Principal Optometrist - Ophthalmology

Job overview

We are looking for a highly motivated, forward-thinking Principal Optometrist to join our dynamic Ophthalmology team at London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust.

This is an exciting full-time opportunity to take a senior clinical leadership role within our expanding Glaucoma Service, delivering high-quality, patient-centred care across both hospital and community diagnostic settings.

You will be working at an advanced level of practice, managing complex glaucoma patients, leading service delivery, and contributing to innovation, training, and service development. You’ll also provide clinical supervision and professional leadership to a multidisciplinary team including optometrists, orthoptists, and technicians.

We are looking for someone who:

• Holds the College of Optometrists Higher Certificate in Glaucoma and Independent Prescribing qualification

• Has substantial post-registration experience in a hospital-based or equivalent optometry setting

• Is competent in performing laser procedures such as YAG Capsulotomy, SLT, and Peripheral Iridotomy (or willing to train)

• Has a strong understanding of risk stratification, diagnostic imaging, and glaucoma care pathways

• Demonstrates excellent clinical decision-making, leadership, and communication skills

This is an ideal role for a confident, autonomous clinician ready to lead and shape specialist optometric services within a supportive and forward-looking department.

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• Monitor Optometrists’ workloads and treatment methods to maintain high professional standards.
• Hold regular individual meetings with team members.
• Assist the Head of Optometry and Orthoptic Services with CPD planning using evidence-based and best practice guidelines.
• Develop, write, and communicate guidelines to implement across the team.
• Provide training programmes for pre-registered, student, and Independent Prescribing Optometrists.
• Line manage staff and oversee Optometrists, Orthoptists, and Technicians.
• Work flexibly across face-to-face, diagnostic, and telephone consultation clinics.
• Manage day-to-day operations of the non-medical glaucoma team.
• Provide professional leadership across subspecialties and advise the wider team.
• Support a patient-centred approach, respecting individual service user and carer perspectives.
• Directly participate in patient care planning and evaluation and supervise junior staff.
• Liaise with the Clinical Director regarding service developments and their inclusion in the Business Plan.
• Contribute to service performance, policy development, and the implementation of clinical procedures.
• Attend and contribute to monthly business meetings and Clinical Governance meetings.
• Monitor and report performance against service objectives; implement remedial action when needed.
• Support the Lead Optometrist in other services and provide cover during absence.
• Update monthly departmental business meetings.

Working for our organisation

London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust (LNWH) cares for the people of Brent, Ealing, Harrow and beyond.

Our team of more than 8,200 clinical and support staff serve a diverse population of almost one million people.

We run major acute services at:

• Northwick Park Hospital: home to one of the busiest emergency departments (A&E) in the country. The hospital provides a full range of services including the country’s top-rated hyper-acute stroke unit and one of only three hyper-acute rehabilitation units in the UK
• St Mark’s Hospital: an internationally renowned specialist centre for bowel disease
• Ealing Hospital: a busy district general hospital providing a range of clinical services, as well as 24/7 emergency department and urgent care centre, and specialist care at Meadow House Hospice
• Central Middlesex Hospital: our planned care site, hosting a range of surgical and outpatient services and collocated with an urgent care centre.  

We are a university teaching NHS trust, in recognition of the important role we play in training clinicians of the future and bringing the benefits of research to the public.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

As Principal Optometrist within the Ophthalmology department, you will play a pivotal role in delivering high-quality care across our glaucoma service, while also contributing to cataract and diabetic retinopathy pathways. This is a clinically advanced role requiring a high level of autonomy, decision-making, and leadership.

Your key responsibilities will include:

1. Delivering comprehensive optometric care across a broad range of services, including:

   • Pre- and post-operative cataract assessments

   • Visual assessments for patients with diabetic retinopathy

   • Specialist glaucoma clinics involving complex case management and treatment planning

2. Undertaking advanced diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, including (where qualified) laser treatments such as:

   • YAG Capsulotomy

   • Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT)

   • Peripheral Iridotomy (PI)

3. Acting as the lead clinician in the assessment and ongoing management of patients with a wide range of ocular conditions, often involving complex comorbidities or communication needs.

4. Formulating treatment plans, initiating or adjusting therapy independently, and making appropriate referrals or discharge decisions based on clinical need and service protocols.

5. Communicating complex or sensitive information with empathy, including diagnoses, prognoses, and treatment options, particularly for patients with irreversible sight loss.

6. Exercising excellent manual dexterity and precision in procedures such as slit-lamp examination, gonioscopy, contact lens fittings, and the interpretation of diagnostic imaging.

7. Providing clinical supervision and mentorship to junior optometrists, students, and other members of the multidisciplinary team.

8. Liaising closely with ophthalmologists, orthoptists, technicians, and other stakeholders to ensure seamless care pathways and effective service delivery.

This is a fantastic opportunity to take on a senior leadership role within an ambitious and evolving ophthalmology service. You will have the opportunity to shape care models, influence service development, and contribute to the training and progression of the wider optometry team.

To view the full responsibilities and person specification, please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification.

The Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

We promote the wellbeing and safety of all our patients and carers by acting promptly on concerns, communicating effectively and sharing information appropriately, according to the standards determined by our policy and procedures. All posts working with vulnerable groups will be subject to an enhanced criminal records check upon appointment and staff will need to give their consent for the Trust to receive regular updates on their criminal records status throughout their employment.

Due to the high volumes of applications we receive for certain posts, we reserve the right to close any adverts before the published closing date once we have received a sufficient number of applications. After the closing date we strongly advise you check the email account which is registered. If you have not heard from us within four weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.

Our employment checking processes require that all shortlisted applicants provide the contact details of their current HR Department. If shortlisted you will be sent an email reminder to present the contact details of your HR Department at the interview.

Please note the Trust uses identity checking software for verifying the authenticity of identity documents provided by candidates.

As part of our commitment to the Equality and Diversity at LNWUH, we are encouraging applications from BME (Black ,Minority Ethnic) candidates as we seek to ensure our workforce structures are representative of the diversity of the communities we serve.