Senior Optometrist  – Make a difference! 

About SeeAbility

SeeAbility is the UK’s leading specialist eye care charity for people with learning disabilities, autism, visual impairment and complex support needs. With over 225 years of experience, SeeAbility delivers expert, inclusive eye care services in Special Schools across London 

Make a meaningful difference through specialist eye care

At SeeAbility, we are committed to ensuring that children and young people with learning disabilities and additional needs receive the high-quality eye care they deserve. We are looking for an experienced and passionate Senior Optometrist to join our specialist team delivering accessible, evidence-based eye care within special school settings.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced clinician who is passionate about improving outcomes for children and young people with disabilities. Alongside providing specialist clinical care, you will act as a senior clinical resource within the service, supporting colleagues through mentoring, training, service development and quality improvement initiatives.

Working closely with the Clinical Lead, Head of Dispensing and Service Managers, you will help shape and develop SeeAbility's specialist eye care services while ensuring consistently high standards of clinical practice across the team.

About the Role

As a Senior Optometrist, you will:

• Deliver specialist eye examinations for children and young people in special schools, adapting your approach to meet a wide range of communication, sensory and behavioural needs.
• Undertake complex clinical assessments, prescribing and clinical decision-making.
• Manage clinic sessions effectively to maximise access and deliver safe, child-centred care.
• Produce clear, accessible reports outlining visual needs and practical recommendations.
• Make appropriate referrals to health professionals and specialist services when required.
• Work collaboratively with dispensing colleagues to support effective spectacle provision and positive outcomes.
• Support the smooth delivery of clinics across multiple school sites.
• Build strong relationships with schools, families and healthcare professionals to encourage engagement and participation.
• Contribute to service improvement, research and quality improvement projects.
• Share best practice and support the collection of service outcome and impact data.
• Work flexibly within special school environments to meet the needs of pupils and the service.

Leadership and Mentoring Responsibilities

In addition to providing exceptional clinical care, you will:

• Act as a senior clinical resource for optometrists and wider clinical colleagues.
• Support the induction and development of new clinicians joining the service.
• Act as a named clinical mentor for optometrists enrolled on the SeeAbility and City St George's Special School Eye Care Clinician Training Programme.
• Deliver training, coaching and clinical support to colleagues.
• Contribute to the development of clinical training resources and service improvements.
• Support clinical governance activities and the promotion of safe, evidence-based practice.

About You

We are looking for a compassionate and skilled optometrist who combines strong clinical expertise with a commitment to inclusive practice and continuous improvement.

Essential Skills and Experience

• Minimum 2 years' experience providing eye care in special school settings.
• Strong clinical skills in eye examination, prescribing and clinical decision-making.
• Experience adapting clinical approaches to meet communication, sensory and behavioural needs.
• Understanding of safeguarding principles and how to raise concerns in line with policy.
• Experience maintaining accurate and timely clinical records.
• Understanding of clinical governance, quality assurance and safe clinical practice.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to explain clinical information clearly and accessibly.
• Ability to work independently while contributing positively to a wider multidisciplinary team.
• Practical, organised and solutions-focused approach.
• Commitment to delivering high-quality care and continuous service improvement.
• Willingness to maintain and further develop clinical knowledge and specialist skills.

Personal Qualities

• Patient, calm and able to work at the child's pace.
• Positive, inclusive and respectful approach to disability.
• Flexible and adaptable in busy and changing school environments.
• Passionate about improving healthcare access and outcomes for children and young people with additional needs.

Additional Requirements

• Full UK Driving Licence.
• Access to a vehicle and ability to travel between school sites.
• Ability to provide your own direct ophthalmoscope and retinoscope (a PanOptic ophthalmoscope will be provided).
• Responsibility for SeeAbility-provided specialist testing equipment and ensuring it is stored securely when not in use.

Why Join SeeAbility?

Joining SeeAbility means becoming part of a pioneering organisation dedicated to transforming access to eye care for children and young people with learning disabilities and additional needs. You will have the opportunity to develop specialist expertise, mentor future clinicians and contribute to innovative service delivery that makes a tangible difference to lives every day.

If you are an experienced optometrist looking for a rewarding senior clinical role where your expertise can have a lasting impact, we'd love to hear from you.