We are looking to appoint a Principal Optometrist to provide a highly qualified specialist optometry service to patients across Hywel Dda as an independent prescriber / advanced clinical optometrist in paediatric ophthalmology and medical retina specialties with the ability to work in other sub-specialities of ophthalmology if required.

Successful applicants will be fully engaged with the department, contributing to team development and clinical service delivery, through high quality supervision and teaching.

Main duties of the job

Responsible for the day to day management of the optometry and orthoptic team.

Provide effective professional leadership and direction for the optometry and orthoptic workforce and wider department team.

As an advanced clinical practitioner, work autonomously to ensure delivery of a high quality Optometry and Orthoptic services for the Health Board.

Manage change whilst delivering cost and service improvements and planning a sustainable, highly trained, competent workforce.

Lead on specified areas for the Health Board Optometry and Orthoptic service, e.g. education, health care standards, risk management, reporting to and working closely with the Service Delivery Manager for Ophthalmology.

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 is desirable for 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 & Knowledge

Essential

• Degree - Optmetry BSc (Hons)
• Registration with general optical council and college of Optometrists
• Post graduate diploma in independent prescribing
• Advanced Practitioner Portfolio Evidence of working at Masters Level or equivalent level postgraduate qualification in a related discipline
• Professional certificate in paediatric eyecare (College of Optometrists)
• Highly specialist clinical knowledge of the Investigation, diagnosis and management of paediatric ophthalmology patients
• In depth knowledge of formulating, planning and co-ordinating specialist treatment plans involving complex facts and situations
• Evidence of CPD.
• Knowledge of clinical governance and evidence based practice
• Clinical audit
• Health and Safety and Risk Management policies.

Desirable

• Clinical tutor
• Post graduate teaching qualification.
• Basic IT qualification.
• Staff management.
• Experience dealing with HR issues.
• Evidence of participation in audit and research.
• Higher certificate in paediatric eyecare (College of Optometrists)
• Other College of Optometrists higher qualifications

Experience

Essential

• Management experience or clinical leadership
• Extensive post qualification clinical experience of which a significant part should be within hospital optmetry
• Experience of developing a service.
• Experience in examining and refracting young children
• Experience of financial Management.
• Proven track record in effectively managing change.
• Ability to work autonomously.
• Ability to deal with own highly complex caseload.
• Ability to communicate well with patients and liaise well with multi agencies both verbally and legibly.

Desirable

• Working at deputy head level.
• Teaching health Professionals.

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-PST046-0924