Optometrist

Optometrist – Suffolk Newmedica Ltd

We are one of the leading providers of NHS ophthalmology services in England, providing outpatients appointments, diagnostic testing and eye surgery. We aim to make a positive difference to people’s lives through better sight and eye health.

We have an exciting opportunity that has arisen in our Suffolk team, for an Optometrist to join the team and help us continue to deliver outstanding clinical care for our patients.

We are looking for someone who will thrive on working as part of a multidisciplinary team that includes Clinic Assistants, Ophthalmic Assistants, Patient Administrators, Nurses, ODPs, Ophthalmic Technicians, Optometrists, and Consultant Ophthalmologists. We value the different experiences and diversity that each of our individual team members bring to our service and are looking for future colleagues who share that same passion.

Please note that while this role would predominantly consist of work in Ipswich and Bury St Edmunds, there may also be the requirement to travel to Newmarket Community Hospital.

What are we offering?

• A starting salary of £55,000.00 (pro rata)
• A company bonus of up to 12%, based on company performance and personal objectives
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• A company pension scheme
• Part-time and Full-time positions available
• Access to a range of benefits including free eye tests, discounted or free glasses, a free 24/7 well-being/counselling/advice service, an opportunity to sign up to a tax-free cycle to work and a retail/technology discount scheme.
• Monthly all stop days (clinical activity paused, for team building, development and meetings)
• An environment where your learning and development is supported through a range of various learning tools and courses.
• Working with a friendly multi-disciplinary team, passionate about improving the lives of our patients
• Excellent transport links; only a short walk to the nearest train station
• Immediate access to food and retail shops in the vicinity
• Free on-site parking

Why join Newmedica?

• We pride ourselves on delivery of outstanding clinical care for our patients and are pleased to receive overwhelmingly positive feedback from patients about their experience with us. Some of our patient stories can be found here.
• We are proud to partner with the NHS and deliver services to NHS CCG’s, Trusts and Foundation Trusts across the country, delivering over 125,000 patient interactions per year.
• We provide a supportive, friendly environment for all our colleagues where all differences are recognised and the contribution of each team member is valued.
• We currently operate 12 eye hospitals and 5 eye clinics at locations throughout England, and have ambitious growth plans to open a number of new hospitals over the coming year.
• Newmedica Suffolk one of the newer services in the Newmedica family, having only been established since August 2020 but has been growing very quickly. Our purpose-built eye health clinic and surgical centre provides the latest eye health services to our growing patient population. To find out more about us please visit our website by clicking here.

What will the role involve?

Clinical Duties and Responsibilities

• To perform a comprehensive range of diagnostic procedures and clinical assessments, working autonomously and making clinical decisions using own judgement and
• To analyse and interpret specialist diagnostic test
• To identify new or deteriorating conditions and carry out relevant tests and refer to a Consultant or Non-Consultant Doctor, as
• To advise patients on the appropriate care for their eye
• To explain the implications of eye conditions, treatment options, medication and possible side effects to patients, some of which may be distressed or
• To ensure that patient confidentiality is maintained at all
• To ensure that evidence based clinical standards of care to patients are
• To ensure the delivery of agreed quality standards, taking any necessary action to remedy shortcomings in services that contribute to patient
• To be responsible for ensuring the safe use of specialist

Administrative Duties

• To keep accurate patient health records, including archiving and other requirements of record keeping, and write to GPs and other professionals regarding patient progress and
• To support senior staff in the investigation of complaints and clinical incidents, ensuring that any investigations are thorough and that action plans are completed to enable lessons to be learned and
• To ensure that infection risks are identified and acted
• To assist in the management of other clinic staff, including improvement of poor performers and

discipline of staff, as required and in line with Newmedica’s policies.

• To participate in staff recruitment, induction and appraisal of staff, as required and in line with

Newmedica’s policies.

Professional Duties

• To work within the requirements of the code of practice and standard of the College of Optometrists and General Optical
• To be responsible for and demonstrate commitment to Continuing Professional Development and Clinical
• To participate in training and development of clinical and other groups of
• To actively participate in the appraisal
• To participate in clinical audit and research projects, as

What skills and experience do I need for the role?

Education & qualification

• MCOptom specialist optometry degree, or BSc(hons) in Ophthalmic Optics or Optometry or equivalent qualification
• Additional postgraduate specialist or equivalent experience
• Current registration with General Optical Council

Experience & knowledge

• 2 years or more hospital eye service experience
• Knowledge of clinical practice and demonstrable knowledge of developments in Optometry required.
• Experience of and commitment to medical
• Comfortable with Microsoft Office products and using computerised systems for data input/output and
• Capable of seeing 22 patients during a clinic

Skills & personal attributes

• Enjoys the routine and rhythm of a process driven
• Able to balance working independently with appropriate escalation and
• Committed to deliver consistently high standards of specialist optometric diagnostic tests using complex
• Applies analytical and logical thinking to verify expected
• Seeks continuous professional
• Self-motivated to provide an excellent level of communication and individual care for patients.
• Comfortable making a significant contribution, including teaching and training, in a small multi-disciplinary

Would you like to know more?

If you would like an informal chat about the opportunity or to request a job description, please contact Hannah Lewis, HR Lead, Hannah.lewis@newmedica.co.uk

Would you like to apply?

To apply, please visit our website to submit your CV. We do not require an application form to be completed.