Orthoptist, Band 5

Job summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an Orthoptist to join the team at Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. The post is based at Cheltenham General and Gloucester Royal Hospitals.

The successful candidate will be an integral member of our friendly and progressive department consisting of 11 Orthoptists. An ability to work well in a multi-disciplinary team and a flexible approach is essential.

The successful candidate will work in a variety of clinics including paediatric ophthalmology and complex ocular motility. The department has a large stroke service and provides JIA Uveitis screening, secondary vision screening clinics, adnexal and neuro-ophthalmology. The unit has a busy Eye Casualty department supported by Orthoptists.

The proposed interview date is: 26th February

Main duties of the job

To provide input in to the cross-section of the full range of orthoptic services across the county.

- To support the work of the Optometry Technicians, offering clinical advice, when appropriate.

- Give support to the Optometry Technicians when testing challenging patients and patients with communication difficulties.

- To prioritise referral letters coming from, GPs, Health Visitors, School Nurses, Stroke Physicians and other health professionals referring patients for an Orthoptic opinion

- To undertake correspondence with GPs and other colleagues.

- To deal with queries regarding appointments, internal referrals etc, that arise during the working day and to liaise with the senior Orthoptists to take the appropriate action and to organise Orthoptic appointments when requested.

- To check clinical area is safe for patients and staff and report any hazards to the manager in a timely manner.

- To work as part of a multi-disciplinary team of Ophthalmologists, Orthoptists, Optometrists, medical photographers, nurses, clerical staff and secretarial staff.

- To plan and prioritise own workload.

- To participate in regular Orthoptic departmental meetings giving feedback from courses and conferences attended.

- To be involved in departmental audit and research.

- To cover, as appropriate, for colleagues during periods of sick and annual leave.

About us

The team participate in extended role clinics involving stroke, special educational needs and adnexa and Orthoptists carry out intravitreal injections for the Medical Retina service.

The trust employs 15 Consultants including one Consultant specialising in paediatric ophthalmology and adult ocular motility.