An exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic and self-motivated 0.55 wte Band 7 Advanced Orthoptist (fixed term contract 9 months to cover maternity leave) - with excellent interpersonal skills, to join our friendly innovative team based at the Royal Stoke University Hospital (RSUH). Services are provided at RSUH, County Hospital, community outreach clinics and orthoptic led vision screening.

Our department is very proactive and we are always looking improve the service offered to our patients. Some of our specialist orthoptic services are: stroke, neuro-ophthalmology, TED, Botox, SEN, disc/IIH assessment (for which we recently won the Improving Together prize at our staff awards).

The post holder will work alongside 12 orthoptists, 1 orthoptic assistant, 3 clerical staff and will work closely with 2 paediatric Consultant Ophthalmologists - as well as 10 other consultant ophthalmologists.

Main duties of the job

• To provide an extended specialist role as lead Orthoptist for neuro ophthalmology and adult strabismus.
• To undertake a clinical leadership role that will require advanced specialist knowledge within this discipline.
• To help to develop staff working in this domain.
• To be responsible for writing and reviewing policies within this service domain.
• To use advanced clinical reasoning and advanced clinical communication to assess, diagnose and manage patients referred to the Orthoptic Department including in-patients and out-patients. This includes new and follow-up patients as well as onward referral and safe discharge. Patients may have complex neurological conditions and complex ocular motility disorders. This needs specialist skills based on clinical and analytic reasoning and using evidence based practice.
• To actively teach Orthoptics to medical and non-medical personnel and participate in the clinical supervision of Orthoptic undergraduate students, contributing towards their assessments.

About us

University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust is one of the largest and most modern in the country. We serve around three million people and we're highly regarded for our facilities, teaching and research. The Trust has around 1,450 inpatient beds across two sites in Stoke-on-Trent and Stafford. Our 11,000 strong workforce provide emergency treatment, planned operations and medical care from Royal Stoke University Hospital and County Hospital in Stafford.

We are the specialist centre for major trauma for the North Midlands and North Wales. We have put together a wide range of development packages aimed at ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to fulfil their potential. Our goal is to be a world-class centre of achievement, where patients receive the highest standards of care and the best people come to learn, work and research.

Investing in the health and wellbeing of our staff is really important to us. We offer a range of options for our staff to help maintain a good work-life balance including full time, part time hours and bank hours. We are also committed to offering flexible working wherever we can and where relevant to the role and the service, agile working. You can select your preferences upon application.

Job description

Job responsibilities

For further information on this vacancy, please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification or contact the Hiring Manager.

Person Specification

Education and qualifications

Essential

• orthoptic degree or equivalent professional qualification
• registration with the HCPC
• clinical tutor qualification

Desirable

• Masters level qualifications/modules

Experience

Essential

• Experience in all aspects of clinical orthoptics for 5 years
• Evidence of clinical development
• Experience of completing student assessments
• Experience undertaking and presenting audits/case studies

Desirable

• Member of BIOS CAG e.g. Stroke

Skills ability and knowledge

Essential

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

Personal qualities

Essential

• Professional manner
• Enthusiastic
• Conscientious
• Able to work on own and as part of a team
• good time management

Employer details

Employer name

University Hospital of North Midlands NHS Trust

Address

Royal Stoke University Hospital

Newcastle Road

Stoke on Trent

ST4 6QG

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

205-6514700