Orthoptist

Job description

Job responsibilities

Communication and Key Working Relationships

To liaise with the Consultant Ophthalmologists, Optometrists, Health Visitors/School nurses, safeguarding teams, paediatricians and other health professionals children's services, parents, patients and teachers of visual impairment using verbal and written correspondence.

To be aware of barriers to communication and be able to overcome them effectively for example: with children, people with learning disabilities, where English is not their first language, with patients with expressive language difficulties (stroke).

To participate in an annual appraisal (Developmental Review).

Planning and Organisation

To be responsible for planning, implementing and monitoring individual Orthoptic treatment plans / care pathways for patients of all ages, using advanced clinical reasoning and evidence-based practice to decide the most appropriate treatment from a range of available options.

To discuss surgical options with the surgeon and make recommendations regarding surgical procedures using an up-to-date knowledge of evidence-based practice.

To attend and contribute to Orthoptic departmental meetings.

Responsibility for Patient / Client Care, Treatment & Therapy

To be responsible as an autonomous practitioner for the evaluation of visual acuity and visual behaviour in referrals from the specialist services. This includes infants with strabismus (squint) and amblyopia, congenital or developmental disabilities, genetics referrals, strokes, children and adults with significant learning difficulties as well as acute ocular motility defects in both children and adults. Clinics could be located across the Somerset FT area in community hospitals, special schools and other locations and (a small proportion)may be single handed once adequate competence and experience is reached.

To be responsible as an autonomous practitioner for the investigation, diagnose and management of all patients referred to and follow up within the orthoptic department with binocular vision and ocular motility defects. This patient group comprises all cases of ocular motility defects and amblyopia, complex congenital and acquired cases, including neurological abnormalities, patients who have suffered strokes, patients with orbital disease, genetic disorders and associated ocular abnormalities. This will involves analysing and interpreting highly complex and sensitive information.

To be responsible for the Orthoptic assessment, diagnosis and management of patients referred to the Orthoptic Department from various departments, including paediatrics, school vision screening, emergency department, maxillo-facial department, ophthalmology ARC clinic, and paediatrics.

To take sole responsibility to formulate relevant discharge plans and onward referral to relevant teams/departments

To decide, plan and organise patient's investigations before seeing consultant ophthalmologist to ensure efficient running of clinic and best patient experience.

To assist surgeon in post-operative adjustable suture techniques. This requires accurate measurement to aid and allow ocular re-alignment whilst the patient is under local anaesthesia.

To be responsible for triaging referrals to the orthoptic department.

To perform auto refraction and to be responsible for the maintenance and safe use of the auto refractor.

To perform automated visual fields and interpret in line with DVLA guidance.

To work within limitations of PGD and/or Medical exemptions dependent on qualifications.

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Policy, Service, Research & Development Responsibility

*To undertake regular audit of the services within the area of responsibility.

*To contribute to the planning and the development of the Orthoptic service, e.g. developing guidelines and policies for the Orthoptic team and those accessing the service such as nursing medical or therapy staff.

Responsibility for Finance, Equipment & Other Resources

To be responsible for maintaining adequate levels of medical/surgical supplies and security of medication used in clinical situations.

To monitor stock levels of departmental supplies and request ordering when required.

To be responsible for the care of clinical equipment and reporting of faults.

Utilise Department and Trust information systems currently in use and ensure the accuracy of information held on the Patient Administration Systems (Maxims).

Information Resources & Administrative Duties

To liaise with other departments within the hospital (e.g. the wards, other specialities, admissions, booking team, medical records, outpatients and information systems) and ensure that the department interfaces efficiently with them.

To comply with departmental quality procedures and participate in quality management monitoring. This will include planning of audits for hospital orthoptic service, and participation in local, regional and national audits.

To attend appropriate training events and courses thereby maintaining up-to-date knowledge and skills.

To attend and contribute to Orthoptic departmental meetings (e.g. research and present new ideas)

To always keep and maintain appropriate records ensuring that all paperwork is filed promptly into case-notes/EPR.

To deal with enquiries arising during the working day and take appropriate action.

To attend mandatory training as deemed necessary for role and ensure this is kept in date.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Possess a Bachelor of Science in Orthoptics BSc(Orth), BMedSci (Orthoptics) and/or a diploma from the British Orthoptic Council (DBO).
• Registered with the Health Care Professions Council..

Desirable

• Current full UK driving licence and car.

Experience

Essential

• To have evidence of working successfully as part of a multidisciplinary team and independently.

Desirable

• Skills in ophthalmology assessment

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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Musgrove Park Hospital

Musgrove Road

Taunton

Somerset

TA1 5DA

Employer's website

https://www.somersetft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)