Job summary
Band 4 - £15,918 - £17,468 pro rata'd
Permanent, part-time role - 22.5 hours per week
This post is only open for applications for individuals employed within the Hampshire and Isle of Wight NHS Care System
Organisations within scope are as follows:
- Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board
- Southern Health Foundation Trust
- Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust
- University Hospital Southampton
- Solent NHS Trust
- South Central Ambulance Service
- Isle of Wight NHS Trust
- Hampshire Hospitals
Are you looking to enhance or change your career? Are you a self-motivated, dynamic individual? Do you enjoy working with children and members of the public?
If so, become an orthoptic assistant and join us in the orthoptic and ophthalmology department at Queen Alexandra Hospital, Portsmouth.
You will be providing clinical assessments in vision testing for both adult and paediatric patients, colour vision, ophthalmic imaging, virtual neuro-ophthalmic clinics, working within specific clinic protocols and guided by the Orthoptic team. You will be supporting the Orthoptic team with some administrative duties including the monitoring and ordering of stock.
You must be able to work both independently and as part of a team. Some Saturday working may be required.
Full training will be provided and there may be future opportunities for further professional development due to the ongoing development of a national Orthoptic Apprenticeship programme.
Main duties of the job
- The Orthoptic Assistant will form an integral part of the multidisciplinary team approach in the assessment and management of children's and adults eye care. They will support the orthoptic team in the testing of children and adult visual acuities. Training will be provided to the successful candidate.
- The Orthoptic Assistant will work closely with the Orthoptists, Ophthalmologists and Optometrists to ensure accurate visual acuities are obtained and to aid the smooth running of the ophthalmology clinics and patient treatment pathways.
- The post holder will work independently within the remit of the role but under the guidance and supervision of the orthoptists and ophthalmology team.
About us
Here at Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust, we are proud to provide expert, compassionate care for our local population. We are ranked as the third in the country for research, embedding education and training across the organisation. Our main hub is the Queen Alexandra Hospital, which is one of the largest hospitals on the south coast employing over 8,700 staff.
Our patients come from all walks of life and so do we. We hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds because it makes our hospital stronger. If you share our values and our enthusiasm for getting it right for patients, colleagues, and our community, you will find a home at Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- Work as an Orthoptic Assistant to assist with the coordination and management of patients undergoing amblyopia treatment.
- Provide information to patients related to treatment/follow-up and signpost to appropriate healthcare providers within remit of role and guidance.
- Accurate assessment of children's visual acuity using a range of vision tests to accommodate a range of ages and abilities.
- Ability to use and interpret, with training, different ophthalmic equipment, to include but not exclusive to the Plus Optix Auto Refractor, OCT, Octopus Visual Fields and fundus photography.
- Ability to use IT systems to ensure the smooth running of patients through the orthoptic and ophthalmology clinics, these will include EPR to record patient assessments, management plans and correspondence to referrers.
- Document all interactions both verbally and written with accuracy and in line with Trust SOPs, Policy and Procedures.
- Demonstrate excellent communication skills with patients of all ages, and are able to form a good rapport with children, including the young.
- To perform visual acuity assessments on children of differing age groups and abilities to a high standard. To ensure an accurate record of visual acuity is well maintained and is reflective of any improvements/changes following the implementation of treatment plans.
- To perform visual acuity assessments on adults to a high standard.
- To perform ophthalmic tests on children and adults to a high standard.
- The ability to follow a clinical pathway and departmental protocols to ensure safe management of patient eye conditions.
- To maintain and develop professional skills, engaging and participating in ophthalmic training and competency assessments.
- To discuss patients' visual outcomes with the Orthoptic Team and escalate concerns in a timely manner.
- To train and develop other members of healthcare team to perform adult vision testing, OCT and Visual Fields.
- To support the smooth running of Orthoptist and Optometry clinics, including support with administrative tasks such as ordering stock, leaflets and equipment required for clinical services.
- To coordinate maintenance of eye equipment and associated software to ensure smooth running of the ophthalmic service, liaising with the Head Orthoptist with any concerns.
- Ensure accurate and timely documentation of all patient interactions.
- Communicate directly with patients, relatives and carers demonstrating empathy, understanding and respect.
- Ability to communicate sensitively when dealing with differing situations.
- To support and contribute to the team in their responsibility for ensuring and maintaining a high quality service.
- To adhere to the Trust and local Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy at all tines,
- Help patients and relatives overcome barriers to understanding when English is not their first language.
- Reporting all complaints and untoward occurrences as per Trust policy.
- Participate in other duties to reflect an evolving healthcare service as appropriate.
- To actively pursue personal professional development.
- Promote clinical supervision and mentorship for staff.
- Ensure personal compliance with regard to mandatory, professional and personal development according to service needs.
- Ensure personal compliance with guidelines and clinical pathways.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- Work as an Orthoptic Assistant to assist with the coordination and management of patients undergoing amblyopia treatment.
- Provide information to patients related to treatment/follow-up and signpost to appropriate healthcare providers within remit of role and guidance.
- Accurate assessment of children's visual acuity using a range of vision tests to accommodate a range of ages and abilities.
- Ability to use and interpret, with training, different ophthalmic equipment, to include but not exclusive to the Plus Optix Auto Refractor, OCT, Octopus Visual Fields and fundus photography.
- Ability to use IT systems to ensure the smooth running of patients through the orthoptic and ophthalmology clinics, these will include EPR to record patient assessments, management plans and correspondence to referrers.
- Document all interactions both verbally and written with accuracy and in line with Trust SOPs, Policy and Procedures.
- Demonstrate excellent communication skills with patients of all ages, and are able to form a good rapport with children, including the young.
- To perform visual acuity assessments on children of differing age groups and abilities to a high standard. To ensure an accurate record of visual acuity is well maintained and is reflective of any improvements/changes following the implementation of treatment plans.
- To perform visual acuity assessments on adults to a high standard.
- To perform ophthalmic tests on children and adults to a high standard.
- The ability to follow a clinical pathway and departmental protocols to ensure safe management of patient eye conditions.
- To maintain and develop professional skills, engaging and participating in ophthalmic training and competency assessments.
- To discuss patients' visual outcomes with the Orthoptic Team and escalate concerns in a timely manner.
- To train and develop other members of healthcare team to perform adult vision testing, OCT and Visual Fields.
- To support the smooth running of Orthoptist and Optometry clinics, including support with administrative tasks such as ordering stock, leaflets and equipment required for clinical services.
- To coordinate maintenance of eye equipment and associated software to ensure smooth running of the ophthalmic service, liaising with the Head Orthoptist with any concerns.
- Ensure accurate and timely documentation of all patient interactions.
- Communicate directly with patients, relatives and carers demonstrating empathy, understanding and respect.
- Ability to communicate sensitively when dealing with differing situations.
- To support and contribute to the team in their responsibility for ensuring and maintaining a high quality service.
- To adhere to the Trust and local Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy at all tines,
- Help patients and relatives overcome barriers to understanding when English is not their first language.
- Reporting all complaints and untoward occurrences as per Trust policy.
- Participate in other duties to reflect an evolving healthcare service as appropriate.
- To actively pursue personal professional development.
- Promote clinical supervision and mentorship for staff.
- Ensure personal compliance with regard to mandatory, professional and personal development according to service needs.
- Ensure personal compliance with guidelines and clinical pathways.
Person Specification
Skills and Knowledge
Essential
- Ability to gain childrens confidence and a good rapport within a clinical setting.
- Ability to discuss and assess patients concerns and needs.
- Awareness of boundaries when working and the need to seek advice and discuss as appropriate.
- Ability to plan and organise.
- Ability to work as part of a multidisciplinary team.
- Ability to work in a demanding environment and adapt to change in working practices to meet the needs of the service.
- Effective communication skills both written and verbal/nonverbal.
- Ability to put patients at ease.
- Ability to demonstrate initiative and prioritise work efficiently within scope of practice.
- Attention to detail in aiding completion of audit and data collection.
- Standard keyboard skills
Desirable
- Familiar with Trust electronic patient record system, Openeyes.
- Willingness to attend courses or workshops relevant to the post.
- Participation in clinical supervision or self-reflection.
Qualifications
Essential
- GCSE level education grade C and above or equivalent.
- Evidence of further study, courses related to healthcare e.g. NVQ 3 level or equivalent plus knowledge of specific patient conditions, forms of therapy, acquired through training, experience.
Desirable
- Experience of working in an Eye department
- Healthcare experience.
- Further education qualifications.
- NVQ level 4.
Experience
Essential
- Relevant health or social care experience at AFC Band 3 or equivalent.
- Minimum of 2 years working within a healthcare/social care setting.
- Experience of working with the public.
- Experience of working with children.
- Good inter-personal skills.
- Ability to work effectively in a team.
- Ability to work flexibly, including evening and weekends.
- Experience of multi-professional working.
Desirable
- Experience of discussing patient concerns and needs.
- Knowledge of relevant eye terminology.
- Experience in coordinating a patient workload.
Person Specification
Skills and Knowledge
Essential
- Ability to gain childrens confidence and a good rapport within a clinical setting.
- Ability to discuss and assess patients concerns and needs.
- Awareness of boundaries when working and the need to seek advice and discuss as appropriate.
- Ability to plan and organise.
- Ability to work as part of a multidisciplinary team.
- Ability to work in a demanding environment and adapt to change in working practices to meet the needs of the service.
- Effective communication skills both written and verbal/nonverbal.
- Ability to put patients at ease.
- Ability to demonstrate initiative and prioritise work efficiently within scope of practice.
- Attention to detail in aiding completion of audit and data collection.
- Standard keyboard skills
Desirable
- Familiar with Trust electronic patient record system, Openeyes.
- Willingness to attend courses or workshops relevant to the post.
- Participation in clinical supervision or self-reflection.
Qualifications
Essential
- GCSE level education grade C and above or equivalent.
- Evidence of further study, courses related to healthcare e.g. NVQ 3 level or equivalent plus knowledge of specific patient conditions, forms of therapy, acquired through training, experience.
Desirable
- Experience of working in an Eye department
- Healthcare experience.
- Further education qualifications.
- NVQ level 4.
Experience
Essential
- Relevant health or social care experience at AFC Band 3 or equivalent.
- Minimum of 2 years working within a healthcare/social care setting.
- Experience of working with the public.
- Experience of working with children.
- Good inter-personal skills.
- Ability to work effectively in a team.
- Ability to work flexibly, including evening and weekends.
- Experience of multi-professional working.
Desirable
- Experience of discussing patient concerns and needs.
- Knowledge of relevant eye terminology.
- Experience in coordinating a patient workload.
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.
