Orthoptist

Job overview

As a Band 5 Orthoptist you will be based at the Birmingham and Midland Eye Centre, a tertiary ophthalmology referral centre with a large A&E department. The Orthoptic team provide acute hospital-based care, community out-reach services, Primary Vision Screening, specialist Stroke, Genetic and Neuro-ophthalmology services

Band 5 post holders will provide clinical diagnostic and therapeutic services across a wide range of clinical conditions including, Ophthalmic Paediatrics, Neuro-ophthalmology and Accident and Emergency, at two acute hospital sites, Sandwell and the Birmingham & Midland Eye Centre.

You will be part of a team of 12 Orthoptists and 9 Ophthalmic Technicians. You will be supported by a Senior Orthoptic Mentor who will meet with you on a regular basis in line with the BIOS Preceptorship programme.

You will be working within a MDT of Medical, Optometric and Nursing staff to deliver high quality patient care.

The Orthoptic service of Sandwell and West Birmingham has an ethos of lifelong learning. Emphasis is place on regular CPD. Personal learning and development facilitated through online, face to face courses and peer learning. The aim is to develop new graduates giving them multiple learning opportunities to gain hands on experience with a wide range of clinical conditions allowing you to expand your theoretical knowledge and its application in clinical practice.

Main duties of the job

As a Band 5 Orthoptist you will be responsible for the management of patients referred to the Orthoptic service from GP's, Health Visitors, Primary vision screening and other hospital departments, including paediatrics, accident and emergency, maxillo-facial, neurology and endocrinology.

Following a period of induction with clinician buddy support and reduced clinical workload, you will work as an autonomous practitioner undertaking clinical investigation, diagnosis and management of a range of clinical conditions in line with evidence-based practice. The patient group includes patients suffering from strabismus, amblyopia (reduced vision with no apparent pathological cause), complex congenital and acquired conditions including cranial nerve palsy (neurological and systemic in origin), ocular trauma and genetic ocular disorders and associated ocular abnormalities.

You will work within a large team of Orthoptists who will provide peer support and advice.

The clinical role will encompass a wide range of paediatric and adult patients. A reduced case load and senior Orthoptic support will be provided to allow the post holder to develop their skills and knowledge and gain confidence.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please see attached Job Description and Person Specification for full details of what this role entails

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.