Band 6 - Specialist Orthoptist

Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust; City of Westminster; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare organization in City of Westminster seeks an experienced Orthoptist. The role encompasses providing detailed assessments, managing diverse patient caseloads, and working collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team. Key responsibilities include conducting pre- and post-operative assessments and participating in departmental audits. The organization values diversity and supports staff development through continuous professional training.

Qualifications

• Experience in Orthoptic assessment for all patient categories including paediatrics.
• Ability to manage normal caseload and assess complex cases.
• Expertise in interpreting visual field analyser results.

Responsibilities

• Provide Orthoptic assessments for in-patients and out-patients.
• Liaise with senior staff regarding patient care.
• Take part in audits and contribute to departmental improvements.

Skills

Orthoptic assessment

Fluorescein angiography

Communication

Team collaboration

Education

Registration with HCPC

Job description

Overview

We are looking for an experienced and enthusiastic orthoptist to join our team of Orthoptists and Optometrists. Working in Ophthalmology Orthoptic and joint Orthoptic and Optometry clinics. We are looking for someone who enjoys being part of a team and who is flexible in working across sites. Able to work closely with senior colleagues and head of service reviewing services and identifying areas for improvement.

Responsibilities

• Be registered with HCPC
• Be an experienced Orthoptist to provide appropriate Orthoptic assessment for all patients referred to the department.
• Manage a normal case load of patients including the assessment of paediatrics and adults, those with learning disabilities and those referred from the visually impaired team
• Formulate and re-evaluate programmes of treatment for Orthoptic patients.
• Instruct and guide patients or parents/guardians of patients on a continuous course of treatment.
• To assess and provide an Orthoptic opinion on cases referred from Neurology, Maxillo Facial, Endocrine and Urgent eye care clinics.
• To undertake comprehensive pre-operative and post-operative Orthoptic assessment for patients undergoing strabismus surgery, Orthoptic assessment for all patients referred to the department as in-patients or out-patients based at The Royal Free and Whittington Hospital sites.
• To provide Orthoptic expertise for both adult and paediatric Orthoptic cases.
• To liaise and work with senior Orthoptic staff of service regarding: patient information; teaching programme for students attending the department; Undertake audits and research projects for the department.
• Partake in delivery shared care services: Glaucoma and/or Retinal services.
• To perform appropriate Perimetry automated and manual fields
• To accurately assess spectacle prescriptions using automated and manual focimetry
• To interpret the results from the Humphrey Visual field analyser and Goldmann Perimeter.
• Be able to perform Fluorescein angiography
• Interpret OCT and other retinal imaging devices

Departmental duties

• Liaise with other Departments within the hospital (for example, the wards, other specialities, the waiting list office, medical records, outpatients and information systems) and ensure that the Department interfaces efficiently with them
• Assist and provide internal cover for colleagues during periods of annual leave, sickness and vacancies cross-site.
• Respect patient and staff confidentiality at all times.

About the Trust and opportunities

• The Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust is one of the UK's biggest and most respected Trusts, known for innovation, research, and clinical excellence. This is an excellent opportunity to advance your career in a role that combines clinical leadership, development opportunities, and varied caseloads.
• We are committed to supporting your career through continuing professional development, structured appraisals, and opportunities to be involved in research and teaching.
• Our trust has over 17,000 staff serving 2 million patients every year. It comprises Barnet Hospital, Chase Farm Hospital, the Royal Free Hospital, North Middlesex University Hospital and more than 30 services in the community.
• This larger scale organisation provides an unprecedented opportunity for us to continue our pioneering work, particularly in finding ways to deliver even better care to our patients.
• Our mission is to deliver world class care and expertise in our clinical services, underpinned by world class teaching and research and we will continue to measure our progress against our five governing objectives: excellent outcomes, excellent patient and staff experience, excellent value for taxpayers' money, being safe and meeting our external duties, and building a strong organisation.
• Everyone is welcome at Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust. We're proud of our diversity and we continue to undertake new initiatives to advance equality for LGBT+, BME, gender equality, staff carers and people with disabilities and lived experiences to promote good relations and understanding between our staff.