The Specialist Optometrist will work autonomously, conducting high-level assessments, developing treatment plans, and overseeing patient management throughout their care journey. The position entails collaborative work with other healthcare professionals, mentoring junior staff, engaging in research initiatives, and contributing to service development. Administrative duties, patient communication, and continuous audit of the optometry service are essential components of the role, emphasizing the delivery of high-quality, patient-centered care while respecting individual needs and cultural sensitivities.
Due to maternity leave we have an opportunity for a dedicated, motivated and enthusiastic optometrist to join our friendly team.
Previous hospital experience and independent prescribing is desirable, however we welcome newly qualified Optometrists. Banding will be dependent on experience and successful completion of competencies.
Training and support will be provided to develop roles, which will include a wide range of extended scope, such as paediatrics, low vision, post op cataract care, glaucoma. However, there may be opportunities to attend other specialities.
o To work within the multi-disciplinary team working autonomously as an optometrist, managing a wide and complex clinical caseload.
o To be part of the specialist orthoptist / optometry team.
o To provide a high quality and comprehensive optometry care.
o Optometrist extended role to mainly include eye casualty and depending on service needs training will be provided in other areas of Optometry and Ophthalmology.
o To ensure, individually and as part of the team, the effective and efficient running of the orthoptic /optometry and ophthalmology service.
o To work within the multi-disciplinary team working autonomously as an optometrist managing a wide and complex clinical caseload.
o To provide high quality evidence based optometry care to diagnose, plan, implement and monitor treatment.
o To teach orthoptic and ophthalmic colleagues.
o Working collaboratively to ensure the effective and efficient running of the ophthalmology service.
o To continually audit the optometry service.
About us
Clinical Responsibilities
To be involved in the following highly specialist clinics:
Contact lens
Cornea.
Paediatric.
Medical retina.
Research.
Low visual aids.
To co-ordinate clinics ensure patients are given appropriate checks:
Adult refraction, paediatric objective refraction.
Visual function (visual acuity, colour vision, contrast sensitivity, binocular function).
Assessment of eye movements, lid and pupils.
Tonometry (Goldmann, ICare, Reichart) and pacymetry.
Advanced imaging (e.g. swollen discs, pupilometry).
Work as an autonomous practitioner in a single-handed capacity without supervision.
To undertake highly skilled, specialist and extended roles.
To take sole responsibility for the assessment of your workload which will cover a wide, varied and complex patient group.
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, the 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 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 specific directions.
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 and 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 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 collaborate with research leads over recruitment to studies.
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.
Forecast clinical demand, triage clinics to manage demand and capacity.
Management of the patients journey through the clinic.
To maintain and develop guidelines on the extended care.
To effectively manage your annual leave.
To actively participate and positively contribute to the senior leadership team regarding the operational aspects of Optical Services.
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