Specialist Orthoptist - Complex Ocular Motility

Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; Preston; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in Preston seeks an experienced Orthoptist to assess complex ocular motility disorders, formulate management plans, and support squint surgery. You will act as 1st Assist, participate in Botox clinics, document findings, educate patients and carers, and contribute to audit and service development.

The role requires HCPC registration, a degree in Orthoptics, ongoing professional development, and ability to work independently in hospital and

Qualifications

• Proven knowledge and experience investigating, diagnosing and managing a broad range of Orthoptic patients.
• Ability to explain findings to patients, carers and health professionals at varying levels.
• Experience managing an adult Orthoptic caseload.
• Ability to work independently in hospital or community settings.
• Postgraduate clinical experience.
• 1st Assist for squint surgery competence and aseptic techniques.
• Experience teaching orthoptic students or healthcare professionals.
• Evidence of CPD and knowledge of national policies related to the role.

Responsibilities

• Assess complex ocular motility cases within testing timeframes.
• Formulate management plans with Squint Consultants and Head Orthoptist.
• Act as 1st Assist for squint surgery for adults and children.
• Assist with post-operative techniques and Botox clinics with accurate measurements.
• Present pre-operative findings to the squint MDT and organise follow-up.
• Communicate findings clearly to patients, carers and MDT.
• Record findings in patient notes and prepare referral letters as needed.
• Engage in audit, research and quality improvements for orthoptic services.
• Develop resources and support service development with the Head Orthoptist.
• Promote orthoptic services in schools and communities.

Education

Degree in Orthoptics or equivalent

HCPC registration

Ongoing professional development

Job description

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• Assesses patients with complex ocular motility diagnoses within the given timeframes for testing.
• Formulates management plans for these patients in communication with the Squint Consultants and Head Orthoptist.
• Undertakes the role of 1st Assist for squint surgery for both adult and paediatric squint surgery.
• Assists the surgeon in post-operative adjustable suture technique and Botox clinics requiring accurate measurements to ensure good ocular alignment whilst the patient is under local anaesthetic.
• Presents pre-operative squint surgery findings to the squint MDT and collates an MDT summary report, organises relevant post-operative follow-up and/or any additional tests required prior to squint surgery.
  • Clearly communicates to the patient, carers and MDT such findings as reduced vision, restricted ocular motility, and other limiting factors such as potential for post-operative diplopia.
  • Independently assess, plans, implements and monitors individual orthoptic treatment plans/care pathways for each patient using clinical experience, knowledge and evidence-based practice, selects appropriate assessment techniques relevant to each individual patient based on clinical experience and by using clinical reasoning.
• Records clinical findings, management plans and other relevant information within the patients notes and formulate letters to summarise and refer on to other professionals as required.
• Communicates to convey complex diagnoses and treatment plans, break bad news and provide support, gain consent and understanding by combating barriers, gain the confidence and cooperation of children and parents or to present and explain complex concepts, ideas and issues to service users who are unfamiliar with them.
  • Actively involved in audit, research and quality improvements relating to this aspect of the Orthoptic service.
• Undertakes delegated duties from the Head Orthoptist regarding e.g. the developing of resources for this cohort of patients.
• Actively involve themselves and support the other Orthoptists involved with this cohort of patients to develop the service.
• Actively promote the orthoptic profession and involvement with this cohort of patients through such things as school/college open days and work experience.
• Discharges or arranges onward referral as required.
• Actively involved in discussions and decisions around treatments with the Orthoptists/Optometrists/Ophthalmologists.
• Responsible as an autonomous practitioner for the decision to instil eye drops for refraction tests, diagnostic and treatment purposes, to decide the appropriate strength of drops required and to advise patients/parents of the side effects following departmental PGD's/medicine exemptions.
• To liaise with the Head Orthoptist regarding problems arising from any orthoptic treatment.
• Demonstrates compassion by recognising and responding to individual needs in a warm, thoughtful, sensitive and helpful way.
• Proactively engages with patients, relatives and carers to seek their views, gain agreement and to keep them informed about their treatment and care.
• Receives positive feedback from own patients, relatives, team and students.

Person specification

Knowledge & Experience

Essential criteria

• Proven knowledge and experience of the investigation, diagnosis and management of a broad range of specialist and complex Orthoptic patients and be able to explain findings to patients/parents/carers/students/G P's and other health professionals on varying levels
• Proven knowledge and experience of formulating treatment plans involving complex facts and situations and problem solving techniques and be able to explain these to patients/parents/carers/students/G P's and other health professionals on varying levels.
• Proven knowledge and experience managing specifically an adult Orthoptic caseload.
• Proven ability to work single handed in the hospital and or community clinic
• Proven postgraduate clinical experience.
• Proven 1st Assist for squint surgery competence and associated aseptic techniques.
• Experience of teaching orthoptic undergraduates and or other health professionals and students
• Evidence of CPD Knowledge of relevant national policies and procedures relating to role.

Desirable criteria

• Evidence of Audit
• Evidence of Research
• Awareness of Dementia

Qualifications & Education

Essential criteria

• Degree in Orthoptics or equivalent
• Professional registration with the Health Care Professional Council (HCPC)
• Evidence of appropriate ongoing professional development

Desirable criteria

• Evidence of postgraduate training and certificates
• BIOS Clinical Tutors 2 day course

We are committed to promoting equality of opportunity, celebrating and valuing diversity and eliminating any form of unlawful discrimination across our workforce, ensuring our people are truly representative of the communities we serve. All individuals regardless of race, age, disability, ethnicity, nationality, gender, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marriage and civil partnership, neurodiversity or veteran status are encouraged to apply for this post. Our Statement on the Recruitment of Ex-Offenders is available