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Optometrist

Optometrist Image

Optometrists, also known as opticians, examine and test eyes. They also look out for underlying health problems such as diabetes. They discuss the patient's needs to see what spectacles or contact lenses would suit them best. They then analyse the test results to prescribe spectacles or contact lenses to improve the patient's sight.

The Work

You could be:

Pay

Pay rates can vary depending on whether the optometrist works with the National Health Service (NHS), with a private practice, or is self-employed.

During your year of supervised clinical practice you will earn around £15,000.

Qualified optometrists in private practice start on around £25,000 a year. With experience this can rise to £70,000 a year or more plus benefits.

For those working within the NHS, you will be on NHS Agenda for Change scale. Pre-registration optometrists during their supervised clinical practice year are on Band 4, £29,116 to £31,670 a year. Qualified optometrists are on Band 6, £39,912 to £48,635 a year. Specialist optometrist salaries are on Band 7, £48,788 to £56,747 a year. The current pay scales are from April 2024.

Conditions

Workforce Employment Status

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Useful Subjects

Getting In

To work in the UK as an optometrist you must be registered with the General Optical Council (GOC). There is a specific route to this.

You can find work in large optical chain stores, hospital departments or independent practices.

Workforce Education Levels (UK)

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Job Outlook Scotland

Employment

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Job Outlook Scotland and UK

  Scotland
2024
2435
6.4 %
FALL
2029
2288
  United Kingdom
2024
20424
0.1 %
RISE
2029
20440

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What Does it Take?

You should be:

Training

Getting On

Video

Courtesy of eHow

Contacts

The following organisations may be able to provide further information.

Careers in Eyecare
Website: https://www.careersineyecare.org.uk/

College of Optometrists
Tel: 020 7839 6000
Website: http://www.college-optometrists.org/
Twitter: @CollegeOptomUK
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CollegeOfOptometrists/

General Optical Council
Tel: 020 7580 3898
E-mail: goc@optical.org
Website: http://www.optical.org/
Twitter: @GOC_UK

NHS Scotland Careers
Website: http://www.careers.nhs.scot
Website (2): https://jobs.scot.nhs.uk/
Twitter: @NHSScotCareers

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Career Area

Health and Medicine

Career Sectors

Alternative Medicine

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