Optometrist
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County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust Optometrist
The closing date is 24 November 2026
Job summary
The Orthoptic and Optometry team at County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust consists of a team of seven Orthoptists and three part time Optometrists working closely together with the Consultant Ophthalmologists to provide a high standard of care to our paediatric and adult patients. We work to the Trusts ethos of providing the patient with safe, compassionate, joined-up care. This is a dynamic department with a strong focus on quality which is constantly striving to improve services for our patients and ensure that their experience is as good as possible.
We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated Optometrist to join our team working predominantly with paediatric patients and supporting our general Ophthalmology team. You may be providing multi-disciplinary clinics with the consultant Paediatric ophthalmologist, providing optometry paediatric review.Additionally there may be training opportunities to expand into medical contact lenses through formal training and clinical practice.
Main duties of the job
This band 6 role is involved in the provision of core optometry work to the Orthoptic and Ophthalmology departments and patients; predominantly involving the core paediatric elements of hospital optometry. You will be providing multi-disciplinary clinics with the consultant Paediatric Ophthalmologist, providing optometry paediatric review refraction clinics and also working in a collaborative clinic with the Orthoptist. All clinics involve a mix of new and review patients of all ages and abilities, including children with learning difficulties, and involve strong collaborative team working. In addition to skills with dilated retinoscopy you will be required to perform ophthalmoscopy on dilated paediatric patients and work closely with the other team members to manage clinical care. This role gives a unique opportunity to use your knowledge in strabismus and BSV and gain valuable experience in the management of complex cases not available in the private setting. There may be the opportunity to support low vision clinics and undertake formal training to expand into the area of medical contact lenses and support clinical research in conjunction with Ophthalmologists.
About us
If you are being interviewed you must accept an interview slot in the system to continue, even if you have arranged with the manager.
You must be able to produce ALL certificates stated essential in the person specification or you will not be able to complete pre-employment checks.
We provide hospital services from two acute sites - Darlington Memorial Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham. We have a centre for planned care in Bishop Auckland and provide care from community hospitals in Chester-le-Street, Shotley Bridge, Barnard Castle, Sedgefield and Weardale as well as over 80 other community based settings and providing care in patients' homes.
We particularly welcome applications from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as BAME and disabled people are currently under-represented.
Full Job Descriptions can be found in the adverts supporting documents.
Over reliance on AI-generated content is discouraged and may diminish the applicant's chances of success.
For the most up-to-date information on visa requirements and eligibility, please check online to determine whether you can apply.
Please note that we may close any vacancy early once a sufficient number of applications have been received.
Details
Date posted
03 November 2026
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 6
Salary
£39,959 to £48,117 a year per annum, pro rata
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Part-time
Reference number
C9439-2627-NP-N509
Job locations
Darlington Memorial Hospital NHS Trust
Hollyhurst Road
Darlington
County Durham
DL3 6HX
United Kingdom
Job description
Job responsibilities
We are looking an enthusiastic Optometrist who can undertake all aspects of the core paediatric Optometry hospital role. You may be providing multi-disciplinary clinics with the consultant Paediatric Ophthalmologist, providing Optometry paediatric review refraction clinics and also working in a collaborative clinic with the Orthoptist. All clinics involve a mix of new and review patients of all ages and abilities, including children with learning difficulties, and involve strong collaborative team working. In addition to skills with dilated retinoscopy you will be required to perform ophthalmoscopy on dilated paediatric patients and work closely with the other team members to manage the cases. This role gives a unique opportunity to use your knowledge in strabismus and BSV and gain valuable experience in the management of complex cases not managed in the private setting. Additionally we may be able to offer the opportunity through formal training to expand into medical contact lens clinics. We would encourage you to contact the department for more information on the possible working hours and responsibilities and duties of the post via email. We would consider appointing more than one candidate to share the 0.45 WTE (19 hours) of clinical work so please consider applying if you wanted less than the full advertised hours with the hospital setting.
Job description
Job responsibilities
We are looking an enthusiastic Optometrist who can undertake all aspects of the core paediatric Optometry hospital role. You may be providing multi-disciplinary clinics with the consultant Paediatric Ophthalmologist, providing Optometry paediatric review refraction clinics and also working in a collaborative clinic with the Orthoptist. All clinics involve a mix of new and review patients of all ages and abilities, including children with learning difficulties, and involve strong collaborative team working. In addition to skills with dilated retinoscopy you will be required to perform ophthalmoscopy on dilated paediatric patients and work closely with the other team members to manage the cases. This role gives a unique opportunity to use your knowledge in strabismus and BSV and gain valuable experience in the management of complex cases not managed in the private setting. Additionally we may be able to offer the opportunity through formal training to expand into medical contact lens clinics. We would encourage you to contact the department for more information on the possible working hours and responsibilities and duties of the post via email. We would consider appointing more than one candidate to share the 0.45 WTE (19 hours) of clinical work so please consider applying if you wanted less than the full advertised hours with the hospital setting.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Bsc Hon (Optometry) MCOptom
Desirable
- Significant post graduate experience
Statutory Registration
Essential
- Current GOC Registration
Special Requirements
Essential
- Able to meet all travel requirements of this post.
- Able to travel across Trust sites to meet the requirements of the post
Special Skills & Knowledge
Essential
- Experience in paediatric refraction
- Good communication and organisational skills.
- Good interpersonal skills.
- IT skills.
Desirable
- Experience in low vision aids / willingness to undertake additional training if required
- Experience/interest in specialist contact lens work/ willingness to undertake additional training if required
Experience
Essential
- Experience in paediatric refraction
Desirable
- Experience in low vision aids
- Experience/interest in specialist contact lens
Qualifications
Essential
- Bsc Hon (Optometry) MCOptom
Desirable
- Significant post graduate experience
Statutory Registration
Essential
- Current GOC Registration
Special Requirements
Essential
- Able to meet all travel requirements of this post.
- Able to travel across Trust sites to meet the requirements of the post
Special Skills & Knowledge
Essential
- Experience in paediatric refraction
- Good communication and organisational skills.
- Good interpersonal skills.
- IT skills.
Desirable
- Experience in low vision aids / willingness to undertake additional training if required
- Experience/interest in specialist contact lens work/ willingness to undertake additional training if required
Experience
Essential
- Experience in paediatric refraction
Desirable
- Experience in low vision aids
- Experience/interest in specialist contact lens
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details
Employer name
County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Darlington Memorial Hospital NHS Trust
Hollyhurst Road
Darlington
County Durham
DL3 6HX
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.cddft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)
Employer details
Employer name
County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Darlington Memorial Hospital NHS Trust
Hollyhurst Road
Darlington
County Durham
DL3 6HX
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.cddft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)
Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact:
Head Orthoptist
Helen Downey
01913332411
Details
Date posted
03 November 2026
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 6
Salary
£39,959 to £48,117 a year per annum, pro rata
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Part-time
Reference number
C9439-2627-NP-N509
Job locations
Darlington Memorial Hospital NHS Trust
Hollyhurst Road
Darlington
County Durham
DL3 6HX
United Kingdom
Supporting documents
Supporting links (all open in new tabs)
Library knowledge and learning centre services
Privacy notice
County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)
Support links
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