Specialist Orthoptist - Fixed term

Job description

Job responsibilities

All normal orthoptic clinical duties, including: a) To be responsible for the orthoptic assessment, diagnosis and appropriate management of new patients referred to the orthoptic department from the Trusts specialist services at City Road including Primary Care Clinic (PCC) and A&E. This patient group, many of which are tertiary referrals, comprises all cases of strabismus and amblyopia, highly complex congenital and acquired ocular motility disorders, nystagmus, congenital and acquired orbital and adnexal disorders, congenital and acquired neurological conditions, congenital and developmental ocular abnormalities, genetic disorders and systemic diagnoses with associated ocular abnormalities.

b) To be responsible for evaluation of visual acuity and visual behaviour in referrals from the specialist services, particularly strabismus and paediatric referrals, PCC and A&E. This includes all infants and young children, patients of all ages with poor cooperation, adult illiterates, functional visual loss and learning disabled patients.

c) To be responsible for the orthoptic assessment, diagnosis and appropriate management of new and follow-up patients seen in any of the Moorfields satellite clinics.

d) To be responsible as an independent practitioner for planning, implementing and monitoring orthoptic treatment for patients of all ages and for appropriately following up patients who fail to attend or comply with treatment, in conformance with Trust and departmental policies. e) To be responsible as an independent practitioner for orthoptic monitoring of patients under the care of specialist services and for re-referral to specialist services if indicated. f) To collaborate with the specialist services to ensure appropriate and effective patient management. This includes patients attending the Neuro-ophthalmology, Strabismic, Orbital, Toxin and satellite clinics.

g) As an autonomous practitioner, to be responsible for the decision to instil drops for diagnostic and refractive purposes, the appropriate strength required and to advise patients / parents / carers of side effects accordingly, in line with Patient Group Direction (PGD)

Specialist orthoptic clinical duties, including:

a) To take responsibilities as an independent practitioner for the assessment and appropriate management of patients referred to the multi-disciplinary clinics e.g. neurology, paediatric glaucoma and genetic clinics.

b) To arrange referral to another professional, either within or outside own discipline if needed after discussion with a senior colleague.

c) To consent follow-up strabismus patients for Botulinum Toxin procedures.

d) To prepare patients for Botulinum Toxin injections by instillation of drops and preparation and attachment of electrodes.

e) To identify surgical risks (pre and post-surgery) and to discuss this with the patients (parent/carer) and surgeon.

f) To be responsible for the orthoptic role in adjustable suture procedures post squint surgery.

g) To accurately perform Octopus kinetic field testing.

h) To demonstrate, teach and supervise were appropriate a range of medical and non-medical personnel from undergraduate orthoptics and medical students, junior doctors, pre-registration optometrists and work experience students as directed by Education Lead.

Person Specification

Experience & personal quatities

Essential

• Experience in orthoptic clinics + specialist clinics
• Evidence of CPD formal and informal
• Completed perceptorship
• Knowledge of clinical governance in relation to own area of practice
• Good communication skills with patients, peers and colleagues

Desirable

• Experience of undertaking audit
• Experience in tertiary referral or specialist departments

Qualifications

Essential

• Recognised Orthoptic degree
• Registered with HCPC

Desirable

• Participation in courses which may lead to additional qualifications

Desirable

Essential

• Participation in courses which may lead to additional qualifications
• Experience in tertiary referral or specialist departments
• Active involvement in audit in relation to own area of practice

Essential

Essential

• Patient and friendly approach Enthusiastic
• Ability to work under pressure
• Self-motivated and adaptable

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

City Road

London

EC1V 2PD

Employer's website

https://www.moorfields.nhs.uk/work-for-us (Opens in a new tab)