Optometrist
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South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust Optometrist
The closing date is 19 November 2026
Job summary
There are many reasons to join the Ophthalmology team at South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust. We have recently moved to our new Sunderland Specialist Eye Hospital and are seeking enthusiastic optometrists to join our friendly and experienced team. The team delivers services across multiple 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, are encouraged 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, and we welcome applications from community optometrists who are interested in developing their career within a hospital eye service environment. This is an excellent opportunity to gain new skills, broaden clinical experience and become part of a supportive multidisciplinary team dedicated to delivering outstanding eye care. Full and Part-time applications are welcome; however, a minimum of two days per week is required to ensure commitment to these roles.
Main duties of the job
The successful candidates will initially work predominantly within our core optometric services, delivering a wide range of clinical care to patients across the service. This includes routine, diagnostic and paediatric refraction, specialist medical contact lens management (including keratoconus, post-corneal graft, high myopia and hyperopia, cosmetic and diagnostic lens fitting), and Low Vision Aid assessments.
As part of a progressive and developing service, there will be opportunities in the future for Band 7 optometrists to expand into more advanced clinical roles, with full training and support provided. Optometrists within the department currently contribute to specialist clinics across the Retinal, Emergency Eye Care, Glaucoma and Research services, and successful applicants will have the opportunity to develop skills in these areas as experience and service needs allow.
About us
Please add your telephone number to your application form so we can contact you quickly if required.
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, we may withdraw your application at any stage of the process.
Details
Date posted
05 November 2026
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 6
Salary
£39,959 to £48,117 a year increasing to band 7 (£49,387 - £56,515)
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time, Part-time
Reference number
C9155-OPAHP-1126-10
Job locations
Sunderland Specialist Eye Hospital
Plater Way
SUNDERLAND
Tyne and Wear
SR1 3AE
United Kingdom
Job description
Job responsibilities
PLEASE REFER TO THE ATTACHED JOB DESCRIPTION FOR FULL DUTIES OF THE ROLE.
- To work closely with the senior optometrists to deliver high quality core optometric services within the Optometry Department at SSEH and its community clinics.
- To undertake administrative responsibilities as determined by the Head of Department.
- To proactively embrace NHS improvement policies, local and national.
- To comply with the STSFTs vision, values and behavioural compact.
Job responsibilities
PLEASE REFER TO THE ATTACHED JOB DESCRIPTION FOR FULL DUTIES OF THE ROLE.
- To work closely with the senior optometrists to deliver high quality core optometric services within the Optometry Department at SSEH and its community clinics.
- To undertake administrative responsibilities as determined by the Head of Department.
- To proactively embrace NHS improvement policies, local and national.
- To comply with the STSFTs vision, values and behavioural compact.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- 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.
Desirable
- Previous experience within a hospital eye service
- Experience to Specialist Optometrist (Band 7) level
- Successfully completed Preceptorship Programme
Skills and Knowledge
Essential
- 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.
Desirable
- 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
Essential
- 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
Essential
- 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)
Desirable
- Member/ Fellow of The College of Optometrists
- Willingness and ability to travel from base site
Experience
Essential
- 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.
Desirable
- Previous experience within a hospital eye service
- Experience to Specialist Optometrist (Band 7) level
- Successfully completed Preceptorship Programme
Skills and Knowledge
Essential
- 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.
Desirable
- 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
Essential
- 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
Essential
- 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)
Desirable
- 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.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
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.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
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
South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Sunderland Specialist Eye Hospital
Plater Way
SUNDERLAND
Tyne and Wear
SR1 3AE
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.stsft.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)
Employer details
Employer name
South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Sunderland Specialist Eye Hospital
Plater Way
SUNDERLAND
Tyne and Wear
SR1 3AE
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.stsft.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)
Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact:
Head Of Optometry
Leontia Bell
Details
Date posted
05 November 2026
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 6
Salary
£39,959 to £48,117 a year increasing to band 7 (£49,387 - £56,515)
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time, Part-time
Reference number
C9155-OPAHP-1126-10
Job locations
Sunderland Specialist Eye Hospital
Plater Way
SUNDERLAND
Tyne and Wear
SR1 3AE
United Kingdom
Supporting documents
Supporting links (all open in new tabs)
Equality Diversity and Inclusion at our Trust
Privacy notice
South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)
Support links
© Crown copyright
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