Band 5/6 Orthoptist - depending on experience'

We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated Orthoptist to join our friendly team, to work within our multi-disciplinary eye unit. The post will be based at the Royal Eye Infirmary (University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust) and will also include working at a number of clinics in the community.

We are shortly due to relocate to a purpose built Ophthalmology Centre comprising fully equipped orthoptic rooms, outpatients with dedicated paediatric suite, theatres, urgent care and in-house dispensing opticians.

***Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as 'Priority' and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon who are able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification.***

Main duties of the job

The post covers a varied Orthoptic caseload comprising of paediatric and adult patients. The department receives referrals from a number of departments within the Trust.

The Orthoptic department is a centre of excellence for delivering dedicated nystagmus/ complex ocular motility clinics in conjunction with Professor Chris Harris (Professor of Neuroscience).

The department is an accredited training centre for undergraduate orthoptists. Experience supervising orthoptic students on placement is desirable. A willingness to participate in clinical supervision of students is essential and you will be supported to gain a relevant clinical tutor qualification.

The applicant will be supported in professional development.

The post would suit an Orthoptist with demonstrable experience. The applicant will hold a degree or diploma in Orthoptics and be registered with the HCPC. The applicant must be prepared to participate in community clinics. Newly qualified orthoptists will be considered and appointed at band 5 initially progression to band 6 would be expected after 18 months (subject to the applicant's development). Newly qualified orthoptists will be fully supported through the BIOS (British and Irish Orthoptic Society) preceptorship scheme.

About us

We are a people business - where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff, who are committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence and great customer care. The Trust has great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment. We offer all of this in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure. PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION WILL BE ELECTRONIC, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY. If you have any issues with applying online and need additional support including reasonable adjustments with the application process please contact the recruitment team on 01752 432100. We recognise that work life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants around less than full time/flexible working for our advertised roles. Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss this prior to your application submission. We commit to giving this full consideration in each case. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, as diversity strengthens our teams. It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Orthoptic Clinical Duties:

• To take sole responsibility for the Orthoptic assessment, diagnosis and treatment of patients referred from outside agencies and to manage, using individual treatment plans, the associated amblyopia (non pathological vision loss) and other visual symptoms. This group of patients includes children with significant sight defects and requires a considerable degree of empathy and family support. In adults the diagnosis of acute onset ocular motility defects require a significantly high level of anatomical and neurological knowledge when there may be the need to make a differential diagnosis between clinical conditions.

• To formulate, implement and monitor individualised management and treatment programmes using clinical reasoning and a wide range of treatment skills, for patients of all ages using advanced clinical reasoning and evidence based practise. Communicating effectively with patients, & / parents, & / carers those plans and to assess capacity and gain informed consent to those treatment plans.

• To take sole responsibility to formulate relevant discharge plans and onward referral. This patient group comprises all cases of ocular motility defects and amblyopia (reduced vision with no pathological cause, which can only be treated before the age of 7-8 years), complex congenital and acquired cases, including neurological abnormalities, genetic disorders and associated ocular abnormalities.

• To be responsible as an autonomous practitioner for the evaluation of visual acuity and visual behaviour in referrals from the specialist services. This includes infants with strabismus (squint) and amblyopia, congenital or developmental abnormalities, genetic referral, adult illiterates, children and adults with significant learning difficulties as well as acute ocular motility defects in both children and adults.

• To assess patient results and act when they show new or change in existing clinical signs.

• To work with and support the Consultant Ophthalmologist.

Person Specification

Knowledge & Experience

Essential

• To demonstrate an interest in Ophthalmology
• To demonstrate an awareness and motivation towards Continued Professional Development (CPD)

Desirable

• Proven post graduate demonstrable experience in all aspects of clinical Orthoptics involving specialist services, paediatrics and neuro-ophthalmology etc

Qualifications

Essential

• To possess a Batchelor of Science in Orthoptics BSc(Orth), BmedSci(Orth) and/ or a diploma from the British Orthoptic Council (DBO)
• HCPC Registration

Desirable

• Relevant teaching/ Clinical Tutor qualification

Aptitude & Abilities

Essential

• Good organisational and planning skills
• Well developed interpersonal and communication skills

Employer details

Employer name

University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust

Address

Derriford

Plymouth

PL6 8DH

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

216-CB-S5079437-C