Principal Optometrist

We are looking for a highly skilled and motivated optometrist for a principal Optometrist post working within our City Road The post will consist of delivering highly specialist clinical care. Applicants need to have prior experience working in the hospital service and already have the relevant higher qualifications from the College of Optometrists or be working towards them (see Person Specification).

The successful applicants will be joining an enthusiastic and friendly team of consultants, optometrists, orthoptists, ophthalmic nurses and technicians working within the hospital. As well as joining the largest hospital optometry department that delivers sub-speciality care, research and education within the optometry sector. Moorfields provides high quality ophthalmology services across the full range of sub-specialities in hospital and community settings.

There are full and part time vacancies available.

Job description

To deliver highly specialist clinical patient care requiring extensive knowledge, experience and expertise in management that includes a high proportion of tertiary referrals. This activity requires regular use of a wide range of advanced clinical techniques requiring dexterity, precision and intense concentration; and the judgement, analysis and interpretation of the complex clinical findings with a range of management options.

Patient examinations will be comprehensive and commensurate with clinical experience beyond Masters Level (i.e. College of Optometrists Diploma in Glaucoma, College of Optometrists Diploma in Independent Prescribing). Skills and knowledge are commensurate with those of sub-specialty medical ophthalmology staff.

To make independent, patient-centred clinical decisions on management in the presence of uncertainty (for example where patients are unable to cooperate fully in clinical assessments or the evidence for management options is unclear).

To be autonomously responsible for medical treatment (including prescribing) and management of patients. To recognise when patient clinical findings require Consultant Ophthalmic opinions (eg regarding surgery). To refer patients with ocular comorbidity to other ophthalmological services appropriately.

As Clinic Lead in Optometrist-, to supervise all patient examinations carried out by the support/resident/placement/new to clinic Optometrist unless/until such time that the support/resident/new to clinic Optometrist has attained the appropriate College of Optometrists certificate or completed their competency sign off. To review all prescribing decisions unless the prescribing optometrist has the correct qualifications together with The College of Optometrists Diploma in Independent Prescribing and their scope of practice /area of prescribing is in that service.

To organise the session by reviewing all clinical records at the start of an Optometrist-led clinic to determine necessary additional clinical tests (eg: visual fields, imaging, auto-refraction) utilising the different staff groups efficiently (admin, technical, optometric).

To provide expert opinion to optometric and non-optometric colleagues on the management of complex cases within the designated Clinics and the Optometry Department.

To undertake a comprehensive range of complex optometry services at Moorfields and out-reach clinics. These include refraction (complex, diagnostic and paediatric), low vision clinics (paediatric, complex, employment). The post holder maintains a personal clinical workload within these services.

To refer patients for appropriate appliances (contact lenses, spectacles, low vision aids) and provide appropriate advice to patients on needs, treatment and corrective aids.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential

• BSc (Hons) Optometry
• Specialist College of Optometrist Prof Cert Qualifications

Desirable

• Specialist College of Optometrist Prof Cert Qualifications
• Specialist College of Optometrist Higher Qualifications
• Specialist College of Optometrist Diploma in Independent Prescribing

MSc/PhD in Optometry/Ophthalmology

Professional Registration

Essential

• General Optical Council Registration

Experience

Essential

• Post-qualification Hospital experience > 5 years
• Hospital extended role experience >3 years
• Experience of examining vulnerable groups of patients e.g. CYP / additional needs
• Experience with clinical teaching
• Experience with supervision of junior staff
• Experience in audit

Desirable

• Experience with line management and appraisal
• Experience in research
• Experience of dealing with quality and safety issues e.g. complaints, incidents, risk assessment
• Experience of formal undergraduate/postgraduate teaching
• Experience of presenting at national and international meetings and conferences
• Experience of writing protocols, competencies and Standard Operating Procedures

Skills

Essential

• Competent use of a slit-lamp to examine the anterior and posterior eye with specialist lenses
• Competent performance of retinoscopy
• Ability to analyse and interpret ocular imaging e.g. OCT, visual fields, topography to an expert clinical level e.g diagnosis and formulate management plans

Desirable

• Ability to write detailed clinical summaries
• Excellent interpersonal skills highlighting the complexity of multidisciplinary team working, in challenging work environments, and the overall needs of the service. multidisciplinary working

Advanced planning and organisational skills

Ability to sensitively manage staff and patients with respect to their emotional well being

Expertly and effectively communicate sensitive and complex information in a range of situations e.g. clinical information to patients, unwelcome & bad news, or where there may be barriers to understanding e.g. patients with additional needs and other sensory impairments.

Ability to identify service improvement needs and innovate solutions

About the employer

At Moorfields, we provide more than just an excellent career and great colleagues to work with. We also offer: