Specialist Optometrist

Job overview

This is an excellent opportunity to join a dynamic and forward thinking, progressive innovative eye care service team comprising 12 Consultants, 8 Optometrists  and a substantial team of Ophthalmic Nurses, Orthoptists, technicians, and healthcare assistants.

We are looking to appoint a specialist optometrist within Aneurin Bevan University Health Board (ABUHB). This is a permanent clinical post working alongside our ophthalmology consultant and medical workforce  specialist optometrists, orthoptist and nursing teams.

We are a dynamic multi-disciplinary team and are keen to support additional qualifications and training in a range of sub-specialisms.

Our Ophthalmology department a benefits from an Eye Clinic Liaison Officer, admin & booking teams and along with a supportive management team within the Ophthalmology directorate and Scheduled care.

ABUHB has 3 main ophthalmology sites – the Royal Gwent Hospital, Neville Hall Hospital & Ysbyty Ystrad Fawr, most of these sites benefiting from the lovely scenic views of Wales!

The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; Welsh and/or English speakers are equally welcome to apply.

Main duties of the job

Specialist Optometrists can provide some clinical care traditionally delivered by medical staff  undertaking clinical investigations and  management decisions regarding patients with ocular disease. This is in addition to  providing core optometric services including specialist paediatric refractions and contact lenses.

Extended role optometrists have a high level of clinical training, specialist knowledge, skill and experience and in order to routinely provide (both optometry and ophthalmology) care, specifically disease treatment/management, to high volumes of patients. It therefore demands a high level of individual professional responsibility and efficiency within clinical and core optometry.

The post holder will be mainly involved in the day to day running of glaucoma clinical services in face to face and virtual clinics, seeing varying levels of complexity in consultant led and optometry led clinics.

The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; English and/or Welsh speakers are equally welcome to apply.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Post holders will wherever possible autonomously deliver advanced, specialised and complex care, with responsibility for patient examination and complex clinical decision making regarding ongoing management/treatment of a sight-threatening eye diseases in particular glaucoma. Extended role Optometrists work in a multidisciplinary environment alongside Ophthalmic Nurse Practitioners and Consultant Ophthalmologists, and seek guidance on management of cases that they consider to be beyond their competence, or where they consider that an ophthalmologist’s opinion is required.

Successful candidates will be expected to demonstrate knowledge, skills, training, competence and clinical experience in provision of high quality efficient clinical patient care.  Following a period of advanced training they may be involved in assessing, developing, implementing and evaluating appropriate programmes of care / treatment for patients requiring specialist ophthalmic services as directed by Royal College of Ophthalmologists and College of Optometrists guidelines.

Principle Activities

• To deliver specialist clinical care for patients with sight-threatening eye disease within ophthalmic sub-specialist clinics. To provide core optometric services including advanced paediatric refractions and specialist contact lenses
• To make patient-centred judgements on management in the presence of uncertainty, for example where patients are unable to cooperate fully in clinical assessments, or where evidence on clinical management options is unclear or lacking
• To plan and deliver specialist clinical examinations that are commensurate with clinical experience being comprehensive and taking account of guidance from national recommendations and local protocols
• To utilise specialist ophthalmic instruments and complex equipment that often requires adopting unusual or restriction body positions.
• To analyse, interpret and act upon complex findings of multiple specialist tests.
• To undertake frequent intense concentration during a clinical session for the purpose of clinical decision making and associated subsequent discussion with each patient regarding management, with occasional unpredictable interruption
• To be aware of and demonstrate practice in ophthalmic care based on current advances in the profession.
• To ensure the promotion and maintenance of health and prevention of illness.
• To liaise and communicate with members of the multidisciplinary team in the planning and delivery of patient care.

You will be able to find a full Job description and Person Specification attached within the supporting documents or please click “Apply now” to view in Trac.