Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen to join our ever developing department and friendly ophthalmology team at University Hospitals Sussex, based at Southlands Hospital in Shoreham-By- Sea and St Richards Hospital in Chichester.
The ophthalmology service boasts a state of the art unit in Shoreham, developed in 2017 which comprises of 2 dedicated eye theatres, supported by a suite of diagnostic equipment. The service's vision is to be a world class eye care provider, widely recognised for providing safe, personal and effective care. This is a senior clinical post and the ideal candidate will be an experienced hospital optometrist and will be expected to work effectively within a multidisciplinary team providing support to the glaucoma service, particularly in complex and surgical glaucoma.
Experience in other ophthalmology sub-specialities will also be an advantage and there will be a requirement for the successful candidate to be adaptable to the changing needs of the department.
Our team consists of 11 Consultants, optometrists, orthoptists, nursing and technical team. For an informal discussion please contact Karen French, Consultant Optometrist via email on kfrench1@nhs.net.
Main duties of the job
Role Summary
Provides support to Head of Optometry with regards to leadership and development of the optometry service both operationally and strategically, acting as deputy Head of Department
Acts as professional lead expert within the department for optometrist extended role glaucoma services
Has responsibility for clinical and clinical governance issues for optometrists working in the glaucoma service
Provides optometric overview for glaucoma service development
Is responsible for and personally delivers a wide range of specialised optometric care including advanced glaucoma extended role
Supports the training and mentorship of staff within the department
About us
At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We're proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust.
We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We're here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in ourWellbeing Programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work life balance - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.
As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.
We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.
Candidate Information Pack: https://www.uhsussex.nhs.uk/resources/candidate-information-pack/
Job description
Job responsibilities
Main Duties and Responsibilities
Communication
- Communicates highly complex service related information to senior managers and clinicians within the Trust and other external agencies to improve understanding of the service and the contribution that can be made to improving patient care.
- Gives formal presentations to senior management groups, business meetings, staff, external agencies, including the communication of service related information where the audience may have conflicting agendas and priorities.
- Reports complex information activity quarterly and annually as appropriate.
- Delivers complex information to Ophthalmology teams regarding performance of each area and objectives and strategies.
Service Delivery and Improvement
To participate in the planning and development of ophthalmic services and specifically developing the role of optometrist within the glaucoma team
To work with colleagues to establish robust links with other professional groups predominantly primary care Optometrists and GPs
To review and develop written policies/protocols relevant to clinical procedures as necessary
To undertake specific projects as requested by the Head of Optometry, Ophthalmologist body & / or Ophthalmology General Manager
To participate in service reviews or improvement events and initiatives in order to drive improved patient experience, quality and productivity
People Management and Development
- To have responsibility, with the Head of Optometry, for the management of optometrists working within the Glaucoma Service as identified in the organisational chart.
- To ensure the trusts appraisal system is employed & identify the training and development needs of optometrists in the Glaucoma Service.
- To be responsible for clinical risk management by optometrists within the Glaucoma Service.
- To provide management support to the Glaucoma Service and Head of Optometry as required.
Patient Care Delivery
- To work as an autonomous practitioner and as part of a wider team in providing assessment, diagnosis and management of patients within various sub-specialties in the eye clinic
- To have the skills necessary to understand and manage complex situations, formulating appropriate solutions and troubleshooting effectively
- To have the skills and expertise necessary to assess patients levels of understanding, their need for information and any support needs
- To have the skills and expert knowledge necessary to be able to contribute constructively to, and support developing patients care plans
- To tailor the delivery of care to the personal needs of individual patients and be able to adapt emotional, mental and physical responses appropriately. This requires maintaining concentration for prolonged periods whilst also coping with the competing demands of unplanned daily clinical workload and frequent interruption
- To ensure a high degree of accuracy in using specialist equipment to gain accurate measurements necessary for patient management
- Implement NICE quality standards
- Observe safe working practices and equipment procedures, complying with legislative requirements under H&S regulations
- Respect patient and staff confidentiality at all times
- Manage an unpredictable workload dependant due to changing demands and interruptions
- Keep work up-to-date within departmental set standards, notifying the line manager immediately if this becomes problematic
- Adhere to appropriate health and safety, fire and statutory regulations and all trust policies relevant to the post
- Ensure compliance with all trust policies and follow trust codes of practise regarding any absence, annual, sick or other leaves
- To work as an autonomous practitioner with extensive freedom to act, carrying full responsibility for patient care and outcomes
- Keep and maintain appropriate records (electronic and paper) at all times ensuring that all paperwork is written or filed promptly into case-notes, and letters dictated
- Identify all referrals that are Overseas Visitors and undertake all associated administration
- To assist in the collection of and recording outcomes of patients to support service development and clinical audit
- To collate and record quantitative and qualitative data to provide evidence of productivity, outcomes and quality
Job description
Job responsibilities
Main Duties and Responsibilities
Communication
- Communicates highly complex service related information to senior managers and clinicians within the Trust and other external agencies to improve understanding of the service and the contribution that can be made to improving patient care.
- Gives formal presentations to senior management groups, business meetings, staff, external agencies, including the communication of service related information where the audience may have conflicting agendas and priorities.
- Reports complex information activity quarterly and annually as appropriate.
- Delivers complex information to Ophthalmology teams regarding performance of each area and objectives and strategies.
Service Delivery and Improvement
To participate in the planning and development of ophthalmic services and specifically developing the role of optometrist within the glaucoma team
To work with colleagues to establish robust links with other professional groups predominantly primary care Optometrists and GPs
To review and develop written policies/protocols relevant to clinical procedures as necessary
To undertake specific projects as requested by the Head of Optometry, Ophthalmologist body & / or Ophthalmology General Manager
To participate in service reviews or improvement events and initiatives in order to drive improved patient experience, quality and productivity
People Management and Development
- To have responsibility, with the Head of Optometry, for the management of optometrists working within the Glaucoma Service as identified in the organisational chart.
- To ensure the trusts appraisal system is employed & identify the training and development needs of optometrists in the Glaucoma Service.
- To be responsible for clinical risk management by optometrists within the Glaucoma Service.
- To provide management support to the Glaucoma Service and Head of Optometry as required.
Patient Care Delivery
- To work as an autonomous practitioner and as part of a wider team in providing assessment, diagnosis and management of patients within various sub-specialties in the eye clinic
- To have the skills necessary to understand and manage complex situations, formulating appropriate solutions and troubleshooting effectively
- To have the skills and expertise necessary to assess patients levels of understanding, their need for information and any support needs
- To have the skills and expert knowledge necessary to be able to contribute constructively to, and support developing patients care plans
- To tailor the delivery of care to the personal needs of individual patients and be able to adapt emotional, mental and physical responses appropriately. This requires maintaining concentration for prolonged periods whilst also coping with the competing demands of unplanned daily clinical workload and frequent interruption
- To ensure a high degree of accuracy in using specialist equipment to gain accurate measurements necessary for patient management
- Implement NICE quality standards
- Observe safe working practices and equipment procedures, complying with legislative requirements under H&S regulations
- Respect patient and staff confidentiality at all times
- Manage an unpredictable workload dependant due to changing demands and interruptions
- Keep work up-to-date within departmental set standards, notifying the line manager immediately if this becomes problematic
- Adhere to appropriate health and safety, fire and statutory regulations and all trust policies relevant to the post
- Ensure compliance with all trust policies and follow trust codes of practise regarding any absence, annual, sick or other leaves
- To work as an autonomous practitioner with extensive freedom to act, carrying full responsibility for patient care and outcomes
- Keep and maintain appropriate records (electronic and paper) at all times ensuring that all paperwork is written or filed promptly into case-notes, and letters dictated
- Identify all referrals that are Overseas Visitors and undertake all associated administration
- To assist in the collection of and recording outcomes of patients to support service development and clinical audit
- To collate and record quantitative and qualitative data to provide evidence of productivity, outcomes and quality
Person Specification
Professional Registraion
Essential
Desirable
- GOC Specialty Registration (independent prescribers)
Experience & Qualifications
Essential
- BSC (hons) Optometry degree or equivalent
- Master level degree in Clinical Optometry Postgraduate qualifications or appropriate specialist qualification
- Experience of working to an advanced level in glaucoma
- Member/ Fellow College Optometrists (Pre-registration Optometry )
Desirable
- Experience in surgical glaucoma clinics and management of post-operative glaucoma care
- Experience of working in other ophthalmic sub-specialties
- Management Qualification or Development (D)
Skills
Essential
- Effectively communicate with patients of all ages, abilities and backgrounds
- Ability to communicate complex, sensitive and specialist information to patients
- Empathy skills to support and liaise with relatives
- Communicate complex information to other professional groups, including teaching
- Prioritise and manage own variable workload, and able to re-arrange work priorities according to demand
- Good time management skills and punctual. Able to organise oneself and prioritise clinical need
- Experience and ability to work in multi-professional teams
Desirable
- Experience of being involved in service development
- Experience of developing a Glaucoma service - longer term sustainability plans
- Experience of audit and research
Management & Development
Essential
- Ability to act as a role model demonstrating high standards of care and providing clinical leadership in specialist area to others
- Teaching/supervision experience/ assessment skills
- Experience of line management of staff including: oAppraisals & recruitment osickness absence management oemployee relations procedures
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
Essential
- Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles
- Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
Person Specification
Professional Registraion
Essential
Desirable
- GOC Specialty Registration (independent prescribers)
Experience & Qualifications
Essential
- BSC (hons) Optometry degree or equivalent
- Master level degree in Clinical Optometry Postgraduate qualifications or appropriate specialist qualification
- Experience of working to an advanced level in glaucoma
- Member/ Fellow College Optometrists (Pre-registration Optometry )
Desirable
- Experience in surgical glaucoma clinics and management of post-operative glaucoma care
- Experience of working in other ophthalmic sub-specialties
- Management Qualification or Development (D)
Skills
Essential
- Effectively communicate with patients of all ages, abilities and backgrounds
- Ability to communicate complex, sensitive and specialist information to patients
- Empathy skills to support and liaise with relatives
- Communicate complex information to other professional groups, including teaching
- Prioritise and manage own variable workload, and able to re-arrange work priorities according to demand
- Good time management skills and punctual. Able to organise oneself and prioritise clinical need
- Experience and ability to work in multi-professional teams
Desirable
- Experience of being involved in service development
- Experience of developing a Glaucoma service - longer term sustainability plans
- Experience of audit and research
Management & Development
Essential
- Ability to act as a role model demonstrating high standards of care and providing clinical leadership in specialist area to others
- Teaching/supervision experience/ assessment skills
- Experience of line management of staff including: oAppraisals & recruitment osickness absence management oemployee relations procedures
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
Essential
- Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles
- Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
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).
