Orthoptic Assistant Practitioner (Band 4)

University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire; Coventry; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust is seeking a Senior Orthoptic Assistant Practitioner to join our Orthoptic team. You will support patient assessments, clinical activities, administration, and service development across a busy department, with opportunities to mentor junior staff and contribute to our diagnostic testing pathways.

The role involves autonomous caseload management, collaboration with Orthoptists, and active participation in multidisciplinary discussions

Qualifications

• Experience supporting orthoptic assessments and patient care.
• Ability to work with a qualified Orthoptist to develop treatment plans.
• Strong communication with multidisciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Manage a caseload of non-complex patients autonomously under supervision.
• Provide clinical support and mentorship to junior staff.
• Contribute to efficient running of the Orthoptic service and maintain accurate documentation.
• Utilise IT systems to secure patient data and maintain test records.
• Perform visual field testing and other diagnostic tests to support clinics.

Skills

Caseload management

Autonomous working

Mentorship

Communication

Tools

Goldmann perimetry

Automated perimetry

OCT

iCare

Job description

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a motivated and enthusiasticSenior Orthoptic Assistant Practitionerto join our friendly Orthoptic team at UHCW. You will play a key role in supporting the delivery of high-quality orthoptic services, assisting with patient assessments, clinical activities, administration, and service development across a busy department., Successful applicants will be required to provide an immunisation and vaccination report, from either their current UK occupational health provider or their UK GP.

• To work autonomously within the Orthoptic team demonstrating effective time management skills to independently manage a caseload of non-complex patients, devising and implementing treatment programmes with reference to a qualified Orthoptist.
• Contributing to effective care, discharges, ensuring adherence to trust policy at all times.
• To provide clinical support for less experienced staff as delegated by the team leader.
• To contribute to the effective and efficient running of the Orthoptic service, To adhere to the BIOS code of ethics and professional conduct, the trusts code of conduct for non-qualified staff and all other relevant policies and procedures.
• Responsible for own actions, working within agreed guidelines, recognising the need to refer to a trained member of staff as appropriate.
• Supervise and provide mentorship to a small number of learners or junior staff
• Responsible for delivery and modification of patient care including in the community in line with protocols, ensuring all care is accurately documented.
• To demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of primary care services, the eligibility and referral criteria.
• To form professional relationships with patients and communicate with them in a way that respects their views, autonomy and culture.
• To effectively communicate appropriate information regarding a patients condition and any other required information to the wider multidisciplinary team and participate in multidisciplinary discussions.
• To work without direct supervision but seeking guidance from a qualified member of the team as required. Duties include - Carrying own caseload of non-complex patients, liaising with other services both in the hospital, additional community services and local authorities as necessar- providing direct assistance to Orthoptic staff with more complex assessment and treatments- To perform manually operated Goldmann visual field perimetry and automated perimetry to support Orthoptic led Neuro ophthalmology diagnostic clinics and other ophthalmology services including provision of OCT, I care and other diagnostic clinical tests- To assist the Clinical Orthoptic Stroke Lead in visual assessment and non- complex testing as directed in acute and community setting and to support stroke training in both settings with other professionals including the visual rehabilitation teams and therapists across the system.- To assist the Neuro ophthalmology Orthoptist in diagnostic neurological disc imaging clinics with neurological new and follow up patients and have responsibility for supporting the diagnostic clinics at times in a single -handed capacity- Actively participate in the Orthoptic School Screening Programme and be responsible for measuring the glasses prescription of each child within the programme following the PHE National Guidelines.
• To collect quality data for Child Health and use the auto refactor equipment.
• Demonstrate technical and /or practical skills to ensure optimum patient management eg. Patient observation, equipment management and administration of agreed tests/procedures
• Responsible for cleaning/decontamination and use of complex clinical equipment
• Utilise IT systems to secure accurate and timely patient data
• Manage expected clinical; workload requiring unpredictable levels of physical effort according to patient dependency/clinical need reporting to senior staff where appropriate eg. In an unexpected event
• Support staff and patients exposed to difficult situations arsing in the clinical area eg after receipt of bad news or following an unexpected event
• Promote and monitor Health & safety and Trust policy designed to protect healthcare staff and service users from known hazards

• Maintain a clean safe environment ensuring adherence to test standards of cleanliness hygiene and infection control at all times

  We are looking for an individual with excellent communication and organisational skills who is passionate about delivering outstanding patient care. Previous experience in an ophthalmic, orthoptic, or healthcare setting is desirable.

If you are a team player with a positive attitude and a commitment to providing excellent care, we would love to hear from you.

University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, rated as good by the Care Quality Commission, is one of the largest teaching Trusts in the UK. We are extremely proud of our employees across our hospital sites, with high quality patient care at the heart of everything we do. Boasting some of the most modern facilities in Western Europe, the Trust is renowned for being at the forefront of research and innovation as part of its blossoming reputation as a worldwide leader in healthcare. We are proud to be recognised as a Pathway to Excellence designated organisation - please click the link for further details about this prestigious award. Pathway To Excellence - University Hospitals Coventry & Warwickshire By joining our exciting journey, you will form part of a passionate, talented team and will be able to access a wide range of learning and development opportunities. There has never been a better time to join our team. The Trust is committed to building an organisation that makes full use of the talents, skills, experience, and different perspectives available in our diverse society. We want everyone to feel they are respected, valued, can achieve their potential and receive the most appropriate and relevant care. We will create an environment where the equality and human rights principles of fairness, respect, equality, dignity and autonomy are promoted and are part of the organisation's core values.