Clinical Lead Optometrist - Eye Casualty

This is an exciting opportunity for a highly experienced Optometrist to join the Optometry team at UHCW.
As a Clinical Lead Optometrist, you will have the highest level of clinical knowledge and skills and be able to demonstrate the ability to work independently across sub-specialities and core optometry services. You will have excellent communication and leadership skills as you will play an integral role in developing optometrist's extended role in Eye Casualty, research involvement and liaise with external agencies as we collaborate with primary care providers to improve eye health care provision for our patients., To manage and provide professional clinical leadership for the Optometrists working in advanced clinical roles in the Eye Casualty service (EERS). This will involve working alongside a multidisciplinary team of Ophthalmologists, Orthoptists, Nurses and technicians to ensure an excellent Eye Casualty service is provided and that the local patient access targets are achieved by addressing the changing needs of the Directorate and other outside agencies. Responsibility of producing and maintaining clinical protocols, organising teaching and carrying out audits are part of this job role.,

• To work as an autonomous independent practitioner managing patient caseloads presenting in the relevant sub-speciality clinics involved in advanced optometric extended roles which result in decisions being made on treatment (i.e., prescribing of eye related medication, listing for cataract surgery), discharge or subsequent referral to subspecialty Consultant clinics.


• To work as an autonomous independent practitioner managing patient caseloads presenting in Core optometric services. This includes refraction (routine, diagnostic and paediatric) theatre refractions, specialist medical contact lens management (keratoconus, post-graft, high myopia/hyperopia, cosmetic, diagnostic), visual impairment rehabilitation, in-house spectacle dispensing.


• To work closely with the Principal and Lead Optometrists, to deliver a comprehensive range of Core Optometric services and advanced extended role clinics, to the highest standard of quality and care.


• Working across Rugby and UHCW site. Saturday working in eye casualty triage as required.


• Promote best practice throughout Optometry and provide expert advice to Optometrist, Medical staff and Allied Health Professionals in the management of complex cases.


• Responsibility for overseeing training and supervision for all grades of staff and to personally undertake specialist clinical activity requiring extensive knowledge, experience and expertise. For example, foreign body removal from the cornea.


• Responsible for applying advanced specialised clinical techniques including corneal pachymetry, ocular B-scan and corneal topography to provide specialised clinical interpretation for the consultant.


• To participate in the audit frameworks within the department and cooperate fully in any audit of clinical work and competency assessments undertaken by the leads and management. To assist in implementing any change identified.

For further details of the role please see the attached job description.
To ensure that we provide world-class patient care, UHCW recruits people that can demonstrate the Trust's Values and Behaviours in their everyday life. Therefore, if you are invited to interview, you will be undertaking a Values Based Interview/Assessment, which explores not only what you do but how and why you do it.
Before applying, we encourage you to review the Trust's Values and Behaviours which can be accessed on the right side of this page under the job description.
The Supporting Information Section in your application should therefore reflect your understanding of the Trust's Values and associated Behaviours. You will be expected to provide us with examples from work experience and/or personal life which demonstrate these values through your behaviour.
The Trust is committed to Equal Opportunities within the workplace. All vacancies will be considered for Job Share unless otherwise stated. All applicants who have a disability and who meet the minimum criteria for the job will be interviewed. Where a post has an overwhelming response, this Trust may use random selection in order to reduce numbers to interview, any disabled applicants will automatically be guaranteed an interview and will be exempt from this process.
In submitting an application form, you authorise University Hospital Coventry & Warwickshire NHS Trust to confirm from your previous or current NHS employer and other prior employers; previous NHS service details and personal data held about you, including Occupational Health data (inoculations and screening tests). This data will be transferred using NHS Electronic Staff Record and third-party systems via an automated process and only used for the purposes of obtaining and maintaining accurate employment records, should you be appointed to the post.
UHCW NHS Trust, by virtue of its Green Plan, is committed to ensuring that the way we provide services minimises the impact on the environment and the future health of the public e.g. zero waste to landfill, reducing our carbon footprint and increasing our recycling and reuse percentages.
If you are successful at interview you will receive a conditional offer of employment and we'll ask you for information so that we can carry out pre-employment checks. You must successfully complete all pre-employment checks to progress to a final unconditional offer.
We must confirm the identity of our staff and their right to work in the United Kingdom. We will ask you to submit proof of your identity and right to work documents via a secure digital platform approved by the Home Office, named TrustID. Alternatively, you may be asked to attend our office with original documents.
Depending on you level of exposure with patients you may be required to undertake a Standard or Enhanced DBS. The cost of this check will be charged to you and will be deducted from your salary over the first 3 months of employment at the current rate.
All correspondence will be sent by email; please check your account regularly including your Junk/SPAM folders

University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, rated as good by the Care Quality Commission, is one of the largest teaching Trusts in the UK.
We are extremely proud of our employees across our hospital sites, with high quality patient care at the heart of everything we do.
Boasting some of the most modern facilities in Western Europe, the Trust is renowned for being at the forefront of research and innovation as part of its blossoming reputation as a worldwide leader in healthcare.
We are proud to be recognised as a Pathway to Excellence® designated organisation - please click the link for further details about this prestigious award. Pathway To Excellence ® - University Hospitals Coventry & Warwickshire (uhcw.nhs.uk)
By joining our exciting journey, you will form part of a passionate, talented team and will be able to access a wide range of learning and development opportunities. There has never been a better time to join our team.
The Trust is committed to building an organisation that makes full use of the talents, skills, experience, and different perspectives available in our diverse society. We want everyone to feel they are respected, valued, can achieve their potential and receive the most appropriate and relevant care. We will create an environment where the equality and human rights principles of fairness, respect, equality, dignity and autonomy are promoted and are part of the organisation's core values