We have a fantastic opportunity at The Great Western Hospitals (GWH) NHS Foundation Trust for an experienced Optometrist looking for a fresh challenge within our busy Ophthalmology department. GWH is located next to the A419 and M4 providing quick commuting links to London, Reading, Bristol, Cheltenham and Gloucestershire. It is in the midst of beautiful countryside sitting at the foot of the Marlborough Downs and just south of the Cotswolds.

You would be working in a friendly environment where staff pride themselves on supporting each other and delivering the highest quality of service and care. This is a great opportunity to join a highly regarded organisation who can offer very competitive pay rates, training and development opportunities, and benefits. At GWH, we are focused on providing the best possible, personalised care to the people of Swindon, Wiltshire and within close proximity to our borders as well as to the wider community. We believe in treating patients as quickly as possible, helping them to get better faster by offering a range of outpatient clinics, day case, and in-patient surgery across the whole Ophthalmology arena. This is a fixed term contract for 12 months.

Main duties of the job

The role is to provide core (complex refraction for adults and paediatrics, low vision assessment, medical contact lens management) and extended role (glaucoma, AMD, pre/post operative assessment) optometry services contributing to the clinical management of patients in collaboration with the ophthalmology team in order to improve patient care.

The successful candidate will be proactive in involvement with teaching, research and audit programmes as well as providing operational leadership within the department.

About us

Our STAR values - Service, Teamwork, Ambition and Respect - are a golden thread running through everything we do. These values serve as a guiding principle, driving us towards our vision of delivering great joined up services to our local community. Whether at home, in the community, or within the hospital, our goal is to empower individuals to lead independent and healthier lives.

Job description

Job responsibilities

. To undertake refractive assessment and ocular examination for paediatric and adult patients includingthose with significant visual loss and/or communication difficulties.2. To assess for and dispense low vision aids and contact lenses to patients of all ages.3. To work in an extended role capacity in the Glaucoma, AMD and other ophthalmology clinics alongsidemedical staff.4. To work closely with colleagues in optometry, orthoptics and ophthalmology for the best management ofthe patient.5. To undertake other clinical duties fundamental to the running of the service.6. To appropriately explain, instruct, motivate and manage patients and the carers during examination andtreatment.7. To provide advice and support to patients and those clinical and non-clinical parties affected by thediagnosis and management.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• BSc or equivalent in Optometry.
• Completion of pre-registration year.
• Evidence of appropriate on going professional development.
• Professional registration with the General Optical Council (GOC).

Experience

Essential

• Minimum of 3 years post qualification experience
• Evidence of ability to work alone and prioritise workload.
• Use of a wide range of optometric skills in clinical practice

Desirable

• Post qualification experience in hospital optometry
• Previous involvement in clinical audit

Knowledge

Essential

• Ability to apply specialist knowledge in a variety of healthcare settings
• Excellent written and verbal communication
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Evidence of flexibility and dealing with difficult situations

Desirable

• Experience of teaching in practice

Employer details

Employer name

Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Great Western Hospitals

Marlborough Road

Swindon

SN3 6BB

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Specialist Optometrist