Job summary
We are pleased to offer an opportunity to combine a rewarding and exciting job within a newly established Ophthalmic Diagnostic Service with an unrivalled lifestyle in the heart of one of the most beautiful areas of the country.

We are seeking an ambitious and experienced clinician to lead our Medical Retina Service as the non-medical service lead within a newly established Ophthalmic Diagnostic Hub. This is an exciting opportunity for a motivated individual looking to develop their leadership experience while working within a busy, forward-thinking, and dynamic multidisciplinary team. The role offers the chance to play a key part in shaping and developing services, driving innovation, and supporting the delivery of high-quality patient care.

This role will involve working alongside a multidisciplinary team of Ophthalmologists, Orthoptists, Nurses and Technicians to ensure an excellent ophthalmic service is provided. Responsibility of producing and maintaining clinical protocols, organising teaching and carrying out audits are also part of the job role.

Specific to this role we are open to discussing flexibility in the hours that you work. Please talk to us at the interview about the flexibility you need, and we will explore what is possible for the role and service.

For further information or to arrange an informal visit, please email tsdft.headorthopticsoptometry@nhs.net, Heads of Orthoptics and Optometry Katrina Farmer and Hannah Stewart

Main duties of the job

• The post holder will be a highly competent and experienced autonomous practitioner and will be expected to provide comprehensive patient care backed with significant clinical experience beyond master's degree level, commensurate with those of sub-specialist trained (medical) ophthalmology staff.
• The post holder will be the non-medical lead for and have clinical responsibility for the Medical Retina Service within the Diagnostic Hub, ensuring that the service aligns with the Ophthalmology strategy.
• To work collaboratively with Ophthalmology leads and the Heads of Orthoptics and Optometry, to take delegated responsibility for the management of human resource issues relating to all staff levels within the department including appointment panels, appraisals, return to work interviews and wellbeing reviews.
• The post holder will also be expected to have experience in a comprehensive range of core optometric, orthoptic or nursing services and may be asked to provide support to other sub-specialities within the ophthalmology department.
• The post holder will possess relevant post-graduate professional specialist qualifications at appointment (e.g. College of Optometrists higher qualifications, OPT advanced practitioner qualifications), or alternatively to be able to demonstrate training and experience consistent with highly developed specialist knowledge.
• The post holder will provide expert opinion in an area of specialist expertise and advanced practice.

About us
We are a forward thinking, ambitious and well supported department with a successful team of highly trained Orthoptists and Optometrists working in extended roles including:

• Glaucoma
• Medical retina
• Diabetic retina
• Cornea and anterior segment
• Paediatric Ophthalmology
• Stroke
• Adults and Children with Learning difficulties
• Low vision
• Contact lens
• Marfan's screening
• Keratoconus / ectasia virtual monitoring

Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust (Torbay Hospital) is a busy, successful and progressive hospital located on the English Riviera, South Devon's beautiful bay which is surrounded by stunning coast and countryside. We are famous for our award-winning beaches and vast countryside waiting for you to explore. The cities of Exeter and Plymouth are also close by with access to all major cities via excellent rail links. Opportunities for outdoor activities both on and off the water abound, with easy access to the neighbouring centres of Plymouth and Exeter.

Closing date: 13 November 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 8a
Salary: £57,528 to £64,750 a year pa
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time, Part-time
Reference number: 388-8311306-PC&S

Essential qualifications

• BSc Optometry/Orthoptics/Nursing
• MSc/Level 7 Post-graduate qualification in Optometry/Orthoptics/Ophthalmic Care
• Significant experience and training in medical retina clinics

Desirable qualifications

• Teaching qualification
• Leadership or management qualification
• Postgraduate certificate in Independent Prescribing

Essential experience

• Extensive post-registration hospital clinical optometry experience including medical retina
• Teaching experience
• Experience working with adults who are visually impaired and patients with learning disablities

Desirable experience

• Experience of clinical leadership
• Experience developing policies, protocols and competencies

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.

UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.

Employer details
Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust, Torbay Hospital, Newton Road, Torquay, TQ2 7AA, United Kingdom
Website: https://www.torbayandsouthdevon.nhs.uk

Contact for questions about the job
Head of Orthoptics and Optometry, Katrina Farmer, tsdft.headorthopticsoptometry@nhs.net, 01803656926

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