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Job overview

An opportunity has become available for a Specialist Optometrist (Band 7) to join the Optometry team supporting core Optometry and extended role Ophthalmology services at the Birmingham & Midland Eye Centre. This opportunity is suitable for experienced Optometrists wishing to develop their clinical skills within the various disciplines of Optometry and Ophthalmology.

The post holder will be a registered Optometrist with specialist clinical skills and an expert knowledge base in Ophthalmology including some, but not all, of the following subspecialties: Glaucoma, Corneal, medical Retina and Urgent Care Clinics. Complex contact lens fitting including Scleral lens fitting will also be of benefit.

Training and competency assessments will be provided for the candidate with the potential to meet these criteria. The post holder will be a key member of the sub specialty teams within the Ophthalmic Departments at SWBH.

 For any queries please contact Dr waheeda Illahi (Head of Optometry) email: [email protected]

Main duties of the job

1. To undertake a wide range of sub-specialty clinical services involving advanced optometric extended roles as well as core optometry services. These include refraction (routine, diagnostic and paediatric), specialist medical contact lens management (including gas permeable scleral lens fitting), corneal topography, visual impairment rehabilitation, and may include advanced diabetic retinopathy management and assisting with in-house comprehensive spectacle dispensing.  

2. To undertake a broad range of  extended role activities within Ophthalmology clinics. (e.g. glaucoma, emergency department, Corneal, medical retina) under the supervision of the Ophthalmology team. This requires highly specialist knowledge and period of training with the Consultant Ophthalmologist and includes the clinical management of Ophthalmic patients including assessment, investigation, interpretation of findings and treatment as recommended by extended role specialty protocol.

3. To provide a refraction, logMAR visual acuity and contrast sensitivity measurement service for the Optometry department and the research department of SWBH including clinical trials. 

Working for our organisation

Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust (SWBT) is an integrated care organisation with a budget of approximately £600 million and over 7,000 staff. Diversity and social care is at the core of what we do as the Trust provides Community and Acute Services to over half a million people in an urban centre that demands massive regeneration and has substantial premature mortality. 

Our new acute hospital, the Midland Metropolitan University Hospital (MMUH), opens in 2024 and will provide care to our local population from first class, purpose-built premises. As a result, the base of this role may change to MMUH from 2024 (or beyond). If this is applicable to your role, you will be informed during the recruitment process and continuing your application with this understanding. The development of the new hospital will play an important role in the regeneration of the wider area and in improving the lives of local people and reducing health inequalities. 

We have three newly emerging strategic objectives:

1. Our People – to cultivate and sustain happy, productive and engaged staff
2. Our Patients – to be good or outstanding in everything we do
3. Our Population – to work seamlessly with our partners to improve live