Job overview

This post is an ideal opportunity for an enthusiastic optometrist to join our large, friendly and supportive team.

Manchester Royal Eye Hospital is a leading teaching hospital and centre of excellence for ophthalmic care, with around 50 consultant ophthalmologists working in a range of ophthalmic sub-specialities. The optometry team consists of over 40 optometrists who work within the multi-disciplinary team to deliver outpatient care. Core optometry services include refraction, complex medical contact lens management and low vision rehabilitation. Optometrists also contribute towards clinical activity by way of extended roles (including cataract, glaucoma, macular treatment and acute services).

Optometrists may also have the opportunity to undertake research, clinical audit and engage in teaching.  The department has strong links with optometry and medicine at the University of Manchester.

Previous hospital optometry experience is desirable, although not essential, as ongoing in-house training is provided by our highly experienced optometrists. You must be registered with the GOC and hold a degree in Optometry.

We have a strong track record of supporting professional development opportunities. To support you, you will undergo an induction programme within core services and paediatrics. Following this, there will be opportunities to develop your role within extended services.

Applications for part time positions may be considered, some Saturday work will be required.

Main duties of the job

To work closely with the experienced senior Optometrists within the team to deliver high quality optometric services within the Optometry Department.  To participate in the delivery of a comprehensive range of core optometric services within MREH and its community clinics, with the potential to develop skills for extended roles. 

To undertake a range of core optometry services at MREH and community clinics. These include refraction (routine, diagnostic and paediatric), specialist contact lens management and visual impairment rehabilitation. The post holder maintains a personal clinical workload within these core services. This includes dedicated clinics for children in out-reach community clinics.

To prescribe appropriate patient appliances (spectacles, contact lenses, low vision aids) and provide appropriate advice to patients on needs, treatment and corrective aids.

Working for our organisation

MFT is one of the largest NHS Trust In England with a turnover of over £3bn & is on a different scale than most other NHS Trusts. We’re creating an exceptional integrated health & social care system for the 1 million patients who rely on our services every year.

Bringing together 10 hospitals & community services from across Manchester, Trafford & beyond, we champion collaborative working & transformation, encouraging our 30,000 workforce to pursue their most ambitious goals. We set standards that other Trusts seek to emulate so you’ll benefit from a scale of opportunity that is nothing short of extraordinary.

We’ve also created a digitally enabled organisation to improve clinical quality, patient & staff experience, operational effectiveness & driving research, and innovation through the introduction of Hive; our Electronic Patient Record system which launched in September 2022.

We’re proud to be a major academic Research Centre & Education provider, providing you with a robust infrastructure to encourage and facilitate high-quality research programmes. What’s more, we’re excited to be embarking on our Green Plan which sets out how MFT continues to play its part in making healthcare more sustainable.

At MFT, we create and foster a culture of inclusion and belonging, provide equal opportunities for career development that are fair, open, and transparent, protecting your health and wellbeing and shaping the future of our organisation together.