About this role
Job summary
Band 5 Orthoptist - 12 Months Fixed Term
Blackpool Orthoptic Department is looking for a highly motivated and enthusiastic Orthoptist to join the Orthoptic team/ Hospital Eye Service at Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, based at Blackpool Victoria Hospital (BTH).
This position would not be suitable for a newly qualified Orthoptist. If you already work at BTH then you would have to get permission from your existing Manager to apply for this role as a secondment.
You will assist in the provision of a high quality and comprehensive, Orthoptic service in the ophthalmology department. You will become part of a friendly, well organised, and motivated team consisting of 9 Orthoptists, 3 optometrists and 6 Ophthalmic Technicians.
The trust employs 8 Consultant Ophthalmologists, including one Consultant specialising in Paediatric Ophthalmology and Adult Ocular Motility.
You will need to be a good communicator with excellent people skills. You will encounter patients of all ages with a variety of problems and abilities.
Hours: 37.5 per week
For further information and/or informal visit please contact Conrad Beacham on 01253 953457 or email
Main duties of the job
To provide high quality, comprehensive and highly specialised orthoptic services for the Trust within the Ophthalmology directorate and provide the service/support to other directorates as requested.
Undertake specific roles agreed with the Head Orthoptist.
To be involved in managing own clinic workload and support other staff within the department.
To assess, diagnose and manage all cases of ocular motility defects and provide specialist advice to consultants and other health professionals.
About us
Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is situated on the west coast of Lancashire, with services covering the local authority areas of Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre. The Trust is part of the Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care System (ICS) supporting a population of around 1.6 million people.
We have three main hospitals providing acute services to around 330,000 local residents. The organisation also provides specialist tertiary care for cardiac and haematology services, delivers community health services to over 445,000 residents including those in North Lancashire and hosts the National Artificial Eye Service across England. Plus, we provide urgent and emergency care services to an estimated 18 million people who visit the seaside resort each year. We employ over 7000 people from 68 different countries.
We welcome and encourage application from anyone with protected characteristics, as well as supporting reservists and Veterans who are looking for a rewarding and challenging career within the NHS.
Blackpool Teaching Hospitals encourages flexible working in all our roles to support staff in maintaining healthy home-life balance. Working patterns such as: part time working, self-rostering, compressed hours, annualised hours, term time, reverse term time and flexitime working can be explored.
Job description Job responsibilities
Clinical:
To manage own Orthoptic case load being independently responsible for assessing, planning, and monitoring treatment in a wide range of complex conditions, using evidence-based practice. To provide the orthoptic service as part of a multi-disciplinary team with consultants, optometrists, health visitors and other health professionals. To provide expertise for clinical colleagues from other specialities, such as, maxillo-facial, accident and emergency, neurology, and endocrinology. Use a high level of anatomical and neurological knowledge to formulate accurate diagnoses, prognoses, and multidisciplinary discharge plans as necessary. To perform a comprehensive range of relevant investigative and diagnostic orthoptic procedures including taking a detailed and complete history. To produce individualised treatment plans as an autonomous practitioner using advanced clinical reasoning and clinical experience of a wide range of treatment, for patients of all ages, whether inpatients or outpatients. Communicate effectively using a broad range of verbal and non-verbal communication mechanisms to overcome barriers of understanding with patients, parents, and carers to gain informed consent, and to assess if treatment e.g., amblyopia intervention, is being understood and adhered to. To motivate patients to ensure continued treatment compliance, to modify treatment plans when necessary to achieve the best clinical outcome. 7. To take the lead in arranging for individual patients to discuss the decision and timing of surgery.
To undertake pre-operative and postoperative measurements of motility defects and to discuss surgical options and treatment plans with the surgeon. Analyse and discuss post-operative risks with patients, parent/carer, and surgeon. Modify treatment plans post-operatively if required. To assist the surgeon in post-operative adjustable sutures. To have high levels of manual dexterity, speed, and concentration to ensure accurate orthoptic examination results, especially in infants who will be having eye surgery. To have good hand-eye co-ordination and be proficient when using Orthoptic/ophthalmic equipment. Accurately assess patients glasses prescriptions using manual and automated focimeters. To perform Visual Field tests on the Humphrey Visual Field Analyser and interpret the results when required to do so. To be responsible as an autonomous practitioner for the decision to instil eye drops under patient group directions, for refraction test and diagnostic purposes, and to give advice of side effects. To assess patients with learning disabilities, adapting communication skills and examination technique, where necessary. To take part in the visual and vision screening service offered to children. Accurately diagnose vision problems and make appropriate referrals. To be involved in the triage of new patient referrals prioritising urgent referrals as required and allocating appropriate appointments. Maintain accurate patient records in the patient file or Medisight, recording diagnosis and management plans and provide summary letters to optometrists, G. Ps, or other relevant professionals in a timely manner. To participate in teaching of other health professionals when required.
Managerial:
To be responsible for managing own clinical case load and appropriately deal with any administrative tasks arising from this in a timely manner. To provide administrative and basic managerial duties associated with the day-to-day functioning of the Orthoptic service, particularly in the absence of the Head Orthoptist To be responsible for managing designated community clinics, and to determine and action appropriate outcomes for every child seen, including appointment management and discharge plans. To provide support for SEN Special School Screening as directed by the SEN Lead Orthoptist including associated administrative duties. Ensure effective and efficient use of physical resources, making recommendations regarding equipment and supplies. To ensure clinical equipment and work areas are well maintained, cleaned regularly, and ensure all clinical equipment is stored appropriately. To take part in the appraisal process, and action personal development plans. To demonstrate own clinical practice to other professionals e.g., paediatric SHOs GP trainees and pre registered optometrists. To regularly attend and actively participate in staff meetings, in-house training programmes, journal clubs and presentations at other clinical meetings when requested, recording continuing professional development. To keep up to date with research and new developments in Orthoptics to enable best clinical practice. Undertake reflective practice. Regularly participate in clinical and non-clinical audit including the timely submission of monthly statistics related to capacity and demand. Regularly communicate with medical, optometry, nursing, other health professionals and clerical staff to maintain a high level of patient care, especially in cases where the Orthoptic treatment plan requires adaptation. To be involved in the development and instigation of new protocols within the department/directorate and contribute to the planning and development of Orthoptic services. Develop and update relevant patient information including service user feedback. To act as a role model for the department, exhibiting professional behaviour and treating all staff with dignity and respect. Adhere to trust and departmental policies and procedures. To help promote the Orthoptic profession both within the Trust and to external partners. To Maintain own HCPC registration.
Person Specification
Education and Qualification Essential
Degree in Orthoptics or equivalent. Registration with Health Professions Council Evidence of continuous professional development Full Driving License and access to a car for community clinics
Skills and Ability Essential
Ability to communicate effectively with patients and other health professionals. Effective time management with an ability to prioritise patient workload. Self-motivated Responsible and reliable attitude to work. Ability to work under pressure and to be flexible. Good attendance record Good manual dexterity to perform accurate Orthoptic examination. Empathetic, kind, and respectful. Good I.T skills
Experience and Knowledge Essential
Ability to work as an autonomous practitioner to assess Orthoptic patient conditions, establish a diagnosis and formulate treatment plans To have up to date knowledge of evidence-based practice. Previous employment working in an Orthoptic Department
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 Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Address The Orthoptic Department, Blackpool Victoria Hospital.
Whinney Heys Road
Blackpool
FY3 8NR
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.blackpoolteachinghospitals.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)