OPTOMETRISTS
Optometrists work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, high street optometrists, research, teaching, and other health settings. If you work in a hospital or clinic, you’ll be seeing and treating those most in need of urgent attention. You might also work in local health centers and community clinics. You might also undertake some related work in a laboratory or industry setting.
As an Optometrist employed by the NHS, you would be covered by the Agenda for Change (AFC) pay scale and T&Cs. Staff in the NHS will usually work a standard 37.5 hours per week (full-time). They may work shift patterns. NHS staff will also be automatically enrolled into the NHS pension scheme and attract between 27–33 days annual leave, plus Bank Holidays (depending on previous services).
As a trainee optometrist in a hospital, you would typically start on band 4. As a qualified and registered optometrist, you would start on band 6. With further training, education and experience, you could apply for more senior posts such as specialist optometrist at band 7 or principle optometrist at bands 8a-8b. As a consultant optometrist or head of service, you could be on band 8d.