Job summary
Hospital Optometry experience and training opportunity
We are pleased to offer an opportunity for an experienced and innovative Specialist Optometrist to join our large friendly team to work 6 sessions per week at The Royal Free Hospital in the adult corneal and paediatric clinic. This is to provide comprehensive Optometric services integral to ophthalmology services at our Hospital sites. The post holder will work closely with the Ophthalmologist and Orthoptists in these clinics.
We are looking for candidates with excellent communication skills and willing to take on specialist experience. It is not essential for candidates to have experience in paediatric refractions, (cycloplegic and undilated) or contact lenses. As teaching and supervision will be provided. You will be working as part of a multidisciplinary team and will be involved in the relevant MDT audits and meetings.
Sessions:
Monday afternoon and Friday all day (11.5hrs per week)
Main duties of the job
- Work closely with other Optometrists and Orthoptist & Ophthalmologists in order to deliver a comprehensive range of core optometric services to the highest standards of quality and care
- Undertake Keratoconnus and Contact Lens follow up clinics
- Work as an autonomous practitioner in providing optometric assessment, diagnosis and management of patients of all ages, and those who have varying communication skills.
- Primary clinical tasks will include cycloplegic and undilated refraction, as well as fundus examination.
About us
As part of Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, we have ophthalmology units at The Royal Free Hospital (RFH), Barnet Hospital (BH), Edgware Community Hospital (ECH), Whittington Hospital (WH) and Chase Farm Hospital (CFH). The staff employed across these sites includes administrative and clerical staff, nursing, optometry, orthoptic and medical staff. The Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust provides outpatient and day surgery services across four sites, while inpatient and support facilities and emergency on call services are available at the Royal Free Hospital.
Job description
Job responsibilities
-
To independently assess paediatric referrals (from babies of a few months old) in collaboration with an Orthoptist / Ophthalmology colleague in order to reach an ophthalmic diagnosis and to determine a clinical management plan.
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To prescribe spectacles if appropriate and advise child, patient, parent /carer on their use.
-
To discuss the diagnosis, prognosis and management plan with patient / parent / carer. To describe and record clinical data in the medical records and decide on any necessity for referral for medical opinion.
-
To provide a report for the patients GP and any other relevant parties to whom a patient agrees for information to be sent.
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To take responsibility for the assessment of patients of all ages and abilities, with wide ranging communication difficulties, referred for Optometric assessment.
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To formulate management and treatment plans and make onward referral to other clinical members of the Ophthalmology Directorate as appropriate or discharging patients.
-
To communicate sensitive issues to patients/ parents/ guardians, including diagnosis and prognosis
-
To demonstrate considerable manual dexterity, accuracy and speed in a variety of clinical procedures to ensure accurate measurements necessary for patient management e.g. retinoscopy.
- To liaise with other Optometrists, Orthoptists, or the Ophthalmologist with whom one is working, about any problems which may arise during daily clinical practice.
See attached JD for full job description.
Job description
Job responsibilities
-
To independently assess paediatric referrals (from babies of a few months old) in collaboration with an Orthoptist / Ophthalmology colleague in order to reach an ophthalmic diagnosis and to determine a clinical management plan.
-
To prescribe spectacles if appropriate and advise child, patient, parent /carer on their use.
-
To discuss the diagnosis, prognosis and management plan with patient / parent / carer. To describe and record clinical data in the medical records and decide on any necessity for referral for medical opinion.
-
To provide a report for the patients GP and any other relevant parties to whom a patient agrees for information to be sent.
-
To take responsibility for the assessment of patients of all ages and abilities, with wide ranging communication difficulties, referred for Optometric assessment.
-
To formulate management and treatment plans and make onward referral to other clinical members of the Ophthalmology Directorate as appropriate or discharging patients.
-
To communicate sensitive issues to patients/ parents/ guardians, including diagnosis and prognosis
-
To demonstrate considerable manual dexterity, accuracy and speed in a variety of clinical procedures to ensure accurate measurements necessary for patient management e.g. retinoscopy.
- To liaise with other Optometrists, Orthoptists, or the Ophthalmologist with whom one is working, about any problems which may arise during daily clinical practice.
See attached JD for full job description.
Person Specification
Royal Free World Class Values
Essential
- Demonstrable ability to meet the Trust Values
Education & Qualifications
Essential
- BSc (Hons) Optometry (or equivalent)
- Registration with General Optical Council.
Desirable
- Further/higher professional qualifications or an interest in gaining further/higher professional qualifications
Experience
Essential
- Evidence of post-registration experience
- Evidence of continuing professional development
- Accurate paediatric refractions (cyclo and non-cyclo) with an understanding of appropriate prescribing
Desirable
- Previous Hospital Optometry experience
- Experience in Paediatric clinics
Skills & aptitudes
Essential
- High level of literacy
- IT literate
- A portfolio of career long learning, experience and education
Desirable
- Primary research skills
- Interest in clinical research and audit
Person Specification
Royal Free World Class Values
Essential
- Demonstrable ability to meet the Trust Values
Education & Qualifications
Essential
- BSc (Hons) Optometry (or equivalent)
- Registration with General Optical Council.
Desirable
- Further/higher professional qualifications or an interest in gaining further/higher professional qualifications
Experience
Essential
- Evidence of post-registration experience
- Evidence of continuing professional development
- Accurate paediatric refractions (cyclo and non-cyclo) with an understanding of appropriate prescribing
Desirable
- Previous Hospital Optometry experience
- Experience in Paediatric clinics
Skills & aptitudes
Essential
- High level of literacy
- IT literate
- A portfolio of career long learning, experience and education
Desirable
- Primary research skills
- Interest in clinical research and audit
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.
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).
Additional information
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.
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).
