Specialist Optometrist
At a glance
- Band
- Band 7
- Contract
- Permanent
- Pattern
- Part-time
- Hours / week
- 16
- Posted
- 16/09/2026
- Closes
- 30/09/2026
Sponsorship verdict
This contract type is not eligible for Skilled Worker sponsorship.
NHS Trusts cannot issue a Certificate of Sponsorship for part-time, bank, locum, zero-hours, job-share or short fixed-term (under 12 months) contracts under current Home Office rules. This applies even when the wider Trust holds a Skilled Worker licence.
Role summary
The Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust is seeking an enthusiastic and motivated Specialist Optometrist to join its Ophthalmology team. This part-time role involves working within the optometry department as part of a multi-disciplinary team, focusing mainly on paediatric and glaucoma subspecialty clinics. The post holder will deliver core optometric services and specialist clinical activity, including refraction of paediatric patients and assessment/management of glaucoma patients in both patient-facing and virtual clinics. Support will be provided for professional development and gaining higher qualifications in specialized areas.
Essential criteria
- Degree level (BSc Hons Optometry or equivalent)
- Registration with General Optical Council
Desirable criteria
- Pre-registration year within NHS
- Member of College of Optometrists
- Post graduate specialist qualifications
- Post registration optometrist experience or newly qualified
- Working as an optometrist or pre registration experience within a Hospital Eye Service Setting
- Specialist clinical experience
- Disposition/attitude
- Ability to undertake duties in pressurised clinical environment
- Ability to show patience and empathise regarding sight loss and prognoses
- Ability to teach and supervise
- Good leadership skills
- Degree level (BSc Hons Optometry or equivalent)
- Registration with General Optical Council
- Pre-registration year within NHS
- Member of College of Optometrists
- Post graduate specialist qualifications
- Post registration optometrist experience or newly qualified
- Working as an optometrist or pre registration experience within a Hospital Eye Service Setting
- Specialist clinical experience
- Disposition/attitude
- Ability to undertake duties in pressurised clinical environment
- Ability to show patience and empathise regarding sight loss and prognoses
- Ability to teach and supervise
- Good leadership skills
Useful to know
Agenda for Change 2024/25 pays Band 7 at £46,148 – £52,809 a year, across England.
This advert: £49,387 – £56,515 — outside the standard scale; check for HCAS/London weighting.
Posted 1d ago · Closes in 14d
Plenty of time to prepare a strong application.
Full advert · preview
Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust
Specialist Optometrist
The closing date is 30 September 2026
Job summary
Specialist Optometrist
Part time - 16 hours per week
We are seeking to appoint an enthusiastic and motivated optometrist to join the Ophthalmology team at the Royal Cornwall Hospital NHS Trust. The successful candidate will work within the optometry department as part of a multi-disciplinary team, mainly in the paediatric and glaucoma subspeciality clinics.
The post holder will help to deliver both core optometric services and specialist clinical activity requiring the use of a broad range of advanced clinical techniques. The role will involve refraction of paediatric patients and the assessment and management of glaucoma patients, working both in patient facing and virtual review clinics. The responsibility for clinical decision-making will be supported by the consultants in the provision of specialised diagnosis, management, care and education of patients.
Previous experience of working in a hospital setting and specialist College of Optometrist's professional certificate qualifications would be advantageous, but the post would also be suitable for a newly qualified optometrist. Ideally the post holder will be keen to develop professionally and support will be provided to the successful candidate in working towards gaining higher qualifications in the s
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