Specialist Optometrist | University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Specialist Optometrist | Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Employer:

Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Location:

Liverpool, L7 8YE

Pay:

Contract Type:

Contract

Hours:

Disability Confident:

No

Closing Date:

28/03/2026

We have an opportunity for a six‑month fixed term Specialist Optometrist (Band
7) up to 30 hours per week. This is to cover a career break.

St Paul’s Eye Unit is the largest eye care provider in Cheshire and Merseyside and is a long established centre of excellence for ophthalmic care serving the North West and beyond.

We provide the full range of eye services with hospital optometrists involved in most services. We work with a collaborative and multidisciplinary approach to deliver the full range of ophthalmology services.

We support and encourage career development and the attainment of higher professional qualifications and IP qualifications.

Our headquarters are at the newly opened Royal Liverpool University Hospital, which opened in October 2022. St Paul’s Eye Unit is a Division within Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

We deliver eye emergency and general ophthalmology services along with all subspecialty services including ocular neurology, ocular plastics and ocular oncology.

In addition to traditional core optometry activities (refraction, biometry, medical contact lens practice and low‑vision services), hospital optometrists are involved in eye emergency, cornea, cataract, glaucoma, diabetic, medical retinal and clinical research activities.

The post holder will personally deliver direct patient care, and may undertake research activity, clinical audit and teaching/training as required.

These posts are particularly suitable for optometry colleagues wishing to expand and consolidate their knowledge and clinical skills.

Previous hospital experience is an advantage but not essential.

If you are limited in your current role and looking to develop and fully use your wider optometry skill set this may well be the role for you.

• Work closely with the Head of Department to deliver a comprehensive range of specialist optometric services to the highest standards of quality and patient care.
• Provide autonomous optometric assessment, diagnosis and management of patients of all ages, including the elderly, those with visual disability and those with varying communication skills.
• Deliver complex specialist optometric services that meet the changing needs of the Directorate and other outside agencies.
• Lead at least one specific optometric service such as the contact lens service, low‑vision service, or ultrasound biometry service.
• Coordinate and ensure appropriate deployment of staff and evaluate service delivery, liaising with the Head of Optometry Department regarding changes to the service.
• Act as an independent practitioner and source of clinical expertise for junior staff in the assessment/practice of these clinical specialties.
• Perform administrative duties as agreed with the Head of Optometry Department, particularly concerning the lead role for a specific optometric service.
• Undertake clinical audit and research as agreed with the Head of Optometry Department.
• Participate in audit teams, coordinating and advising within the service as necessary.
• Act as a registered supervisor with the College of Optometrists for Preregistration Optometrists.
• Provide teaching and training at undergraduate and postgraduate levels for various disciplines within ophthalmology (ophthalmologists, medical students, ophthalmic nurses, orthoptists and other health professionals) visiting the Optometry Department.
• Take a major role in the preparation, organisation and delivery of teaching programmes provided by the Optometry Department.
• Behave consistently with the Trust’s values and observe all Trust Policies and Procedures.

In undertaking this role, the employee will be expected to behave at all times in a way that is consistent with and actively supports the Trust’s values, and observes all Trust Policies and Procedures.

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