Slit Lamp Examiner

**Company Description**
Come join us and make a difference in the world

**Overview**
- To be responsible for the provision of a Slit Lamp Biomicroscopy Screening Service as an autonomous practitioner.
- To undertake Slit Lamp Biomicroscopy clinics in community locations using advanced clinical techniques to look for and diagnose the signs of Diabetic Retinopathy along with any incidental findings of non-Diabetic related eye disease.
- To provide a comprehensive range of core Optometric services to support the SWL DESP within a framework agreed by the Lead clinician, Lead Ophthalmologist, and the Programme Manager.
- To participate in departmental audit, MDT, and research as required.
- To provide teaching and training opportunities at postgraduate level for multiple disciplines within Diabetic Retinopathy.

**KEY RELATIONSHIPS**:

- Clinical Lead
- Programme Manage
- Team Leaders
- Retinal Screener/Graders
- GP’s
- Administration staff

**Principle Responsibilities**:

- To provide highly specialised advice contributing to the identification diagnosis and management of Diabetic Retinopathy within the cohort of patients and to provide education about the condition.
- To manage clinics in a variety of community-based settings, which may include transport of equipment to and from clinics. Setting up and stripping down of equipment. Recording of findings and synchronising data from clinics with the main database.
- To record the outcomes of the patient encounters using nationally approved RxMx grading criteria and where appropriate ensure the correct referral pathway for each patient.
- To work within and take responsibility for failsafe activities undertaken in line with the NEC Care duties, failsafe policies, and standard operating procedures.
- Where applicable identify risks to patient well-being and ensure actions are taken to identify, report, and rectify any issues. The post holder may be asked to develop policies or operating procedures to govern the failsafe outcomes for specific actions or issues if required.
- To work alongside the Clinical Lead, Programme Manager, Team Leaders, Screener/Graders, and Administration Staff in the delivery of community-based diabetic eye screening services.
- As an autonomous practitioner be legally and professionally responsible and accountable for the management of patients in your care and to keep accurate and contemporaneous records.
- To maintain a high standard of clinical record keeping, in keeping with departmental, legal, and national standards. To be fully conversant and compliant with Data Protection Act, Access to Health Records Act and NEC policies in relation to confidential data.
- To liaise with and give detailed medical information to Consultant Ophthalmologists, GPs, and patients as necessary to establish a high-quality co-ordinated service.
- To utilise the NEC Care diabetic eye screening software (OptoMize) safety to ensure patients are on the correct pathways, information is accurate, and all necessary failsafe procedures are adhered to.
- To complete a minimum of 500 SLB examinations per year (national guidance is at least 100).
- To comply with the Re-accreditation process to be carried out as required by the Clinical Lead (national guidance minimum every 3 years).

**Key responsibilities**
- Management of own case load, time management and maintaining flexibility
- Delegated responsibility by the line manager for the management, supervision, and administration of certain activities within the department.
- To participate in and maintain a high level of grading accuracy during live grading, this will include the achievement of high sensitivity and specificity scores.
- Contribute to delivering income generation and cost improvement programs.
- To work closely with professional colleagues in developing professional clinical performance and audit these.
- To supply accurate information to the line manager when requested to deal with complaints at a departmental level.
- To liaise with the Line Manager regarding any problems with service delivery or patient care.
- To contribute to operational planning of the department.
- To maintain harmonious working relationships and efficient communication with all staff throughout NEC Care, centralised services, stake holders and outside agencies.
- To be aware of and comply with all Trust and Departmental policies and standards and work to agreed protocols.
- To ensure all statutory and mandatory requirements are up to date.
- To contribute to and where appropriate lead and develop teaching and training principles for the programme.
- To participate in annual Individual Development Review and to establish and maintain a Personal Development Plan to ensure there is ongoing enhancement and development of clinical knowledge and expertise to undertake specialist roles.

**Training and quality assurance**
- To undertake initial training as required ensuring compliance with “National Slit Lamp Biomicrosocopy (