Job overview
Specialist Optometrist, Band 7 (22.5 hours per week)
A post has arisen for maternity cover, part time specialist optometrist to join the optometry team at Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS foundation trust. We are seeking an enthusiastic and experienced optometrist who is keen to develop their clinical skills and progress their specialist clinical interest in a hospital setting. This post would suit someone who wishes to receive training and experience in both core and advanced hospital clinics with an emphasis on glaucoma and medical retina.
Additional working pattern details: Monday to Friday
Main duties of the job
The post holder will have the opportunity to work in a variety of clinics including medical retina clinics working alongside consultant ophthalmologists assessing and managing patients presenting with a range of conditions, glaucoma clinics, cataract clinics and other hospital clinics such as specialist contact lens fitting and paediatric assessment. The role can be adapted to the key clinics interests of the successful applicant.
A flexible approach is essential to work in a fast paced and busy clinics. The successful post holder will need to be familiar with OCT and although full training and support is provided, additional qualifications or previous experience in similar clinics is desirable.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
We have a fixed term part time post available (22.5 hours per week) and are looking for applications from candidates who are looking to develop into a hospital optometry role.
Our normal working hours are 9.00am to 5.15pm Monday to Friday but may also include the option of occasional weekend clinics. The post holder will be based either in Cheltenham General or Gloucestershire Royal Hospitals and there may be an option to work at other hospital sites across the county as we develop these clinics in community hospitals.
The post holder will work in both optometry and ophthalmology clinics. Full training will be given for the role. This post is therefore suitable for experienced optometrists without previous hospital experience who wishes to develop their clinical skills as well as optometrists currently working in hospital. The post holder will be expected to contribute to clinical audit for effective clinical governance and take on roles to support clinical lead optometrists and training and teaching within the department. Additional post graduate qualifications are not essential but if successful we would encourage and support the post holder to undertaken further training in their specialist area.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential
- BSc (Hons) Optometry or equivalent/or MSc Optometry
- GOC registered as qualified Optometrist
Desirable
- 2:1 or higher
- Post graduate clinical qualification (s) or working towards further qualifications
- Member of College of Optometrists
Knowledge/skills
Desirable
- Experience working in ophthalmology or extended role optometry clinics
Knowledge / Skills
Essential
- Excellent interpersonal skills and professional manner
- Able to communicate complex clinical information with empathy to patients
- Attention to detail and accurate clinical record keeping
- Ability to adapt and work flexibly to suit needs of the service
Desirable
- Experience working with electronic patient records and databases
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Specialist Optometrist, Band 7 with Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in Cheltenham, South West, England. It is listed as a Band 7 Healthcare support worker role. The advertised salary is £49,387 - £56,515 (pa, pro rata if part-time). The contract type is Fixed term: 12 months (Maternity cover). The application deadline is 03 Aug 2026.
Before you apply, compare the job description with the person specification and mirror the employer's essential criteria in your supporting information. Use the vacancy title, employer, location, salary, contract type, closing date and posted date (20 Jul 2026) to decide whether this role fits your current NHS job search. If the employer can close applications early, prepare the application before the stated deadline rather than waiting for the final day.
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