Orthoptist - REI Orthoptics

Band 5/6 Orthoptist - depending on experience.

We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated Orthoptist to join our friendly team, to work within our multi-disciplinary eye unit. The post will be based at the Royal Eye Infirmary (University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust). Our new unit was opened in October 2023 and boasts fully equipped orthoptic rooms, outpatients with dedicated paediatric suite, theatres, urgent care and in-house dispensing opticians.

Main duties of the job

The post covers a varied Orthoptic caseload comprising of paediatric and adult patients. The department receives referrals from a number of departments within the Trust.

The Orthoptic department is a centre of excellence for delivering dedicated nystagmus/ complex ocular motility clinics in conjunction with Professor Chris Harris (Professor of Neuroscience).

The department is an accredited training centre for undergraduate orthoptists. A willingness to participate in clinical supervision of students is desired and you will be supported to gain a relevant clinical tutor qualification, if preferred.

The applicant will be supported in professional development.

We can adapt the post to suit either an Orthoptist with experience or someone newly qualified. The applicant will hold a degree or diploma in Orthoptics and be registered with the HCPC. Newly qualified orthoptists and those looking to return to practice are most welcome to apply. Newly qualified orthoptists will be appointed at band 5 initially; progression to band 6 would be expected after 18 months (subject to the applicant's development). Newly qualified orthoptists will be fully supported through the BIOS (British and Irish Orthoptic Society) preceptorship scheme.

Job responsibilities

• Orthoptic Clinical Duties:
• To take sole responsibility for the Orthoptic assessment, diagnosis and treatment of patients referred from outside agencies and to manage, using individual treatment plans, the associated amblyopia (non pathological vision loss) and other visual symptoms. This group of patients includes children with significant sight defects and requires a considerable degree of empathy and family support.
• To formulate, implement and monitor individualised management and treatment programmes using clinical reasoning and a wide range of treatment skills, for patients of all ages using advanced clinical reasoning and evidence based practise. Communicating effectively with patients, parents, and carers those plans and to assess capacity and gain informed consent to those treatment plans.
• To take sole responsibility to formulate relevant discharge plans and onward referral. This patient group comprises all cases of ocular motility defects and amblyopia (reduced vision with no pathological cause, which can only be treated before the age of 7-8 years), complex congenital and acquired cases, including neurological abnormalities, genetic disorders and associated ocular abnormalities.
• To be responsible as an autonomous practitioner for the evaluation of visual acuity and visual behaviour in referrals from the specialist services. This includes infants with strabismus (squint) and amblyopia, congenital or developmental abnormalities, genetic referral, adult illiterates, children and adults with significant learning difficulties as well as acute ocular motility defects in both children and adults.
• To assess patient results and act when they show new or change in existing clinical signs.
• To work with and support the Consultant Ophthalmologist.

Person Specification

Knowledge & Experience

• To demonstrate an interest in Ophthalmology
• To demonstrate an awareness and motivation towards Continued Professional Development (CPD)
• Proven post graduate demonstrable experience in all aspects of clinical Orthoptics involving specialist services, paediatrics and neuro-ophthalmology etc

Qualifications

• To possess a Bachelor of Science in Orthoptics BSc(Orth), BmedSci(Orth) and/or a diploma from the British Orthoptic Council (DBO)
• HCPC Registration
• Relevant teaching/ Clinical Tutor qualification
• Good organisational and planning skills
• Well developed interpersonal and communication skills

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.