An exciting opportunity exists for an Optometrist to join our current team working within the Ophthalmology Department.

The optometry service undertakes a wide range of co-management clinics in support of the Ophthalmology Service. This includes the independent assessment and co-management of patients in the following areas: glaucoma, cataract, diabetic eye disease, macular diseases, cornea and acute referral. Other core optometry services, including paediatric refraction and corneal topography, are also central to the service.

We are looking for a highly motivated, friendly and enthusiastic individual who is able to work as part of a wider team in the delivery of a range of comprehensive optometric services. This is an exciting opportunity for the successful candidate to further develop their specialist skills and to support the services currently provided by hospital optometrists to the Ophthalmology Department as a whole.

Main duties of the job

The successful candidate will be involved in a range of specialist and core optometric clinics. The post requires flexibility of working patterns and clinical involvement, as and when the service requires. This may include working at sites across the Trust, including, but not exclusive to the Bradford Macula Centre (BMC), which is at the Trinity Centre, Trinity Road, BD5 0JD, and at the Ophthalmology Dept at Bradford Royal Infirmary.

The principle areas of specialist involvement are as follows:

• The Bradford Macula Centre provides a busy service for the treatment of patients with wet ARMD and macular oedema due to vein occlusions and diabetic retinopathy.
• There has been a long history of optometry co-management clinics with an ever increasing case load, which has necessitated expansion in this service. Areas include glaucoma, diabetic eye disease, acute referral clinic, cataract assessment and cataract post-operative review.
• In recent years we have introduced a model of virtual clinics for monitoring of stable diabetic retinopathy, stable glaucoma and stable macula patients. The optometry team shares responsibility for the clinical reporting of the images and measures obtained and the on-going management of patients
• The corneal monitoring clinic (CMC) requires the monitoring of patients with keratoconus and other corneal conditions.
• Core optometry skills in specialist refraction, paediatric cycloplegic refraction and fundoscopy, corneal topography, etc.

About us

Our People Charter outlines the behaviours we can expect from one another and what you can expect from Bradford Teaching Hospitals Foundation Trust:

• We value people
• We are one team
• We care

We're keen to meet people who share these values and are passionate about delivering the highest quality of care to our patients.

Job description

Job responsibilities

JOB PURPOSE

To work closely with the line manager in order to deliver a comprehensive range of optometric services to the highest standards of quality and care.

Participation in the delivery of highly complex specialist optometric services and a comprehensive range of core optometric services that meet the changing needs of the Directorate and other outside agencies.

To provide teaching and training at post graduate level for multiple disciplines within ophthalmology.

PRIMARY DUTIES & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

Clinical

• To undertake clinical services involving advanced optometric extended roles, in the fields of medical retina/macula, cornea/keratoconus and post-operative cataract care. An extensive personal clinical commitment to these services is required.
• Involvement in other optometry sub-specialty clinical services as the service requires, e.g. glaucoma, diabetic eye disease, new cataract assessments.
• Involvement in other optometry core services, including paediatric refraction and fundoscopy, corneal topography and refraction.
• Potential participation (i.e. clinical decision making and reporting) in virtual clinics for monitoring of stable diabetic retinopathy, stable glaucoma and macular patients.
• Extended role clinical activities require highly developed skills involving both precision and speed, where significant levels of hand eye and sensory co-ordination are essential. This often involves working in certain restricted positions/ posture that cannot easily be changed.
• Successful candidate would offer a number of these extended roles that fits with service needs and individual job plan will be drawn up within 3 months of appointment.

Managerial

• To work closely with the line manager to ensure professional standards are achieved and maintained at all times, for the provision of highest quality hospital optometry services.
• To contribute to the planning and organisation of a broad range of complex activities, some of which may be on going, which require regular review.
• Management of certain aspects of the departmental information and information systems as delegated by the line manager to ensure the accurate collection of appropriate data within the Department.
• To work closely with the line manager in order to implement and encourage best practice wherever possible. The post holder is guided by principles and broad occupational policies, regulations and guidance provided by the line manager.
• To work closely with the line manager in developing professional clinical performance and audit these on a regular basis.
• To maintain harmonious working relationships and efficient communication with all staff throughout the Directorate, Trust and outside agencies.
• Responsibility to ensure that the Department abides by all Trust corporate policies and that all Health and Safety and COSHH regulations are complied with.
• To supply accurate information to the line manager when requested in order to deal with complaints at a departmental level.

Teaching and training

• To undertake teaching and training of registered optometrists, pre-registration optometrists (including external students), final year optometry students, orthoptic students and medical students.
• To undertake optometric training of post graduate medical staff (i.e. Specialty Registrars) in preparation for The Royal College of Ophthalmologists examinations.
• To participate in continuing education and training (CET), continuing professional development (CPD) and mandatory training as required by The General Optical Council (GOC) and the Trust.

Clinical Governance and Clinical Audit

• To undertake systematic and critical analysis of the quality of care in the Optometry Department (including diagnosis, treatment, outcomes and quality of life for patients) as delegated by the line manager.
• To participate in clinical audit and contribute to collaborative undertakings with other departments providing ophthalmology services.

Delegated duties

To undertake delegated duties from the line manager commensurate with this post, following discussion with the post holder.

Research

To participate in on-going clinical trials in collaboration with other medical and research staff if needed.

If required, to participate and help develop original research projects in the department with Bradford Ophthalmology Research Network and local universities.

External commitments

To undertake delegated collaborative work with outside agencies as required.

Professional Registration

Where the post holder holds a professional qualification they will be required to

• Maintain their own professional status and registration where appropriate.
• Work within the professional regulations set by the relevant Professional Body.

COMMUNICATION & WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

Good communication and working relationships is essential with the Ophthalmology Department team as a whole.

In addition, regular feedback will be required to the Head Optometrist, with whom the post-holder will be subject to annual appraisal.

Attendance at Ophthalmology Quality and Safety meetings and departmental teaching events will be required.

SPECIAL WORKING CONDITIONS

The clinical demands of the role require frequent, prolonged periods of intense concentration and frequent exposure to distressing or emotional circumstances, including decision making, patient counselling and the need to impart distressing news. Exposure to patients with poor personal hygiene is a regular occurrence. Highly developed skills involving both precision and speed, with significant levels of hand-eye and sensory co-ordination, are essential. This often involves working in certain restricted positions/posture that cannot easily be changed.

The post holder will be required to travel between Trust and external sites during working hours for attendance at clinics, meetings, etc.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• BSc(Hons) Optometry
• GOC Registered
• A willingness to undergo training to carry out the job including advanced clinical practitioner skills and decision making

Desirable

• Independent Prescriber
• Professional post-graduate specialist qualification(s) relevant to job plan (e.g. College of Optometrists higher diplomas

Skills

Essential

• God verbal and written command of English
• Effective listening, communication and interpersonal skills with perticularly good sympathetic manner with patients
• Ability to work as a team

Experience

Essential

• Relevant practical experience

Desirable

• Previous eye hospital experience including specialist clinics

Other requirements

Essential

• Willingness to be flexible in working hours, e.g. when clinics run over
• Able to fulfil occupational health requirements for the post (with reasonable adjustments, if necessary)

Knowledge

Essential

• Understanding of Information Governance and confidentiality
• Understanding of equality and diversity issues and how this affects patients, visitors and staff
• Understanding of what the NHS constitution means to you and your resonsibilities to the public, patients and colleagues
• Broad theoretical knowledge of ocular pathology and current treatment options, particularly in the acute setting

Employer details

Employer name

Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Bradford Teaching Hospitals

Duckworth Lane

Bradford

BD9 6RJ

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

389-23-5863530