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There are a wide range of career opportunities available within the field of optometry. Below you will find information about some of the main areas.
- Optometrists
- Pre-registration optometrists
- Dispensing opticians
- Pre-registration dispensing opticians
- Optical manufacturing technician
- Contact lens manufacturing technician
- Administrative roles
Optometrists
Optometrists examine eyes, test sight, give advice on visual problems, and prescribe spectacles, contact lenses and low vision aids. They are trained to detect eye disease and can be employed in shared care schemes or extended roles where there is greater involvement in managing eye disease.
In order to qualify, optometrists study for a degree at university for three years, then complete a year of working under supervision before passing a final assessment by the College of Optometrists. All optometrists practising in the UK need to be registered with the profession's regulatory body, the General Optical Council.
Moorfields employs optometrists in a number of extended roles as well as in refraction, low vision, contact lenses and clinical trials. Previous hospital experience is an advantage but not a pre-requisite as training can be provided. A career in hospital optometry can often arise from a pre-registration post completed in the Hospital Eye Service (HES). Other routes to entering the HES as an optometrist are through gaining further experience in specialist areas of optometry or through further study and experience. Areas in which optometrists are employed in extended roles include cataract, external diseases, glaucoma, medical retina including diabetic screening and management, and paediatric.
For more information about optometrists see The College of Optometrists and the Association of Optometrists.
Pre-registration optometrists
This post is designed for applicants who have completed a university degree in optometry and are in training to qualify as optometrists. Applicants would usually apply in the second year of their undergraduate course. All pre-registration optometrists practising in the UK need to be registered with the profession's regulatory body, the General Optical Council.
The department employs five pre-registration optometrists each year for a period of one year. Interviews are held in the summer at the end of the second year. Post-holders are expected to complete the appropriate course and the professional qualifying examinations organised by the College of Optometrists.
More information about pre-registration posts in hospitals around the country is available from JCL Optics, which runs the centralised hospital application scheme for pre-registration entry.
Dispensing opticians
Dispensing opticians advise on, fit and supply spectacles and other vision aids. Dispensing opticians undergo a course of study for either a degree or a diploma followed by training with supervision before qualifying. All dispensing opticians practising in the UK need to be registered with the profession's regulatory body, the General Optical Council.
Moorfields employs dispensing opticians who are employed to see patients at all its clinics. A career in hospital can often arise from a pre-registration post completed in the Hospital Eye Service (HES). The majority of dispensing orders are for paediatric, low vision, or complex patients. In view of the complex nature of these orders, a significant role for qualified dispensing opticians is supervision of pre-registration opticians.
Pre-registration dispensing opticians
This post is designed for applicants who have completed a course of study and are in training to qualify as a dispensing optician. All pre-registration dispensing opticians practising in the UK need to be registered with the profession's regulatory body, the General Optical Council.
Moorfields employs a number of pre-registration dispensing opticians. There are various training options available for those people applying for these positions. Post-holders are expected to complete the appropriate course and the professional qualifying examinations organised by the Association of British Dispensing Opticians.
Optical manufacturing technician
Optical manufacturing technicians manufacture spectacles and are involved in glazing and surfacing lenses.
Training for these posts is through an apprenticeship and NVQs. Further information on training is available from The Worshipful company of Spectacle Makers.
Contact lens manufacturing technician
Contact lens manufacturing technicians are involved in the manufacture of a wide range of contact lenses.
Moorfields employs manufacturing technicians to produce a large range of rigid contact lenses. Training for these posts is through an in-house apprenticeship and NVQ. Further information regarding contact lens manufacturing is available from the Association of Contact Lens Manufacturers.
Administrative roles
There are a number of administrative, clerical and technical staff that support the low vision, spectacles and contact lens services of the optometry department. Training for these roles is provided in-house.
Further information
All job vacancies at Moorfields are advertised online at NHS Jobs as well as in relevant journals and newspapers.
