Head of Orthoptist

The role of the Head Orthoptist is to lead and co-ordinate the development and implementation of Orthoptic services, Ophthalmology diagnostic services and Paediatric Ophthalmology service for Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust and to manage a set budget in order to achieve this.

To support services within general Ophthalmology, such as medical contact lens service and post-operative cataract clinics.

To support the professional development, manage and be responsible for the welfare of 5 Senior Orthoptists, 3 advanced Optometrists, 2 orthoptic technicians and 3 clerical officers.

To provide clinical Orthoptic services as an autonomous practitioner. To diagnose, manage and treat adult and paediatric patients referred to the Orthoptic service.

To participate in orthoptic primary and secondary clinics as required.

To represent Orthoptics, Paediatric Ophthalmology and Ophthalmology at management & governance meetings within the Trust and the wider Black Country ICS

Key Responsibilities

Head Orthoptist Duties

To manage provision and delivery of Orthoptic and allied services in Walsall in the acute hospital and community settings.

To be responsible for service development complying with national and local policy, developing departmental policy and protocol.

To manage the budget for Orthoptic services including procurement

To undertake specialist clinical assessment of children referred with dyslexia and lead development of the service in conjunction with the designated Specialist Orthoptist

To assess, diagnose, treat and manage patients referred to the Orthoptic service in the acute unit and community settings and to develop effective treatment plans

Where appropriate, receive referrals from and make referrals to other health professionals, including Ophthalmologists, Optometrist and Paediatricians; other agencies, including educational support services for the visually impaired and social services rehabilitation teams.

To participate in primary and secondary vision screening programmes at locations determined by the Clinical lead for Orthoptic screening

Perform Visual Field testing on Humphrey & Goldmann perimeters on patients referred by ophthalmology or neurology specialties.

To demonstrate Orthoptics to other health professionals as required

Triage referrals made to the Orthoptic and Paediatric Ophthalmology services.

Walsall Healthcare is an integrated organisation providing services from the spectacular, light, airy, high-tech and ecologically friendly building. The landmark development, in Pleck Road, heralds a new dawn for healthcare in the town and brings all of the hospital’s services under one roof.

This new hospital comprises of State-of-the-art Outpatient, diagnostic and treatment facilities for short stay cases whilst the upgraded older building provides emergency care for emergency patients.

The Trust has a state of the art Palliative Care Centre which is the base for a wide range of palliative care and end of life services, working closely with St Giles Hospice who provide the beds on site for end of life care.

The Trust provides high quality community-based health services at a variety of health centres, GP surgeries and community locations across Walsall and community based multidisciplinary services, to support people to remain at home including rapid response and home based care.

Managerial

Be part of the divisional management team for Ophthalmology

Liaise with Divisional Director, commissioners and consultant medical staff to negotiate service level agreements for Orthoptic services within Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust as required.

To liaise with and give detailed medical information to all members of the Orthoptic team and other professions as necessary in order to establish a high quality co-ordinated service e.g. education, other health care professionals, GPs.

To manage a budget for the Orthoptic Department pay and non pay.

To organise and co-ordinate the provision of all Orthoptic and allied services in Walsall.

Be responsible for procurement of consumable supplies and capital equipment

Maintain an assets register for the Orthoptic Department at Walsall Manor Hospital.

To participate in the process of budget setting

**To manage Orthoptic and clerical staff including**:
Sickness and absence

Appraisal and staff development

Change management

Disciplinary matters

To recruit, select, retain and support Orthoptists and clerical staff.

To identify the information requirements for the eye service and ensure appropriate information systems are in place in line with Trust policy.

To support the Access Manager in achieving waiting list targets.