Advanced Orthoptist - Stroke and In-patient Lead

Job overview

This post offers the opportunity to lead our Orthoptic Stroke and In-patient services plus participating in sub-speciality adult and paediatric orthoptic clinics, joint consultant clinics, acquired brain injury assessments and MDT working.

We regularly have undergraduate orthoptic students and other learners and are actively involved in various audits, research and CPD opportunities.

Main duties of the job

You will lead in the organising and running of the advanced specialist Orthoptic Stroke and In-patient Orthoptic Services as an autonomous practitioner within our hospital and community outreach clinics, accepting direct referrals of patients of all ages who have a wide spectrum of ocular motility disorders and visual problems, work closely with the Trust’s stroke, neuro-rehab and neurology teams within the hospital setting in order to deliver a high quality and complex Orthoptic service within these areas as well as directly within Orthoptics and Ophthalmology.

You will undertake development of staff within the Orthoptic team, along with the undertaking of the annual appraisal (PDPR) and objective setting of your direct reports.

You will ensure the provision of high quality, evidence based Orthoptic Services along with continuous improvement and development in line with best practice standards in collaboration with the Head Orthoptist.

You will participate in providing Orthoptic clinical teaching and training for other healthcare professionals including under-graduate Orthoptic students, pre-registration Optometrists, Nurses, Ophthalmic Technicians, HCA’s, Health Visitors, School Nurses, Health Scientists, General Practitioners (GP’s), junior doctors and medical students and other health care professionals as required.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Take the lead in the organising and running of the advanced specialised Orthoptic Stroke and Orthoptic In-Patient service.

Ensure the provision of high quality, evidence based Orthoptic Services ensuring that services are continually improved and developed in line with best practice standards in collaboration with the Head Orthoptist.

Undertake development of the orthoptic team specifically the staff who report to this post, along with the undertaking of their annual appraisal (PDPR) and objective setting.

Assess, plan, implement and review care and treatment plans to meet patients’ Orthoptic needs in accordance with agreed local and national standards and evidence-based guidelines through appropriate professional practice, both within their specific areas of Orthoptics and the general Orthoptic caseload.

Support and provide patient education and health promotion.

Be responsible for the delivery and co-ordination of Orthoptic care, through appropriate professional practice, delegation and supervision of duties carried out by junior staff.

Proactively manage risk, maintain patient safety, conforming to health and safety legislation, policies, procedures and guidelines.

Assist in setting, monitoring and maintaining standards of care to improve the patient experience and outcome of care.

Communicate all relevant information to the multidisciplinary team internally and with external organisations as required, to ensure seamless care.

Maintain accurate and complete records of all care activities, in a timely manner, adhering to local and professional standards for documentation.

To participate in education and training of students and other health professionals.

Act as a role model, presenting a positive image of self, team and organisation.

Promote equality in care and practice by recognising, respecting and meeting the needs and choices of individuals.

Maintain and develop own professional competence and seek to extend the scope of personal knowledge and skills within the scope of role and professional practice.

Proactively engage with Trust wide or local changes and developments in service provision.

Actively try to resolve issues and complaints at local level and then report the outcome to the line manager.

Ensures environment of care is safe, well equipped, and compliant with standards for hygiene and cleanliness.