Optometrist Specialist

Job overview

Interview expected to take place in the week following shortlisting: commencing 19/05/2025

We are looking for someone to join our growing Optometry department. This post specifically requires the post-holder to carry out paediatric refractions and fundoscopy to support our paediatric ophthalmology and orthoptic services. In addition to complex refractions, this role may require the management of patients with cerebral visual impairment (CVI) and other special educational needs.

The successful candidate will be confident in managing paediatric patients and carrying out complex refractions.

Main duties of the job

To support the Ophthalmology department by carrying out paediatric cycloplaegic and subjective refraction clinics

To work closely with the line manager to enable that Optometry services of the highest standard are delivered

In future, this role may extend to require the delivery of highly complex specialist Optometry services and a comprehensive range of core Optometry services that meet the changing needs of the Directorate and other outside agencies.

To provide teaching and training at post graduate level within Ophthalmology as needed.

Working for our organisation

The Optometry team work within the ophthalmology department, supporting patients in various sub-speciality clinics.

Our People Charter outlines the behaviours we can expect from one another and what you can expect from Bradford Teaching Hospitals Foundation Trust:

• We value people
• We are one team
• We care

We’re keen to meet people who share these values and are passionate about delivering the highest quality of care to our patients.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

This current post specifically requires the post-holder to carry out paediatric refractions and fundoscopy to support paediatric ophthalmology. However, as the demands of the service change, the post holder may be required to support other core or specialist optometry clinics.

The paediatric clinics are held at Bradford Royal Infirmary (BRI), but this post may require flexibility of working patterns and clinical involvement, as and when the service requires. This may include working at sites across the Trust, including, but not exclusive to the Bradford Macula Centre (BMC), which is at the Trinity Centre, Trinity Road, BD5 0JD, as well as at the Ophthalmology Dept at BRI.

The principal areas of specialist involvement are as follows:

• Core optometry skills in specialist refraction, paediatric cycloplegic refraction and fundoscopy, corneal topography, etc.
• The Bradford Macula Centre provides a busy service for the treatment of patients with wet ARMD and macular oedema due to vein occlusions and diabetic retinopathy. The role of the optometrists in the BMC has developed over time into a co-management role, involving specialised clinical skills and opinion to a level equivalent to a consultant ophthalmologist
• There has been a long history of optometry co-management clinics with an ever-increasing case load, which has necessitated expansion in this service. This involves specialised clinical skills and opinion to a level equivalent to a middle grade ophthalmologist. Areas include glaucoma, diabetic eye disease, acute referral clinic, cataract assessment and cataract post-operative review.
• In recent years we have introduced a model of virtual clinics for monitoring of more stable diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and macula patients. The optometry team shares responsibility for the clinical reporting of the images and measures obtained and the on-going management of patients.
• The corneal monitoring clinic (CMC) requires the monitoring of patients with keratoconus and other chronic corneal conditions, working closely with the Consultant. The optometrist would be involved in the decision making about a patient’s suitability for treatment and therapeutic management as required.

The post is an integral part of a multi-disciplinary team which contributes to the effective and economic use of available resource. It will be the optometrist’s responsibility to ensure that all their equipment is properly maintained, reporting any faults, losses or damages to the nursing lead or Head Optometrist.

Person specification

Experience

• Experience and interest in carrying out paediatric cycloplegic and subjective refractions and fundus examinations
• Interest in paediatric ophthalmology and working with children

• Previous HES experience

Skills

• Good verbal and written command of English
• Effective listening, communication and interpersonal skills, with particularly good, sympathetic manner with patients
• Ability to work as a team

Qualifications

• BSc Optometry
• GOC registered

• Independent Prescriber
• College of Optometrists Higher Diplomas