About this role
Job summary
We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated Orthoptist to join our friendly multi-disciplinary team. The post will be based at the Royal Eye Infirmary (University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust).The post would suit a newly qualified Orthoptist, who will be fully supported through the BIOS (British and Irish Orthoptic Society) preceptorship scheme. Newly qualified orthoptists will be appointed at band 5 initially, with progression to band 6 being expected after 18 months (subject to the applicant's development).
The post covers a varied Orthoptic caseload comprising of paediatric and adult patients. The department receives referrals from a number of departments within the Trust including Accident and Emergency, the Maxillo-Facial Unit, Neurology, Rheumatology, Paediatrics and the Stroke Rehabilitation Service.
The Orthoptic department is a centre of excellence for delivering dedicated nystagmus/ complex ocular motility clinics in conjunction with Professor Chris Harris.
The department is an accredited training centre for undergraduate orthoptists and orthoptic apprentices.
The applicant will be supported in professional development, such as participating in the departments regular Journal Club and CME sessions, as well as opportunity to attend national conferences and courses.
The applicant will hold a degree or diploma in Orthoptics and be registered with the HCPC.
Main duties of the job
***Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as 'Priority' and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon who are able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification.***
To provide clinical Orthoptic services to adult and paediatric patients.
To use and develop effective communication and motivational skills with patients and carers to gain their cooperation for treatment and to ensure understanding of more complex conditions
Provide orthoptic assessment, diagnosis, treatment and advice to adult and paediatric patients and their carers. The caseload will include a wide range of acute and chronic care cases, many having complex disabilities and needs.
Work as an autonomous practitioner working in accordance with British and Irish OrthopticSociety and Health Professions Council guidelines and codes of practice and statutory Trust requirements. These services require state registered Orthoptist knowledge
Provide supervision, training and support to junior staff and students.
To comply with organisational and departmental policies and procedures.
Participate in clinical governance activities e.g. audit, research and service reviews.
Maintain an up to date knowledge of all areas of clinical practice using a variety of CPD methods and to maintain a CPD portfolio.
About us
We are a people business - where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff, who are committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence and great customer care. The Trust has great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment. We offer all of this in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure. PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION WILL BE ELECTRONIC, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY. If you have any issues with applying online and need additional support including reasonable adjustments with the application process please contact the recruitment manager for this post who will put you in touch with the recruitment team. We recognise that work life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants around less than full time/flexible working for our advertised roles. Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss this prior to your application submission. We commit to giving this full consideration in each case. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, as diversity strengthens our teams. It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.
Job description Job responsibilities
1. Orthoptic Clinical Duties:
To take sole responsibility for the Orthoptic assessment, diagnosis and treatment of patients referred from outside agencies and to manage, using individual treatment plans, the associated amblyopia (non pathological vision loss) and other visual symptoms. This group of patients includes children with significant sight defects and requires a considerable degree of empathy and family support. In adults the diagnosis of acute onset ocular motility defects require a significantly high level of anatomical and neurological knowledge when there may be the need to make a differential diagnosis between clinical conditions.
To formulate, implement and monitor individualised management and treatment programmes using clinical reasoning and a wide range of treatment skills, for patients of all ages using advanced clinical reasoning and evidence based practise. Communicating effectively with patients, & / parents, & / carers those plans and to assess capacity and gain informed consent to those treatment plans.
To take sole responsibility to formulate relevant discharge plans and onward referral. This patient group comprises all cases of ocular motility defects and amblyopia (reduced vision with no pathological cause, which can only be treated before the age of 7-8 years), complex congenital and acquired cases, including neurological abnormalities, genetic disorders and associated ocular abnormalities.
To be responsible as an autonomous practitioner for the evaluation of visual acuity and visual behaviour in referrals from the specialist services. This includes infants with strabismus (squint) and amblyopia, congenital or developmental abnormalities, genetic referral, adult illiterates, children and adults with significant learning difficulties as well as acute ocular motility defects in both children and adults.
To assess patient results and act when they show new or change in existing clinical signs.
To work with and support the Consultant Ophthalmologist.
To perform appropriate Lees charts (documenting ocular motility disorders) and Fields of Binocular Single Vision (illustrating areas of single and double vision) of all patients, this requires highly specialist skills.
To perform auto-refraction and to be responsible for the maintenance and safe use of the Auto-refractor
To accurately assess spectacle prescriptions using automated and manual focimetry.
To be responsible as an autonomous practitioner, for the decision to instil drops for refraction tests, diagnostic and treatment purposes. To gain consent and instil drops when required and to advise patients/ carers of the side effects.
To liaise with the clerks assisting with the Orthoptic clinics.
To assess, diagnose and treat patients with special needs. This group of patients can often include assessment of non-seeing babies and specialist communication skills are needed in conveying this information to the parents / guardians.
To assess mentally and physically disabled patients, some of whom will present with very challenging behaviour e.g. physically / verbally abusive.
To assess eye movement disorders in patients from specialist clinics including Neurology, Maxillo-Facial, Endocrine and Casualty etc.
Where clinical signs and symptoms do not always fall into particular categories, and or where information is limited or unavailable the Orthoptist will be expected to determine the diagnosis, prognosis and management.
To liaise with the Head Orthoptist regarding problems arising from any Orthoptic treatment.
To undertake single-handed clinics at peripheral hospitals or clinics and to manage own workload.
To undertake pre and post-operative measurements of motility defects. Significant manual dexterity and speed will be required to ensure accurate results especially in infants and patient with special needs having eye surgery. Surgery will be based on the Orthoptic measurements.
To discuss surgical options with the surgeon.
To assist the surgeon in post-operative adjustable suture techniques. This requires accurate measurement to assist the surgeon with ocular alignment whilst the patient is under local anaesthesia.
To identify risks (pre, peri and post surgery) and to discuss these with the patient (parents/ carers) and surgeon.
To take the lead in the decision and timing of surgery. This requires an up to date knowledge of evidence based practise.
To assess patients post-operative outcome and modify treatment accordingly.
To liaise with the visual impairment service team and health professionals regarding the educational and social needs of patients and to impart specialist knowledge to these professionals.
To assess patient referral letters and triage appropriately for clinical urgency.
To work as part of a multi-disciplinary team consisting of Ophthalmologists, Optometrists, Orthoptists, Nurses, Paediatricians, and Advisors for the Visually Impaired and Clerks etc.
To liaise with social services in cases of suspected child abuse.
To assist and provide internal cover for colleagues during periods of annual leave, sickness and vacancies.
For further details please see the attached JD & PS
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
oTo possess a Batchelor of Science in Orthoptics BSc(Orth), BmedSci(Orth) and/ or a diploma from the British Orthoptic Council (DBO) oTo be registered with the HCPC
Desirable
oRelevant teaching/ Clinical Tutor qualification
Knowledge & Experience Essential
oTo demonstrate an interest in Ophthalmology oTo demonstrate an awareness and motivation towards Continued Professional Development (CPD)
Desirable
oTo have post graduate demonstrable experience in all aspects of clinical Orthoptics involving specialist services, paediatrics and neuro-ophthalmology etc oProven evidence of active participation in the departmental teaching programmes
Aptitude & Abilities Essential
oTo have good organisational and planning skills, well developed interpersonal and communication skills. Good presentation skills oTo be approachable and able to maintain a good rapport with colleagues and staff at all levels and act as a role model. oTo demonstrate the ability to deal tactfully and efficiently with patients and their carers
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.
Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details Employer name University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
Address Royal Eye Infirmary
Plymouth
PL6 8DX
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.plymouthhospitals.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)