Job summary
- Main area
- Ophthalmology
- Grade
- Band 8c
- Contract
- Permanent: n/a
- Hours
- Full time
- Part time
- Flexible working
- Job ref
- 279-7422342-OCT25
- Employer
- 279 University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Sussex Eye Hospital
- Town
- Brighton
- Salary
- £76,965 - £88,682 Per annum, pro rata
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 06/10/2025 23:59
Employer heading
Advanced Clinical Optometrist – Head of Specialist Optometry
Band 8c
About our Trust
At UHSussex we’re proud to be at the heart of the NHS. As one of the UK’s largest acute Trusts, we’re a leading example of the excellence, the ambition and the values that have embodied the NHS for over 70 years.
Our hard-working, talented and dedicated people work together towards a common goal – to always put our Patient First . In fact our mission is summed up by our ‘where better never stops’ motto and you will play a part in driving us forwards and in improving the lives of patients across Sussex.
At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust.
We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We’re here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our Wellbeing Programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work life balance - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.
As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.
As part of our commitment to access for all, please see the different ways you can access the application form:
https://apps.trac.jobs/accessibility?_ts=1
We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.
Job overview
The Head of Specialist Optometry is expected to provide clinical leadership for all optometry services, while personally delivering expert optometric and clinical care.
They will be responsible for clinical, managerial and financial aspects of specialist optometry, acting as line manager for all optometrists working in the department.
It is expected that the postholder will provide teaching and training on a range of optometric and clinical subjects and they will be responsible for teaching and training within specialist optometry.
They will have a senior role in the co-ordination of research and development activity within the department.
Main duties of the job
The Head of Specialist Optometry will provide expert optometric and ophthalmic care to patients at Sussex Eye Hospital. This will be in the form of face-to-face clinical encounters and virtual review of ophthalmic imaging. They are expected to develop a comprehensive range of clinical skills relevant to their practice (e.g. intravitreal injections, laser treatment) and to practice independently with the support of consultants within the relevant subspecialty.
As head of department, the postholder will provide clinical, managerial and financial leadership and act as line manager for all optometrists working in the department with regular participation in the appraisal process. They will be responsible for providing teaching and training directly as well as facilitating attendance at external teaching / courses and encouraging acquisition of advanced skills and qualifications. It is expected that they will arrange and deliver teaching/training as per the needs of the specialist optometrists under their supervision and, where appropriate, other members of the healthcare team including nurses and imaging technicians. They will attend departmental teaching and take part in the teaching rota for resident doctors in training. They will organise and provide training for community optometrists requiring hospital placements (e.g. for independent prescribing qualification) and liaise with practices regarding the governance and financial aspects.
Working for our organisation
At UHSussex (UHSx), diversity is our strength, & we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First. Your uniqueness & experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, & can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) & a Veteran Aware Trust.
We treat our patients & staff with the same compassion & empathy we expect for ourselves. We’re here for them when they need us, and we go above & beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our candidate information pack & wellbeing programme, for staff which is extensive & designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work life balance - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.
As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching & training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us & throughout your career we will help you to grow & develop. We hope that in choosing UHSx you are choosing a long & happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make & feel valued for all that you do.
We look forward to receiving your application & the start of your journey with UHSx.
Candidate Information Pack: https://www.uhsussex.nhs.uk/resources/candidate-information-pack/
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Provide and receive highly complex, highly sensitive information; barriers to understanding; present complex, sensitive or contentious information to large groups Communicates, explains highly complex, sensitive condition related information to patients and others, there may be barriers to understanding; skills for delivering specialist training, presents scientific papers to large groups.
Advanced theoretical and practical knowledge Professional knowledge acquired through Degree, advanced clinical training, management knowledge, experience to Master’s equivalent level plus further specialist training.
Range of highly complex facts, requiring analysis, interpretation, comparison of range of option Provides expert interpretation of highly complex clinical issues.
Plan, organise broad range of complex activities; formulates, adjusts plans, strategies Plans and organises orthoptic/ optometry service, adapts to conflicting service requirements as necessary.
Highly developed skills, accuracy important, manipulation of fine tools, materials Use of specialist ophthalmic instrumentation for measurement purposes.
Develop specialised programmes of care/ care programmes; accountable for direct delivery of sub-division of a clinical, clinical technical or social care science/ accountable for direct delivery of clinical service Provides specialist clinical service, including use of advanced clinical techniques, provides advice to patients on needs, treatment & corrective aids; responsible for provision of specialist Orthoptic /optometry service/ responsible for provision of general and specialist Orthoptic/optometry services.
Responsible for policy implementation, development for a service Responsible for development and implementation of orthoptic/optometry service policies.
Budget holder for department, service Holds departmental budget.
Day to day management; teach/ deliver specialist training/ Line manager for single function or department; teach, devise training and development programmes, major job responsibility Day to day management of staff; trains staff on specialist area / manages staff of department; develops and delivers training in a clinical and academic setting.
Records personally generated information Updates patient records, compiles audit data.
Co-ordinate, implement R & D activity/ initiates R&D activity Co-ordinates departmental research/ initiates, secures funding for research projects
General policies, need to establish interpretation Guided by NHS, organisation and occupational policies, determines interpretation for orthoptic /optometry service.
Frequent sitting in restricted position Restricted movements when undertaking ophthalmic examinations.
Frequent concentration, work pattern unpredictable Concentration for specialised ophthalmic procedures, interruptions to deal with service issues
Occasional/frequent distressing or emotional circumstances Conveying unwelcome news re visual impairment, treatment of patients with severe learning disabilities.
Occasional unpleasant working conditions Examining patients with poor hygiene, use chemicals, examination of children with head lice.
Person specification
Experience
Essential criteria
- BSc(Hons). Optom. MSc Optom or equivalent experience
- Experience of teaching or supervising others
- Awareness of national guidelines in the optometric practice
Desirable criteria
- Higher qualification in medical retina or OPT L3 medical retina
- Evidence of organising and/or delivering teaching / training with GOC accreditation (CPD points)
- Extensive NHS experience (> 5 years)
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
Essential criteria
- Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
- Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).
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.
Application numbers
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Rob Purbrick
- Job title
- Ophthalmology Lead Clinician
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 01273696955
- Additional information
Head & Neck PA - [email protected]
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