Specialist Optometrist - OPTOMETRY

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NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) is one of the largest healthcare systems in the United Kingdom, employing approximately 40,000 staff across a wide range of clinical and non-clinical professions and roles. We deliver acute hospital, primary, community and mental health services to a population of over 1.15 million people, and to a wider population of 2.2 million when regional and national services are included.

The role:

We are seeking a Band 7 Specialist Optometrist to join the Ophthalmology/Optometry Service within NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde as part of the Acute Referral Centre Team. This permanent, part-time position offers the opportunity to work within a well-established team of approximately 40 Optometrists delivering specialist eye care across eight Ophthalmology departments. The successful candidate will assess and treat patients presenting with acute eye conditions, manage their own clinical caseload, and contribute to the ongoing development of the service.

All roles will be assessed for sponsorship eligibility in line with current Home Office requirements. NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) can only issue a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) where these are met.

Duration, Location, and Working Pattern:

Permanent, part-time, 7.2 hours per week

Shift pattern - 9.00-16.42

Base location - Gartnavel General Hospital

Key responsibilities:

• Assess and treat patients with new and follow-up acute eye conditions.
• Independently manage a clinical caseload within a multidisciplinary team.
• Undertake training and perform corneal confocal imaging investigations.
• Support service development and quality improvement initiatives.
• Participate in audits, data analysis, and presentation of findings.
• Undertake managerial duties, including TURAS appraisals and vetting referrals when required.
• Contribute to the delivery of a high-quality, patient-centred service.
• Support innovation and service improvements within the Optometry and Ophthalmology services.
• Potentially rotate through other core Optometry clinics and develop extended Ophthalmology roles

Knowledge, training, qualifications and/or experience required to do the job:

Essential

• Degree in Optometry.
• Diploma in Independent Prescribing.
• Registration with the General Optical Council (GOC).
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and make autonomous clinical decisions.
• Strong organisational and time management skills.
• Ability to prioritise workload and work effectively within a multidisciplinary team.
• Commitment to delivering high standards of patient care and service improvement.

Desirable

• Previous hospital Optometry experience.

Training Provided

• Comprehensive induction and training for the successful candidate.
• Specialist training in corneal confocal imaging.
• Ongoing professional development opportunities and exposure to extended roles within Ophthalmology.

What we offer:

We offer a wide range of supportive policies designed to enhance your employee journey, including a comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme, Cycle to Work Scheme, bursary scheme and extensive learning and development opportunities.

As an NHS Scotland employee, you will be entitled to:

• A minimum of 27 days annual leave, increasing with length of service, plus public holidays
• Membership of the NHS Pension Scheme, including life insurance benefits
• Salary Sacrifice Car Benefit Scheme
• Development opportunities including study bursaries, e-learning and classroom-based courses
• Enhanced pay for working public holidays
• NHS discounts on a wide range of goods and services
• Confidential employee support and assistance, including counselling and psychological therapies

Interested?

If you would like to find out more, we would love to hear from you.

For an informal discussion, please contact:

Lynsey Cowan, Deputy Head Optometrist - View email address on apply.jobs.scot.nhs.uk - View phone number on apply.jobs.scot.nhs.uk

Details on how to contact the Recruitment Service and the Recruitment Process:

This vacancy may close early due to a high volume of applications. We recommend applying as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

AI tools like ChatGPT or Copilot can be great for planning and preparing your application, but your answers must be your own.

• Show us the real you: Your application should reflect your skills, experience, and motivations authentically.
• Use AI wisely: It’s fine to use AI for ideas or to check spelling and grammar, but don’t let it write your answers.
• Why this matters: Applications that rely on AI-generated content may be withdrawn. By applying, you confirm your responses are based on your own knowledge and achievements.

Tip: Think of AI as a helper, not a substitute. We want to understand you, not an AI tool.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) recognises the importance of work-life balance and is committed to offering a range of flexible working options where service needs allow. For roles where less than full-time hours can be accommodated, and where the tenure is listed as “various” , we encourage applications from individuals seeking flexible working arrangements. Flexible working will be included as a topic for discussion during the recruitment process.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde encourages applications from all sections of the community . We are committed to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion and are proud of the diverse workforce we employ.

By signing the Armed Forces Covenant, NHSGGC has pledged its commitment to being a Forces Friendly Employer. We welcome applications from across the Armed Forces Community and recognise military skills, experience and qualifications throughout the recruitment and selection process.

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