Orthoptist

Job overview

We are seeking an enthusiastic Orthoptist to join our friendly team at a split site department with 8 orthoptists, 10 ophthalmologists, optometrists, nursing staff and technicians based at the recently built Eye Centre at Southlands Hospital which is part of University Sussex Hospitals NHS Trust, with opportunity to work at some clinics at St Richards in Chichester.

The post is full time, but part time hours would be considered as well as flexible hours such as a 9 day fortnight.

As this is a Band 5 - 6 post we welcome applications from experienced (to start as B6) and soon to be newly qualified Orthoptists (B5).

New Orthoptists will be supported by an experienced team and taken through the BIOS preceptorship pathway and will be eligible to join the Trust Allied Health Professions (AHP) preceptorship programme. This programme supports AHPs over the course of the first year of employment, providing a model for learning, self-development and reflective practice through regular multi-disciplinary learning opportunities and peer support.

We have close links with St Richards Hospital in Chichester, being part of the same trust and have links with Brighton. We meet across sites with St Richards for monthly journal clubs and CPD opportunities.

Southlands Hospital is on the coast offering easy access to sailing and water activities for those interested. It is also easy to get to the South Downs for walking and cycling. London and Brighton are short train/bus journeys away.

Main duties of the job

The caseload is varied and provides an interesting mix of paediatric and adult patients. The Orthoptic service receives referrals from GPs, school nurses and health visitors as well as stroke, MFU, neurology, paediatrics / CDC and the main eye clinic.

As well as consolidating general Orthoptic practice there are opportunities to train in extended roles such as glaucoma, using the OPT framework.

We are fortunate to have one dedicated session per week where you will participate in the educational activities and meetings run by Orthoptists and wider eye clinic team. This includes regular clinical departmental teaching and teaching of other health care professionals, medical undergraduates and junior doctors. We are also an accredited site for Orthoptic students.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Communication

• To communicate effectively with patients, parents and carers, and those with learning difficulties and non-English speaking, gaining informed consent for treatment plans. This may include the communication of highly sensitive information and advice on distressing conditions.
• To keep and maintain appropriate patient records.
• To discuss management options with the Ophthalmologist and other members of the department as required in a professional manner.
• To utilise other means of communication such as Microsoft Teams meetings, telephone or video consultations as appropriate.
• Communicate results of consultations to GPs and other referrers as necessary.
• Support verbal communication by providing written educational material to patients, carers and healthcare professionals to ensure understanding of complex issues.
• Utilise the interpreting service for patients with language barrier.
• Attend departmental meetings for the Orthoptic and Ophthalmology department, communicating effectively and developing positive working relationships with other team members.

Service Delivery and Improvement

• To be aware of and follow departmental policies and protocols, giving comments regarding these if needed.
• Keep and maintain appropriate records (electronic and paper) at all times ensuring that all paperwork is filed promptly into case-notes or uploaded.
• To assist in the collection of and recording outcomes of patients to support service development and clinical audit.
• To assist with the updating and development of departmental patient information as necessary and give these to patients and their carers to assist understanding

People Management and Development

• To be involved with teaching optometry and orthoptic students, junior doctors, nurses and health visitors as required.
• To partake in appraisal as an appraisee

Patient Care Delivery

• To work as an autonomous practitioner in providing orthoptic assessment, diagnosis and management of patients of all ages, ranging from pre-term babies to the elderly. This includes those referred from various specialities including Ophthalmology, paediatrics, A&E, Maxillo Facial, Neurology, Stroke, Endocrinology.  To liaise with a more senior Orthoptist regarding any problems.
• To be able to assess all cases of ocular motility defects and amblyopia, complex congenital and acquired cases, including neurological abnormalities, genetic disorders and associated ocular abnormalities.
• To be responsible for assessing, planning, implementing and monitoring individual Orthoptic treatment plans/care pathways using clinical reasoning and evidence based practice. Support and advice from the more senior Orthoptists will be available.
• To instil pupil dilating drops for diagnosis and treatment of vision problems where required.
• To undertake pre and post-operative measurements and discuss surgical options with the Ophthalmologist.  Advise on timing of surgery and identify post-operative risk and discuss with surgeon, carer and patient.
• To make timely onward referral to other clinical members of the Ophthalmology Department and beyond as appropriate, e.g.: neuro-ophthalmology, sight care support team.
• To communicate sensitive issues to patients including diagnosis and prognosis and provide a counselling and support role to patient, relative or carer.
• To tailor the delivery of care to the personal needs of individual patients and be able to adapt emotional, mental and physical responses appropriately.
• To participate in secondary vision screening and identify those children requiring referral to the optometrist or ophthalmologist.
• To demonstrate considerable manual dexterity and speed in a variety of clinical procedures to ensure accurate results.
• To accurately assess spectacle prescriptions using automated focimetry.
• To carry out auto-refraction and interpret the results.
• To perform Humphrey automated perimetry and interpret the results as required.
• 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.
• To work as an autonomous practitioner with extensive freedom to act, carrying full responsibility for patient care and outcomes. Working with support from the Orthoptic team where required or requested

Learning and Development

• Attend mandatory training updates as required.
• Undertake training as necessary in line with the development of the post and as agreed with the line manager as part of the personal development process.
• Achieve and demonstrate agreed standards of personal and professional development within agreed timescales.
• Identify own learning needs and jointly plan training requirements with your line manager
• Participate in the Trust’s appraisal process to discuss how your role will help deliver the best possible care to our patients and help to deliver any changes in service

This job description is an outline of the role and responsibilities. From time to time due to the needs of the service, we may ask you to flexibly undertake other duties that are consistent with your role and banding, including project work, internal job rotation and absence cover.

The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the department and the organisation.