Consultant Optometrist with a Special Interest in Glaucoma

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join our ever developing department and friendly ophthalmology team at University Hospitals Sussex, based at Southlands Hospital in Shoreham-By- Sea and St Richards Hospital in Chichester.

The ophthalmology service boasts a state of the art unit in Shoreham, developed in 2017 which comprises of 2 dedicated eye theatres, supported by a suite of diagnostic equipment. The service’s vision is to be a world class eye care provider, widely recognised for providing safe, personal and effective care. This is a senior clinical post and the ideal candidate will be an experienced hospital optometrist and will be expected to work effectively within a multidisciplinary team providing support to the glaucoma service, particularly in complex and surgical glaucoma.

Experience in other ophthalmology sub-specialities will also be an advantage and there will be a requirement for the successful candidate to be adaptable to the changing needs of the department.

Our team consists of 11 Consultants, optometrists, orthoptists, nursing and technical team. For an informal discussion please contact Karen French, Consultant Optometrist via email on [email protected].

Main duties of the job

Role Summary

• Provides support to Head of Optometry with regards to leadership and development of the optometry service both operationally and strategically, acting as deputy Head of Department
• Acts as professional lead expert within the department for optometrist extended role glaucoma services
• Has responsibility for clinical and clinical governance issues for optometrists working in the glaucoma service
• Provides optometric overview for glaucoma service development
• Is responsible for and personally delivers a wide range of specialised optometric care including advanced glaucoma extended role
• Supports the training and mentorship of staff within the department

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Communication

• Communicates highly complex service related information to senior managers and clinicians within the Trust and other external agencies to improve understanding of the service and the contribution that can be made to improving patient care.
• Gives formal presentations to senior management groups, business meetings, staff, external agencies, including the communication of service related information where the audience may have conflicting agendas and priorities.
• Reports complex information activity quarterly and annually as appropriate.
• Delivers complex information to Ophthalmology teams regarding performance of each area and objectives and strategies.

Service Delivery and Improvement

• To participate in the planning and development of ophthalmic services and specifically developing the role of optometrist within the glaucoma team
• To work with colleagues to establish robust links with other professional groups – predominantly primary care Optometrists and GPs
• To review and develop written policies/protocols relevant to clinical procedures as necessary
• To undertake specific projects as requested by the Head of Optometry, Ophthalmologist body & / or Ophthalmology General Manager
• To participate in service reviews or improvement events and initiatives in order to drive improved patient experience, quality and productivity

People Management and Development

• To have responsibility, with the Head of Optometry, for the management of optometrists working within the Glaucoma Service as identified in the organisational chart.
• To ensure the trust’s appraisal system is employed & identify the training and development needs of optometrists in the Glaucoma Service.
• To be responsible for clinical risk management by optometrists within the Glaucoma Service.
• To provide management support to the Glaucoma Service and Head of Optometry as required.

Patient Care Delivery

• To work as an autonomous practitioner and as part of a wider team in providing assessment, diagnosis and management of patients within various sub-specialties in the eye clinic
• To have the skills necessary to understand and manage complex situations, formulating appropriate solutions and troubleshooting effectively
• To have the skills and expertise necessary to assess patient’s levels of understanding, their need for information and any support needs
• To have the skills and expert knowledge necessary to be able to contribute constructively to, and support developing patients’ care plans
• To tailor the delivery of care to the personal needs of individual patients and be able to adapt emotional, mental and physical responses appropriately. This requires maintaining concentration for prolonged periods whilst also coping with the competing demands of unplanned daily clinical workload and frequent interruption
• To ensure a high degree of accuracy in using specialist equipment to gain accurate measurements necessary for patient management
• Implement NICE quality standards
• Observe safe working practices and equipment procedures, complying with legislative requirements under H&S regulations
• Respect patient and staff confidentiality at all times
• Manage an unpredictable workload dependant due to changing demands and interruptions
• Keep work up-to-date within departmental set standards, notifying the line manager immediately if this becomes problematic
• Adhere to appropriate health and safety, fire and statutory regulations and all trust policies relevant to the post
• Ensure compliance with all trust policies and follow trust codes of practise regarding any absence, annual, sick or other leaves
• To work as an autonomous practitioner with extensive freedom to act, carrying full responsibility for patient care and outcomes
• Keep and maintain appropriate records (electronic and paper) at all times ensuring that all paperwork is written or filed promptly into case-notes, and letters dictated
• Identify all referrals that are Overseas Visitors and undertake all associated administration
• To assist in the collection of and recording outcomes of patients to support service development and clinical audit
• To collate and record quantitative and qualitative data to provide evidence of productivity, outcomes and quality