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Job summary

Main area
Optometry
Grade
Band 7
Contract
Permanent
Hours
  • Part time
  • Flexible working
2 sessions per week
Job ref
279-7283688-JUL25
Employer
279 University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Sussex Eye Hospital
Town
Brighton
Salary
£46,148 - £52,809 Per annum pro rata
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
17/07/2025 23:59

Employer heading

279 University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust logo

Contact Lens Optometrist/Optician

Band 7

 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.

We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex. 

 

Job overview

Are you looking for an opportunity to expand your optometry skills? This could be an exciting opportunity for you. We are actively looking for an  Optometrist/Contact Lens optician to join our multi-disciplinary team here at Sussex Eye Hospital, Brighton.

This is a fantastic opportunity for applicants that either have experience within hospital optometry, or are looking to take a new path in their optometry career. This opportunity will expose you to a wide range of ophthalmic conditions, diagnostic tools and treatment options. As you can imagine, the learning opportunities within this role are outstanding.

Our Optometrists work alongside orthoptists, ophthalmic technicians, medical and nursing professionals.

Remember, for this opportunity previous hospital optometry experience is not essential, however to be successful you must have a caring nature, a passion for people and thrive working in a busy environment.

Main duties of the job

This post offers 2 clinical sessions per week (7.5 hrs) working in the specialist contact lens service. Previous hospital experience is desirable but not essential, and as such appropriate training will be given to the successful applicant where required.

Clinics include fitting/reviewing of specialist contact lenses including soft, prosthetic, RGP, mini-scleral and full scleral lenses, used for variety of conditions.

Also incorporates assessment of keratoconics and pre-and post-corneal graft patients.

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

For more details on this varied and rewarding role, please see the attached job description and person specification. 

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria
  • Registered with GOC, Optometry degree or qualified Contact Lens Optician
  • Experience fitting contact lenses, demonstarted competence in examination
  • Excellent communication skills
  • Team work
Desirable criteria
  • Experience in acute hospital setting
  • Experience as a sole practitioner

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

Essential criteria
  • Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role)
  • Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Veteran AwareApprenticeships logoNo smoking policyArmed Forces Covenant Gold AwardDisability confident employerStep into healthHappy to Talk Flexible Working

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

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Laura McLaughlin
Job title
Head Orthoptist
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
01273 664872
Additional information

Any enquiries relating to the clinical day to day element of the job, please contact one of our contact lens optometrists, Jane Farbrother at [email protected]

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