Head of Orthoptist

Job summary

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

Main duties of the job

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.

About us

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.

Job description

Job responsibilities

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 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 In conjunction with the Divisional Director and Head of Nursing develop bids to apply for funding to develop services in line with the business planning process for the Ophthalmology service, workforce development plans and national initiatives. 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. Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

DBO or BSc or BMedSci degree in Orthoptics (3year) Further education to masters degree level Registration with HCPC A minimum 5years post graduate experience Management qualification or equivalent management experience

Experience

Essential

5 years in a senior clinical / managerial position (at least 3 at band7) Clinical expertise within designated specialty Experience of leading a team including managing conflict, managing sickness /absence Experience of research/audit and bench marking Experience of management of clinical incidents and complaints Experience in identifying education and training needs of staff Experience in the management of human and financial resources

Knowledge & Skills

Essential

Articulates understanding of the functions of the HCPC Code of Professional Conduct and its application to Clinical Practice Articulates understanding of relevant Orthoptic research and its application to practice Be aware of Current NHS Policies including National Service Frameworks. NICE guidelines and the service improvement agenda Have an understanding of risk management issues including Health & Safety, clinical risk management and quality issues. Be able to contribute to clinical governance for Orthoptics and Ophthalmology Excellent managerial, leadership and organisational skills including report writing, presentation skills and time management Able to problem solve and initiate change Able to work across professional and organisational boundaries Negotiation /facilitation skills Able to deal with difficult and complex situations Strong analytical skills and ability to consider bigger picture Able to manage several demanding agendas simultaneously Interviewing and appraisal skills Able to work autonomously Able to deal with any media enquiries relative to specialty in line with Trust protocols

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