Specialist Orthoptist

Cardiff and Vale University Health Board; Stevenage; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

East and North Hertfordshire Teaching NHS Trust is recruiting a Specialist Orthoptist to provide autonomous orthoptic services, prioritise a clinical caseload and liaise with ophthalmology colleagues. The role supports development of extended roles for AHPs and offers mentorship and a 5% High Cost Area Supplement.

The post requires HCPC registration, Orthoptics qualification and post-qualification experience with children. A band 5-6 run-through is noted with preceptorship.

Qualifications

• Orthoptic qualification recognised for State Registration (Diploma or Degree).
• State registration with the HCPC.
• Evidence of CPD and post-qualification experience.
• Experience of assessment of patients with special educational needs.
• Clinical audit experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive orthoptic services as an autonomous practitioner and prioritise own clinical caseload.
• Assess, diagnose and manage patients referred to Orthoptic Department and liaise with appropriate professionals.
• Plan, implement and review treatments for a mixed caseload using evidence-based practice.
• Maintain clear and accurate patient records and manage caseload efficiently.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication

Team working

Record keeping

Organisation

Working under pressure

Child-friendly

Education

Orthoptics diploma/degree

HCPC registration

Post-qualification experience

Experience with educational needs assessment

Job description

We are recruiting for a Specialist Orthoptist who share our vision to be trusted to provide consistently outstanding care and exemplary service to our patients. We would encourage new graduates to apply for the post also. Should they be successful at interview the post would be offered as a Band 5 to Band 6 run through post. Preceptorship and mentorship would be provided to support this professional development. The Ophthalmology service is currently provided by 7 consultant ophthalmologists, specialising in the areas of Paediatric Ophthalmology, Medical retina, Glaucoma, Oculoplastic and Vitreoretinal surgery. The consultants are supported by a comprehensive team of associate specialists, including junior training posts which are part of the Cambridge deanery. The Trust is actively supporting the development of extended role working for Allied Health Professionals in line with the Royal College of Ophthalmology's Common Core Clinical Competencies Framework; the successful candidate would be instrumental in aiding the development of these roles within the orthoptic service. In addition, you will receive a High Cost Area Supplement of 5% of your basic salary, subject to a minimum payment of £1,258 and a maximum payment of £2,121 per annum pro rata. At the heart of everything we do are our core values: Include, Respect, and Improve. We encourage you to embrace these values throughout the recruitment process and in your role with us.

Main duties of the job

The successful candidate will provide comprehensive orthoptic services as an autonomous practitioner and to prioritise own clinical caseload. You will assess, diagnose and manage patients referred to the Orthoptic Department and to liaise with appropriate professionals. You will also organise your caseload efficiently and effectively regarding clinical priority and use of time, to maintain clear and accurate patient records. The post holder will also be responsible for the planning, implementing and reviewing of treatments for a mixed caseload, using advanced clinical knowledge and evidence-based practice., Please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification applicant pack for further detailed information regarding this role.

• Orthoptic qualification recognised for State Registration (Diploma or Degree
• State registration with the HCPC
• Evidence of CPD, Able to demonstrate post qualification experience
• Experience of assessment of patients with special educational needs
• Clinical audit experience
• Post graduate experience at a Junior level (Band 5 Orthoptist), Experience of clinical supervision of students
• Experience in working single-handed, Ability to assess patients and develop a comprehensive care plan
• Well-developed interpersonal skills; ability to communicate with a wide range of staff, patients and the public
• Ability to maintain clear & accurate patient records
• Well developed skills in working with children
• Well-developed organisational and administrative skills
• Team working skills and being able to work independently, Evidence of extensive orthoptic knowledge
• Ability to work under pressure and self-motivated.
• Ability to assess, prioritise and manage time and resources, Experience and evidence of engagement around equality, diversity and inclusion issues in relation to policy, service development and service delivery in respect of both services to users and the management of staff
• Role model our Trust values every day, Experience and evidence of engagement around equality, diversity and inclusion issues in relation to policy, service development and service delivery in respect of both services to users and the management of staff
  At East and North Hertfordshire Teaching NHS Trust, we are proud of the range of general and specialist services we provide and our 6,000 or so dedicated staff ensure our patients get the best care. Our ability to be flexible and innovative in the way in which we work and deliver our services to our catchment has never been more important than it is now.

We run the following hospitals:

• The Lister Hospital, Stevenage
• New Queen Elizabeth II (New QEII), Welwyn Garden City
• Hertford County, Hertford
• Mount Vernon Cancer Centre (MVCC), Northwood

We have ambitious plans to become an outstanding, patient-led Trust where dedicated staff provide high-quality, compassionate care to our patients. We continue to undergo significant transformation and our staff and patients are at the heart of delivering this ambitious agenda. We are committed to a positive work life balance for our employees. This means that any employee is entitled to seek to work flexible working patterns and we are committed to listen and consider all requests. Such requests, of course, have to be made and considered formally, and will need to be balanced against service needs, but our starting point will always be to find ways to support making them happen.