Job summary
- Main area
- Ophthalmology
- Grade
- Band 7
- Contract
- 12 months (Fixed term)
- Hours
- Part time - 3.75 hours per week
- Job ref
- 318-25-T0550
- Employer
- Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Gloucestershire Royal Hospital (The Orchard Centre)
- Town
- Gloucester
- Salary
- £47,810 - £54,710 (pro rata if part time)
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 07/08/2025 23:59
Employer heading
Specialist Research Optometrist, Band 7
Band 7
At Gloucestershire Hospitals, our people are at the heart of everything we do. As the largest employer in the county, we’re proud to provide outstanding acute, elective, and specialist services to over 650,000 people across our county. Whether you’re just beginning your NHS journey or taking the next step in your career, this is an exciting time to join us. We’re investing in innovation, research, and transformation, with over 100 active clinical studies and major developments underway across our two district hospitals.
You can expect a welcoming and supportive culture and you’ll be supported by passionate colleagues who care deeply about teamwork, development, and delivering exceptional care. We offer structured development programmes, mentoring, and leadership opportunities to help you grow in your career. Gloucestershire has the perfect mix of culture, countryside, and community. With excellent schools, transport links, and access to award-winning green spaces, it’s a great place to live and work.
We value the diversity of our workforce and are committed to creating an environment where everyone feels they belong.
Be part of Gloucestershire Hospitals, explore your future with us today.
Job overview
Specialist Research Optometrist, Band 7 (3.75 hours a week)
Gloucestershire Research and Education Group (Retinal Research) became established in 2010. Our goal is to promote, educate and facilitate research activity within Ophthalmology and Diabetic Eye Screening. We drive innovation through clinical and technological trials that embed findings into everyday clinical practice leading to highest quality of patient care.
Applications are invited for this part time position as part of the Ophthalmology Team at Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
Main duties of the job
This position is 12 months in the first instance. The Specialist Optometrist will be a required to undertake optometric examinations to support the Gloucestershire Retinal Research Group and assist with the on-going requirement to provide grading support for diabetic eye screening images and surveillance OCT images. They will also be responsible for research, audit and optometric related advice and information to the Gloucestershire Diabetic Retinopathy Education and Research Groups and the Gloucestershire Diabetic Eye Screening Programme.
Working for our organisation
The Gloucestershire Retinal Research Group are an experienced and enthusiastic team working in the area of Ophthalmology and mostly retinal research.
With a team of over 9,000 employees, Gloucestershire Hospitals are proud to be the largest employer in Gloucestershire and rank among the top 10 largest Trusts in the South West region
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
- There will be a requirement to undertake optometric examinations to support the Gloucestershire Retinal Research Group.
- Responsible for research, audit and optometric related advice and information to the Gloucestershire Diabetic Retinopathy Education and Research Groups and the Gloucestershire Diabetic Eye Screening Programme.
- There will be an intermittent requirement to undertake optometric and grading reviews as part of the Quality Assurance process to a selection of diabetic retinopathy screening programmes. Assist the Gloucestershire Diabetic Retinopathy Education Group to ensure that national standards, performance targets are met. Monitor and advise on the development and implementation of safe systems of work.
- To assist with the on-going requirement to provide grading support for diabetic eye screening images and surveillance OCT images for both the Gloucestershire Diabetic Eye Screening Programme and the contract that they have for the Jersey Screening Programme.
- The post holder will be expected to act autonomously and with authority to influence organisations and individuals within and the NHS at every level, to maintain meticulous records. The role involves, assimilating and assessing highly complex information, the review and investigation of working standards, negotiating and mediating with senior professionals including senior managers, Public Health and clinical consultants and skilfully communicating at all levels with members of the public, screeners and administrators and optometry educators.
- To lead and support the development of research projects for the Gloucestershire Diabetic Retinopathy Research Group, particularly where there is optometric involvement.
- Regular contact with patients should be dealt with in a way that is sensitive both to the patient and the local programme. Consultation with local providers will normally be necessary before responses are given and follow up with providers to ensure that problems are resolved. Patient confidentiality must be maintained at all times.
- Occasional contact with patient representatives will be required and the post holder will be expected to provide training and support to patient representatives who may attend external quality assurance visits.
Person specification
Qualifications, Knowledge and Experience
Essential criteria
- Education to master’s degree level in Optometry or a related science, registration with the General Optical Council
- Experience working in the NHS in a senior optometric position
- A clear understanding of NHS optometric examination funding and structure of eye examination, as well as the underpinning organisation and management of these services
Desirable criteria
- Experience of community optometry services at community and corporate body level preferred
- History of effective presentations to groups
- Certificate or Diploma in Diabetic Retinopathy Screening
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
- Peter Scanlon
- Job title
- Professor of Ophthalmology
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 0300 422 2851
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