Specialist Optometrist

Overview This role is offered on a full or part time basis subject to a minimum of 15 hours per week to a maximum of 37.5 hours per week. 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.

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. Key Responsibilities In addition to the core and extended optometry services, the successful candidate will be proactive in involvement with teaching, research and audit programmes as well as providing operational leadership within the department.

• Undertake refractive assessment and ocular examination for paediatric and adult patients including those with significant visual loss and/or communication difficulties.
• Assess for and dispense low vision aids and contact lenses to patients of all ages.
• Work in an extended role capacity in the Glaucoma, AMD and other ophthalmology clinics alongside medical staff.
• Work closely with colleagues in optometry, orthoptics and ophthalmology for the best management of the patient.
• Undertake other clinical duties fundamental to the running of the service.
• Appropriately explain, instruct, motivate and manage patients and the carers during examination and treatment.
• Provide advice and support to patients and those clinical and non‑clinical parties affected by the diagnosis and management.

Working For Our OrganisationOur 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.Application

InformationPlease see the attached job description for full information. Thank you for expressing interest in this role. For further employer guidance, please review the attached supplementary applicant information. Applications for this role should be written by the applicant. If artificial intelligence (AI) programmes are used, then the application may be rejected due to this document being an important part of the assessment process.

This does not prevent applicants seeking appropriate support with applications should they need to for the purposes of any declared disability.Visa SponsorshipApplications from job seekers who require current Skilled Worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications, subject to eligibility of the role for a skilled worker visa and salary requirements. Not all roles in the Trust are eligible for sponsorship.Eligibility and Requirements

• Current right to work in the UK, subject to verification.
• Qualification of the eligibility sponsorship criteria.

From 4 April 2024, UK…