Head Orthoptist South Glasgow

NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde; Glasgow; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde is seeking an experienced Orthoptist to manage a team within a diverse and dynamic department. The role combines clinical responsibilities and leadership duties, offering the opportunity to contribute to service development and governance. Applicants should be highly experienced, HCPC registered, and possess excellent communication and leadership skills. This position is based at Gartnavel General Hospital.

Qualifications

• HCPC registered Orthoptist with a minimum of 10 years clinical experience.
• Experience in advanced practice within a sub-specialty.
• Training in line management and leadership.

Responsibilities

• Manage a dynamic team of orthoptists and an orthoptic assistant.
• Contribute to workforce and strategic planning.
• Provide advanced clinical input in sub-specialty services.

Skills

Leadership

Advanced communication

Patient-centered care

Empathy

Service development

Education

Degree or diploma in Orthoptics

Job description

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NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde is one of the largest healthcare systems in the UK employing around 40,000 staff in a wide range of clinical and non-clinical professions and job roles. We deliver acute hospital, primary, community and mental health care services to a population of over 1.15 million and a wider population of 2.2 million when our regional and national services are included.

The shift pattern for this post is Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm.

The Orthoptic service is part of Ophthalmology and is responsible to the AHP Director for clinical governance. There are 4 Orthoptic departments across GG&C, South Glasgow (vacancy), the others being North/East Glasgow, Clyde, Royal Hospital for Children and Clyde, each managed by an individual Orthoptist Head.

This post provides an exciting opportunity to manage a dynamic team of 15 Band 6/Band 7 orthoptists and 1 orthoptic assistant. The role is 50-60% clinical with a varied and complex caseload.

The post is based at Gartnavel General Hospital with a remit across multiple sites: Queen Elizabeth University Hospitals / Institute of Neurological Sciences, New Victoria Hospital, community nurseries for pre-school vision screening and West Child Development centre.

The departmental caseload includes out- and in-patients from a number of sub-specialties including adult motility, neuro-ophthalmology, stroke, oculoplastics & paediatrics. We also provide orthoptic input into our Acute Referral Centre. We host adult motility, neuro-ophthalmology and orbital shared-care clinics as well as shared-care paediatric clinics with hospital optometrists within the orthoptic department.

We also have a close working relationship with Regional services including Neurology, Neurosurgery and Maxillo-facial colleagues, with shared clinics in neuro-ophthalmology, IIH and Myasthenia. We have advanced practice roles within neuro-ophthalmology and adult motility services and extended roles within Stroke and Glaucoma.

The department is recognised as a quality placement provider to undergraduate Orthoptic students, and is involved in teaching pre-reg optometrists and junior medical staff.

The postholder will be responsible for the management, professional leadership and governance of the Orthoptic service and the practice placements provided by the service. They will contribute to workforce and strategic planning in conjunction with the CSM and AHP director. They will also work at an advanced clinical level within sub-specialty services as outlined above acting as a mentor and role model to the team.

The postholder should:

- hold a degree or diploma in Orthoptics and be HCPC registered with exemptions for Orthoptists

- have a minimum of 10 years clinical experience of working with a varied adult and paediatric caseload

- have experience of working at an advanced level within one sub-specialty area

- have appropriate training and experience of line management & leadership of a diverse team

-demonstrate an innovative approach to service development and quality improvement

-have advanced communication skills and empathy

-be patient-centred

-have relevant audit / research experience

-have documented evidence of up-to-date CPD

-must have a valid UK Driver’s licence

Details on how to contact the Recruitment Service can be found within the Candidate Information Packs

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde encourages applications from all sections of the community. We promote a culture of inclusion across the organisation and are proud of the diverse workforce we have.

By signing the Armed Forces Covenant, NHSGGC has pledged its commitment to being a Forces Friendly Employer. We support applications from across the Armed Forces Community, recognisingmilitary skills, experience and qualifications during the recruitment and selection process.

Candidates should provide original and authentic responses to all questions within the application form. The use of artificial intelligence (AI), automated tools, or other third-party assistance to generate, draft, or significantly modify responses is strongly discouraged. By submitting your application, you confirm that all answers are your own work, reflect your personal knowledge, skills and experience, and have not been solely produced or altered by AI or similar technologies. Failure to comply with this requirement may result in your application being withdrawn from the application process.

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