Advanced Orthoptist - Stroke Lead

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Band 7 Orthoptist to lead the inpatient and outpatient Orthoptic Stroke Service at Kingston and Richmond NHS Foundation Trust.

The Royal Eye Unit at Kingston Hospital is a large, modern ophthalmology department providing a comprehensive range of specialist services. The department comprises 16 Consultant Ophthalmologists, an Acute Referral Clinic and a dedicated imaging team, offering a varied and rewarding caseload.

The successful candidate will join a supportive multidisciplinary team of Orthoptists, Optometrists and Consultant Ophthalmologists. You will play a key role in the delivery, development and continual improvement of the Orthoptic Stroke Service, working closely with the wider stroke multidisciplinary team across both inpatient and outpatient settings.

In addition to providing highly specialised clinical care, you will contribute to service development, quality improvement initiatives, clinical audit, teaching and training.

You will act as Clinical Tutor for Orthoptic students, supporting their clinical education and development, and will share responsibility for deputising for the Head Orthoptist when required.

Main duties of the job

To assess, diagnose and develop treatment plans for children and adults presenting to the Orthoptic Department, in accordance with the professional standards and guidelines of the British and Irish Orthoptic Society (BIOS).

To work autonomously while also contributing as an integral member of the multidisciplinary team.

To support Consultant Ophthalmologists by undertaking comprehensive orthoptic assessments of patients before and after squint surgery and Botulinum Toxin treatment.

To lead the Orthoptic Stroke Service across inpatient and outpatient settings, providing specialist expertise and supporting colleagues in the assessment and management of patients with visual difficulties following stroke.

To support the education, training and development of undergraduate Orthoptic students in the role of Clinical Tutor, and to contribute to the teaching and development of other healthcare professionals and students.

To act as a mentor and role model for junior members of staff, providing professional support, supervision and guidance as required.

To contribute to service development, clinical audit, quality improvement and governance activities within the department.

To deputise for the Head Orthoptist when required, supporting the operational leadership and management of the Orthoptic Service.

To prioritise and triage electronic referrals to the paediatric and adult motility services, including referrals from the Acute Referral Clinic.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

***Please see the attached supporting document/s (JD) which contains more information about the role in the job description and person specification***

NB: ensure any supporting statements align with the job description and person specification, as your application will be assessed against these criteria.

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.