Principal Optometrist Glaucoma - Bedford

Job description

Job responsibilities

To deliver highly specialist clinical patient care requiring extensive knowledge, experience and expertise in management that includes a high proportion of tertiary referrals. This activity requires regular use of a wide range of advanced clinical techniques requiring dexterity, precision and intense concentration; and the judgement, analysis and interpretation of the complex clinical findings with a range of management options.

Patient examinations will be comprehensive and commensurate with clinical experience beyond Masters Level (i.e. College of Optometrists Diploma in Glaucoma, College of Optometrists Diploma in Independent Prescribing). Skills and knowledge are commensurate with those of sub-specialty medical ophthalmology staff.

To make independent, patient-centred clinical decisions on management in the presence of uncertainty (for example where patients are unable to cooperate fully in clinical assessments or the evidence for management options is unclear).

To be autonomously responsible for medical treatment (including prescribing) and management of patients. To recognise when patient clinical findings require Consultant Ophthalmic opinions (eg regarding surgery). To refer patients with ocular comorbidity to other ophthalmological services appropriately.

As Clinic Lead in Optometrist-Led Glaucoma clinics, to supervise all patient examinations carried out by the support/resident/placement/new to clinic Optometrist unless/until such time that the support/resident/new to clinic Optometrist has attained the appropriate College of Optometrists certificate or completed their competency sign off. To review all prescribing decisions unless the prescribing optometrist has the correct qualifications together with The College of Optometrists Diploma in Independent Prescribing and their scope of practice /area of prescribing is in that service.

To organise the session by reviewing all clinical records at the start of an Optometrist-led clinic to determine necessary additional clinical tests (eg: visual fields, imaging, auto-refraction) utilising the different staff groups efficiently (admin, technical, optometric).

To provide expert opinion to optometric and non-optometric colleagues on the management of complex cases within the designated Clinics and the Optometry Department.

To undertake a comprehensive range of complex optometry services at Moorfields and out-reach clinics. These include refraction (complex, diagnostic and paediatric), low vision clinics (paediatric, complex, employment). The post holder maintains a personal clinical workload within these services.

To refer patients for appropriate appliances (contact lenses, spectacles, low vision aids) and provide appropriate advice to patients on needs, treatment and corrective aids.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• BSc (Hons) Optometry
• College of Optometrist Diploma in Independent Prescribing

Desirable

• Fellowship of the College of Optometrists

Professional Registration

Essential

• General Optical Council Registration

Desirable

• Registered Examiner of the College of Optometrists

Skills and Experience

Essential

• Advanced theoretical & practical knowledge in the clinical assessment and management of patients within Glaucoma setting
• Minimum of 5 years post registration clinical experience with at least 3 years in a hospital specialist glaucoma clinic.
• Experience working with adult patients who are visually impaired & patients with learning disabilities.

Desirable

• Comprehensive knowledge of ocular therapeutics

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

Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Moorfields Eye Hospital NHSFT

Bedford Hospital South Wing

Bedford

MK42 9DJ

Employer's website

https://www.moorfields.nhs.uk/work-for-us (Opens in a new tab)