Job summary
- Main area
- Optometrist Principal
- Grade
- NHS AfC: Band 8a
- Contract
- Permanent: Variable hours
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Variable)
- Job ref
- 356-25-7535026
- Employer
- Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Hull University Teaching Hospitals
- Town
- Hull
- Salary
- £55,690 - £62,682 pa pro rata
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 30/10/2025 23:59
- Interview date
- 11/11/2025
Employer heading
Optometrist Principal
NHS AfC: Band 8a
Job overview
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an Optometrist Principal to work at Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust. The role a full time post 37.5 hours which can be variable how accomplished. This will be based mainly at the New Community Diagnostic Hub as phase 2 alongside East Riding Community Hospitals, also other locations when necessary to meet the needs of the Optometry / Ophthalmology service within HUTH/NLAG
The successful Clinician will work autonomously and make Complex decisions with respect to management plans for patient who have Glaucoma and other Ophthalmological pathologies. which may include; assessment of patients in Ophthalmic Accident & Emergency, Medical Retina, Corneal , Refracting (Adults, Pediatrics and Research), Contact Lens and Ocular Prosthetic Clinical roles and possibly YAG/SLT laser clinics if appropriately qualified and trained.
Main duties of the job
We are looking for enthusiastic individuals who are motivated and want to develop their skills, knowledge and experience, whilst working as part of a friendly and diverse Ophthalmology/Optometric team.
The Hull and East Yorkshire Eye Hospital opened in November 2002. There are 20 Consultant Ophthalmologists covering the variety of sub specialities within Ophthalmology, a thriving Orthoptic department and supportive nursing and technician teams. Our Optometric team comprises 18 Optometrists/Dispensing Opticians and Contact Lens Specialists, some full time and some part time. There is a lecture theatre for the provision of education and teaching. Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust covers a population of around 500,000. The seaside resorts of Hornsea and Bridlington are easily reached and the beauty of the Yorkshire Wolds is a popular draw for outdoor seekers. Hull was the 2017 City of Culture which raised the profile of the area, with significant investment and re-development to ensure a long-lasting legacy.
For an informal discussion, or to arrange a visit to the Ophthalmology Department, please contact Brian Melia 07415518862 or email [email protected] or [email protected]
Working for our organisation
The Humber Health Partnership is one of the largest acute and community Partnership arrangements in the NHS, seeing well over one million patients every year and managing a budget of over £1.3 billion.
Made up of two Trusts - Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust (NLAG) and Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (HUTH) - our Partnership has significant ambitions and is committed to delivering world-class hospital and community services for the 1.65 million people we serve.
Together we employ nearly 20,000 staff. Our five main hospital sites are Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital, Scunthorpe General Hospital and Goole and District Hospital, for NLAG and Hull Royal Infirmary and Castle Hill Hospital for HUTH.
As Teaching Hospitals working with the Hull York Medical School, we both lead and contribute to research in many areas - biomedical research, primary care, palliative medicine, cardiovascular and respiratory medicine, vascular surgery, cancer surgery and oncology.
We believe that by developing a diverse, inclusive, innovative, skilled and caring workforce, we can deliver excellent care to our patients and a great future for our employees, our Partnership and our community.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
For further details with regard to this vacancy opportunity, please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification.
Should we receive a high volume of applications the advert may be closed earlier than stated.
Person specification
Other requirements
Desirable criteria
- UK Driving Licence
Education/ Qualifications
Essential criteria
- BSc (Hons) degree in Optometry
- General Optical Council Registration
- College of Optometrists registration
- College of Optometrists Professional Certificate Holder.
- Association of Optometrists member for indemnity
- Independent Prescribing
Desirable criteria
- Post-graduate optometric qualifications e.g. College of Optometrists Higher, Diploma (Medical Retina / Glaucoma)
- Higher degrees
- MCOptom or equivalent qualification
- Local Optical committee participating member
- Sign off of Common Clinical Competency Framework for Ophthalmic A&E
Knowledge, Training & Experience
Essential criteria
- Four years previous hospital work / practice (post-graduate), with experience working in a multidisciplinary team
- Attendance at Specialist Optometry conferences / courses – such as Annual Hospital Optometry Conference, specialist contact lens courses and conferences.
- Up to date knowledge and skills in the treatment of ARMD in relation to NICE guidelines
- Specialist knowledge of drugs to prescribe for Eye conditions met in triage clinics
- Be able to list patients for surgery e.g. Cataracts, oculoplastic procedures
- Have specialist knowledge of orbital prosthetics and surgical techniques in order to provide a prosthetic service for the Trust, liaising with the Maxillofacial department
- Specialist knowledge of Fluorescein angiography for the treatment of wet ARMD
- Paediatric and complex medical contact Lenses
- Low Vision work
- Glaucoma assessment
- Working with the elderly
- Working with children
- Precise manual dexterity skills
- Practical refraction, contact lens fitting and low vision aid dispensing skills.
- Contact tonometry
- Volk lens use
- Topography
- Instillation of ophthalmic drugs
- Post operative cataract assessment
- Anterior segment disease assessment
- Well-developed interpersonal mental and emotional empathy
- skills where barriers exist because of age, special needs, physical or language difficulties
- Good written and verbal communication skills
- Consistently work independently upon own initiative
- Experience of postgraduate teaching
- Experience of research and audit
Desirable criteria
- EDTRS Log MAR acuity testing
- Log MAR acuity testing
- Contrast sensitivity assessment
- Binocular Indirect Ophthalmoscopy
- Gonioscopy
- Managing a team
- Ability to mould ocular prostheses in theatre
- To provide minor operations –YAG laser capsulotomies, punctal occlusion
- Ocular coherence tomography
Communication and Interpersonal Skills
Essential criteria
- Ability to work in a busy environment
- Ability to manage a portion of the Optometry service.
- Flexibility with working hours, especially finishing time.
- Professional attitude to work, confident and self-motivated
- Ability to concentrate in overbooked clinics disrupted by phone calls / giving advice to colleagues
- Adapt to frequently unpredictable clinic pattern
- Patience
- Empathic approach to patients
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Approachable, liaise effectively with Head of Optometry and other team members
- Manage a team
Training
Essential criteria
- Willingness to guide and educate others in a multidisciplinary team including Optometrists / Ophthalmologist / Medical students / Nurses
- Attend regular specialist conferences / seminars
- Maintain registration through continuing education training
- Keep surgical procedures knowledge up to date
- Actively participate in specialist training
- Regular teaching sessions for doctors/nurses on aspects of Optometry in relation to the Trust services.
Desirable criteria
- Experience in lecturing / providing education at national specialist meetings
- Design and carry out clinical audit, presenting findings locally and nationally
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
- Brian Melia
- Job title
- Head of Optometry
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 07415518862
- Additional information
-
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