Specialist Orthoptist

Swansea Bay University Health Board; Swansea; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Swansea Bay University Health Board is seeking a Band 6 Orthoptist to join our friendly team across Singleton Hospital and Neath Port Talbot Hospital. You will work within a multidisciplinary ophthalmology service delivering paediatric and adult orthoptic clinics.

The role offers opportunities for advanced/extended roles, teaching, CPD and involvement in medical retina, glaucoma and related clinics. Welsh language ability is welcomed and supported.

Qualifications

• Degree in Orthoptics or equivalent
• HCPC Registration
• Highly specialised knowledge and skills
• Experience working in a multi‑professional team
• Understanding of wider NHS healthcare issues

Responsibilities

• Assess, diagnose and manage paediatric and adult ocular motility conditions as part of a team.
• Work autonomously with supervision where needed and adapt to varying clinical scenarios.
• Travel to other Orthoptic units within the Health Board is desirable but not essential.

Skills

Teamwork

CPD

Autonomy

Welsh language ability

Education

Degree in Orthoptics

HCPC Registration

Postgraduate study (Desirable)

Job description

Welcome to Swansea Bay University Health Board. We welcome applications from people who share our values: caring for each other, working together and always improving.

Swansea Bay University Health Board reserve the right to close this vacancy after 24 hours if a large number of suitable applications are received. Therefore we encourage early applications to ensure consideration for this post.

Prior consideration for this vacancy will be given to staff currently awaiting redeployment and we therefore reserve the right to withdraw this advert at any stage.

Applications may be submitted in Welsh. Applications submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application submitted in English.

Job overview

This is an exciting opportunity to join our friendly team of 6 Orthoptists, 2 Orthoptic assistants, 3 Optometrists and 2 Paediatric Consultant Ophthalmologists, working across two main sites at Singleton Hospital and Neath Port Talbot Hospital.

The caseload is diverse including core orthoptic, one stop refraction, adult ocular motility and paediatric clinics. There is support and encouragement for advanced/extended roles. Advanced roles currently include specialising in stroke, traumatic brain injury and visual function clinics. Our Orthoptist are also actively involved within the medical retina, glaucoma and botulinum clinics.

We are passionate about teaching, providing education and training for undergraduate orthoptists, medical and nursing students.

We provide regular CPD sessions through monthly Ophthalmology audits, regular team meetings and journal clubs, with scope for funding for external courses.

This is a Band 6 post but newly qualified Orthoptists are welcome to apply and will be supported by the BIOS preceptorship programme.

Main duties of the job

Duties will include using a wide range of orthoptic skills in order to assess, diagnose and manage a variety of both paediatric and adult ocular motility conditions. You must be able to work as part of a team and show enthusiasm. You will have support and supervision but will be expected to work autonomously. Flexibility to adapt to different situations and work under pressure is necessary.

You will be based at the Orthoptic Department, Singleton Hospital, Swansea, but may be required to work at other Orthoptic units within the Health Board so ability to travel is desirable but not essential.

Applicants must hold a degree/diploma in Orthoptics and state registration with the HCPC. Previous experience is not essential as supervision and mentorship will be given.

The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; English and/or Welsh speakers are equally welcome to apply.

Working for our organisation

We believe staff are our best asset and we want you to be happy and confident about starting your career here in Swansea Bay University Health Board.

As one of the biggest healthcare groups in the UK we can offer a wealth of professional training and development opportunities in an innovative, forward-thinking organisation.

You might be a nurse or doctor, maybe you specialise in a health science/therapy or can offer skills in one of our support services - we have a job for you.

There are also apprenticeships, work placements and volunteering roles available.

We are an inclusive employer and welcome applications from everyone whatever their sex; religion or belief; race; age; sexual orientation; gender identity or, whether they are pregnant or have recently been on maternity leave, married or are in a civil partnership; or, whether they are disabled.

Our values - Caring For Each Other, Working Together and Always Improving, show that our commitment to equality is at the heart of everything we do.

If you want excellent career and training opportunities while living on the doorstep of some of Europe's most spectacular scenery, with all the benefits of a thriving and cosmopolitan city - look no further.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please see the attached job description and person specification for a detailed outline of the job requirements. This is available for you bilingually, in English and Welsh.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria

• Degree in Orthoptics or Equivalent
• HCPC Registration
• Highly Specialised knowledge and skills

Desirable criteria

• Evidence of Post Graduate study in relevant area of expertise
• Teaching Qualification
• IT Qualification

Experience

Essential criteria

• Working at Band 5 or equivalent
• Evidence of CPD
• Experience of working as part of a multi professional team
• Understanding of wider health care issues within the NHS

Desirable criteria

• Previous experience at Band 6
• Teaching experience
• Evidence of taking part in research and audit

Aptitude and Abilities

Essential criteria

• Good Organisational and Planning skills
• Able to work unsupervised

Desirable criteria

• Ability to speak Welsh
• Ability to teach other Health Professionals

Values

Essential criteria

• Resilience, adaptability and flexible approach.

Swansea Bay University Health Board is committed to supporting its staff and processes to fully embrace the need for bilingualism thereby enhancing service users experience. In our commitment to increase the number of staff able to communicate in Welsh with patients and professionals, we would particularly welcome applications from Welsh speakers.

Equality remains at the centre of the Health Boards policy‑making, service delivery and employment practices. We value the diversity of our staff and welcome applications from people from protected groups under the Equality Act 2010, this specifically includes age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/reassignment, race, religion, disability, pregnancy and maternity and marriage and civil partnership.

We are a Disability Confident Employer and applications are welcomed from persons with disabilities. A disability will not prejudice your application. If you are unable to submit your application in the requested format because of a disability please contact the Recruitment Team, who will agree a more suitable way for you to apply. All disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria listed in the Person Specification will be invited to interview.

To work in the UK, all candidates who are not UK or Republic of Ireland (RoI) nationals require sponsorship to obtain either a