Job overview
To provide clinical leadership/advice on optometry services to the Health Board. The post holder will support, develop and implement all Wales policies relating to WGOS and contribute to wider corporate strategies and policies. A key role is the planning, development and delivery of effective and efficient services across the health board area. This will encompass supporting local primary care, primary care clusters, hospital and community services and national WGOS Clinical Leads to deliver
strategies and policies.
Main duties of the job
• Will be the strategic lead for Quality, Safety and Performance across all health board’s optometry services, ensuring systems and processes are in place and effectively applied for the management of clinical performance.
• To develop the professional interface with the optometry profession in the SBUHB area.
• In all the above, to be supported extensively by the Health Board’s Primary Care and Clinical Governance managers.
• There will be no expectation for the Independent Advisor to provide clinical services. Primarily the role is one of clinical advice and
leadership. However administrative duties requiring clinical knowledge and judgement may be required.
• Will work collaboratively with senior clinicians of all professions to achieve the required outcomes and objectives to implement the
strategic vision. This will include working closely with identified leads within the health board and partner organisations (e.g.
ophthalmology departments, Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW) and third sector organisations), to support improvement, redesign and implement delivery of WGOS
Working for our organisation
We believe staff are our best asset and we want you to be happy and confident about starting your career here in Swansea Bay University Health Board.
As one of the biggest healthcare groups in the UK we can offer a wealth of professional training and development opportunities in an innovative, forward-thinking organisation.
You might be a nurse or doctor, maybe you specialise in a health science/therapy or can offer skills in one of our support services - we have a job for you.
There are also apprenticeships, work placements and volunteering roles available.
We are an inclusive employer and welcome applications from everyone whatever their sex; religion or belief; race; age; sexual orientation; gender identity or, whether they are pregnant or have recently been on maternity leave, married or are in a civil partnership; or, whether they are disabled.
Our values - Caring For Each Other, Working Together and Always Improving, show that our commitment to equality is at the heart of everything we do.
If you want excellent career and training opportunities while living on the doorstep of some of Europe's most spectacular scenery, with all the benefits of a thriving and cosmopolitan city - look no further.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
For more details in relation to this post, please click on the supporting documents section to find the full job description and person specification. These are available bilingually, in both English and Welsh
Person specification
Qualifications and knowledge
Essential criteria
1. Registered as an optometrist with the General Optical Council.
2. BSc(Hons) Optometry or equivalent.
3. Evidence of up-to-date knowledge of the WGOS regulatory framework & recent clinical developments.
4. Understanding of the legal and regulatory aspects of optometry.
Desirable criteria
5. Member or Fellow of the College of Optometrists (MCOptom or FCOptom).
6. Post-graduate qualification(s) relating to a highly specialist aspect of clinical optometry, e.g. College of Optometrists.
7. Professional/Higher certificate/diploma in contact lens practice / glaucoma/ low vision / medical retina / paediatric eye care.
Experience
Essential criteria
8. Significant postregistration experience of optometry in Wales.
9. Experience of clinical governance and quality improvement
10. Evidence of continuing professional development
Desirable criteria
11. Experience of working at a senior level across primary and/or secondary care within the NHS
12. Experience of having worked in different optometry settings
13. Experience of clinical management
14. Experience in teaching/research within Primary Care
15. Experience of working in deprived communities. Team leader / managerial experience
Abilities
Essential criteria
16. Able to work constructively with other healthcare professionals and develop a patient focused service.
17. Able to develop and lead the implementation of new patient pathways
18. Able to maintain engagement when dealing with conflict. Excellent interpersonal skills – influencing, negotiating and communication (written and verbal) skills
19. Able to develop implement and monitor new polices and services
20. Aptitude and confidence for working in a rapidly changing environment
21. Able to work autonomously and independently
22. Experience in the use of IT applications – specifically Microsoft Office
Desirable criteria
23. Ability to plan and prioritise within limited resources
24. Evidence of research and audit activity
25. Knowledge of HB policies and procedures
Swansea Bay University Health Board is committed to supporting its staff and processes to fully embrace the need for bilingualism thereby enhancing service users experience. In our commitment to increase the number of staff able to communicate in Welsh with patients and professionals, we would particularly welcome applications from Welsh speakers.
Equality remains at the centre of the Health Boards policy-making, service delivery and employment practices. We value the diversity of our staff and welcome applications from people from protected groups under the Equality Act 2010, this specifically includes age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/reassignment, race, religion, disability, pregnancy and maternity and marriage and civil partnership.
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
Welsh language skills are desirable