South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust
Optometrist
The closing date is 19 November 2026
There are many reasons to join the Ophthalmology team at South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust. We have recently moved to our newSunderland Specialist Eye Hospital and are seeking enthusiastic optometrists to join our friendly and experienced team. The team delivers services acrossmultiple sites, including University Hospital of Hartlepool, South Tyneside District Hospital and Durham Treatment Centre.
We are delighted to offer opportunities at both Band 6 and Band 7 level. Newly qualified optometrists, or those without previous hospital experience, areencouraged to apply for our Band 6 developmental role. Following successful completion of an agreed competency framework, staff will progress to Band 7.For a full-time member of staff, this is expected to be achieved within approximately 12 months. Applicants who already possess the required knowledge,skills and experience will be appointed directly to a Band 7 position following interview.
Comprehensive training and ongoing support will be available, andwe welcome applications from community optometrists who are interested in developing their career within a hospital eye service environment. This is anexcellent opportunity to gain new skills, broaden clinical experience and become part of a supportive multidisciplinary team dedicated to deliveringoutstanding eye care. Full and Part-time applications are welcome; however, a minimum of two days per week is required to ensure commitment to theseroles.
Main duties of the job
The successful candidates willinitially work predominantly within our core optometric services, delivering awide range of clinical care to patients across the service. This includesroutine, diagnostic and paediatric refraction, specialist medical contact lensmanagement (including keratoconus, post-corneal graft, high myopia andhyperopia, cosmetic and diagnostic lens fitting), and Low Vision Aidassessments.
As part of a progressive anddeveloping service, there will be opportunities in the future for Band 7optometrists to expand into more advanced clinical roles, with full trainingand support provided. Optometrists within the department currently contributeto specialist clinics across the Retinal, Emergency Eye Care, Glaucoma andResearch services, and successful applicants will have the opportunity todevelop skills in these areas as experience and service needs allow.
About us
One Team One Trust - There are many reasons to work at our Trust. From our commitment to putting people first to our accessible services and award winning teams. We have a passion for research, innovation and tackling inequalities. We are committed to respect, fairness and civility and promote a compassionate, caring and positive culture / working environment.
We welcome all applications irrespective of peoples race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion/belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity and in particular those from under- represented groups. Looking after our workforces health and wellbeing is a priority for us. We also provide access to high quality education, training, career progression and support. Flexible working is supported via our Flexible Working Policy.
The Trust employs around 8,746 people and provides a range of hospital services to a local community of around 430,000 residents. We also provide a range of more specialised services outside this area. We offer our staff outstanding benefits - Fitness Centre (SRH), libraries at both hospital sites, chaplaincy support and access to a Care Co-ordinator to help staff with childcare arrangements.If you use AI,and it poses a risk to the integrity of your individual recruitment process, wemay withdraw your application at any stage of the process.
Job responsibilities
PLEASE REFER TO THE ATTACHED JOB DESCRIPTION FOR FULL DUTIES OF THE ROLE.
- Towork closely with the senior optometrists to deliver high quality coreoptometric services within the Optometry Department at SSEH and its communityclinics.
- Toundertake administrative responsibilities as determined by the Head ofDepartment.
- To proactively embrace NHSimprovement policies, local and national.
- To comply with the STSFTsvision, values and behavioural compact.
Experience
- Ability to work independently and as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
- Some experience in managing a caseload and taking clinical and organisational responsibility for that caseload.
- Experience of using core optometry skills
- New starters will commence at Staff Optometrist level (Band 6) with progression to Specialist Optometrist (Band 7) anticipated within one year for a full-time optometrist, once skills, experience and competency framework are achieved. If appropriate, the successful candidate will benefit from the Preceptorship Programme which provides a structured start for new practitioners.
- Previous experience within a hospital eye service
- Experience to Specialist Optometrist (Band 7) level
- Successfully completed Preceptorship Programme
Skills and Knowledge
- Knowledge of local and national optometric issues and regulations and a sound knowledge of NHS policies and procedures.
- Motivational skills and ability to mentor & develop others.
- Teaching and presentation skills.
- Excellent IT skills across a range of Microsoft Office and Trust IT packages.
- Ability to show empathy and professionalism throughout patient consultations and achieve sound clinical outcomes, even when receiving/delivering complex or distressing information.
- Evidence of excellent communication and interpersonal skills including effective report writing
- Ability to work under pressure.
- Ability to use own initiative and make independent clinical
- decisions.
- Excellent organisational and time management skills, both in clinical and non-clinical roles.
- Ability to work with patients of all ages but particularly young children (often with learning disabilities) and the elderly.
- Past experience in the training of basic optical skills to nurses and junior medical staff.
- Past experience of the independent supervision of student optometrists and other students attending clinics in observational capacities
Physical Skills
- Significant levels of dexterity, precision and speed, requiring significant levels of hand eye and sensory co-ordination.
- Sufficient manual dexterity for clinical examination
- Able to maintain significant levels of concentration for
- Flexible and adaptable approach to working patterns.
- Must be able to meet the independent travel requirements of the role.
- Ability to sit at VDU workstations for prolonged periods of time
Qualifications
- BSc (Hons) Optometry
- Registration with General Optical Council
- Continuing Education and Training Program maintained (further qualification or attending lectures and undertaking study relevant to role)
- Member/ Fellow of The College of Optometrists
- Willingness and ability to travel from base site
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust
£39,959 to £48,117 a year increasing to band 7 (£49,387 - £56,515)
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