Job summary
Are you an Orthoptist looking to specialise in either Low Vision, SEN or VPD?
Do you have a passion for working not only in the out-patient hospital environment but also within a community and school setting?
Would you like to work within a brand new purpose built eye unit in one of the largest and highest performing Trusts in the North West?
If the answer is YES to the above then we have the perfect job for you!
We are looking to recruit an Orthoptist to our team of 22 Orthoptists by appointing a Specialist Orthoptist with a focus on either LVA, SEN or a VPD caseload.
You will support our Orthoptic Sub-speciality Lead and work alongside other specialist Orthoptists already involved in this caseload, as well as undertaking various additional orthoptic hospital and community clinics and the chance to be involved in orthoptic teaching that the whole team participate in.
This is an amazing opportunity for an Orthoptist preferable with experience of a LVA, SEN or VPD caseload to join our well-established team to provide not only an excellent standard of care to all patients but to develop themselves within a sub-speciality role too.
Follow us and our fabulous eye team on Twitter @LTHorthoptics and @EyeLthtr to see what you could be a part of.
Main duties of the job
We are a large Orthoptic team involved in all aspects of orthoptics plus sub-speciality clinics and extended roles.
Using your experience gained so far as an Orthoptist we will develop you further within your chosen sub-speciality caseload plus a broad range of hospital and community orthoptics including single handed working at a specialist level.
As a large department with a commitment to teaching we have orthoptic undergraduates from all years and all universities throughout the year plus various other students.
The orthoptic department is based at Royal Preston Hospital with additional community clinics and our brand new Ophthalmology Unit at Chorley District General Hospital which opened in December 2021.
Our new unit has been designed to not only give the patient and their relatives/carers the best experience but also our team too; with individual 6m Orthoptic rooms fully equipped even with a window for those far distance cover tests we hope we have
We are a very busy department who work closely with our eye colleagues striving to provide excellent care with compassion; if you manage your time well and work well within a dynamic team then this is the place for you.
We are always looking for ways to further develop ourselves and the team plus looking to see what we could do differently and in fact better. This is why we actively encourage and support CPD, audit and research and have mentorship in place for this role.
About us
We have 10000 fantastic people working hard to deliver quality services to our patients. Whatever your role, you help look after 370,000 people in our local area & give specialist care to 1.5 million people across Lancashire & Cumbria.
Working with us gives you the knowledge and sense of pride that every activity you do genuinely does make a difference to support our patients & staff, ensuring we keep thriving & delivering outstanding healthcare right across our local towns.
You'll have access to varied development opportunities, learn new skills, meet fab people & do things you'd never have done. You'll learn about working in a hospital, interacting with people from all different roles to build skills & enhance your career path.
You'll make an impact, be challenged to think differently, be bold & help innovate to keep improving things. Everything we do centres around patient care which means your role is pivotal and something really to be proud of.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To support either or a combination of the Orthoptic Low Vision, SEN or VPD Lead(s) to provide clinical assessment, management and multidisciplinary working in the hospital outpatient, community and school setting for individuals who have a Low Vision / SEN or VPD diagnosis.
Responsible for providing specialised Orthoptic services as an autonomous practitioner within the hospital setting and community outreach clinics, accepting direct referral of patients of all ages who have a wide spectrum of ocular motility disorders and visual problems.
To assess, diagnose, manage and treat patients of all ages referred to the Orthoptist, being responsible for the instigation of follow-up care and/or onward referral to the sub-speciality Orthoptists/Optometrists/Ophthalmologists as appropriate.
To be involved in the clinical teaching of undergraduate Orthoptists, pre-registration Optometrists, medical students and other health care professionals as required.
Duties will include, but not be limited to:
- To support the Orthoptic Subspeciality Leads within a chosen area of either LVA/SEN/VPD in the assessment and management of patients within their speciality.
- Responsible for providing specialised Orthoptic services as an autonomous practitioner within the hospital setting and community outreach clinics, accepting direct referral of patients of all ages who have a wide spectrum of ocular motility disorders and visual problems.
- To assess, diagnose, manage and treat patients of all ages referred to the Orthoptist, being responsible for the instigation of follow-up care and/or onward referral to the sub-speciality Orthoptists/Optometrists/Ophthalmologists as appropriate.
- To be involved in the clinical teaching of undergraduate Orthoptists, pre-registration Optometrists, medical students and other health care professionals as required.
- To act at all times in a manner that upholds the Trusts values and Health Care Professionals Council standards and goals, working as part of a team to ensure that patients and relatives receive excellent care with compassion.
- Assess, plan, implement and review care to meet patients orthoptic needs in accordance with agreed local and national standards and evidence based guidelines.
- Demonstrate competency in the use of all orthoptic equipment and techniques.
- Support and provide patient education and health promotion.
- Be responsible for the delivery and co-ordination of orthoptic care, through appropriate professional practice.
- Proactively manage risk and maintain patient safety, conforming to health, safety and security legislation, policies, procedures and guidelines.
- Assist in setting, monitoring and maintaining standards of care to improve the patient experience and outcome of care.
- Communicate all relevant information to the multidisciplinary team internally and with external organisations as required, to ensure seamless care.
- Maintain accurate and complete records of all care activities, in a timely manner, adhering to local and professional standards for documentation.
- Act as a role model, presenting a positive image of self, team and organisation.
- Promote equality in care and practice by recognising, respecting and meeting the needs and choices of individuals.
- Ensures environment of care is safe, well equipped and compliant with standards for hygiene and cleanliness.
- Maintain and develop own professional competence and seek to extend the scope of personal knowledge and skills within the scope of role and professional practice.
- Proactively engage with Trust wide or local changes and developments in service provision.
- Actively try to resolve issues and complaints at local level and then report the outcome to the line manager.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To support either or a combination of the Orthoptic Low Vision, SEN or VPD Lead(s) to provide clinical assessment, management and multidisciplinary working in the hospital outpatient, community and school setting for individuals who have a Low Vision / SEN or VPD diagnosis.
Responsible for providing specialised Orthoptic services as an autonomous practitioner within the hospital setting and community outreach clinics, accepting direct referral of patients of all ages who have a wide spectrum of ocular motility disorders and visual problems.
To assess, diagnose, manage and treat patients of all ages referred to the Orthoptist, being responsible for the instigation of follow-up care and/or onward referral to the sub-speciality Orthoptists/Optometrists/Ophthalmologists as appropriate.
To be involved in the clinical teaching of undergraduate Orthoptists, pre-registration Optometrists, medical students and other health care professionals as required.
Duties will include, but not be limited to:
- To support the Orthoptic Subspeciality Leads within a chosen area of either LVA/SEN/VPD in the assessment and management of patients within their speciality.
- Responsible for providing specialised Orthoptic services as an autonomous practitioner within the hospital setting and community outreach clinics, accepting direct referral of patients of all ages who have a wide spectrum of ocular motility disorders and visual problems.
- To assess, diagnose, manage and treat patients of all ages referred to the Orthoptist, being responsible for the instigation of follow-up care and/or onward referral to the sub-speciality Orthoptists/Optometrists/Ophthalmologists as appropriate.
- To be involved in the clinical teaching of undergraduate Orthoptists, pre-registration Optometrists, medical students and other health care professionals as required.
- To act at all times in a manner that upholds the Trusts values and Health Care Professionals Council standards and goals, working as part of a team to ensure that patients and relatives receive excellent care with compassion.
- Assess, plan, implement and review care to meet patients orthoptic needs in accordance with agreed local and national standards and evidence based guidelines.
- Demonstrate competency in the use of all orthoptic equipment and techniques.
- Support and provide patient education and health promotion.
- Be responsible for the delivery and co-ordination of orthoptic care, through appropriate professional practice.
- Proactively manage risk and maintain patient safety, conforming to health, safety and security legislation, policies, procedures and guidelines.
- Assist in setting, monitoring and maintaining standards of care to improve the patient experience and outcome of care.
- Communicate all relevant information to the multidisciplinary team internally and with external organisations as required, to ensure seamless care.
- Maintain accurate and complete records of all care activities, in a timely manner, adhering to local and professional standards for documentation.
- Act as a role model, presenting a positive image of self, team and organisation.
- Promote equality in care and practice by recognising, respecting and meeting the needs and choices of individuals.
- Ensures environment of care is safe, well equipped and compliant with standards for hygiene and cleanliness.
- Maintain and develop own professional competence and seek to extend the scope of personal knowledge and skills within the scope of role and professional practice.
- Proactively engage with Trust wide or local changes and developments in service provision.
- Actively try to resolve issues and complaints at local level and then report the outcome to the line manager.
Person Specification
Qualifications and Education
Essential
- Degree in Orthoptics
- HCPC Registration
- Evidence of appropriate ongoing professional development
Desirable
- Evidence of postgraduate training and certificates
- Low Vision Masters Module or other relevant qualification
- Teaching qualification or willingness to undertake 2 day BIOS course
- SEN Masters Module or other relevant qualification
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Proven knowledge of the investigation, diagnosis and management of a broad range of specialist and complex Orthoptic patients and be able to explain findings to patients/parents/carers/students/GP's and other health professionals on varying levels
- Proven knowledge of formulating treatment plans involving complex facts and situations and problem solving techniques and be able to explain these to patients/parents/carers/students/GP's and other health professionals on varying levels.
- Proven ability to work single handed in the hospital and or community clinic.
- Proven postgraduate clinical experience.
- Evidence of CPD Knowledge of relevant national policies and procedures relating to role.
Desirable
- Experience of an Orthoptic SEN caseload
- Experience of an Orthoptic VPD caseload
- Experience of various Neurological conditions seen by Orthoptists
- Evidence of Audit
- Evidence of Research
- Awareness of Dementia
- Experience of teaching orthoptic undergraduates and or other health professionals and students
- Experience of an Orthoptic Low Vision caseload
Person Specification
Qualifications and Education
Essential
- Degree in Orthoptics
- HCPC Registration
- Evidence of appropriate ongoing professional development
Desirable
- Evidence of postgraduate training and certificates
- Low Vision Masters Module or other relevant qualification
- Teaching qualification or willingness to undertake 2 day BIOS course
- SEN Masters Module or other relevant qualification
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Proven knowledge of the investigation, diagnosis and management of a broad range of specialist and complex Orthoptic patients and be able to explain findings to patients/parents/carers/students/GP's and other health professionals on varying levels
- Proven knowledge of formulating treatment plans involving complex facts and situations and problem solving techniques and be able to explain these to patients/parents/carers/students/GP's and other health professionals on varying levels.
- Proven ability to work single handed in the hospital and or community clinic.
- Proven postgraduate clinical experience.
- Evidence of CPD Knowledge of relevant national policies and procedures relating to role.
Desirable
- Experience of an Orthoptic SEN caseload
- Experience of an Orthoptic VPD caseload
- Experience of various Neurological conditions seen by Orthoptists
- Evidence of Audit
- Evidence of Research
- Awareness of Dementia
- Experience of teaching orthoptic undergraduates and or other health professionals and students
- Experience of an Orthoptic Low Vision caseload
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).
