We encourage applications from all with protected characteristics and from those in the Armed Forces Community. Applicants are invited to apply in Welsh, any application submitted through the medium of Welsh will not be treated less favourably than applications made in English.
Please let us know if you have any particular requirements to enable you to participate in the application and selection process. We will be pleased to discuss any reasonable adjustments OR SUPPORT needed. If you need any documents in a larger font or a different format (such as braille) please either contact the recruiting manager named in the job advert or alternatively contact the Aneurin Bevan University Health Board recruitment team on 01495 745805 option 3 OR EMAIL [email protected]
If you are successful at interview for this post you will receive your conditional offer of appointment and information pack via email.
We reserve the right to close this vacancy at any time. Therefore we encourage early applications to ensure consideration for this post. If you are short listed for this post, you will be contacted via your email account you used to apply for this post, therefore please check your account regularly.
Please check your email account regularly. Successful applicants will receive all recruitment related correspondence via the email account registered on the application form.
Aneurin Bevan University Health Board support flexible working.
The salary scale above has been agreed as part of the NHS Agenda for Change pay award for 2025/2026 and will be implemented in August 2025 with arrears backdated to 1st April 2025 where applicable.
Please note that this vacancy may be withdrawn at any time should it be filled via the internal redeployment process
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.
Working for our organisation
Aneurin Bevan University Health Board is a multi-award-winning NHS organisation with a passion for caring. The Health Board provides an exceptional workplace where you can feel trusted and valued. Whatever your specialty or stage in your career, we have opportunities for everyone to start, grow and build your career. The health board provides integrated acute, primary and community care serving a population of 650,000 and employing over 16,000 staff.
We offer a fantastic benefits package and extensive training and development opportunities with paid mandatory training, excellent in-house programmes, opportunities to complete recognised qualifications and professional career pathways including a range of management development programmes. We offer flexible working and promote a healthy work life balance, provide occupational health support and an ambitious plan for a Wellbeing Centre of Excellence to support you at work.
Our Clinical Futures strategy continues to enhance and promote care closer to home as well as high quality hospital care when needed. Join us on our journey to pioneer new ways of working and deliver a world-class healthcare service fit for the future.
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- General Optical Council registration
- BSc (Hons) Optometry or equivalent
Desirable criteria
- Demonstrate a willingness to work towards relevant specialist postgraduate qualifications
- Independent Prescribing Qualification
- Relevant Post graduate Qualification
Experience
Essential criteria
- Relevant specialist clinical experience beyond conventional hospital or community optometry.
- Multidisciplinary team working
- Evidence of ongoing professional development
Desirable criteria
- Evidence of managing clinical session workload Clinical audit / research experience relevant to specialist practice
