Are you an experienced orthoptist ready to take the next step on the career ladder? Are you an innovative leader who thrives on service development? Then this may be the ideal post for you!

To be a highly competent, autonomous, knowledgeable and visible practitioner able to manage own clinical caseload and provide lead specialist expertise and training to others.

As the head orthoptist you will work with service managers in providing effective, professional leadership and direction for the orthoptist workforce. You will be supported and guided, working with colleagues in ophthalmology to deliver service and Health Board objectives, working effectively within the multidisciplinary team.

Main duties of the job

To work as a part of a multi-disciplinary team consisting of Ophthalmologists, Optometrists, Orthoptists, Nurses and Ophthalmology management team.

To be responsible for Orthoptic assessment, diagnosis and management of patient referred to the Orthoptic Department from various departments.

To provide operational, day to day management of the orthoptic team.

About us

Hywel Dda University Health Board is the planner and provider of NHS healthcare services for people in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire and its bordering counties. Our 12,000 members of staff provide primary, community, in-hospital, mental health and learning disabilities services for around 384,000 people across a quarter of the landmass of Wales. We do this in partnership with our three local authorities and public, private and third sector colleagues, including our volunteers, through:

Four main hospitals: Bronglais General in Aberystwyth, Glangwili General in Carmarthen, Prince Philip in Llanelli and Withybush General in Haverfordwest

Seven community hospitals: Amman Valley and Llandovery in Carmarthenshire Tregaron, Aberaeron and Cardigan in Ceredigion and Tenby and South Pembrokeshire Hospital Health and Social Care Resource Centre in Pembrokeshire

47 general practices (6 of which are managed practices), 45 dental practices (including 4 orthodontic), 96 community pharmacies, 44 general ophthalmic practices (43 providing Eye Health Examination Wales and 34 low vision services) and 17 domiciliary only providers and 11 health centres

Numerous locations providing mental health and learning disabilities services

Highly specialised and tertiary services commissioned by the Welsh Health Specialised Services Committee, a joint committee representing seven health boards across Wales.

Job description

Job responsibilities

You will be able to find a full job description and person specification attached within the supporting documents.

The Health Board is committed to supporting its staff to fully embrace the need for bilingualism thereby enhancing patient and service user experiences. In our commitment to increase the number of staff who are able to communicate in Welsh with patients and professionals, we welcome applications from Welsh speakers.

The ability to communicate in Welsh isdesirablefor this post. If you do not meet the Welsh Language requirements specified, the Health Board offers a variety of learning options and staff support to help you meet these minimal desirable requirements during the course of your employment with us.

Interviews will be held on 06/11/2024.

Person Specification

Qualifications and Knowledge

Essential

• Bachelor of Science in Orthoptics BSc (Orth) or Bmed Sci (Orthoptics) and or Diploma of the British Orthoptic Council
• Registered with the Health Professions Council
• Post graduate qualifications in area of clinical expertise or evidence of working at post grad Masters level
• Highly specialist knowledge of the investigation, diagnosis and management of orthoptic patients
• In depth knowledge of formulating, planning and co-ordinating specialist treatment plans involving complex facts and situations
• Specialist area of clinical expertise
• Knowledge of visual field testing techniques

Desirable

• Teaching and Assessing certificate
• Post graduate British and Irish Orthoptic Society Clinical Educators Course or British Orthoptic Society Clinical Demonstrators Course
• Health and Safety and Risk management
• Knowledge of lesson planning, teaching techniques and assessment methods
• Evidence of participation in audit and research in area of clinical expertise

Experience

Essential

• To have significant experience in all aspects of clinical Orthoptics
• Experience of organising and managing clinical workload
• Post registration experience in area of clinical expertise
• Teaching of healthcare professionals
• Work unsupervised and deal with own highly complex caseload
• Evidence of CPD
• Evidence based practice

Desirable

• To have experience in a leadership role - lead clinician for a service area
• Management experience
• Active participation in special interest group relevant to post
• Experience in policy implementation and service development
• Experience in undertaking audits
• Experience in risk management
• NHS management qualification or appropriate experiential learning

Language Skills

Desirable

• Welsh speaker (Level 1)

Employer details

Employer name

Hywel Dda University Health Board

Address

Glangwili General Hospital

Dolgwili Road

Carmarthen

SA31 2AF

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

100-AHP109-0924