Job summary
There are so
many reasons to join our team at Sunderland Eye Infirmary. Aside from our
fantastic staff, we have lots of exciting things going on. Our plans for our
Eye Hospital in Sunderland are taking shape and will be our new home from 2026.
The new hospital means Sunderland will remain home to the regions only
dedicated standalone eye hospital. It will strengthen our excellent reputation
across the NHS, both regionally and nationally as a centre of excellence for
ophthalmology care.
We also never
stay still when it comes to discovering new and better treatments. As one of
the few specialist eye hospitals in the country, research and using developing
technology is a key part of our work. We encourage innovation and research in
everything we do. There is always something to get involved in. If you share
our vision for excellence in all that
we do, wed love you to join us!
We are looking
for 2 enthusiastic and motivated
Orthoptists to join our friendly and experienced team of 8 orthoptists based at
Sunderland Eye Infirmary. As a tertiary referral centre, our service supports
paediatric Ophthalmology, Neuro-Ophthalmology, Maxillofacial, Emergency care,
adult motility and acute stroke service. We also participate in student
teaching as an accredited Orthoptic student placement.
Main duties of the job
The successful
candidate would join a team of 8 orthoptists. They will also work alongside 2
consultant Paediatric Ophthalmologists, 1 specialist Neuro-Ophthalmologist and
9 Optometrists. They will be based at Sunderland Eye Infirmary and will participate
in joint Consultant, Optometry and individual Orthoptic clinics. They will also
have the opportunity to participate in peripheral clinics, regular journal
clubs and teaching of Orthoptic and medical students.
Consideration
will be given to newly qualified Orthoptists who do not meet the criteria for
Band 6, but who are appointable at Band 5. Mentoring will be provided in this
circumstance. Responsibilities will be dependent on experience.
The working
hours will be 37.5 hours per week Monday-Friday 08:30-16:30. We encourage all
hopeful candidates to contact Maxine Davison, Highly Specialist Orthoptists on
0191 5699064 or maxine.davison@nhs.net for further information regarding this
post.
About us
Please help us by adding your telephone number to your application form this will allow us to contact you quickly if required.
One Team One Trust - There are many reasons to work at our Trust. From our commitment to putting people first to our accessible services and award winning teams. We have a passion for research, innovation and tackling inequalities. We are committed to respect, fairness and civility and promote a compassionate, caring and positive culture / working environment.
We welcome all applications irrespective of peoples race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion/belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity and in particular those from under- represented groups. Looking after our workforces health and wellbeing is a priority for STSFT. We also provide access to high quality education, training, career progression and support. Flexible working is supported via the Trust's Flexible Working Policy.
The Trust employs around 8,600 people and provides a range of hospital services to a local community of around 430,000 residents. We also provide a range of more specialised services outside this area, in some cases to a population as great as 860,000. We offer our staff outstanding benefits - Fitness Centre (SRH), libraries at both hospital sites, chaplaincy support and access to a Childcare Co-ordinator to help staff with childcare arrangements. The Trust will not accept applications which are found to be AI generated.
Job description
Job responsibilities
PLEASE REFER TO THE ATTACHED JOB DESCRIPTION FOR FULL DUTIES OF THE ROLE.
To provide a comprehensive and quality Orthoptic
investigation as an autonomous practitioner for patients referred to the Eye
Department. To work independently and within a multi-disciplinary team to
provide appropriate assessment, diagnosis and treatment for Orthoptic
patients ranging in age and abilities. To carry out secondary screening in the
community and peripheral sites.
Job description
Job responsibilities
PLEASE REFER TO THE ATTACHED JOB DESCRIPTION FOR FULL DUTIES OF THE ROLE.
To provide a comprehensive and quality Orthoptic
investigation as an autonomous practitioner for patients referred to the Eye
Department. To work independently and within a multi-disciplinary team to
provide appropriate assessment, diagnosis and treatment for Orthoptic
patients ranging in age and abilities. To carry out secondary screening in the
community and peripheral sites.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Experience in all aspects of clinical Orthoptics.
- Experience in ophthalmological assessment of patients.
- Evidence of continued professional development.
Desirable
- Evidence of special interest in neuro-ophthalmology and strabismus.
- Experience of delivering student supervision and clinical education to Orthoptic undergraduates, pre-registration optometrists, trainee GPs and junior doctors.
Physical Skills
Essential
- Ability to assist patients to move as per Trust Moving and Handling Policy.
- Expert hand/eye co-ordination to perform accurate assessments with challenging patients.
Qualifications
Essential
- BSc (Hons) Orthoptics OR Orthoptics BMedSci OR Diploma from British Orthoptic Council (DBO) OR Be a student expected to qualify with a degree / diploma within 3 months of application date.
- To be registered with Health and Care Professions Council.
- BIOS member or other professional liability insurance.
Desirable
- Medical exemptions for orthoptists.
- Clinical tutors qualification.
Skills and Knowledge
Essential
- Good planning and organisational skills and be self-directing.
- Ability to deliver presentations.
- Good interpersonal and communication skills at all levels.
- Ability to manage and prioritise clinical work load and respond appropriately and logically.
- Understanding of and ability to maintain patient confidentiality.
- Ability to gain co-operation dependent on the audience, ability and understanding.
- IT Skills.
Desirable
- Ability to adapt communication to individuals including non-verbal ways eg Makaton.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Experience in all aspects of clinical Orthoptics.
- Experience in ophthalmological assessment of patients.
- Evidence of continued professional development.
Desirable
- Evidence of special interest in neuro-ophthalmology and strabismus.
- Experience of delivering student supervision and clinical education to Orthoptic undergraduates, pre-registration optometrists, trainee GPs and junior doctors.
Physical Skills
Essential
- Ability to assist patients to move as per Trust Moving and Handling Policy.
- Expert hand/eye co-ordination to perform accurate assessments with challenging patients.
Qualifications
Essential
- BSc (Hons) Orthoptics OR Orthoptics BMedSci OR Diploma from British Orthoptic Council (DBO) OR Be a student expected to qualify with a degree / diploma within 3 months of application date.
- To be registered with Health and Care Professions Council.
- BIOS member or other professional liability insurance.
Desirable
- Medical exemptions for orthoptists.
- Clinical tutors qualification.
Skills and Knowledge
Essential
- Good planning and organisational skills and be self-directing.
- Ability to deliver presentations.
- Good interpersonal and communication skills at all levels.
- Ability to manage and prioritise clinical work load and respond appropriately and logically.
- Understanding of and ability to maintain patient confidentiality.
- Ability to gain co-operation dependent on the audience, ability and understanding.
- IT Skills.
Desirable
- Ability to adapt communication to individuals including non-verbal ways eg Makaton.
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).