Band 6 Specialist Orthoptist

Job summary

An opportunity has arisen to join the Ophthalmology Team at South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust as a Specialist Orthoptist. The Trust's main two hospital sites are Warwick Hospital and Stratford Hospital.

We have a team of 4 Orthoptists providing expert knowledge in the assessment of visual function and ocular motility disorders in all age groups. Your duties will include assessment and treatment of a wide variety of clinical conditions in both paediatric and adult clinics. We also provide secondary screening clinics. You may be required to carry out visual field assessments using the Goldmann perimeter. You must be able to work independently but also integrate well within the wider ophthalmology team.

The post is available immediately. For more information or to arrange a visit or to discuss any aspect of this post please make contact.

Main duties of the job

Please see the Job description and Person Specification in the attachments section on this page. This document contains a full detailed description of the role and what the main responsibilities and duties are, along with the criteria that are required for the role.

About us

Come and join a Trust rated Outstanding by the CQC. South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust have been rated as outstanding following our latest inspection by the CQC and we are recruiting new staff to come and help us improve even further. In addition our staff survey results have placed us 4th in the country for recommended place to work.

We provide services across Warwickshire and beyond ranging from Hospitals in Warwick, Stratford-Upon-Avon, Royal Leamington Spa and Shipston-on Stour to Community Services across the county. We are a progressive, expanding organisation with great ambition around improving quality, integrating pathways and delivering high levels of productivity.

Our values can be summed up in one sentence. We are 'Trusted to provide safe, inclusive, effective and compassionate care'. Throughout the recruitment process you will be asked to think about how you demonstrate these values and how they impact on your work. It doesn't matter what role you do, whether it is patient facing or not, we are all working in the same way with our values at the core.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Clinical and Professional: To take responsibility for the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of Orthoptic patients referred to the Eye Clinic as a member of the Orthoptic team, using current evidence based practice. This requires knowledge and interpretation of professional guidelines andincludes inpatients and outpatients attending the Orthoptic clinic and:

Patients with cerebral palsy, chromosomal abnormalities, benign intracranialhypertension, autism, learning difficulties, speech and language disorders,neurofibromatosis and referrals from the Special Care Baby Unit

Orthoptics of neurology, stroke and endocrine disorders, including Myasthenia Gravis,Thyroid Dysfunction, Diabetes, head injuries and maxillo-facial injuries

Pre- & Post-operative clinics

1. To ensure that each patient is seen professionally, efficiently and effectively2. To ensure that each patient receives the highest standard of care, takinginto account the interpretation of a broad range of specialised clinicaloptions, working as an autonomous practitioner3. To provide a specialist service that enables each patient to obtain the best visual function including: visual acuity, binocular vision, ocular movements and ocular cosmetic appearance as To determine the diagnosis, prognosis and management of Orthoptic cases where clinical signs and symptoms are highly complex, may be sensitive and emotive, and do not always fall into particular categories and/or where information is limited or unavailable and there may be significant barriers to acceptance and understanding5. To undertake pre- and post-operative measurements of motility defects.Significant hand-eye co-ordination, manual dexterity and speed will berequired, especially in infants, to ensure accurate results of eye surgery.Surgery is based on the Orthoptic measurements6. To identify risks from surgery, and to advise the patient (parents/carers)and surgeon of these risks providing patients with information to allow them to give informed consent7. To advise the Consultant Ophthalmologist in the decision and timing ofsurgery. This requires an up to date knowledge of evidence based To assess patients post-operative outcome and modify / implementtreatment To assist the surgeon with adjustable suture strabismus surgery. Thisrequires taking accurate measurements to assist the surgeon with ocularalignment while the patient is under local assess pre-verbal and/or mentally and physically disabled patients,some of whom will present with very challenging behaviour abusive.

contribute to the multidisciplinary Stroke Team, advising the patient and stroke team of visual findings, implementing treatment plans, and advising of how this will affect the patients overall rehabilitation. These patients frequently have highly complex ocular motility disorders, are frail and have communication difficulties. Their accurate diagnosis and treatment require highly developed participate in the provision of an effective Orthoptic-Led VisionScreening Programme through providing training and observation sessionsfor school screening personnel when participate in the delivery of Pre-School Orthoptic Secondary Screening in community clinics across the undertake assessment of visual fields using the Goldmann field liaise with the Head Orthoptist regarding any problems arising fromOrthoptic work flexibly and provide internal and cross-site cover for colleagueswhen required during periods of annual leave, sickness, vacancies attend appropriate training events, courses and lectures therebyextending and maintaining up to date knowledge and clinical maintain documentary evidence of Continuing ProfessionalDevelopment, attend and contribute to the departmental participate in research projects which the department may be involved with, recruiting and assessing patients in line with a research protocol and recording observe and maintain professional standards at all times usingadvanced theoretical and practical specialist knowledge, accumulated overa significant keep and maintain appropriate records at all times, ensuring that allpaperwork is filed promptly into in to case-notes in line with CNSTstandards, and to create and make use of databases where observe safe working practices and equipment procedures, andcomplying with legislative requirements under H&S regulations. Monitorstocks of consumables23.Respect patient and staff confidentiality at all with other departments within the hospital (for example the wards, other specialities, waiting list office, medical records, child healthdepartment and ophthalmic secretaries) to contribute to the efficient coordination of Orthoptic services with other disciplines.

undertake departmental clinical audit in line with service needs andstandards. To give presentations on the outcomes of these audits to asmall professional be aware of child protection issues and the procedure for reportingconcerns regarding a child and to follow this when indicated. Teaching and Development: 1. To assist in the teaching of Orthoptics to members of other professions, for example medical students and student nurses2. To provide support and advice to school and nursery nurses on mattersrelating to vision To participate in regional study days for Orthoptists when required. Communication: 1. To have excellent and highly developed communication skills with all staff, patients, and parents/ carers of To utilise a range of verbal and non-verbal mechanisms in the assessmentand communication of treatment plans to patients and parents / carers, inorder to progress visual improvement. This will include patients who mayhave difficulty in understanding, pre-verbal children, stroke victims,hearing impaired patients, and those with special needs / learning To be aware of barriers to communication and be able to overcome themeffectively. For example with the partially sighted, non-verbal infants,learning disabled patients, those with expressive language disorders(stroke patients), hearing impairments, or whose first language is To explain the details of (confidential) medical conditions which may behighly complex and sensitive, to gain acceptance for treatment, andmotivate or persuade patients/ parents to comply with treatmentprogrammes. This requires a holistic and tactful approach where patientsor parents have no knowledge of the ocular defects associated with aparticular medical condition, and / or have difficulty accepting the To communicate the initial actual or potential diagnosis which may be of adistressing nature requiring sensitive, careful explanation of highlycomplex information , either to the parent or carer of a child, or to an adultpatient

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

To possess Batchelor of Science in Orthoptics BSc(Orth) BMedSci (Orthoptics) or Diploma from British Orthoptic Council (DBO) To be registered with Health and Care Professions Council Continued Professional Development evidence Specialist training

Desirable

Membership of the British & Irish Orthoptic Society

Experience

Essential

Significant experience in all aspects of clinical Orthoptics such as paediatric and/or adult clinics, working autonomously and undertaking visual field assessment

Desirable

Experience undertaking and presenting audit experience of involvement with a vision screening programme experience of involvement in pre school Orthoptic secondary screening Previous experience of working with stroke patients

Skills

Essential

To demonstrate an interest in Ophthalmology and be willing to keep up to date with current literature, including evidence of CPD Good organisational and planning skills and well developed interpersonal and communication skills Good presentation skills To be able to work as part of a team or independently Ability to deal tactfully and efficiently with patients Understanding of and ability to maintain patient confidentiality

Desirable

IT skills - for information + communication including Powerpoint and Excel

Personal Qualities

Essential

Positive, proactive and enthusiastic attitude Works to high standards Flexible and adaptable to differing work patterns Good Communication abilities

Other

Essential

Ability to travel round the county to other clinics under own means

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