Advanced Clinician – Optometrist - Ophthalmology Allied Health

Working for Te Toka Tumai is an opportunity to make a real difference in the health and wellbeing of our Auckland community!

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is firmly grounded in the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and is committed to building a health system that serves all New Zealanders.

About the role

The Ophthalmology Service at Te Toka Tumai Auckland provides tertiary-level eye care to patients across the Auckland region, delivering more than 110,000 patient appointments annually. You will join a dedicated, multidisciplinary team committed to delivering high-quality, evidence-based and patient-centred care.

We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced Advanced Clinician – Optometrist to provide advanced autonomous clinical practice, specialist ophthalmology services and clinical leadership within our hospital eye service.

In this senior clinical role, you will manage complex ophthalmic conditions and deliver specialised services across glaucoma, medical retina and laser ophthalmology. You will perform YAG capsulotomy and YAG peripheral iridotomy, undertake virtual reviews of first specialist assessments (FSAs) and follow-up appointments, and provide ophthalmology assessments for paediatric patients in collaborative Optometrist/Orthoptist clinics.

You will also independently review and plan treatment for patients with macular degeneration undergoing intravitreal injections, support the medical management of glaucoma in accordance with approved independent prescribing guidelines, and contribute to the delivery of acute eye care.

Alongside your clinical responsibilities, you will provide clinical leadership, mentor and develop optometry colleagues, support the wider multidisciplinary team, and contribute to service development, clinical audit, research and continuous quality improvement. You will help drive innovative, evidence-based optometry practice and improve access to specialist eye care and health outcomes for our diverse communities.

This is a permanent, full-time position, based at Greenlane Clinical Centre. Applications will be considered from those seeking to work no less than 3 days per week or more.

About you

You are an experienced and motivated optometrist with advanced clinical expertise, strong professional judgement and a commitment to delivering equitable, culturally safe and high-quality patient care. You enjoy working autonomously while collaborating effectively with ophthalmologists, orthoptists and the wider multidisciplinary team.

You will have:

• Bachelor of Optometry or equivalent recognised by the New Zealand Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians Board (ODOB), with current registration and an Annual Practising Certificate without scope conditions.
• Minimum six years’ post-qualification hospital experience, including four years’ full-time equivalent in specialist hospital ophthalmology.
• Demonstrated clinical leadership and a commitment to working towards a relevant master’s degree or equivalent.
• Specialist Optometrist Scope of Practice in ophthalmic laser surgery, or commitment to obtaining it.
• Glaucoma prescribing rights or Independent Glaucoma Prescriber (IGP) endorsement.
• Current membership of the New Zealand Association of Optometrists (NZAO), along with qualifications or experience in clinical education, coaching, mentoring and supervision, will be advantageous.
• Demonstrated experience in initiating and leading quality improvement initiatives, research-driven clinical innovations, or service development.

You will also demonstrate excellent communication and interpersonal skills, effective time management, a commitment to professional development, and the ability to support and develop colleagues. A strong commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi, culturally safe practice and improving health outcomes for Māori and Pacific peoples is essential to delivering equitable care for our communities.

For further information regarding this position please contact Carlene Perris, Allied Health Director by e-mail carlene.perris@tewhatuora.govt.nz.

Click here to view position description

Working at Health New Zealand

We are Te Toka Tumai Auckland, Health New Zealand. We provide health and disability services to more than half a million people living in central Auckland, regional services for Northland and greater Auckland, and specialist national services for the whole of New Zealand. Our main sites are Auckland City Hospital, Greenlane Clinical Centre and Starship Children’s Hospital, located in central Auckland.

We are part of Health New Zealand, the overarching organisation for New Zealand’s national health service. Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora leads the day-to-day running of the health system, with functions delivered at local, district, regional and national levels. We are also an Accredited Employer with Immigration NZ (Please visit Immigration NZ Accredited Employer Work Visa for more information if you will be needing a Work Visa)

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is dedicated to ensuring excellent healthcare for the people of New Zealand. We embrace a workforce that is diverse and inclusive so that we are better positioned to understand and service our community. We welcome applications from our diverse Māori, Pacific, disabled, and rainbow communities.

Why you will enjoy working here

We recognise there is more to life than mahi | work, and we encourage and provide access to all our staff several services and benefits to support themselves whilst they are employed within Te Toka Tumai Auckland. In return, we can reward you with a competitive salary, at least five weeks annual leave and a unique and supportive working environment.

How to apply

To apply, simply click on the link below and make an online application attaching your latest CV and cover letter explaining your motivation for wanting to apply. 

If you have any queries about this opportunity or accessibility or technical issues with the online process, please contact Kavitha John, Recruitment Consultant on Kavitha.John@tewhatuora.govt.nz to discuss how we can best support your application.

This position is a Core Children's worker under the Children's Act & requires full safety checks completed before any new employee starts

Job Posting: 21/Oct/26 - 22/Nov/26

Organisation: Surgical Services

HealthBoard: AUK-Auckland Central

Job: Optometrist

Full-time Monday-Sunday