Job overview
Are you an Orthoptist looking to develop your understanding and skills within the area of Paediatric Ophthalmology?
Do you enjoy working not only in the out-patient hospital environment but also within a community clinic and SEN school setting?
Have you got a passion for promoting the work of the Orthoptist to others?
If the answer is YES to the above then we have the perfect job for you!
We are looking to recruit an Orthoptist for a period of 12 months to cover maternity leave, you will support our Orthoptic Sub-speciality Leads and work alongside other specialist Orthoptists already involved in this caseload, as well as undertaking various additional orthoptic hospital and community clinics and the chance to be involved in orthoptic teaching that the whole team participate in.
This is an amazing opportunity for an Orthoptist with experience of core orthoptics, experience or an interest in the SEN caseload and a passion for education to join our well-established team to provide not only an excellent standard of care to all patients but to develop themselves within a sub-speciality role too.
Applications are open to newly qualified Orthoptists although this role would therefore be offered as a Band 5 with responsibilities appropriate to this grade - preceptorship and mentorship is in place.
Follow us and our fabulous eye team on Twitter @LTHorthoptics and @EyeLthtr to see what you could be a part of.
Main duties of the job
You will support the paediatric orthoptic/ophthalmology team by undertaking ROP screening, Paediatric Diagnostic Clinics, and various imaging/measurement of the eye e.g OCTs/iCare.
You will support the Head Orthoptist by working with them to develop and provide patient education material on a variety of topics, patient information leaflets, notice board information, and supporting the Orthoptic team relating to our department's internet presence and information available about our team.
You will work with the Orthoptic Lead Clinical Tutor to actively promote the Orthoptic profession within schools and during work experience days and careers events along with the supervision, assessment, OSCEs and teaching resources for Orthoptic undergraduates and to be involved in the clinical teaching of pre-registration Optometrists, medical students and other health care professionals as required. As a large department with a commitment to teaching we have Orthoptic undergraduates from all years and all universities throughout the year plus various other students.
Working for our organisation
We have 10000 fantastic people working hard to deliver quality services to our patients. Whatever your role, you help look after 370,000 people in our local area & give specialist care to 1.5 million people across Lancashire & Cumbria.
Working with us gives you the knowledge and sense of pride that every activity you do genuinely does make a difference to support our patients & staff, ensuring we keep thriving & delivering outstanding healthcare right across our local towns.
You’ll have access to varied development opportunities, learn new skills, meet fab people & do things you’d never have done. You’ll learn about working in a hospital, interacting with people from all different roles to build skills & enhance your career path.
You’ll make an impact, be challenged to think differently, be bold & help innovate to keep improving things. Everything we do centres around patient care which means your role is pivotal and something really to be proud of.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
To support a combination of the Orthoptic Paediatric and Orthoptic Education Leads to provide clinical assessment, management and multidisciplinary working in the hospital outpatient, community and school setting for individuals with various orthoptic diagnosis and SEN diagnosis.
Responsible for providing specialised Orthoptic services as an autonomous practitioner within the hospital setting and community outreach clinics, accepting direct referral of patients of all ages who have a wide spectrum of ocular motility disorders and visual problems.
To assess, diagnose, manage and treat patients of all ages referred to the Orthoptist, being responsible for the instigation of follow-up care and/or onward referral to the sub-speciality Orthoptists/Optometrists/Ophthalmologists as appropriate.
To be involved in the clinical teaching of undergraduate Orthoptists, pre-registration Optometrists, medical students and other health care professionals as required.
Duties will include, but not be limited to:
1. To support the Orthoptic Subspeciality Leads within the area of Paediatric Orthoptic and Orthoptic Education in the assessment and management of patients within their speciality.
2. Responsible for providing specialised Orthoptic services as an autonomous practitioner within the hospital setting and community outreach clinics, accepting direct referral of patients of all ages who have a wide spectrum of ocular motility disorders and visual problems.
3. To assess, diagnose, manage and treat patients of all ages referred to the Orthoptist, being responsible for the instigation of follow-up care and/or onward referral to the sub-speciality Orthoptists/Optometrists/Ophthalmologists as appropriate.
4. To be involved in the clinical teaching of undergraduate Orthoptists, pre-registration Optometrists, medical students and other health care professionals as required.
5. To act at all times in a manner that upholds the Trust’s values and Health Care Professionals Council standards and goals, working as part of a team to ensure that patients and relatives receive excellent care with compassion.
6. Assess, plan, implement and review care to meet patients’ orthoptic needs in accordance with agreed local and national standards and evidence based guidelines.
7. Demonstrate competency in the use of all orthoptic equipment and techniques.
8. Support and provide patient education and health promotion.
9. Be responsible for the delivery and co-ordination of orthoptic care, through appropriate professional practice.
10. Proactively manage risk and maintain patient safety, conforming to health, safety and security legislation, policies, procedures and guidelines.
11. Assist in setting, monitoring and maintaining standards of care to improve the patient experience and outcome of care.
12. Communicate all relevant information to the multidisciplinary team internally and with external organisations as required, to ensure seamless care.
13. Maintain accurate and complete records of all care activities, in a timely manner, adhering to local and professional standards for documentation.
14. Act as a role model, presenting a positive image of self, team and organisation.
15. Promote equality in care and practice by recognising, respecting and meeting the needs and choices of individuals.
16. Ensures environment of care is safe, well equipped and compliant with standards for hygiene and cleanliness.
17. Maintain and develop own professional competence and seek to extend the scope of personal knowledge and skills within the scope of role and professional practice.
18. Proactively engage with Trust wide or local changes and developments in service provision.
19. Actively try to resolve issues and complaints at local level and then report the outcome to the line manager.
Person specification
Qualifications and Education
Essential criteria
20. Degree in Orthoptics (or equivalent).
21. Professional registration with the Health Care Professional Council (HCPC).
22. Evidence of appropriate ongoing professional development.
Desirable criteria
23. Evidence of postgraduate training and certificates
24. SEN Masters Module or other relevant qualification/training
25. Teaching qualification or willingness to undertake 2 day BIOS course
26. Member of BIOS and associated CAGs
Knowledge and Experience
Essential criteria
27. Proven knowledge of the investigation, diagnosis and management of a broad range of specialist and complex Orthoptic patients and be able to explain findings to patients/parents/carers/students/GP’s and other health professionals on varying levels.
28. Proven knowledge of formulating treatment plans involving complex facts and situations and problem solving techniques and be able to explain these to patients/parents/carers/students/GP’s and other health professionals on varying levels.
29. Proven ability to work single handed in the hospital and or community clinic.
30. Proven postgraduate clinical experience.
31. Evidence of CPD Knowledge of relevant national policies and procedures relating to role.
Desirable criteria
32. Experience of an Orthoptic SEN caseload
33. Experience of various Neurological conditions seen by Orthoptists
34. Evidence of Audit
35. Evidence of Research
36. Awareness of Dementia
37. Experience of teaching orthoptic undergraduates and or other health professionals and students