Orthoptist

Sandwell & West Birmingham NHS Trust; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 27,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Mentor support

CPD opportunities

Job summary

Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust is recruiting a Band 5 Orthoptist for roles at the Birmingham and Midland Eye Centre and Sandwell sites. You will deliver diagnostic and therapeutic orthoptic services across paediatrics, neuro-ophthalmology, and acute ophthalmology, within a large team of professionals.

You will be supported via induction with a buddy, undertake autonomous clinical work, and participate in ongoing CPD in a culture that values lifelong learning.

Qualifications

• Band 5 post holders will provide clinical diagnostic and therapeutic services across a wide range of clinical conditions.
• You will be supported by a Senior Orthoptic Mentor.
• The service has a culture of lifelong learning with CPD opportunities.

Responsibilities

• Management of patients referred to the Orthoptic service from GP's, Health Visitors, Primary vision screening and other hospital departments.
• Work as autonomous practitioner undertaking clinical investigation, diagnosis and management of a range of conditions.
• Provide care across Ophthalmic Paediatrics, Neuro-ophthalmology and Accident and Emergency.
• Induction with clinician buddy support and reduced clinical workload before working autonomously.
• Collaborate within a MDT of Medical, Optometric and Nursing staff.
• Work as part of a team of 12 Orthoptists and 9 Ophthalmic Technicians.

Job description

As a Band 5 Orthoptist you will be based at the Birmingham and Midland Eye Centre, a tertiary ophthalmology referral centre with a large A&E department. The Orthoptic team provide acute hospital-based care, community out-reach services, Primary Vision Screening, specialist Stroke, Genetic and Neuro-ophthalmology services

Band 5 post holders will provide clinical diagnostic and therapeutic services across a wide range of clinical conditions including, Ophthalmic Paediatrics, Neuro-ophthalmology and Accident and Emergency, at two acute hospital sites, Sandwell and the Birmingham & Midland Eye Centre.

You will be part of a team of 12 Orthoptists and 9 Ophthalmic Technicians. You will be supported by a Senior Orthoptic Mentor who will meet with you on a regular basis in line with the BIOS Preceptorship programme.

You will be working within a MDT of Medical, Optometric and Nursing staff to deliver high quality patient care.

The Orthoptic service of Sandwell and West Birmingham has an ethos of lifelong learning. Emphasis is place on regular CPD. Personal learning and development facilitated through online, face to face courses and peer learning. The aim is to develop new graduates giving them multiple learning opportunities to gain hands on experience with a wide range of clinical conditions allowing you to expand your theoretical knowledge and its application in clinical practice.

As a Band 5 Orthoptist you will be responsible for the management of patients referred to the Orthoptic service from GP's, Health Visitors, Primary vision screening and other hospital departments, including paediatrics, accident and emergency, maxillo-facial, neurology and endocrinology.

Following a period of induction with clinician buddy support and reduced clinical workload, you will work as an autonomous practitioner undertaking clinical investigation, diagnosis and management of a range of clinical conditions in line with evidence-based practice. The patient group includes patients suffering from strabismus, amblyopia (reduced vision with no apparent pathological cause), complex congenital and acquired conditions including cranial nerve palsy (neurological and systemic in origin), ocular trauma and genetic ocular disorders and associated ocular abnormalities.

You will work within a large team of Orthoptists who will provide peer support and advice.

The clinical role will encompass a wide range of paediatric and adult patients. A reduced case load and senior Orthoptic support will be provided to allow the post holder to develop their skills and knowledge and gain confidence.

Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust (SWB) provides healthcare services to Birmingham and the Black Country - one of the country's most culturally diverse areas. It's a friendly and welcoming place - a place where you can belong, and a place where you can grow.

We care for our patients, we care about our population, and we care about our people.

Our values – Ambition, Respect and Compassion – are at the heart of who we are. They guide us every step of the way; how we work with each other, and how we look after our patients and their families; how we respect and value the rich diversity of our team and our community.

Our purpose is to "Improve the Life Chances and Health Outcomes of our Population." It is what inspires, drives, and unites us every day. It's what makes us unique.

We want working at SWB to feel like more than just a job. We want our Trust to be a place where you can feel you belong. A place where you feel happy, safe, and rewarded. A place where you can develop your career in whatever way you choose. When we say we're 'with you all the way' we want you to know that we mean it. Visit the SWB website to find out more about our ambitions and people plans.

For further details / informal visits contact: Name: James Flint Job title: Interim Head Orthoptist Email address: [e-mail] Telephone number: 0121 507 6852

If you are unable to get a response from the above contacts, please ring the Orthoptic department on 0121 507 6852