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Job summary

Main area
Optometry
Grade
Band 7
Contract
Permanent
Hours
  • Full time
  • Part time
37.5 hours per week (Friday)
Job ref
271-SS-7455758
Employer
Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Great Ormond Street Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Town
London
Salary
£56,276 - £63,176 pro rata per annum inclusive
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
07/10/2025 23:59

Employer heading

Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust logo

Optometrist

Band 7

Job overview

We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced Clinical Optometrist to join the Ophthalmology team in our new Sight & Sound Department at Great Ormond Street Hospital.

You will be required to provide extended role optometric support in a variety of different specialties of the busy Paediatric Ophthalmology department. These include Corneal, Retinal, Neurophthalmology and Complex Paediatric clinics as well as contact lens and low vision clinics. The post also includes involvement in the research being carried out in the department. 

 We are looking for an enthusiastic Optometrist with paediatric and hospital experience who can carry out a wide range of complex optometric and ophthalmological procedures.

You  must have experience of working with children, have a caring, sensitive approach and enjoy working within a team.

Main duties of the job

  • To carry out the administration required to maintain the service as well as other administrative tasks as delegated by the line manager
  • Working both individually and as a member of the Ophthalmic team to provide advanced Optometric and Ophthalmological support within the Uveitis clinic.
  • To undertake a wide range of complex clinical services as an extended role paediatric optometrist
  • Discussing and informing patients and parents of highly complex and sensitive issues relating to their eye condition and treatment thereof.
  • To provide some teaching and training at post-graduate level to a multi-discipline team
  • Possible research into relevant Optometric and Ophthalmological areas both individually and as part of the team
  • To communicate effectively at all levels within the multi-disciplinary team
  • Liaising with external professionals and services involved with the child
  • Providing both verbal and written support to parents
  • Maintaining accurate records

Working for our organisation

GOSH is committed to recruiting the best person for the job, based solely on their ability and individual merit as measured against the criteria for the role; through a process that is fair, open, consistent and free from bias and discrimination.

We are committed to being a diverse and inclusive employer and foster a culture where all staff are valued, respected and acknowledged. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, age, disability status or length of time spent unemployed.

We particularly welcome applications from BAME communities, people with disabilities and/or long-term health conditions and LGBT+ community members.

We have policies and procedures in place to ensure that all applicants and employees are treated fairly and consistently. We are proud to be accredited as a Disability Confident Employer, a member of Business Disability Forum and a Stonewall Diversity Champion.

We have active and Executive supported BAME, LGBT+ and Allies, Disability and Long-Term Health Conditions and Women’s staff networks. Staff networks are employee-led groups formed around interests, issues and a common bond or background. Staff network members create a positive and inclusive work environment at Great Ormond Street Hospital by actively contributing to the Trust’s mission, values and efforts specific to inclusion. All of our staff networks are open to any employee. 

 

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 documents, please view the attachment/s below.

Person specification

GOSH Culture and Values

Essential criteria
  • Our always values
  • Experience of contributing to an inclusive workplace culture.

Academic/Professional qualification/Training

Essential criteria
  • Qualified optometrist MCOptom or FCOptom General Optical Council registered
  • Ongoing Continuing Education and Continuing Personal Development
  • Higher qualifications relevant to post or evidence of study towards a qualification in: o Paediatric Optometry o Independent prescriber o Medical Retina o Glaucoma

Experience/Knowledge

Essential criteria
  • Optometric management of young children
  • Hospital optometry – minimum of 2 years post registration
  • Experience of complex and paediatric refraction
  • Indirect ophthalmoscopy – head set and slit lamp techniques
  • Paediatric contact lens and LVA experience
  • Fundus photography and OCT interpretation

Skills/Abilities

Essential criteria
  • Empathy with child-centred care
  • Good communication skills (oral and written)
Desirable criteria
  • Experience in spreadsheet management and research data collection

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Apprenticeships logoImproving working livesCare quality commission - GoodDisability confident employerStonewall equality policy. Equality and justice for lesbians, gay men, bisexual and trans people.Menopause Workplace PledgeDefence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) - Gold

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
Lynne Speedwell
Job title
Lead Optometrist
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
02074059200
Additional information

For informal enquiries please contact Lynne Speedwell or Joanne Randeree, Head of Optometry by email on [email protected] or [email protected]

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