Optometry Job Description
An optometrist examines patients' eyes, tests their sight, gives
advice on visual problems and prescribes and fits glasses or
contact lenses if necessary. Optometrists are trained to recognise
diseases of the eye as well as systemic diseases such as diabetes.
They refer patients to medical practitioners as necessary, as well
as sometimes sharing the care of patients with chronic conditions.
Most of these activities involve the use of specialist
equipment.
Most optometrists work in high street independent practices,
regional and national chains. A smaller number work in hospitals
and community settings. On an average day optometrists administer
between 10 and 20 eye examinations, each lasting approximately 20
minutes.
Typical work activities
Tasks typically involve:
- examining the eyes of patients of all ages to detect signs of
injury, disease, abnormality and vision defects;
- checking for signs and symptoms of general health conditions
(e.g. diabetes);
- communicating with patients to get detailed case
histories;
- using specialist equipment for diagnosis and testing;
- issuing prescriptions for glasses and contact lenses;
- fitting and checking prescribed lenses in order to correct
vision defects;
- offering advice and reassurance about vision-related
matters;
- offering help and advice for patients choosing frames and
lenses;
- writing referral notices to doctors;
- meeting sales targets with regard to selling glasses and
contact lenses;
- undertaking continuing education and training (CET);
- managing staff, including dispensing opticians and clerical
staff;
- supervising and training junior staff;
- managing the retail aspects of glasses, contact lenses and
other vision care products;
- administering, organising and planning the development of the
practice;
- liaising with sales representatives from vision care product
suppliers.
Pay & Conditions
- There is no set minimum salary for the pre-registration year in
private practice but most practices offer salaries of around
£16,500 per annum (salary data collected June 2008).
- Typical salaries for the pre-registration year (hospital) start
at £16,815 (salary data collected June 2008).
- Range of typical starting salaries (private practice) is
approximately £22,000 - £26,000 (salary data collected June
2008).
- Range of typical starting salaries (hospital) is £23,458 -
£31,779 (salary data collected June 2008).
- Range of typical salaries at senior level (senior optometrist,
private practice) is approximately £40,000 - £50,000 (salary data
collected June 2008).
- Typical salaries of a consultant optometrist (hospital) is
£50,616 - £75,114 (salary data collected June 2008).
- Self-employment through a franchise, partnership, or sole
trader operation is possible, usually after some years' experience.
Rewards vary considerably depending on the success of the practice
but may be in excess of £80,000.
- Working hours are usually 9:00am-5:30pm. Optometrists generally
work between 36 and 39 hours per week and usually work five days a
week. Weekend and evening work is common, particularly in larger
chain opticians.
- Part-time and temporary locum work is available, often working
in a variety of practices.
- Private practice work is usually performed in high street, shop
front premises comprising a retail section and private consulting
rooms.
- Hospital work is undertaken in consulting rooms in hospital
trust buildings.
- Optometrists spend large parts of the day in a fairly small,
darkened room with no natural light and have to make close physical
contact with people to examine their eyes, which involves lots of
bending and standing.
- Jobs are available throughout the UK in all types of practice
and hospitals. Competition for jobs may be greater in the
geographical areas surrounding the eight universities offering
optometry degrees.
- Most work will be undertaken in one location, but there may be
some travel to other practice premises in the local area. National
travel is usually for training purposes or to attend
conferences.
- In 2007 the gender split of the profession was 48% male and 52%
female.
- Optometrists are expected to dress smartly and show high levels
of courtesy, professionalism and friendliness.
- Overnight absences from home due to work are very rare.
- UK registered optometrists can find work abroad. Some countries
require you to take further examinations.
Training
All optometrists practising in the UK must be registered with
the General Optical Council
(GOC) , the profession's regulatory body, and listed in the
Opticians Register. They must renew their registration annually in
order to maintain a licence to practise.
Continuing education and training (CET) is a statutory requirement for continued
registration with the GOC. The CET scheme exists to ensure
registrants maintain the up-to-date knowledge and skills needed to
practise safely throughout their career.
The College of Optometrists offers
study programmes that enable individuals to work for higher
qualifications at their own pace. The College offers Diplomas in
Contact Lens Practice, Orthoptics, Ocular
Conditions (Diabetes and Glaucoma), Glaucoma and Rehabilitation of
Visual Impairment. This is so that patients may benefit from a
range and quality of optometric services, which reflect the latest
scientific and technological developments. The College's highest
qualification, the Fellowship, is equivalent in content and scope
to a Masters level qualification.
Optometrist: Career development
Whilst there are opportunities to specialise, the main part of
an optometrist's role does not change throughout their career. They
may become faster and more experienced testers with time. A senior
optometrist with experience will perform much the same role as a
newly qualified optometrist.
Following qualification and two years' work experience
optometrists may pursue further training to treat eyes by
administering therapeutic drugs. Some optometrists specialise in
particular areas of practice such as paediatrics, contact lenses,
low vision, and sports vision (e.g. practice that specialises in
sports vision, behavioural optometry or learning difficulties).
Private laser eye adjustment centres may also employ a small number
of optometrists operating different technical measurement devices
from those used in normal practice.
Career progression in a hospital may be more structured as The
National Health Service (NHS) has a defined career grade structure
for hospital optometrists.
Some optometrists choose to go into practice management where
salaries may be very high. Responsibility for practice direction
and overall business management is usually taken on in addition to
the routine work of an optometrist (e.g. testing). The increased
stress and pressure of long hours must be balanced against
increased financial rewards.
Optometry as a profession offers many opportunities for flexible
and part-time working and allows individuals to fit other
commitments and responsibilities around the career.
Typical employers
Please
search our current optometry vacancies here.
The majority of optometrists work in private practice and most
of the rest work in hospitals. Private practice employers range
from large chains to smaller independent practices. Hospital
optometrists are employed by The National Health Service (NHS)
. A small number of optometrists are employed by universities and
charities.
There has been a marked increase in the number of optometrists
in recent years. In 1989 there were approximately 200 optometrists
graduating per year and seeking pre-registration places. By 1999
this had risen to 450 per year and since 2003 there have been in
excess of 600 graduates entering the labour market every year. This
has driven down starting salaries and increased competition for
pre-registration places, particularly in areas around the eight
approved universities. Newly qualified optometrists may stay with
the employer who supervised their pre-registration year or choose
to move on. Being flexibile about location widens the potential
pool of opportunities.
Self-employment through a franchise
or partnership, or as a sole practitioner, is a route many
optometrists choose to take. There are opportunities throughout the
UK.
There are currently 11,500 registered optometrists in the UK.
(January 2008)
Contact us
on 020 784 32410
Email: info@resourcing.uk.com