Advanced Specialist Orthoptist

OUH; Oxford; Hybrid; GBP 46,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a full-time Band 7 Advanced Specialist Orthoptist to cover 12 months maternity leave. The role involves managing a general and complex caseload within all adult and paediatric orthoptic services, with opportunities to develop knowledge in paediatric ophthalmology, CFU, ROP, TED, Stroke and adult neuro clinics.

The post will include participation in all general and complex Adult Ocular Motility and Neuro-orthoptic clinics, with teaching

Qualifications

• BSc/Diplopia or MSc in Orthoptics required.
• HCPC registration required.
• Minimum 2 years clinical experience in orthoptics.
• Experience in adult neuro orthoptics preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive orthoptic assessment for all patients referred to the department, including in-patients and out-patients.
• Lead teaching of orthoptic students, pre-reg optometrists and ophthalmology trainees.
• Manage core orthoptic caseload and specialist services (neuro-ophthalmology, adult motility, paediatric neuro-oncology, TED).
• Assess patients pre- and post-operatively and liaison with ophthalmologists to optimize treatment plans.

Skills

2 years clinical experience

Adult neuro orthoptics

Education

BSc/Diplopia or MSc in Orthoptics

HCPC registration

Job description

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest NHS teaching trusts in the country. It provides a wide range of general and specialist clinical services and is a base for medical education, training and research.

The Trust comprises of four hospitals - the John Radcliffe Hospital, Churchill Hospital and Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre in Headington and the Horton General Hospital in Banbury.

Our values, standards and behaviours define the quality of clinical care we offer and the professional relationships we make with our patients, colleagues and the wider community. We call this Delivering Compassionate Excellence and its focus is on our values of compassion, respect, learning, delivery, improvement and excellence.

Many of our recruitment programmes use Value Based Interviewing to identify those who have the skills we seek, who share our values and who are able to deliver compassionate excellence from the outset. We know that this makes a significant difference to your job satisfaction and above all the outcomes and experience of our patients and their families. For more information about our Values and Value Based Interviewing please visit www.ouh.nhs.uk/about/vision-and-values

Job overview

The post is for a full time (37.5) ) band 7 Advanced Specialist Orthoptist to cover 12 months maternity leave.

The role will involve managing a general and complex caseload within all adult and paediatric orthoptic services.

There are also opportunities to develop your knowledge base and skills in both enhanced and advanced roles, within a variety of services including paediatric Ophthalmology, CFU, ROP, TED, Stroke and adult neuro.

The role will include participation in all general and complex Adult Ocular Motility and Neuro-orthoptic clinics. Paediatric Neuro and Oncology services and an active role in all forms of teaching including, undergraduate Orthoptists, optometrists and Ophthalmologists is required.

There are opportunities to support intravitreal injection clinics and MR/Glaucoma clinics for those already suitably trained and qualified. Training to deliver intravitreal injections will also be considered.

Please contact [e-mail] or 01865434835 if you would like to discuss this position or if you would like to visit the department.

Main duties of the job

Managing a core orthoptic caseload, providing assessment, diagnosis and treatment plans to patients of all age groups, with a wide range of visual abnormality.

Managing a complex caseload, providing assessment, diagnosis, and treatment plans for patients seen within specialist services to include; neuro-ophthalmology/adult motility, paediatric neuro-oncology, and TED.

To assess diagnose and advise treatment plans for in-patients and to liaise with other medical teams to support ongoing care.

To take an active role in all aspects of teaching, to include Orthoptic undergraduates, pre-reg optometrists and ophthalmology trainees.

Working for our organisation

We are a large friendly team of 15 orthoptists and 4 administrators, we work jointly with a team of 2 paediatric Ophthalmology Consultants, 2 Adult Motility Consultants and 1 Neuro-Ophthalmology Consultant as well as a wider team of Optometrists/nurses/Ophthalmic imagers. Our service is based in the Eye Hospital within the John Radcliffe Hospital however we also hold clinics within 6 peripheral sites across Oxfordshire, 5 special schools as well as leading a school vision screening service.

We are a very forward thinking, proactive team and are keen to support those interested in extended role as well as continuing professional development within core Orthoptics.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• To provide comprehensive orthoptic assessment for all patients referred to the department from specialist services as in-patients or out-patients.
• To be responsible for the evaluation of visual acuity and visual behaviour in referrals from specialist services including neurology, endocrinology, Oncology and CFU services. This includes all infants and adults, patients with challenging behavior, functional visual loss, and learning disabilities.
• To offer expert opinion and diagnosis to ophthalmologists, neurologists, paediatricians and other health professionals regarding ocular motility disorders.
• To be responsible as an independent practitioner to advise and instruct patients and their parents/guardians on a continuous course of treatment, and review patients and treatment plans to achieve the best possible visual acuity, binocular vision, and ocular alignment for each patient.
• To use advanced knowledge and skills to assess patient’s suitability for botulinum toxin injection and adjustable suture surgery and provide information for patients and families regarding these treatments.
• To assess patients pre-operatively and suggest to the ophthalmologist the appropriate procedure, including multi-step procedures.
• To assess patients post-operatively and formulate highly specialized treatment plans.
• To use highly specialized skills to perform appropriate automated and manual perimetry in children if required and to use advanced knowledge to interpret the results from these examinations.
• To accurately assess spectacle prescriptions using automated and manual focimetry
• To perform tests quickly and with manual dexterity to ensure maximum accuracy and co-operation from young patients.
• To undertake and lead when required the teaching of orthoptic students, optometry students and other health care professionals visiting the department.
• To be required to adopt restricted working positions including bending, leaning over and some lifting and patient movement.
• To be required to work at times in unpleasant conditions including exposure to smells, bodily fluids, and transmittable diseases (e.g., head lice)
• To provide a duty of care considering the needs of each individual patient and to adapt to emotional, mental and physical responses which requires devotion of time and constant concentration whilst also coping with the demands of unplanned clinical workload and frequent interruption.

Specialist Clinical Duties

• To be the first point of call for patients, healthcare professionals and other stakeholders within the field of adult motility and adult neuro-services or paediatric neuro services dependent on previous training and skill.
• To work in collaboration with the Lead Orthoptist.
• To provide comprehensive assessment and specialist management plans for patients on the neuro surgical wards.
• To support the Neuro-Ophthalmologists and paediatric ophthalmologists
• To be responsible as an independent practitioner to formulate treatment plans for all neuro-ophthalmology and adult motility patients.
• To collaborate with colleagues from both within and outside the ophthalmology department in research and clinical audit and present results from clinical audit at governance meetings.
• Disseminate the results of this research by appropriate means e.g., Publication in peer reviewed journals and presentation at national and international meetings.
• To work within an extended capacity supporting Glaucoma or medical retina services – dependent on previous training and skill level.
• To provide peer support and information and teaching in the specialized field of ophthalmic aspects of neurological disorders.
• To provide expertise for the annual ocular motility teaching.

Offline short listing

• score to progress or decline. 2 for interview, 0 for decline

NA

• BSc/Diplopia or MSc in Orthoptics
• Registration with HCPC
• 2 years clinical experience
• Experience in adult neuro orthoptics

Sexual Safety Charter : In 2023NHS England launched its first sexual safety charter, and our Trust proudly signed it. We pledge zero tolerance for inappropriate sexual behaviour and commit tothe ten core principles

Oxford University Hospitals promotes a safe, respectful hiring environment.

If you want to make a difference with us, come and join our team. Together, we will uphold the highest standards of care and professionalism.

Vacancy Closures: Please note, this vacancy may close early if a high volume of applications are received.

Visa and Immigration: Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is able to offer Certificates of Sponsorship for all eligible roles for a Skilled Worker Visa without exception, provided the role meets the minimum salary and skill level criteria set by the Home Office (UKVI). All eligible candidates will be considered with equal consideration at all stages of the application and recruitment process. Skilled worker: Health and Care Visa | NHS Employers / Work in the UK - GOV.UK

COVID-19: The COVID-19 vaccination remains the best way to protect yourself, your family, your colleagues and of course our patients from the virus when working in our healthcare settings. Whilst COVID-19 vaccination is not a condition of employment, we do encourage our staff to get vaccinated. If you are unvaccinated there is helpful advice and information at Oxfordshire County Council Website where you can also find out more about how to access vaccination.

Probation Period: This post is subject to a 6 month probationary period. If you currently hold a contract of employment with the Oxford University Hospitals, this will not apply. This statement does not apply to Medical staff or Executive Appointments.

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You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Application numbers

Please note that this job advertisement will close automatically once the application limit is reached, regardless of whether this occurs before the advertised closing date.

Band 5 NurseandBand 2 Healthcare Support Workerrecruitment iscentralised, meaning when you apply you will be considered fora number of rolesacross the Trust. If you have any questions please email: [e-mail] .

Vacancies with our PFI partners

Domestic / catering / portering services at the John Radcliffe Hospital are provided by Mitie.

Domestic / catering / portering / maintenance engineer services at the Churchill Hospital and Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre are provided by G4S.

Maintenance engineer services at the John Radcliffe Hospital are provided by Equans.

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