Job summary

An exciting vacancy has become available for a part-time maternity cover as Senior Optometrist which involves working within the core low vision and paediatric service as well as extended role Opthalmology clinics including Medical Retina Injection clinics at Whipps Cross. We are looking for an enthusiastic and highly motivated Optometrist to join our teams for this contract.

The post-holder will work every Tuesday and Alternate Thursdays as part of the multi-disciplinary Optometry and Ophthalmology teams that provide comprehensive and quality ophthalmology services for the Trust.

You will be based in the Eye Treatment Centre at Whipps Cross University Hospital but there may be occasions where the clinic will be held at Newham General Hospital. The Eye Treatment Centre is a dedicated unit covering all ophthalmology specialties including vitreo-retinal, medical retina, glaucoma, cornea, oculo-plastics, paediatrics, neuro-ophthalmology and we also have a busy eye emergency service.

We are open to considering applications from Optometrists who would be interested in doing this post as a job share. Working hours and days to be agreed with the successful candidate.

Main duties of the job

You will participate in the educational activities run by and for the Optical Services and Ophthalmology Departments. This includes the teaching of other health care professionals, medical undergraduates and junior doctors.

There are significant opportunities to develop within the role gaining experience in extended roles and a being involved in audit and research.

We are a friendly, close-knit multidisciplinary team consisting of full-time and part-time 12 Orthoptists,18 Optometrists, 1 Contact Lens Practitioner, 11 Consultants across paediatrics and adult services, a nursing team including HCA's, an ECLO, photography and administrative teams.

We will support you in both your clinical and leadership roles to develop your skills and knowledge. We are in a position to fund courses both in leadership and in clinical areas such as attaining Independent Prescribing and other areas. The extensive range of clinics you can be involved in will also allow you to develop and progress in the areas you enjoy.

About us

Barts Health is one of the largest NHS trusts in the country, and one of Britain's leading healthcare providers.

Our vision is to be a high-performing group of NHS hospitals, renowned for excellence and innovation, and providing safe and compassionate care to our patients in east London and beyond. That means being a provider of excellent patient safety, known for delivering consistently high standards of harm-free care and always caring for patients in the right place at the right time. It also means being an outstanding place to work, in which our WeCare values and behaviours are visible to all and guide us in how we work together.

We strive to live by our WeCare values and are committed to promoting inclusion, where every staff member has a sense of belonging. We value our differences and fully advocate, cultivate and support an inclusive working environment.

Details

Date posted

29 October 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£55,524 to £62,652 a year per annum pro rata inc

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

259-8401811WXH

Job locations

Whipps Cross Hospital

London

E11 1NR

United Kingdom

Job description

Job 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 knowledgerequired. For both documents, please view the attachment/s below.

Job description Job 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 knowledgerequired. For both documents, please view the attachment/s below.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

• Evidence of practical experience delivering optometric care within a hospital, community eye service, or equivalent clinical setting, performing duties comparable to those described in the job description.
• -Experience applying specialist clinical judgement to assess, diagnose, and manage patients with a range of ocular conditions, supported by a strong theoretical knowledge base.
• Experience contributing to clinical governance, including maintaining accurate clinical records, adhering to professional standards, and participating in quality or safety processes.

Skills

Essential

• Evidence of analysing and prioritising complex clinical information to formulate appropriate care plans, including in cases involving multiple risk factors or comorbidities.
• Ability to communicate clinical information clearly and appropriately to a range of audiences, including patients (adults and children), carers, and multidisciplinary colleagues.
• Evidence of maintaining accurate, high-quality clinical records using electronic patient record systems.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and workload demands, demonstrating effective time management and organisation.
• Evidence of collaborative working within a multidisciplinary team to deliver safe and effective patient care.
• Ability to deliver training or pass on knowledge, such as teaching students, supporting junior staff, or presenting clinical information.
• Competent use of digital systems, including MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook) and electronic patient record systems
• Demonstrates attention to detail, accuracy, and a methodical approach to clinical and administrative tasks
• Ability to work under pressure, adapt to changing clinical demands, and maintain professionalism in challenging or emotional situations.
• Ability to undertake the physical requirements of the role, including moderate to intense effort and managing frequent interruptions.
• Ability to act as a super-user for specialist optometric equipment or extended-role clinics.
• -Experience presenting clinical information formally (e.g., case presentations, teaching sessions).
• Experience using Cerner Millennium, MediSIGHT or equivalent ophthalmic system.

Knowledge

Essential

• Developed knowledge of current best practice in optometry, including relevant clinical guidelines and evidence-based care.
• Understanding of the legal and ethical responsibilities of the profession, including GOC standards and safeguarding principles.
• Understanding of clinical governance frameworks, including risk management, incident reporting, and quality improvement.
• Commitment to ongoing professional development, with evidence of recent CPD activity. Knowledge of audit and research methodologies and their application in clinical settings.
• -Knowledge of specialist ophthalmic software (e.g., MediSight, Cerner Millennium)

Qualifications

Essential

• BSc (Hons) Optometry or Ophthalmic Optics (2:1 or above) and successful completion of the College of Optometrists Scheme for Registration, demonstrating achievement of all General Optical Council (GOC) competencies
• Current registration with the General Optical Council (GOC) - candidates must provide registration number or evidence of eligibility to register.

Desirable

• MOptom (Master of Optometry) or equivalent postgraduate academic qualification
• Independent Prescribing qualification (DipTp(IP))
• -Postgraduate qualification in a specialist area of optometric practice (taught course).
• Contact Lens Optometrist qualification (ABDO/GOC) where relevant to service need

Person Specification Experience Essential Evidence of practical experience delivering optometric care within a hospital, community eye service, or equivalent clinical setting, performing duties comparable to those described in the job description. -Experience applying specialist clinical judgement to assess, diagnose, and manage patients with a range of ocular conditions, supported by a strong theoretical knowledge base. Experience contributing to clinical governance, including maintaining accurate clinical records, adhering to professional standards, and participating in quality or safety processes. Skills Essential Evidence of analysing and prioritising complex clinical information to formulate appropriate care plans, including in cases involving multiple risk factors or comorbidities. Ability to communicate clinical information clearly and appropriately to a range of audiences, including patients (adults and children), carers, and multidisciplinary colleagues. Evidence of maintaining accurate, high-quality clinical records using electronic patient record systems. Ability to manage competing priorities and workload demands, demonstrating effective time management and organisation. Evidence of collaborative working within a multidisciplinary team to deliver safe and effective patient care. Ability to deliver training or pass on knowledge, such as teaching students, supporting junior staff, or presenting clinical information. Competent use of digital systems, including MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook) and electronic patient record systems Demonstrates attention to detail, accuracy, and a methodical approach to clinical and administrative tasks Ability to work under pressure, adapt to changing clinical demands, and maintain professionalism in challenging or emotional situations. Ability to undertake the physical requirements of the role, including moderate to intense effort and managing frequent interruptions. Ability to act as a super-user for specialist optometric equipment or extended-role clinics. -Experience presenting clinical information formally (e.g., case presentations, teaching sessions). Experience using Cerner Millennium, MediSIGHT or equivalent ophthalmic system. Knowledge Essential Developed knowledge of current best practice in optometry, including relevant clinical guidelines and evidence-based care. Understanding of the legal and ethical responsibilities of the profession, including GOC standards and safeguarding principles. Understanding of clinical governance frameworks, including risk management, incident reporting, and quality improvement. Commitment to ongoing professional development, with evidence of recent CPD activity. Knowledge of audit and research methodologies and their application in clinical settings. -Knowledge of specialist ophthalmic software (e.g., MediSight, Cerner Millennium) Qualifications Essential BSc (Hons) Optometry or Ophthalmic Optics (2:1 or above) and successful completion of the College of Optometrists Scheme for Registration, demonstrating achievement of all General Optical Council (GOC) competencies Current registration with the General Optical Council (GOC) - candidates must provide registration number or evidence of eligibility to register. Desirable MOptom (Master of Optometry) or equivalent postgraduate academic qualification Independent Prescribing qualification (DipTp(IP)) -Postgraduate qualification in a specialist area of optometric practice (taught course). Contact Lens Optometrist qualification (ABDO/GOC) where relevant to service need

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Additional information Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions. Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab). From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab). UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

Barts Health NHS Trust

Address

Whipps Cross Hospital

London

E11 1NR

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.bartshealth.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Barts Health NHS Trust

Address

Whipps Cross Hospital

London

E11 1NR

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.bartshealth.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)