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Job summary

Main area
Optometry
Grade
NHS AfC: Band 7
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Part time - 7.5 hours per week
Job ref
432-HR784-25
Employer
East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Primary Care Centre
Town
Colchester
Salary
£47,810 - £54,710 per annum pro rata
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
30/10/2025 23:59
Interview date
07/11/2025

Employer heading

East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust logo

Specialist Optometrist

NHS AfC: Band 7

We are one of the largest NHS organisation in England. Our scale provides exciting opportunities for development, innovation, research, education and training.

Talk to us about our range of flexible working opportunities, apprenticeships and staff benefits

Equality Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) is at the heart of all we do; and it forms part of the ESNEFT’s core activities. The Trust operates and relies on everyone treating each other with dignity and respect, to receive equitable and fair treatment in the implementation of Policies, Procedures and in its Practices, to foster positive work relationships, and finally to act with integrity as a professional within ESNEFT as well as a representative of the NHS as a whole.  The EDI Agenda reflects the Trust values such as Optimistic, Appreciative and Kind. In line with the NHS Long Term Plan, People Plan, People Promise and a Model Employer intrinsic in the Equality Diversity and Inclusion Agenda, we consistently strive to improve, to take the learning into Action for a better ESNEFT.

If you are passionate about patient care and want to develop your skills and knowledge then we are keen to hear from you.

 

Job overview

We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated optometrist to join the Optometry service. 

You will work within core optometry clinics and extended scope roles in the ophthalmology sub-speciality clinics (cornea/glaucoma). This presents an ideal opportunity to experienced community optometrists who wish to expand their knowledge base further, previous hospital experience is not essential.

You will be offered comprehensive training in hospital clinical work including paediatric refraction, specialist contact lens, and low vision plus development of clinical experience in an extended role.

Main duties of the job

·         To undertake a range of optometry services as required, including adult and paediatric refraction, partial sight management, ultrasound biometry and specialist contact lens fitting and management providing specialist treatment and advice.

·         To provide a range of extended specialist role services, working in association with Consultant Ophthalmologists. Examining, diagnosing and independently managing patients (including prescribing medication) in the sub-specialty services.

·         To work in partnership with the orthoptic department to provide a paediatric service.

 

Working for our organisation

We are ESNEFT and we provide hospital and community health services to almost one million people across east Suffolk and north Essex. Our dedicated staff deliver care from acute hospitals in Colchester and Ipswich, community hospitals, surgeries, community clinics and in patients’ own homes. 

We are one of the largest NHS organisations in England, employing more than 12,000 staff. 

We pride ourselves on supporting our staff. We offer a wide range of training and development opportunities, as well as flexible working options. 

Along with supporting you to achieve your career goals we offer a generous pension scheme, unsocial hours payments (where applicable), 27 days annual leave on commencement (pro rata) and access to a range of NHS discounts. Our Staff Health and Wellbeing programme offer a variety of services. 

Our philosophy is that Time Matters to everyone. Across the Trust, we concentrate on improving the things we do and removing those which cause time delays for our staff and patients.   

We are investing in our commitment to Time Matters with a partnership with leading electronic patient record (EPR) supplier Epic. This digital transformation will bring what’s widely regarded as the world’s best EPR system to ESNEFT, transforming life in hospital for staff and patients. 

If you are passionate about patient care and want to develop your skills and knowledge, then we want to hear from you.   

Find out about living and working here - www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkPu7HphU8A 

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

For full details of the responsibilities and duties of this role please see the attached job description. 

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria
  • GOC registered
  • Educated to Masters level
Desirable criteria
  • Working towards or achievement of a higher degree or College of Optometrists’ higher qualification

Experience

Essential criteria
  • Significant post-registration or hospital experience
  • Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary team
  • Be able to demonstrate professional experience dealing with people of all ages and with a range of vision problems
Desirable criteria
  • Proven hospital eye service experience
  • Previous experience in community minor eye conditions scheme (MECS)
  • Previous experience in ophthalmic sub-specialty clinics

Skills

Essential criteria
  • Be able to demonstrate an ability to undertake clinical techniques relevant to hospital optometry services optometry, e.g. refraction and contact lens fitting
  • Broad understanding of the developing roles of the ophthalmic professions, within primary, secondary & tertiary care
  • General ophthalmic knowledge and understanding of ocular disease and management
Desirable criteria
  • Broad understanding of community ophthalmology and optometry management schemes
  • Specialist knowledge of investigation & imaging techniques

Employer certification / accreditation badges

No smoking policyMenopause Friendly EmployerPositive about disabled peopleAge positiveArmed Forces Covenant Gold AwardMindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.NHS Pastoral CareDisability confident committedStonewall equality policy. Equality and justice for lesbians, gay men, bisexual and trans people.Step 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
Richard Allen
Job title
Head of Optometry
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
01206 487103
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