The Orthoptist Specialist will also handle administrative responsibilities, maintain accurate patient records, and communicate effectively with colleagues and patients. Mentoring junior team members and contributing to educational training initiatives are essential aspects of the role. Additionally, the candidate will be involved in research and service development, adhering to clinical governance and ensuring safe practices in accordance with health and safety regulations. Candidates are expected to demonstrate empathy and sensitivity to patients' diverse backgrounds and needs while consistently providing high-quality care.
We are looking for an innovative, self-motivated and enthusiastic Orthoptist to join our friendly and dynamic team. Our department consists of 10 Orthoptists, 1 orthoptic assistant, 7 Optometrists, 4 advanced clinical practitioners, 2 ophthalmic scientific practitioners and an ECLO.
The caseload is extremely varied and will include core Orthoptic clinics, adult motility, paediatric and neuro-ophthalmology. We are particularly interested to hear from those who wish to join our team of IVT injectors within retina.
Consideration will be given to new graduates who would be employed on a Band 5/6 run through and we have a full preceptorship programme in place.
The post holder has a general duty of care for their own health, safety and wellbeing and that of workcolleagues, visitors and patients within the hospital, in addition to any specific risk management or clinicalgovernance accountabilities associated with this post.
About us
To be involved in the following highly specialist clinics:
Orthoptic.
Paediatric.
Ocular motility, strabismus and botulinum toxin.
Neuro-ophthalmology.
Retina IVT.
To co-ordinate clinics ensure patients are given appropriate checks:
Visual function (visual acuity, colour vision, contrast sensitivity, binocular function).
Strabisometry (ocular deviations, ocular movements, exophthalmometry).
Assessment of lid and pupils.
Tonometry (Goldmann, ICare, Reichart) and pacymetry.
Goldmann and paediatric perimetry.
Advanced imaging (e.g. swollen discs, pupilometry, objective torsion).
Work as an autonomous practitioner in a single-handed capacity, with support from others.
To undertake highly skilled, specialist and extended roles that follows standard operational procedures.
To be responsible for the prioritising appropriate onward referral of patients.
To conclude a diagnosis, supported by sound investigative techniques using problem solving and advanced analytical skills
To develop treatment plans for individual patients (orthoptic, ophthalmic, optical and surgical).
To provide advice and support to patients and relatives regarding visual problems.
To assess patients pre-operatively and discuss with the ophthalmologist the need for surgical intervention, timing of surgery, risks and benefits, the type of surgery and alternative treatments.
To assess patients post-operatively and carry out the appropriate treatment.
To assist the ophthalmologist with adjustable suture strabismus surgery.
With support discharge patients or organise appropriate onward referral for their on-going care.
At all times to observe safe working practices and equipment procedures that comply with legislative requirements and health and safety regulations.
Dispenses medication using patient group directions or under delegation.
To deal with accidents untoward occurrences and complaints according to accepted procedure.
To ensure the safety of patients, visitors and staff and report all outpatient hazards.
To respect patients privacy, dignity, gender, sexuality, have due regard to patients cultural and religious beliefs.
Administrative Responsibilities
To take responsibility for all administrative paperwork ensuring it is kept in order and up to date. Follow-up appointments should be made and sent as appropriate.
Undertake general clerical duties and clinical queries (appointments, filing etc).
To deal with telephone queries and make appropriate decisions on limited information.
To maintain the integrity of computerised patient appointment systems, inputting data accurately and ensuring proper storage, back up and retrieval of information.
Ensure all patient episodes, including coding appropriate activity is recorded.
Communication and RepresentationTo write appropriate patient records and hospital case notes.
To liaise with other members of the multidisciplinary team. Ensure information regarding treatment, outcomes, diagnosis and discharge summaries are appropriately communicated.
Liaise with the referrer, the on-call ophthalmologist or early referral service regarding onward care of the patient.
Liaise with other departments (including admissions, medical records and wards) ensuring effective and efficient communication and work practices.
To work with the community visual impairment team to ensure all patients access the appropriate services.
Deal with patients in a sensitive manner and act with empathy, tact and understanding with their needs especially those with highly complex medical and ophthalmological conditions.
To be sensitive to patients cultural identity and overcome language and other barriers to understanding (e.g. hearing or visual impairment, learning difficulties).
To manage your annual leave and CPD.
To actively participate and positively contribute to departmental meetings, discussing the operational aspects of the department and set agreed standards for care.
Education and Training
Mentor junior members of the team and new starters, leading by example supporting others within the wider ophthalmic team
To support competency based learning objectives for ophthalmic technicians (including perimetry, imaging and tonometry).
To give clear, informative and well presented practical demonstrations and theoretical talks to colleagues, undergraduate orthoptists, ophthalmologists, medical students, optometrists and primary care practitioners.
Research and Service Development
To assess research participants according to protocol and good clinical practice guidelines.
To support the delivery of the service facilitating the use of clinical governance and development of competencies.
To maintain and develop guidelines on extended care.
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