistic atmosphere)
- Ability to work independently under pressure, take own initiative and at the same time be an efficient team player
- Accuracy and attention to details
- Organisational and management skills
Desirable criteria
- Demonstrable experience of communicating with hearing and/or speech impaired patients and those with language problems and challenging behaviour
Employer certification / accreditation badges
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.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Elizabeth Cave
- Job title
- Head Optometrist
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 01752 439311
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