Job summary
- Main area
- Ophthalmology
- Grade
- Band 8a
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Part time - 22.5 hours per week
- Job ref
- 290-SCCS-1908
- Employer
- Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Western Eye Hospital
- Town
- London
- Salary
- £61,927 - £68,676 pa inclusive pro rata
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 27/05/2025 23:59
Employer heading

Lead Optometrist
Band 8a
Fulfil your potential in hospitals that make history:
Charing Cross, Hammersmith, St Mary’s, Queen Charlotte’s & Chelsea and Western Eye.
With five world-renowned hospitals, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust is full of opportunity if you are looking to develop your healthcare career.
We are an NHS Trust of approximately 16,000 people, providing care for over a million and a half patients from north west London and beyond every year.
We have a rich heritage and an ambitious vision for the future of our patients and local communities.
With our partners, Imperial College London, and The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, we form Imperial College Academic Health Science Centre, one of 6 academic health science centres in the UK, working to ensure the rapid translation of research for better patient care and excellence in education.
We are proud of our heritage in innovation and we are early adopters of new insights in technologies, techniques and treatments for improving health.
Job overview
We are recruiting a Co-Lead Optometrist to work on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays as a substantive position. This role is intended for one individual only (NOT a job share) and involves fixed hours on these three days.
The successful candidate will manage patients with glaucoma, cataracts, and corneal issues. Candidates must possess a higher qualification in glaucoma, be qualified as an independent prescriber, and have experience in fitting medical and specialist contact lenses. The contact lens service addresses various conditions, including corneal ectasias, post-graft scenarios, post-infection cases, and cosmetic and therapeutic needs. The types of lenses fitted will include, but are not limited to, specialist soft lenses, RGP (rigid gas permeable) lenses, mini-scleral lenses, hybrid lenses, and cosmetic lenses. Candidates must have experience with most, if not all, of these lens types and the conditions mentioned.
If you are an individual seeking a new challenge and are motivated to develop a new service while advancing your career, then this opportunity is for you. You will be part of our forward-thinking, innovative, multi-award-winning team.
Please refer to the job description for the essential requirements for the position.
Main duties of the job
- The post holder will be working as a lead Optometrist while leading and developing ophthalmic practice within the trust. The aim of the role is to deliver a comprehensive Ophthalmic Led Service and managing the optometrist department.
- To work closely with the line manager in order to deliver a comprehensive range of optometric services to the highest standards of quality and care.
- Grow and develop the optometry department, by recruiting optometrists and placing them in speciality clinics.
- To find a need for more optometrist led services and recruiting appropriately to fill the gaps. Using the provision of optometrist led services to reduce the dependency on bank staff.
- Undertake responsibility for undertaking patient assessment & management in extended role clinics across a range of sub-specialities within ophthalmology.
- Participation in the delivery of complex specialist optometric services and a comprehensive range of core optometric services that meet the changing needs of the Directorate and other outside agencies.
Working for our organisation
At Imperial College Healthcare you can achieve extraordinary things with extraordinary people, working with leading clinicians pushing boundaries in patient care.
Become part of a vibrant team living our values - expert, kind, collaborative and aspirational. You’ll get an experience like no other and will fast forward your career.
Benefits include career development, flexible working and wellbeing, staff recognition scheme. Make use of optional benefits including Cycle to Work, car lease schemes, season ticket loan or membership options for onsite leisure facilities.
We are committed to equal opportunities and improving the working lives of our staff and will consider applications to work flexibly, part time or job share. Please talk to us at interview.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The full job description provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required.
For both overviews please view the Job Description attachment with the job advert.
Person specification
Education/ Qualifications
Essential criteria
- Post Graduate Qualification in Contact lens and glaucoma training
- Higher certificate in Glaucoma
- Upper Degree or Master’s Degree in a health related subject or equivalent experience
- Independent Prescriber Course
- GOC registered optometrist
Desirable criteria
- Additional post graduate qualification.
- Leadership qualification.
- Teaching and Assessing qualification or equivalent teaching experience.
Experience
Essential criteria
- Experience in working in contact lens, fitting
- Extensive experience within speciality
- Ability to work in advanced practice role
- Track record of practice development and innovation in ophthalmic practice
- Experience in successful change management
Desirable criteria
- Portfolio of career long learning
- Understanding and involvement in research relevant to speciality
Skills/Knowledge/ Abilities
Essential criteria
- Ophthalmic examination skills required including as gonioscopy.
- Sound knowledge of the role of the Optometry in an acute hospital.
- Knowledge of the role of optometry in each of the areas listed below.
- Advanced ophthalmic skills including the ability to make a full ophthalmic assessment of Glaucoma/ uveitis/cornea and Cataract Patients.
- Expertise Knowledge, interpretation and practical skills of ophthalmic investigations and procedures relevant to the area of practic
Desirable criteria
- Able to perform/ be trained to do SLT/PI/YAG lase.
- Demonstrate commitment through involvement in Trust wide initiatives/ committees
- Competent in medication administration including IV drugs.
- Competent in venepuncture and cannulation.
Applicant requirements
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Zena Rodrigues
- Job title
- Consultant Nurse
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 02033123245
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