Special Schools Eye Care Manager (Registered Dispensing Optician)
4 days ago
Manchester
Be Part of Something Bigger - Join Primary Eyecare Services About Us: Primary Eyecare Services is the largest not-for-profit leading provider of NHS primary and community eye care services in England. Established over a decade ago in the North West, we now operate nationally, delivering enhanced eye care through a network of over 3,000 optometry practices. We work with NHS commissioners and Trusts to provide accessible, high-quality eye care services in local communities, supported by teams with expertise in NHS contracting, patient support, referral triaging, and telemedicine. Role Overview: This role has been created specifically for the delivery of the newly commissioned national Special Schools Sight Testing Service. It is completely separate from, and not linked to, the Proof-of-Concept work that began in 2021 with NHS England. Following the NHS’s commitment to commission sight testing in special schools across England in 2024, Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) are now able to commission this essential service within their geographies. The Special Schools Eye Care Service Manager (Registered Dispensing Optician) supports the mobilisation and day-to-day operational delivery of the Special Schools Eye Care Service across participating schools. Reporting to the Head of Special Schools Eye Care, the postholder plays an important role in ensuring school readiness, clinic coordination, operational consistency, safeguarding administration, system discipline and service reporting are managed effectively across the service. As a GOC-registered Dispensing Optician, the postholder brings valuable professional expertise to the role, particularly in relation to paediatric dispensing and the practical visual needs of children and young people in special schools. This strengthens the service’s approach to the spectacles and optical appliance pathway, supports effective liaison with providers, schools and families, and adds credibility to the coordination of an important part of the overall service. This is an operational management role focused on delivery, coordination and service oversight within an integrator model, where direct service delivery is provided through stakeholder partners. Overall service leadership, strategic development, commissioner relationships and budget accountability remain with the Head of Special Schools Eye Care, with wider operational oversight through the Operations Director. Clinical leadership and support for wider clinical decision-making remain with the Clinical Directors and Special Schools Clinical Lead. The postholder is expected to work within agreed processes and governance arrangements, escalating issues where required. Shift Pattern: This is a full-time position, working 35 hours per week over 5 days. Salary: The FTE salary for this role is up to £35,000 per annum. Location: This role may be either remote or hybrid, based within the UK, offering flexibility to work from home. Travel to provider locations may be required as needed. Unfortunately, applications from candidates based outside the UK cannot be considered. General Responsibilities: School Engagement, Partnership Coordination and Stakeholder Onboarding • Act as the routine operational lead with special schools, SENDCos, headteachers, school business managers and provider stakeholders for allocated delivery areas., • Support school onboarding, participation, scheduling and ongoing relationship management, escalating strategic, commissioner-facing or service development matters to the Head of Special Schools Eye Care., • Coordinate the onboarding of provider stakeholders delivering the Special Schools Eye Care Service, ensuring a consistent, controlled and auditable approach., • Ensure onboarding activity is delivered in line with Primary Eyecare Services’ agreed stakeholder onboarding principles, standards, templates and controls, so that the methodology remains consistent with that used across the wider organisation., • Support provider readiness by coordinating key contacts, documentation, operational requirements, implementation actions and use of agreed systems and processes, • Represent the service at operational meetings as required and ensure actions are followed through in a timely and professional way. Service Mobilisation and On-Site Coordination • Lead operational readiness for delivery, including schedules, equipment, consent routes, staffing plans, logistics and contingencies., • Coordinate provider teams and internal colleagues to ensure safe, efficient and compliant delivery across different pathways., • Oversee delivery-day operations and ensure issues are resolved or escalated promptly, with clear records of actions and outcomes., • Maintain oversight of operational actions required to support mobilisation and business-as-usual delivery, ensuring dependencies, risks and gaps are identified and escalated appropriately. Governance, Safeguarding and Information Management • Maintain compliance with agreed safeguarding, safer working, consent and Information Governance requirements., • Maintain RAID logs and escalation records for operational risks and issues and work with relevant colleagues to support improvement actions., • Ensure IT PMS system and associated operational records are complete, accurate and auditable., • Escalate safeguarding, quality, Information Governance or operational concerns promptly through agreed routes. Service Performance, Spectacles Pathway and Reporting • Monitor activity, uptake, referral patterns, outcomes, spectacle provision, follow-up activity and service feedback., • Oversee the non-clinical spectacles and optical appliance pathway, including order tracking, issue resolution, fitting and collection arrangements, and repairs or replacements coordination as applicable., • Produce operational reports, summaries and updates for internal governance and commissioner assurance as required., • Maintain accurate tracking and reporting information to support service oversight, delivery assurance and continuous improvement. Operational Coordination and Service Support • Work within agreed procedures, delegated authority and governance arrangements to support safe and consistent service delivery., • Support the consistent use of approved systems, templates, trackers and operational processes across the service., • Escalate promptly where there are material operational, safeguarding, quality, Information Governance or reputational risks. Continuous Improvement and Development • Contribute to standard operating procedures, training materials and service guidance., • Act as an operational super-user our PMS system and support the adoption of structured digital workflows across the service., • Identify practical opportunities to improve efficiency, consistency and the experience of schools, families and providers. The Organisation reserves the right at any time during your employment to vary your duties and responsibilities where necessary to meet the needs of the Organisation. What We’re Looking For: Essential • Registered Dispensing Optician with current General Optical Council registration, • Operational coordination or management experience within healthcare, education, SEND, community eyecare or a comparable service environment., • Experience of coordinating or delivering eye care clinics in a domiciliary, community-based or outreach setting., • Experience using digital systems to maintain accurate records, track actions and support reporting., • Strong organisational skills and ability to manage competing priorities with good attention to detail., • Clear verbal and written communication skills, with the confidence to work with schools, providers and internal colleagues, • Understanding of confidentiality, Information Governance and the importance of maintaining audit trails., • Ability to recognise issues beyond role scope and escalate promptly and appropriately., • Act in ways that support equality and promote diversity, • Willingness to travel regularly to schools, provider locations and stakeholder meetings as required Desirable • Evidence of continuing professional development in line with General Optical Council expectations, • Experience working with special schools, SEND services, vulnerable children and young people, or related multi-agency settings., • Previous experience of supporting or delivering special schools eye care services or a closely related model., • Experience working with provider stakeholders, schools and partner organisations to support readiness and delivery., • Ability to use Microsoft Office and structured digital systems, including the willingness to become confident using bespoke IT Systems Why Join Us: • Pension match up to 5%, • Sick and critical illness pay cover, • Electric car scheme, • Enhanced family leave, • Paid compassionate leave, • 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays (rising to 30 days with service), • Training and development opportunities, • Employee recognition awards, • Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), • NHS Blue Light Card, • Cycle to Work scheme, • Performance-related pay How To Apply: To apply, please submit your up-to-date CV, with a cover letter included as the first page outlining your professional background and your motivation for applying. Please note appointment to this post is subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
