About this role
Job summary
Senior Orthoptic Assistant Practitioner (Band 4)University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust (UHCW)
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a motivated and enthusiastic Senior Orthoptic Assistant Practitioner to join our friendly Orthoptic team at UHCW. You will play a key role in supporting the delivery of high-quality orthoptic services, assisting with patient assessments, clinical activities, administration, and service development across a busy department.
We are looking for an individual with excellent communication and organisational skills who is passionate about delivering outstanding patient care. Previous experience in an ophthalmic, orthoptic, or healthcare setting is desirable.
If you are a team player with a positive attitude and a commitment to providing excellent care, we would love to hear from you.
Join Team UHCW and help make a difference to the patients we serve every day.
Please be advised that sponsorship is not eligible for this post.
Closing Date: Please be advised that this job advert will close as soon as sufficient applications have been received. Please apply for this job as soon as you can, if interested.
Successful applicants will be required to provide an immunisation and vaccination report, from either their current UK occupational health provider or their UK GP.
Main duties of the job
To work autonomously within the Orthoptic team demonstrating effective time management skills to independently manage a caseload of non-complex patients, devising and implementing treatment programmes with reference to a qualified Orthoptist. Contributing to effective care, discharges, ensuring adherence to trust policy at all times. To provide clinical support for less experienced staff as delegated by the team leader. To contribute to the effective and efficient running of the Orthoptic service
About us
University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, rated as good by the Care Quality Commission, is one of the largest teaching Trusts in the UK.
We are extremely proud of our employees across our hospital sites, with high quality patient care at the heart of everything we do.
Boasting some of the most modern facilities in Western Europe, the Trust is renowned for being at the forefront of research and innovation as part of its blossoming reputation as a worldwide leader in healthcare.
We are proud to be recognised as a Pathway to Excellence designated organisation - please click the link for further details about this prestigious award. Pathway To Excellence - University Hospitals Coventry & Warwickshire
By joining our exciting journey, you will form part of a passionate, talented team and will be able to access a wide range of learning and development opportunities. There has never been a better time to join our team.
The Trust is committed to building an organisation that makes full use of the talents, skills, experience, and different perspectives available in our diverse society. We want everyone to feel they are respected, valued, can achieve their potential and receive the most appropriate and relevant care. We will create anenvironment where the equality and human rights principles of fairness, respect, equality, dignity and autonomy are promoted and are part of the organisation's core values.
Job description Job responsibilities
To adhere to the BIOS code of ethics and professional conduct, the trusts code of conduct for non-qualified staff and all other relevant policies and procedures. Responsible for own actions, working within agreed guidelines, recognising the need to refer to a trained member of staff as appropriate. Supervise and provide mentorship to a small number of learners or junior staff Responsible for delivery and modification of patient care including in the community in line with protocols, ensuring all care is accurately documented. To demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of primary care services, the eligibility and referral criteria. To form professional relationships with patients and communicate with them in a way that respects their views, autonomy and culture. To effectively communicate appropriate information regarding a patients condition and any other required information to the wider multidisciplinary team and participate in multidisciplinary discussions. To work without direct supervision but seeking guidance from a qualified member of the team as required. Duties include - Carrying own caseload of non-complex patients, liaising with other services both in the hospital, additional community services and local authorities as necessar - providing direct assistance to Orthoptic staff with more complex assessment and treatments - To perform manually operated Goldmann visual field perimetry and automated perimetry to support Orthoptic led Neuro ophthalmology diagnostic clinics and other ophthalmology services including provision of OCT, I care and other diagnostic clinical tests - To assist the Clinical Orthoptic Stroke Lead in visual assessment and non- complex testing as directed in acute and community setting and to support stroke training in both settings with other professionals including the visual rehabilitation teams and therapists across the system. - To assist the Neuro ophthalmology Orthoptist in diagnostic neurological discimaging clinics with neurological new and follow up patients and haveresponsibility for supporting the diagnostic clinics at times in a single -handedcapacity - Actively participate in the Orthoptic School Screening Programme and beresponsible for measuring the glasses prescription of each child within the programme following the PHE National Guidelines . To collect quality data for Child Health and use the auto refactor equipment. Demonstrate technical and /or practical skills to ensure optimum patient management eg. Patient observation, equipment management and administration of agreed tests/procedures Responsible for cleaning/decontamination and use of complex clinical equipment Utilise IT systems to secure accurate and timely patient data Manage expected clinical; workload requiring unpredictable levels of physical effort according to patient dependency/clinical need reporting to senior staff where appropriate eg. In an unexpected event Support staff and patients exposed to difficult situations arsing in the clinical area eg after receipt of bad news or following an unexpected event Promote and monitor Health & safety and Trust policy designed to protect healthcare staff and service users from known hazards Maintain a clean safe environment ensuring adherence to test standards of cleanliness hygiene and infection control at all times For further details please see the attached job description.
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
oNVQ III in care or equivalent level of knowledge and skills oEducated to GCSE level grade C or above including Maths and English oCommitted to undertaking assistant practitioner qualification within 6 months oCommitment to lifelong learning
Desirable
oKnowledge of ophthalmic procedures/department oFoundation Degree or equivalent in relevant area oCompletion of internal band 3 technician competencies
Experience Essential
oEvidence of meeting the care needs of an individual or group of individuals with specialist needs e.g. NHS or nursing home environment oRelevant and recent experience within a therapy department at band 3 or therapy technician oExperience of reading health care notes and extracting relevant information oExperience of managing own time and prioritising activities oExperience of undertaking therapy tasks ie. Visual fields, visual screening, imaging, complex vision assessment
Desirable
oRecent NHS/care experience oPrevious experience working in specialty area oExperience of supervising others oAbility to delegate clinical and non-clinical duties to others
Knowledge Essential
oDemonstrates some theoretical knowledge and application of therapeutic interventions in Orthoptic practice oUnderstanding of health and safety in relation to Ophthalmology oKnowledge of current issues which relate to the NHS oKnowledge of confidentiality oKnowledge of Orthoptic therapy and service provision oEvidence of completion of internal band 3/technician competencies
Desirable
oAwareness of the role of a Assistant practitioner within Therapy oKnowledge of appraisal and supervision process
Skills Essential
oAble to establish rapport with staff and patients oApproachable oDemonstrate empathy for patients needs regarding privacy, dignity and cultural beliefs oGood listening skills oGood observation skills oAble to carry out instructions oTo be able to seek help and direction when necessary oGood written and verbal communication skills oAble to manage own time effectively oGood IT skills with basic knowledge and application of Microsoft Office applications oAbility to carry out delegated work independently oAble to move and handle patients. oAble to use initiative
Commitment to Trust Values and Behaviours Essential
oMust be able to demonstrate behaviours consistent with the Trust's values. (As detailed in UHCW's Values in Action document below) oApplicants applying for job roles with managerial responsibility will be required to demonstrate evidence of promoting equal opportunities through work experience
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.
Employer details Employer name University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust
Address University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire
Clifford Bridge Road
Coventry
CV2 2DX
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.jobsatuhcw.co.uk (Opens in a new tab)