Specialist Optometrist

Job summary

Due to maternity leave we have an opportunity for a dedicated, motivated and enthusiastic optometrist to join our friendly team.

Previous hospital experience and independent prescribing is desirable, however we welcome newly qualified Optometrists. Banding will be dependent on experience and successful completion of competencies.

Training and support will be provided to develop roles, which will include a wide range of extended scope, such as paediatrics, low vision, post op cataract care, glaucoma. However, there may be opportunities to attend other specialities.

Main duties of the job

o To work within the multi-disciplinary team working autonomously as an optometrist, managing a wide and complex clinical caseload.

o To be part of the specialist orthoptist / optometry team.

o To provide a high quality and comprehensive optometry care.

o Optometrist extended role to mainly include eye casualty and depending on service needs training will be provided in other areas of Optometry and Ophthalmology.

o To ensure, individually and as part of the team, the effective and efficient running of the orthoptic /optometry and ophthalmology service.

o To work within the multi-disciplinary team working autonomously as an optometrist managing a wide and complex clinical caseload.

o To provide high quality evidence based optometry care to diagnose, plan, implement and monitor treatment.

o To teach orthoptic and ophthalmic colleagues.

o Working collaboratively to ensure the effective and efficient running of the ophthalmology service.

o To continually audit the optometry service.

About us

King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of the UK's largest and busiest teaching Trusts with a turnover of c£1 billion, million patient contacts a year and more than 15,000 staff based across South East London. The Trust provides a full range of local and specialist services across its five sites. The trust-wide strategy of Strong Roots, Global Reachis our Vision to be BOLD, Brilliant people, Outstanding care, Leaders in Research, Innovation and Education, Diversity, Equality and Inclusion at the heart of everything we do. By being person-centred, digitally-enabled, and focused on sustainability, we aim to take Team King's to another level.

We are at a pivotal point in our history and we require individuals who are ready to join a highly professional team and make a real, lasting difference to our patients and our people.

King's is committed to delivering Sustainable Healthcare for All via our Green Plan. In line with national Greener NHS ambitions, we have set net zero carbon targets of 2040 for our NHS Carbon Footprint and 2045 for our NHS Carbon Footprint Plus. Everyone's contribution is required in order to meet the goals set out in our Green Plan and we encourage all staff to work responsibly, minimising their contributions to the Trust's carbon emissions, waste and pollution wherever possible.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Clinical Responsibilities

To be involved in the following highly specialist clinics:

Contact lens

Cornea.

Paediatric.

Medical retina.

Research.

Low visual aids.

To co-ordinate clinics ensure patients are given appropriate checks:

Adult refraction, paediatric objective refraction.

Visual function (visual acuity, colour vision, contrast sensitivity, binocular function).

Assessment of eye movements, lid and pupils.

Tonometry (Goldmann, ICare, Reichart) and pacymetry.

Advanced imaging ( swollen discs, pupilometry).

Work as an autonomous practitioner in a single-handed capacity without supervision.

To undertake highly skilled, specialist and extended roles.

To take sole responsibility for the assessment of your workload which will cover a wide, varied and complex patient group.

To be responsible for the prioritising appropriate onward referral of patients.

To conclude a diagnosis, supported by sound investigative techniques using problem solving and advanced analytical skills

To develop treatment plans for individual patients (orthoptic, ophthalmic, optical and surgical).

To provide advice and support to patients and relatives regarding visual problems.

To assess patients pre-operatively and discuss with the ophthalmologist the need for surgical intervention, the timing of surgery, risks and benefits, the type of surgery and alternative treatments.

To assess patients post-operatively and carry out the appropriate treatment.

To discharge patients or organise appropriate onward referral for their on-going care.

At all times to observe safe working practices and equipment procedures that comply with legislative requirements and health and safety regulations.

Dispenses medication using patient specific directions.

To deal with accidents untoward occurrences and complaints according to accepted procedure.

To ensure the safety of patients, visitors and staff and report all outpatient hazards.

To respect patients privacy, dignity, gender, sexuality and have due regard to patients cultural and religious beliefs.

Administrative Responsibilities

To take responsibility for all administrative paperwork ensuring it is kept in order and up to date. Follow-up appointments should be made and sent as appropriate.

Undertake general clerical duties and clinical queries (appointments, filing etc).

To deal with telephone queries and make appropriate decisions on limited information.

To maintain the integrity of computerised patient appointment systems, inputting data accurately and ensuring proper storage, back up and retrieval of information.

Ensure all patient episodes, including coding appropriate activity is recorded.

Communication and Representation

To write appropriate patient records and hospital case notes.

To liaise with other members of the multidisciplinary team. Ensure information regarding treatment, outcomes, diagnosis and discharge summaries are appropriately communicated.

Liaise with the referrer, the on-call ophthalmologist or early referral service regarding onward care of the patient.

Liaise with other departments (including admissions, medical records and wards) ensuring effective and efficient communication and work practices.

To work with the community visual impairment team to ensure all patients access the appropriate services.

Deal with patients in a sensitive manner and act with empathy, tact and understanding with their needs especially those with highly complex medical and ophthalmological conditions.

To be sensitive to patients cultural identity and overcome language and other barriers to understanding ( hearing or visual impairment, learning difficulties).

To actively participate and positively contribute to departmental meetings, discussing the operational aspects of the department and set agreed standards for care.

Education and Training

Mentor junior members of the team and new starters, leading by example supporting others within the wider ophthalmic team

To support competency based learning objectives for ophthalmic technicians (including perimetry, imaging and tonometry).

To give clear, informative and well presented practical demonstrations and theoretical talks to colleagues, undergraduate orthoptists, ophthalmologists, medical students, optometrists and primary care practitioners.

Research and Service Development

To collaborate with research leads over recruitment to studies.

To assess research participants according to protocol and good clinical practice guidelines.

To support the delivery of the service facilitating the use of clinical governance and development of competencies.

Forecast clinical demand, triage clinics to manage demand and capacity.

Management of the patients journey through the clinic.

To maintain and develop guidelines on the extended care.

To effectively manage your annual leave.

To actively participate and positively contribute to the senior leadership team regarding the operational aspects of Optical Services.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

Optometry Degree Registration with General Optical Council Relevant post-graduate study

Desirable

Independent prescribing qualification

Knowledge & Experience

Essential

Post graduate experience with evidence of role extension. Evidence of appropriate knowledge base and CPD. Mentoring junior staff Teaching experience and skills

Desirable

Working within MECS Paediatric Refraction (cycloplegic and subjective Refraction) Hospital experience Complex Contact Lens fitting and management.

Skills and Competencies

Essential

Able to manage own workload and use own initiative. Ability to work independently or as part of a team. Able to organise and prioritise workload, managing time effectively and deliver within agreed timescales. Self-motivated with a flexible approach to working practice, evidence of responding to service needs. Excellent presentation skills. Able to foster good relationships with colleagues and all patients.

Desirable

Understands the importance of safeguarding, especially children and vulnerable adults.

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