Orthoptist

Job summary We are seeking an enthusiastic Orthoptist to join our friendly team at a split site department with 7 orthoptists, 10 ophthalmologists, optometrists, nursing staff and technicians based at St Richards Hospital which is part of University Sussex Hospitals NHS Trust, with opportunity to work at some clinics at Shoreham Hospital, Shoreham-on-Sea. The post is full time, but part time hours would be considered as well as flexible hours such as a 9 day fortnight. As this is a Band 5 - 6 post we welcome applications from experienced (to start as B6) and soon to be newly qualified Orthoptists (B5). New Orthoptists will be supported by an experienced team and taken through the BIOS preceptorship pathway and will be eligible to join the Trust Allied Health Professions(AHP)preceptorship programme. This programmesupportsAHPs over the course of the first year of employment,providinga model for learning, self-development and reflective practice through regular multi-disciplinary learning opportunities and peer support. We have close links with Shoreham Hospital, Shoreham-on Sea and Brighton being part of the same trust. We meet across sites with Shoreham for journal clubs and CPD opportunities. St Richards Hospital is on the coast offering easy access to sailing and water activities for those interested. It is also easy to get to the South Downs for walking and cycling. London and Brighton are short train/bus journeys away. Main duties of the job The caseload is varied and provides an interesting mix of paediatric and adult patients. The Orthoptic service receives referrals from GPs, school nurses and health visitors as well as stroke, MFU, neurology, paediatrics / CDC and the main eye clinic. As well as consolidating general Orthoptic practice there are opportunities to train in extended roles such as stroke, medical retina and glaucoma. We are fortunate to have one dedicated session per week where you will participate in the educational activities and meetings run by Orthoptists and wider eye clinic team. This includes regular clinical departmental teaching and teaching of other health care professionals, medical undergraduates and junior doctors. We are also an accredited site for Orthoptic students. About us At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always deliver Excellent Care Everywhere, as shown in our Outstanding for Caring CQC rating. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of staff networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We're proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 3) and a Veteran Aware Trust. We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex. Candidate information pack - University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust Job description Job responsibilities This role is eligible for visa sponsorship under the UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker route however sponsorship can only be provided where applicants meet the specific requirements set by UKVI, including the relevant skill and salary thresholds (£25000), and any role-specific criteria. Main Duties and Responsibilities Communication To communicate effectively with patients,parentsand carers,and those with learning difficulties and non-English speaking,gaining informed consent for treatment plans.This may include the communication ofhighly sensitiveinformation and advice on distressing conditions. To keep andmaintainappropriate patientrecords. To discuss management options with the Ophthalmologist and other members of the department asrequiredin a professional manner. To utilise other means of communication such as Microsoft Teams meetings,telephoneor video consultations asappropriate. Communicate results of consultations to GPs and otherreferrersas necessary. Support verbal communication by providing written educational material to patients,carersand healthcare professionalsto ensure understanding of complex issues. Utilise the interpreting service for patients with language barrier. Attend departmental meetings for the Orthoptic and Ophthalmology department, communicating effectively and developing positive working relationships with other team members. Service Delivery andImprovement To be aware of and follow departmental policies and protocols, giving commentsregardingthese if needed. Keep and maintain appropriate records (electronic and paper) at all timesensuring that all paperwork isfiled promptly into case-notes or uploaded. Toassistin the collection of and recording outcomes of patients to support service development and clinical audit. Toassistwith the updating and development of departmental patient information as necessary and give these to patients and their carers toassistunderstanding. People Management andDevelopment To be involved with teaching optometry and orthoptic students,junior doctors,nursesand health visitors asrequired. To partake in appraisal as an appraisee. Patient Care Delivery To work as an autonomous practitioner in providing orthoptic assessment,diagnosisand management of patients of all ages, ranging from pre-term babies to the elderly. This includes those referred from various specialities including Ophthalmology, paediatrics, A&E,MaxilloFacial, Neurology, Stroke, Endocrinology.To liaise with a more seniorOrthoptistregardingany problems. To be able to assess all cases of ocular motility defects and amblyopia, complex congenital andacquiredcases, including neurological abnormalities, genetic disorders and associated ocular abnormalities. Tobe responsible for assessing, planning, implementingandmonitoringindividual Orthoptic treatment plans/care pathways using clinical reasoning andevidence basedpractice. Support and advice from the more senior Orthoptists will be available. To instil pupil dilating drops for diagnosis and treatment of vision problems whererequired. To undertakepreand post-operative measurements and discuss surgical options with the Ophthalmologist.Advise on timing of surgery andidentifypost-operative risk and discuss with surgeon,carerand patient. To maketimelyonward referral to other clinical members of the Ophthalmology Department and beyond asappropriate, e.g.: neuro-ophthalmology, sight care support team. To communicate sensitive issues to patients including diagnosis and prognosis and provide a counselling and support role to patient,relativeor carer. To tailor the delivery of care to the personal needs of individual patients and be able to adapt emotional,mentaland physical responses appropriately. Toparticipatein secondary vision screening andidentifythose children requiring referral to the optometrist or ophthalmologist. Todemonstrateconsiderable manual dexterity and speed in a variety of clinical procedures to ensureaccurateresults. To accurately assess spectacle prescriptions using automated focimetry. To carry out auto-refraction and interpret the results. To perform Humphrey automated perimetry and interpret the results asrequired. Observe safe working practices and equipment procedures,complying withlegislative requirements under H&S regulations. Respect patient andstaff confidentiality at all times. Manage an unpredictable workload dependant due to changing demands and interruptions. Keep workup to datewithin departmental set standards, notifying the line managerimmediatelyif this becomes problematic. To work as an autonomous practitioner with extensive freedom to act, carrying full responsibility for patient care and outcomes. Working with support from the Orthoptic team whererequiredor requested. Learningand Development Attend mandatory training updates as required. Undertake training as necessary in line with the development of the post and as agreed with the line manager as part of the personal development process. Achieve and demonstrate agreed standards of personal and professional development within agreed timescales. Identify own learning needs and jointly plan training requirements with your line manager Participate in the Trusts appraisal process to discuss how your role will help deliver the best possible care to our patients and help to deliver any changes in service. This job description is an outline of the role and responsibilities. From time to time due to the needs of the service, we may ask you to flexibly undertake other duties that are consistent with your role and banding, including project work, internal job rotation and absence cover. The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the department and the organisation. Job description Job responsibilities This role is eligible for visa sponsorship under the UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker route however sponsorship can only be provided where applicants meet the specific requirements set by UKVI, including the relevant skill and salary thresholds (£25000), and any role-specific criteria. Main Duties and Responsibilities Communication To communicate effectively with patients,parentsand carers,and those with learning difficulties and non-English speaking,gaining informed consent for treatment plans.This may include the communication ofhighly sensitiveinformation and advice on distressing conditions. To keep andmaintainappropriate patientrecords. To discuss management options with the Ophthalmologist and other members of the department asrequiredin a professional manner. To utilise other means of communication such as Microsoft Teams meetings,telephoneor video consultations asappropriate. Communicate results of consultations to GPs and otherreferrersas necessary. Support verbal communication by providing written educational material to patients,carersand healthcare professionalsto ensure understanding of complex issues. Utilise the interpreting service for patients with language barrier. Attend departmental meetings for the Orthoptic and Ophthalmology department, communicating effectively and developing positive working relationships with other team members. Service Delivery andImprovement To be aware of and follow departmental policies and protocols, giving commentsregardingthese if needed. Keep and maintain appropriate records (electronic and paper) at all timesensuring that all paperwork isfiled promptly into case-notes or uploaded. Toassistin the collection of and recording outcomes of patients to support service development and clinical audit. Toassistwith the updating and development of departmental patient information as necessary and give these to patients and their carers toassistunderstanding. People Management andDevelopment To be involved with teaching optometry and orthoptic students,junior doctors,nursesand health visitors asrequired. To partake in appraisal as an appraisee. Patient Care Delivery To work as an autonomous practitioner in providing orthoptic assessment,diagnosisand management of patients of all ages, ranging from pre-term babies to the elderly. This includes those referred from various specialities including Ophthalmology, paediatrics, A&E,MaxilloFacial, Neurology, Stroke, Endocrinology.To liaise with a more seniorOrthoptistregardingany problems. To be able to assess all cases of ocular motility defects and amblyopia, complex congenital andacquiredcases, including neurological abnormalities, genetic disorders and associated ocular abnormalities. Tobe responsible for assessing, planning, implementingandmonitoringindividual Orthoptic treatment plans/care pathways using clinical reasoning andevidence basedpractice. Support and advice from the more senior Orthoptists will be available. To instil pupil dilating drops for diagnosis and treatment of vision problems whererequired. To undertakepreand post-operative measurements and discuss surgical options with the Ophthalmologist.Advise on timing of surgery andidentifypost-operative risk and discuss with surgeon,carerand patient. To maketimelyonward referral to other clinical members of the Ophthalmology Department and beyond asappropriate, e.g.: neuro-ophthalmology, sight care support team. To communicate sensitive issues to patients including diagnosis and prognosis and provide a counselling and support role to patient,relativeor carer. To tailor the delivery of care to the personal needs of individual patients and be able to adapt emotional,mentaland physical responses appropriately. Toparticipatein secondary vision screening andidentifythose children requiring referral to the optometrist or ophthalmologist. Todemonstrateconsiderable manual dexterity and speed in a variety of clinical procedures to ensureaccurateresults. To accurately assess spectacle prescriptions using automated focimetry. To carry out auto-refraction and interpret the results. To perform Humphrey automated perimetry and interpret the results asrequired. Observe safe working practices and equipment procedures,complying withlegislative requirements under H&S regulations. Respect patient andstaff confidentiality at all times. Manage an unpredictable workload dependant due to changing demands and interruptions. Keep workup to datewithin departmental set standards, notifying the line managerimmediatelyif this becomes problematic. To work as an autonomous practitioner with extensive freedom to act, carrying full responsibility for patient care and outcomes. Working with support from the Orthoptic team whererequiredor requested. Learningand Development Attend mandatory training updates as required. Undertake training as necessary in line with the development of the post and as agreed with the line manager as part of the personal development process. Achieve and demonstrate agreed standards of personal and professional development within agreed timescales. Identify own learning needs and jointly plan training requirements with your line manager Participate in the Trusts appraisal process to discuss how your role will help deliver the best possible care to our patients and help to deliver any changes in service. This job description is an outline of the role and responsibilities. From time to time due to the needs of the service, we may ask you to flexibly undertake other duties that are consistent with your role and banding, including project work, internal job rotation and absence cover. The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the department and the organisation. Person Specification Professional Registration and qualification Essential Diploma or Degree in Orthoptics HCPC Registered Desirable Teaching qualification Experience Essential Experience of paediatric Orthoptics and adult Orthoptics To have knowledge/experience of department audit Desirable Experience of an extended role in Stroke Skills Essential Evidence of good organisational skills. Able to plan and manage own workload effectively. To understand and recognise own limitation of knowledge and ability and ask for help when required. To be willing to participate in teaching of Orthoptics to students and other professionals Desirable To have had experience in teaching Orthoptics to students and other professionals Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Essential Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role). Person Specification Professional Registration and qualification Essential Diploma or Degree in Orthoptics HCPC Registered Desirable Teaching qualification Experience Essential Experience of paediatric Orthoptics and adult Orthoptics To have knowledge/experience of department audit Desirable Experience of an extended role in Stroke Skills Essential Evidence of good organisational skills. Able to plan and manage own workload effectively. To understand and recognise own limitation of knowledge and ability and ask for help when required. To be willing to participate in teaching of Orthoptics to students and other professionals Desirable To have had experience in teaching Orthoptics to students and other professionals Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Essential Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role). Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions. Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the. From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement.. UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see Additional information Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions. Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the. From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement.. UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see Employer details Employer name University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279) Address St Richards Hospital Spitalfield Lane, Chichester PO19 6SE United Kingdom Employer's website