We are seeking a FULL TIME, PERMANENT, BAND 5 Orthoptist at the Bristol Eye Hospital. The successful applicant will join a highly motivated team of 15 Orthoptists and will gain invaluable experience in all aspects of Orthoptics. The post would be ideally suited to an Orthoptist who is looking to expand their knowledge and skills at a large teaching hospital and is an excellent opportunity for a newly qualified Orthoptists, however we welcome applications from any qualified Orthoptist looking to to work in a large department or moving into the area. We have a preceptorship and mentoring programme, protected CPD time, inter departmental teaching and actively encourage audit to improve our service. This is a tertiary referral , teaching and research hospital with strong links with the University of Bristol.

The post holder will be based at the Eye Hospital which is situated in the heart of the city of Bristol. The workload at the Eye Hospital will include specialist paediatric and paediatric neuro ophthalmology clinics, motility and adnexal clinics, adult neuro ophthalmology, stroke and brain injury assessments and on site adjustable suture assessments. We also run Orthoptic Led neuro ophthalmology clinics and Stroke Clinics , and we have an SEN speciality service including weekly functional vision clinics led by one of our Paediatric Ophthalmologists so there is plenty of scope to learn and develop your skills.

Main duties of the job

• To be an autonomous practitioner undertaking the investigation, diagnosis and management of patients referred to the Orthoptic Department at Bristol Eye Hospital. These include a wide range of complex cases from general and speciality clinics e.g. paediatric, motility, neurology, adnexal and A& E that are referred locally and from other centres in the South West of England.
• To make decisions on appropriate referral to the ophthalmologist for further investigations or surgery and to fast track them if clinically indicated.
• To partake in staff meetings, case discussion meetings and audit meetings
• To be a part of the Orthoptic team, to support and learn from your colleagues
• To keep up to date with current research and to undertake audit to help improve our service to patients.

About us

University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) is one of the largest acute Trusts in the country, bringing together a combined workforce of over 13,000 staff and over 100 different clinical services across 10 different sites, serving a core population of more than 500,000 people across South West England. UHBW has been rated by the CQC as 'Good' overall and our staff are proud to deliver excellent care to the people of Bristol, Weston and beyond. As a forward-thinking multi-award winning Trust and a digital exemplar committed to improving patient care, our world-leading research and innovations are having a positive local and global impact. Our hospitals are spread across Bristol and Weston, join us and you can enjoy the very best of both worlds city living within a stone's throw of the countryside or beside the seaside, both with easy access to all that the South West has to offer. UHBW is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application in order to ensure we're meeting our pledge.

Job description

Job responsibilities

For a more detailed job description, main responsibilities, and Person Specification, please refer to the job description document attached to this vacancy

Person Specification

Qualifications and Training

Essential

• BSc Orthoptics or equivalent or awaiting final results
• Registration with HCPC

Desirable

• A level A or B
• Another relevant Qualification
• Teaching certificate

Aptitudes

Essential

• Empathetic manner
• Demonstrates Trusts values
• Works well as part of a team
• Good communication skills

Knowledge and Experience

Desirable

• The post is suitable for a newly qualified Orthoptic graduate
• To have been part of a team
• To have taken an active part in audit and research
• Competence in the use of a variety of visual field analysers and to interpret the result

Skills and Abilities

Essential

• To have a broad and detailed knowledge of visual and ocular motility defects
• Excellent observational, analytical and reflective skills in order to interpret findings and recommend treatment or further investigation
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. These should be verbal and written
• Ability to communicate information that may be sensitive or hard to accept or understand in a sympathetic and empathetic manner
• To have an awareness of the impact that the information given may have a profound impact on patients and their families and have the ability to provide necessary support
• To be able to manage working under pressure
• To have ability to prioritise work load
• To be self-motivated to improve skills and knowledge to benefit the orthoptic service for patients
• To be flexible in approach and adaptable to new situations

Employer details

Employer name

University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW)

Address

Bristol Eye Hospital

Lower Maudlin Street

Bristol

BS1 2LX

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

387-S-6320-LH