Specialist Orthoptist - Complex Ocular Motility

Lancashire Teaching Hospitals Nhs Foundation Trust; Rishton; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Specialist Orthoptist for up to 12 months to cover maternity leave, focusing on a complex ocular motility caseload. The role supports squint consultants in out-patient and theatre settings and offers involvement in orthoptic teaching across the team.

You will contribute to assessments, management plans, and 1st assist duties for squint surgery, while fostering CPD and collaborative care within a large ophthalmology department.

Qualifications

• Degree in Orthoptics (or equivalent) and HCPC registration.
• Evidence of appropriate ongoing professional development (CPD).
• Experience with adult ocular motility caseload and squint surgery support is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Assess patients with complex ocular motility disorders within clinical timeframes.
• Formulate and communicate management plans with Squint Consultants and Head Orthoptist.
• Serve as 1st Assistant for squint surgery in adults and children.
• Assist in Botox clinics and post-operative care with accurate alignment assessments.
• Contribute to MDT processes and pre/post‑op clinics, with documentation and referrals.
• Participate in teaching of undergraduate Orthoptists and trainees.

Skills

Autonomous practitioner

Clinical assessment

MDT communication

Education

Degree in Orthoptics or equivalent

HCPC registration

Ongoing CPD

Job description

Job summary

Are you an Orthoptist looking for a challenging complex ocular motility caseload?

Do you have a passion for working not only in the out‑patient environment but also within a theatre setting?

Would you like to work within a purpose built eye unit in one of the largest Trusts in the North West?

If the answer is YES to the above then we have the perfect job for you!

We are looking to recruit a Specialist Orthoptist for a period of up to 12 months to cover maternity leave with a focus on a complex ocular motility caseload.

You will support our squint consultants both in the out‑patient clinics and squint theatre within this caseload, as well as undertaking various additional orthoptic hospital and community clinics and the opportunity to be involved in orthoptic teaching of which the whole team participate in.

This is an amazing opportunity for an Orthoptist with experience of an adult caseload to join our well‑established team to provide not only an excellent standard of care to all patients but to develop themselves within a complex ocular motility role too.

Main duties of the job

Responsible for providing specialised Orthoptic services as an autonomous practitioner within hospitals and community outreach clinics, accepting direct referral of patients of all ages who have a wide spectrum of ocular motility disorders and visual problems. To assess, diagnose, manage and treat patients of all ages referred to the Orthoptist, being responsible for the instigation of follow-up care and/or onward referral to the sub‑speciality Orthoptists/Optometrists/Ophthalmologists as appropriate.

To be regularly involved in the assessment, diagnosis and management of complex ocular motility disorders by undertaking the joint Consultant Adult Squint/Botox clinics and working with the Head Orthoptist in supporting the organisation of the squint botox clinic, squint pre and post‑op clinics, contributing to squint MDT and undertaking the role of 1st assist for squint surgery.

To be involved in the clinical teaching of undergraduate Orthoptists, pre‑registration Optometrists, medical students and other healthcare learners/professionals as required.

About us

The orthoptic department is based at Royal Preston Hospital with additional community clinics and our Ophthalmology Unit at Chorley District General Hospital which opened in December 2021.

Our new unit has been designed to not only give the patient and their relatives/carers the best experience but also our team too; with individual 6m Orthoptic rooms fully equipped even with a window for those far distance cover tests we hope we have thought of everything.

We are a large department who work closely with our eye colleagues striving to provide excellent care with compassion; if you manage your time well and work well within a dynamic team then this is the place for you.

We are always looking for ways to further develop ourselves and the team plus looking to see what we could do differently and in fact better. This is why we actively encourage and support CPD, audit and research and have mentorship in place for this role.

Details

Band: Band 6

Salary: £39,959 to £48,117 a year per annum, pro rata

Contract: Fixed term, 12 months

Working pattern: Part-time, Job share

Reference number: 438-PB4876

Location: Royal Preston Hospital, Sharoe Green Lane, Preston, PR2 9HT

Job responsibilities

• Assess 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 PGDs/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

Essential qualifications

• Degree in Orthoptics or equivalent
• Registration with HCPC
• Evidence of appropriate ongoing professional development

Desirable qualifications

• Evidence of postgraduate training and certificates
• Teaching qualification or willingness to undertake 2 day BIOS course

Essential knowledge

• Proven knowledge and experience managing specifically an adult ocular motility Orthoptic caseload
• Proven knowledge 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/GP's and other health professionals on varying levels
• Proven knowledge of formulating treatment plans involving complex facts and situations and problem solving techniques and be able to explain these to patients/parents/carers/students/GP's and other health professionals on varying levels
• Proven ability to work single handed in the hospital and or community clinic
• Proven postgraduate clinical experience - 2 years minimum practice
• Evidence of CPD Knowledge of relevant national policies and procedures relating to role
• 1st Assist for squint surgery competence and associated aseptic techniques
• Experience of teaching orthoptic undergraduates and or other health professionals and students

Desirable knowledge

• Experience working as an Orthoptist in the ward environment
• Experience of various Neurological conditions seen by Orthoptists
• Evidence of Audit
• Evidence of Research
• Awareness of Dementia
• Ability to perform and interpret visual fields static and kinetic

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.

Employer contact

Head Orthoptist: Claire Critchley, [e-mail], 07517829882

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.