Orthoptist

Job overview

Blackpool Orthoptic Department is seeking a highly motivated and enthusiastic Orthoptist to join our team and support the Orthoptic Service at Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, based at Blackpool Victoria Hospital.

The team member will participate in the provision of comprehensive and highly specialised orthoptic duties, examining both adult and paediatric patients as part of the general Orthoptic service. This will include paediatric services within the Women and Children’s Unit and visual screening in schools where necessary.

The role requires a good communicator with excellent people skills as the potential exists to encounter patients of all ages with a variety of medical conditions and abilities.

The Orthoptist will support a friendly, well organised, and motivated team consisting of 9 Orthoptists, 3 optometrists and 6 Ophthalmic Technicians.

The trust employs 8 Consultant Ophthalmologists, including one Consultant specialising in Paediatric Ophthalmology and Adult Ocular Motility.

For further information and/or informal visit please contact Conrad Beacham on 01253 953457 or email

[email protected]

Main duties of the job

To provide high quality and comprehensive Orthoptic care within the Orthoptic Service in alignment with BTHF Trust values. To provide Orthoptic service/ support within Ophthalmology and other directorates as requested.

The post holder will work closely with the current SEN lead to manage the Special School screening and specialist paediatric clinics in the community and within the hospital.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Managerial:

• To be responsible for managing own clinical case load and appropriately deal with any administrative tasks arising from this in a timely manner.
• To provide administrative and basic managerial duties associated with the day to day functioning of the general orthoptic service, particularly in the absence of the Head Orthoptist
• To be responsible for managing designated community paediatric clinics, and to determine and action appropriate outcomes for every child seen, including appointment management and discharge plans.
• To provide support in leading SEN Special School Screening including associated administrative duties.
• Ensure effective and efficient use of physical resources, making recommendations regarding equipment and supplies. To ensure clinical equipment and work areas are well maintained, cleaned regularly, and ensure all clinical equipment is stored appropriately.
• To take part in the appraisal process and clinical supervision and develop personal development plans from this.
• To demonstrate own clinical practice to other professionals e.g. doctors, GP trainees and pre –registered optometrists.
• To regularly attend and actively participate in staff meetings, in-house training programmes, journal clubs and presentations at other clinical meetings when requested, for continuing professional development.
• To keep up to date with research and new developments in Orthoptics to enable best clinical practice
• Undertake reflective practice.
• Regularly participate in formal clinical and non-clinical audit including the timely submission of monthly statistics related to capacity and demand.
• Regularly communicate with medical, optometry, nursing, AHPs, other health professionals, and clerical staff to maintain a high level of patient care.
• To be involved in the development and instigation of new protocols within the department/directorate and contribute to the planning and development of Orthoptic services.
• Develop and update relevant patient information including service user feedback.
• Act as a role model for the department, exhibit professional behaviour and treat all staff with dignity and respect.  Adhere to trust and departmental policies and procedures.
• To help promote the Orthoptic profession both within the Trust and to external partners.

Clinical:

• To manage own Orthoptic case load being independently and be responsible for assessing, planning, and monitoring treatment in a wide range of complex conditions, using evidence-based practice.
• To be involved in the triage of new patient referrals prioritising urgent referrals as required and allocating appropriate appointments.
• To provide the orthoptic service as part of a multi-disciplinary team with consultants, optometrists, health visitors and other health professionals. To provide expertise for clinical colleagues from other specialities, such as, maxillo-facial, accident and emergency, neurology and endocrinology. Use high level of anatomical and neurological knowledge to formulate accurate diagnoses, prognoses, and multidisciplinary discharge plans as necessary.
• To perform a comprehensive range of relevant investigative and diagnostic orthoptic procedures including taking a detailed and complete history.
• To produce individualised treatment plans as an autonomous practitioner using advanced clinical reasoning and significant clinical experience of a wide range of treatment for patients of all ages
• Communicate effectively using a broad range of verbal and non-verbal communication mechanisms to overcome barriers of understanding with patients, parents, and carers to gain informed consent, and to assess if treatment or advice is being followed, especially with patients examined in the stroke service.
• To undertake pre-operative and post–operative measurements of motility defects and to discuss surgical options and treatment plans with the surgeon. Analyse and discuss post-operative risks with patients (parent/carer) and surgeon. Modify treatment plans post-operatively if required.
• To assist the surgeon in post-operative adjustable sutures
• To take the lead in arranging for individual patients to discuss the decision and timing of surgery.

26.To have high levels of manual dexterity, speed, and concentration to ensure accurate results especially in infants who will be having eye surgery. To have good hand-eye co-ordination and be proficient when using Orthoptic/ophthalmic equipment.

• Accurately assess patients’ glasses prescription using manual and automated focimeters.
• To be responsible as an autonomous practitioner for the decision to instil eye drops, under patient group directions, for refraction test and diagnostic purposes and to give advice of side effects
• To assess patients with physical or intellectual disabilities some of whom will present with challenging behaviour.
• To take part in the visual and vision screening service offered to children. Accurately diagnose vision problems and make appropriate referrals.
• Maintain accurate patient records, recording diagnosis and management plans and provide summary letters to optometrists, G. P’s, or other relevant professionals in a timely manner.
• To participate in teaching of other health professionals when required.

Physical Effort

To aid in manoeuvring those patients who have difficulty with positioning for their Orthoptic examination, such as patients with disabilities, children, the elderly.

Mental Effort

To remain patient and flexible whilst working in a busy department within a role prone to interruptions and additional demands on time and workload.

Emotional Effort

To retain a professional and sympathetic attitude in stressful situations e.g., where patients, parents or carers become emotional or challenging.

To remain sensitive where there may be exposure to unpleasant working conditions.

To have a sensitive/emotive approach to patients who may not wish to accept their diagnosis and possible detriment to their quality of life.

Working Conditions

To apply occasional adaptation of working posture during the Orthoptic examination, e.g., during eye movement or vision assessment of children or adapting to ward patients. This may involve mild discomfort if kneeling, bending, or leaning.